Goodbye, Olympics!

All good things must come to an end and the London 2012 cars are all lined up to be taken away. Olympics withdrawal is in full swing. But, man, did London put on a show or WHAT?

London 2012

Perhaps you watched the Olympics Opening Ceremony last night? Well, the East End is not the only part of London getting a makeover. The whole city has been bathed in orange and pink hues. Here we see a make-shift bus stop at Russell Square used to transport journalists to the Games.

red estate agent's

I shot this building a while back when it was painted a bright pistachio green and housed a record store. Some of you commented that it was unusual to see an LP store surviving in this age of iTunes and iPods. Well, here we are four months later and the building is now bright red and home to an estate agent specializing in commercial property. Go figure.

springtime

Daffodils! Daffodils everywhere!

green records

Funky record store in Bloomsbury.

the bookshop

Nothing like the front window of a bookshop to fill you with warmth.

Tropical Medicine

I find both the art deco design and the 19th-century name of this University of London college to be quite endearing.

Hotel Russell

The grand Hotel Russell, gleaming in the sunshine.

union jack umbrella

A typical scene: a rainy day in Russell Square.

Rabindranath Tagore

A new sculpture appeared near my university. Can't believe I missed HRH The Prince of Wales unveiling it in July.

BT Tower

BT Tower from Bloomsbury.

bookstore

I call this one "Man with Bald Spot and Leather Jacket Looks at Books in Bloomsbury."
Also, why doesn't this bookstore have it's name out on the awning?

flowers in bloomsbury

If I didn't have to work on my dissertation, I'd be spending less time in the university library and more time walking around the university's neighborhood, Bloomsbury. Look at all the lovely hanging flowers! You think they all got together and coordinated that?

down the pub

If I didn't have to write my dissertation, I would be at the pub more often, especially if the weather is nice and that pub has a garden or patio.

senate library

Senate Library in Bloomsbury

Film set

Film set in Bloomsbury. Wonder what they were filming with all those suitcases.

Gordon Sq in spring

During the winter months, one forgets how much leaves can change the look of a place. This square near my school was completely bare for so long that I was pleasantly surprised by the tunnels and canopies that have suddenly sprouted in this spring weather.

epic pub lunch

Spring has definitely arrived in London, and what better way to celebrate than an outdoor lunch? Here we see a pub lunch to end all pub lunches. The scampi were the best part.

Arty house

I think students live here now...

Kneeling Spartan

Another bit of deco art on a building on Tavistock Square.