Cheers,

  It’s bright and sunny and has been for several days now!  What a treat.  Yesterday we walked with Sue and Ed to the Angel Pub which is a stroll along the Thames from here.  After that, since it was a clear day, we walked over to “The Shard” and took the elevator to the 32^nd floor for the view and a glass of house wine. 

Today several of us our going to the Idea Store/Library for the writers’ festival. 

http://writeideafestival.org/events/

Tickets are free and I chose the following two talks.

Jill Dawson and Louise Doughty    http://jilldawson.co.uk/ http://www.louisedoughty.com/

  Saturday, November 16 @ 3:30 pm       

  In an era of e-books, online games and social media, what is the point of the novel? Why do so many still read fiction and wish to write it; what is the role of fiction in contemporary life – is it simply to hold a mirror to the world, or can fiction reach the places that other art forms can’t? Two of Britain’s best novelists, both of whom write and teach fiction, discuss the question: Does Fiction Matter?

The Gentle Author    http://spitalfieldslife.com/

  Saturday, November 16 @ 5:00 pm       

  The Gentle Author will talk about his new book ‘The Gentle Author’s London Album’. Between the covers of this magnificent album you will discover more than 600 of the Gentle Author’s favourite pictures of London, setting the wonders of our modern metropolis against the pictorial delights of the ancient city, and celebrating the infinite variety of life in the capital.

Here are some of the photos from The Shard.

London Bridge, the Walkie Talkie and the Gherkin.

Tower Bridge and the curve of the Thames around the Isle of Dogs with the talk buildings that are Canary Wharf. http://www.islandhistory.org.uk/index.php?p=2

St. Paul’s Cathedral

The Tower of London

Looking down on the golden top of The Monument

Sue Ed and Randal with the Gherkin in the distance across the river

Glass half full…..actually totally full if full is defined as what you get for your £4.50.  But there was no charge for the great view.

Empty glass still full of Canary Wharf

View from the Ladies’ Loo with its floor to ceiling window.

The west basin of SKD Marina is located in the center of the square of buildings just beyond the Tower Bridge.  If you find the clock tower that’s where DoraMac is located.