We gonna rock down to ….

|05-Nov-2019 | I probably should just rename this to the “ham and cheese croissant” trip … but then, when in Europe.

This morning we took the underground to Brixton to track down the Brixton Bowie and Electric Avenue. Yes, that Electric Avenue. Turns out they’re kitty-corner from each other.

The Brixton Bowie mural was completed in 2013 by an Australian artist. A block or so from Bowie’s childhood home, the memorial faces a small park opposite the Brixon tube station.

Along side the Brixton station is Electric Avenue. Long before Eddy Grant made it famous in 1982, Electric Avenue made a name for itself in the late 1880’s as one of the first street markets lit by electric lights.

 


We also ran across an Iceland supermarket. Since we’ll be meeting up with our crew in Iceland tomorrow, it’s selfie time.

Apparently the chain had a tussle with the country in 2016 over trademark infringement.

Founded in 1970 versus founded in 874 …. who had it first?

Maximizing the value of our day pass for the underground, we took the tube from Brixton to Bank, in the financial district.  Leadenhall Market dates back to the 14th century and was the filming location for Diagon Alley in several Harry Potter movies. Not why we’re here – just looked like a cool place to see.

A little underwhelming, actually.  The bars and shops were just opening up when we arrived. We grabbed a pint at The Lamb Tavern.

 

Around the corner from Leadenhall Market is this monolith of steampunk fabulousness: Lloyd’s of London. The architect is closely associated with Bowellism, a style where the services for the building, such as ducts, pipes, stair cases and elevators are located on the exterior of the building to maximize interior space. Though not as contemporary as some its neighbors, the 1980’s era structure looks modern in a Blade Runner kind of way.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the initial design reveal session for this baby – insurance not known for cutting edge ideas (sorry, Jeff).

Well known for its international food scene, we intended to check out a few favorites while in London. Last night it was excellent takeout Thai, tonight we hit up a nearby Lebanese restaurant. Easily the best Lebanese food I’ve had – delish. And soooo colorful!

And to wrap up London, the whole reason for this little side trip, my all-time favorite band
a-ha at Royal Albert Hall. The lightening, the video, the sound, the band – it was a fabulous show!  The first set was the album ‘Hunting High and Low’ in album order. Then after a brief intermission, the band came back and played a second set of from across their catalog, wrapping up with an encore of “Scoundrel Days” and ‘The Living Daylights”.

 

 

 

 

 

Signing off from London. Tomorrow we head to Heathrow to fly back to Iceland and meet up with the crew for Iceland Airwaves 2019!