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OctogenPics- Mostly London

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OctogenPics- Mostly London

I'm an 85-year-old Londoner with a love for walking and capturing the beauty of this incredible city. I hope I encourage others to look.

From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, my photos showcase the charm, history, and surprises of London through my eyes.

08/09/2026

Sorry, no walk today, but the sun is trying to come out, may go round the block for a bit of exercise later.

07/09/2026

I set off today on the Metropolitan Line, but before long I had to admit that “pain stopped play”! 😬

My rucksack and heavy camera were aggravating a nasty shoulder pain, so I reluctantly abandoned my plans and headed home. Thankfully, Voltarol Gel seems to be helping. 🤞

So, instead, here are a few photos from August 2023, taken around Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. 📷🌳

Hope you enjoy them! 😊

06/09/2026

Last week I jumped on a bus to West Norwood. Not exactly the most exciting destination in London, but then I remembered that West Norwood Cemetery is one of London’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries — and wow, it really is magnificent!

So, if cemetery photos aren’t your thing, I apologise in advance! 😂 But I found the place fascinating and, of course, had to take a few pictures.

There are notice boards listing some of the important people buried there, although I have to admit I only recognised three names.

🌳 The gravestone under the tree, where you can barely read the inscription because of the shadows from the leaves, belongs to Sir Henry Bessemer, the English engineer who invented the process for mass-producing steel.

🏺 The ornate terracotta tomb is the Doulton family tomb. Sir Henry Doulton was famous for Royal Doulton pottery.

🏺 And the last picture of the terracotta tombs is that of Sir Henry Tate, the British sugar merchant and founder of the Tate Gallery.

Has anyone else noticed that all three of the “Sirs” I’ve mentioned were called Henry? 😂 There must have been something about being a Henry in Victorian London!

I carried on walking towards West Dulwich and, luckily, managed to catch a No. 3 bus which took me straight to Victoria and then home.

Another little London adventure — and a reminder that sometimes the less obvious places turn out to be the most interesting! 😊

05/09/2026

On Monday, I took the bus to Red Lion Square in Holborn and started my day of taking pictures with a blue plaque.

From there, I came across another large Wetherspoon pub, Penderel’s Oak in Holborn. The pub occupies the ground floor and cellar of Penderel House, which is named after Richard Penderel. At the end of the Civil War, in 1652, Richard helped King Charles II escape from Cromwell’s troops by hiding the royal fugitive in an oak tree on his country estate. 🌳👑

I then headed to Farringdon Road, where I found another big Wetherspoon pub, Sir John Oldcastle, named after an Elizabethan play about the controversial 14th- and 15th-century rebel.

Some of you might think I’m being paid by Wetherspoons to advertise their pubs! 😂 But honestly, I just like the fact that so many of them have an interesting historical connection.

I also passed St John Restaurant & Bar, which apparently served pigs’ trotters when it first opened. 🐷

After a good walk and plenty of pictures, I took the Elizabeth line to Bond Street and then caught a bus home.

Another enjoyable day exploring London, with a bit of history along the way! 📸🚶‍♂️🏛️

04/09/2026

Last Saturday I took the Tube to Leyton for a day of exploring. It turned out to be a really interesting walk!

The high street has a couple of impressive buildings, along with a wonderfully colourful general store that definitely catches your eye. It was great to see a group of young people in the park practising a performance, which added a lovely atmosphere.

While I was there, I came across the statue of Laurie Cunningham, the first Black footballer to play for England and the first British player to sign for Real Madrid. I also enjoyed reading a couple of fascinating history plaques outside Leyton Orient Football Club.

The building peeking through the bars is the New Smithfield Market. From there I took a fairly long walk to Stratford, where I was intrigued by a blue tower block that looked... let's just say, a little architecturally adventurous!

By the end of the walk, I was very happy to reach Stratford Station and catch the Tube home after another enjoyable day exploring London.

03/09/2026

Continuing my Holiday Monday walk around Westminster, which started near Westminster Abbey. 😊

My attention was soon diverted by the former Middlesex County Hall, now home to the Supreme Court and the Privy Council. What an incredible building — I think it must be one of the most beautifully adorned buildings in London!

Further along Horse Guards Road, I came across the memorial to the Bali Bombing of 2002. It felt particularly poignant for me as I had visited Kuta back in 2000.

There was also a little excitement at the back gate of 10 Downing Street, where the police held up the traffic for a few minutes, although the operation was eventually aborted and they drove off.

I also loved the green tiling on the refurbished 30 High Building at Victoria — such a lovely detail. 💚

And finally, I arrived back at Little Ben, marking the end of another enjoyable walk around Westminster. 🚶‍♂️📸

02/09/2026

On the Bank Holiday Monday, I decided to give public transport a miss and enjoy a walk around Westminster instead. 🚶‍♂️

Little Ben, opposite the Victoria Palace Theatre, was looking particularly splendid! 🕰️

I also stopped to admire the impressive 55 Broadway, the vast building originally constructed as the headquarters of London Underground and now home to Transport for London.

I’ll finish today’s photos with the plaque commemorating Lord Beaverbrook (Max Aitken), who was then the owner of the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Evening Standard, as well as Minister of Aircraft Production during the Second World War.

That’s all for today — I’ll continue with the rest of the pictures tomorrow. 📸😊

01/09/2026

Continuing my Bayswater/Hyde Park walk today 🚶‍♀️🌷

I loved the little tulip markers on the cycle lanes along Gloucester Place — such a lovely touch! 🌷🚲

I also had a bit of competition in the photography stakes at Norfolk Square Gardens! 📸😂

I don’t normally take photos of shopfronts, but Kingdom of Souvenirs was rather special and definitely deserved a picture.

From there, I headed into Paddington Basin and took the opportunity to enjoy half a pint in a new Wetherspoons before catching the 36 bus home. 🍺🚌

Another enjoyable London wander with plenty to see along the way! ❤️

31/08/2026

On Saturday, I took the bus to Edgware Road and started wandering around the side streets of the area. I’m still not quite sure whether I was in Bayswater or Hyde Park! 😄

I came across Gloucester Square, where I believe Tony Blair used to live, I’m not sure if he’s still there. The Duke of Kendal pub looked very quiet and deserted. Some of the houses around the area, though, look positively suburban — you’d hardly think you were so close to central London.

I’ll continue with the rest of the photos tomorrow. 📸

30/08/2026

I continued my Friday walk with a bus ride to Kingston-upon-Thames, a Royal Borough in its own right. 😊

The first photo is of Bentalls Department Store. Kingston also has two other department stores, Fenwick’s and John Lewis — quite surprising for what is a comparatively small town!

The historic Clattern Bridge dates all the way back to 1293. Kingston also has a fascinating royal history, with several Saxon kings said to have been crowned here.

All in all, Kingston is a lovely and very pleasant place to visit, with plenty of history and character. Definitely worth a wander! 🚶‍♂️📸

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