Friday 29th April 2011 is a special day

This Friday is the anniversary of Hair opening on Broadway, James Cook arriving at Botany Bay, and 6 years since Syria pulled out of Lebanon.

29th April is David Icke's birthday. Daniel Day Lewis' too. And Michell Pfeiffer's, Uma Thurman's and Phil Tufnell's, to name a few more.

It's also International Dance Day and the start of Golden Week in Japan.

Oh, and there's wedding going on somewhere in central London.

I'd have written more about it but it's hard to find any info.

And here's a fact I just heard; in 2 weeks time, on May 13th, the Queen will become the second-longest reigning monarch in British history, having by then been on the throne for 21,645 days, knocking George III into 3rd position. Our longest reigning monarch was Victoria. Liz'll have to put in another 1,577 days to steal the title. 4 years and 4 months and counting...

Top: Spitalfields, Clerkenwell, Southwark, Soho

Middle: Upper Holloway, Kentish Town, Lambeth, Fleet Street

Bottom: Marylebone, Highgate, Bayswater, Belgravia

Greyhounds

My sister has a retired racing greyhound. He's an absolute darling. She got him earlier this year from Whittingham Kennels just north of Waltham Abbey. So yesterday we went there for their Easter event along with many other owners of ex-WK dogs. There were stalls, cakes, bric-a-brac and raffles, and prizes were awarded for best dog, best bitch, waggiest tail, best Easter dog bonnet(!) etc.

Missing out on the fun, in the comfy kennels, were the dogs who are waiting to be re-homed, and others that are 'on holiday' so we were encouraged to take one of the un-homed dogs out for a walk in the adjacent fields and woods. I chose the lovely Nina (top left). Had she been entered in the the waggiest tail competition I think she might have won. I was falling in love. I really like dogs, but my lifestyle just doesn't suit one – I like to be spontaneous and I don't have a regular routine. But Freddie comes round a lot these days anyway, so it's like being an auntie!

Greyhounds make fabulous pets – they are so affectionate – if you'd like to give a one a new home, or have time to go and walk one occasionally, then do go and meet them and perhaps you'll fall in love too.

I just remembered that wonderful news item about Red the lurcher at Battersea Dogs Home. Bless him.

Top: Nina, Kensington, 'on holiday', Peckham

Middle: Isle of Dogs, Old Compton St, Frith St, Floyd

Bottom: kennels, Battersea, greyhounds, Upper St.

World Photography Festival

26th April sees the start of this Sony sponsored festival happening at Somerset House. As well as exhibitions of the winning photos there'll be lots of seminars, workshops, presentations, and an interview with Bruce Davidson, the highly-regarded Magnum photographer.

The Sony World Photography Awards will be given out on 27th at a ceremony at the Odeon Leicester Square.

More info and tickets here.

Ooh this reminds me... The Summer Series of gigs in the courtyard starts on 7th July (that pic shows BRMC in 2006)... Eels is sold out :–( ... so if anyone has a spare ticket please do let me know.

Shoes (for want of a better title)

I was recently commenting how women's shoes these days are so varied and OTT, going higher and higher and sillier and siller by the day that to find a pair that is really different yet interesting is hard. So I gave up ages ago and stick mostly with Clarks... well designed, mostly leather and there's a convenient factory outlet shop here in Holloway.

But then I was just sent a link to this guys work... blimey, now that's art!

Top: Acton, Hackney, Kings Cross, Fulham.

Middle: Leytonstone x2, Harlesden, W2.

Bottom: Stamford Hill, Kensington, Hornsey, WC2.

Designer Makers Market in Hackney

Yesterday saw the start of a new Saturday market. It's specifically set up for designer/makers and I was interested to go and check it out because I will be doing a stall there myself on 23rd April. It's hidden behind The London Fields pub, on the corner of Mare Street and Warburton Street, E8.

So, if your idea of good Saturday includes hanging around Broadway Market, why not take a three-miniute stroll around the corner and check out this new venue. Pretty please.

Here are some pics of bits of Hackney:

See more here.