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Yesterday was the launch day for London’s new public transport scheme.  The Cycle Hire scheme has been on the cards since Ken Livingston was mayor so it seems a little harsh that they seem now to forever be known as Borisbikes.  I’ve been watching the docking stations go up in locations all over town so it was good to finally get a chance to try out the bikes today.

As I’ve not ridden a bike in 15 years or so I opted for not much more than a jaunt around Hyde Park.  Luckily it seems that riding a bike is, well, like riding a bike.

As others have noted the bikes are very heavy – around 23kg, so I hear.  Its probably part of what makes them feel a bit tank-like to use, and give them quite a wide turning circle.  These are not really criticisms though; their sturdiness makes them feel very safe and stable.

I’m also blaming their weight on the fact I’m now knackered-out rather than just being plain unfit!

So the scheme and the bikes themselves are easy to use and a great alternative to the Tube or a bus in good weather.  But I suppose there had to be one flaw:  I’m sure it will prove to be temporary, but at the time of writing it is impossible to log-in to the cycle hire website.  It has been down for well-over 24 hours with not even so much as an apology or note that it’s being fixed.  Sort it out TfL!  At the very least an acknowledgement that there is a problem would be a start.

With some of the usual suspects headed for Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries yesterday – another photo opportunity and a guided walk-around.

This is rather smaller than the Magnificent Seven ring of better-known Victorian burial grounds.  It still has it’s charms, though, with a smattering of local luminaries, poets, musicians and, of all things, anarchists.

Despite the weather a highly enjoyable walk, even if it is a little alarming to hear that there are probably two or three unexploded German bombs somewhere there!

If you want to see the pictures I took, you can find the set on my Flickr pages.  I can also recommend the public Flickr group.

84 year-old goes for a quick drive

Yesterday was the State Opening of Parliament – the one time in the year when all three parts of our legislative system are all in the same place at the same time.  The commentators tell us that there are symbolic messages behind the ceremonial and serious political debate follows.  However, as it promised to be a gorgeous late spring day, and a good photo opportunity, I took the day of work and met my Dad to point and click.  You can find the results on my Flickr pages.

This was always going to be a more promising opportunity as the ceremony normally happens in November with November weather.  The only time it is set at other times is the Opening immediately after a general election.  Assuming the new bill to give us fixed-term Parliaments goes through, then every five years we’ll also have a nice spring day to watch.

As of yesterday we are now officially on the Tube map (check-out squares F6/F7).

Woo!

Shiny new air-conditioned trains all the way between Dalston and West Croydon.

It’s certainly made a difference to my commute already with a much easier interchange to the Tube avoiding the crushing hell that is London Bridge in the mornings.  I just hope that this isn’t just because people are yet to fully notice that the new service is up and running.

Now it should be easier to start exploring East London more.  Anyone up for a Brick Lane curry?

Popped along to the British Library on Saturday to see their rather marvelous Magnificent Maps exhibition.  The display was very well presented, showing not just a history of maps and map-making but explaining some of the different reasons maps area created.  There is always an agenda in creating a map, and understanding this can give all sorts of clues to the views and politics of the time in and place in which it was made.

The one piece which captured my attention for longest was Stephen Walter’s hand-drawn The Island.  It depicts Greater London as it it were an island in a sea surrounded by satelite island-suburbs.  The detail is phenominal.

I’d urge anyone in the area to go along.  The BL is open late on Tuesdays as well as opening weekends, so you have no excuses.