Well I only just managed to post all these pictures up before Google Blogger implemented their disastrous and inferior Blogger interface yesterday.
Now all I have to do is add some text to some of the images. And I suppose it comes as some relief that many bloggers are up in arms at Google for changing the old reliable formatted interface.
Had I tried to post up all these images today, well it just wouldn't have happened as the image alignment option frankly sucks. And Google knows this. They just have to look at all the complaints on their Help Forum page.
Even the new text layout looks far to wide and stretched out. The fact is that many bloggers are not happy with the new interface. Might this be my blogging swansong? Or will Google Blogger cave in to pressure and return some of the options that are so vitally needed.
Above: The rear far side back of the Hall showing another statue of Prince Albert.
---------------------------------------------------------
So on Tuesday this week we had what was surely our last warm Summer day here in London (29c). And I decided to make a visit over to South Kensington to the site of the famous Royal Albert Hall as well as the nearby Albert Memorial.
The Hall itself was first opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, ten years after the death of her Prince Consort, Albert.
Of course we know that the Hall has become a popular center for music and entertainment including the annual Summer Proms, culminating in the Last Night of the Proms which marks the end of Summer.
And opposite the great Hall is the Albert Memorial, built in memory to Queen Victoria's departed husband Prince Albert who died prematurely in 1861.
Later on that afternoon I made my way home, walking back through a busy late Summer Hyde Park.
Situated right opposite the front of The Royal Albert Hall is The Albert Memorial, a rather opulent shrine to Prince Albert, husband and Prince Consort to Queen Victoria.
Apparently it took almost ten years to construct, something I questioned at first. But then if you observe all the intricate statue carvings at the front, then you can see why. The structure is encircled by an array of wonderful white stone statues.
Above: The front of The Albert Hall on Kensington Gore, looking directly towards The Albert Memorial.
Below: Rule Britannia sung at The Last Night of the Proms back in 2012 shortly after London hosted the Summer Olympics.
Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja assists the Orchestra, the Chorus and the audience crowd to raise the roof in a stirring rendition of Rule Britannia.
Apparently this event is enjoyed by several European countries. And the people of Norway are very fond of the Live broadcast.
( Video kindly uploaded to Youtube by Mandetriens )
Well, wasn't it good to see the BBC finally get their comeuppance when they tried to have the song words deleted from the singing of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope.
It even took a little bit of persuasion on the part of Boris Johnson to have the words reinstated in the very songs that are the climax of The Last Night of the Proms.
The BBC hate anything that is too nationalistic or patriotic. And it's no secret that just a few years ago they tried to do away with the Last Night of The Proms altogether because it wreaks of national pride. They are a national disgrace. And I for one haven't been following them during this ongoing pandemic.
I'll watch any other channel for updates... anyone other than the BBC...The British Biased Corporation. I would be quite happy to see them defunded.
Below: A great little video here telling us five good reasons to visit The Royal Albert Hall via the people from London Planner.
Situated right opposite the rear of The Albert Hall is The London College of Music. And being our last warm day there was many windows open at the front of the building. And all sorts of musical instruments could be heard emanating from the College.
Below: And so off to Hyde Park to slowly make my way back to Marble Arch.
I was nearly tempted to say back home at last. But not quite. This is of course the famous Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane. And so I grabbed a few shots around the front forecourt.
Above: A beautiful Classic Rolls Royce outside The Dorchester.
This post was wonderful. Beautifully photographed. Historical information, music, and manly statues. None of that here.
ReplyDeleteNeil, Yes I've always wanted to get some pictures of this part of London.
DeleteBut there's talk of a London Lockdown. Lets hope not.
Rule Brittania, marmalade and jam.... I forget the rest (Oh, I have just remembered the next verse about five Chinese crackers. Luscious photos. We saw the V&A in the early 2000s. While I understand your views of the BBC, isn't it the only media free of commercial influence? However it does strike me as a very ponderous and politically correct organisation. It is good that you freely criticise the BBC and many more should and make it what it should be, all things to all people. Some nice incidental photos too 😛
ReplyDelete1964 aint vintage but it is Classic
ReplyDeleteAndrew, They do seem to have added lots more exhibits at The V&A since you last went.
ReplyDeleteWell what can you say about the BBC. Growing up, they were like the Aunty of the nation,
nothing like they are today. They want to water down our very national identity, something
that each country should hold on to.
It amazes me that there isn't a regular crowd of protesters outside BBC House in Portland Place,
just like there were daily crowds in Parliament Square during the run up to the Brexit fiasco.
Even on that great night on Parliament Green when crowds celebrated leaving The E.U, they all started
singing The National Anthem, and the outside BBC correspondent Vicky Young was ordered to shout and
talk over God Save The Queen so that we wouldn't hear it or see the people celebrating the moment they
and Nigel Farage and the rest of the people on that Stage had waited for.
Lets hope that the BBC fall and are forced to go Pay-per-View like Sky tv, because I certainly won't
be signing up with them.
But glad you enjoyed the pictures. There's just two more warm days left of Summer so we're told... Sunday
and Monday.
London looking as beautiful as ever!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lets hope it's not the calm before the second storm.
Delete