Chains

Viburnum tinus

William Curtis (11 January 1746 – 7 July 1799) was an English botanist and entomologist, who was born at  Alton, Hampshire,   site of the Curtis Museum..  Curtis began as an apothecary, before turning his attention to botany and other natural history. The publications he prepared reached a wider audience than early works on the subject had intended.   At the age of 25 he produced Instructions for collecting and preserving insects; particularly moths and butterflies.

Curtis was demonstrator of plants and Praefectus Horti at the Chelsea Physic Garden from 1771 to 1777.   He established his own London Botanic Garden at Lambeth in 1779, moving to Brompton  in 1789. He published Flora Londinensis (6 volumes, 1777–1798), a pioneering work in that it devoted itself to urban nature. Financial success was not found, but he went on the publish The Botanical Magazine in 1787, a work that would also feature hand coloured plates by artists such as James Sowerby and Sydenham Edwards.

The Ship PH

Walkie talkie

Living wall and the queue for the Sky Garden

Georgian House

Delivery bike

Window cleaners on the Walkie Talkie.   There was a man at ground level holding the ropes tied to the cleaners.   They swung out from the building maybe for fun...

Lloyds' Building

Leadenhall Market

Lloyds' Building

Coffee not available until 12.00

Photon Sphere 1 by Silvina Maestro?

This was considered to be pottery by Google!

Devil

Terracotta devils on the building

We went through some alleys which were not a public right of way

George and Vulture PH

Jamaica Wine House

St Michael Cornhill

The Phoenix

The phoenix is a legendary immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again.   Originating in Greek mythology, it has equivalents in many cultures, such as Egyptian and Persian mythology.   Associated with the Sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor.   Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, while others say that it simply burns

The phoenix nourishes its young with its own body.   The chicks are pecking at her flesh.

Camellia

The figure makes it

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange in London was founded in the 16th century by the merchant Sir Thomas Gresham on the suggestion of his factor Richard Clough to act as a centre of commerce for the City of London. The site was provided by the City of London Corporation and the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who still jointly own the freehold. The original foundation was ceremonially opened by Queen Elizabeth I

The Old Doctor Butler's Head

Guildhall - gargoyles on the roof

Magnolia stellata

Guildhall

Cherry blossom

Nandina domestica - Heavenly Bamboo

Gargoyle

Ritual by Antanas Brazdys

Camellia

Wonderful artwork - Aggregation by Bank Seon Ghi

Grabbed shot

John Keats