Tag Archives: London

“From these garish lights I vanish now for evermore…”

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday marked the 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens. Among the commemorations, there was this stunning sound and light installation which was projected onto Westminster Abbey’s iconic West Towers last weekend. The projection was created by light and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, History, Tech, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

the more you use, the more you get back

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP may know that my most recent obsession has been roasting my own coffee beans. Fortunately it’s a pursuit that’s heartily supported by friends and family who benefit from the hours of exploration and experimentation. While researching … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, movies | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Library of Exile

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I first discovered the ceramic artist and writer Edmund de Waal through his best-selling book The Hare with the Amber Eyes. If you are not familiar with the memoir, it’s a compelling read that encompasses not only de Waal’s family history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, History, Libraries, Museums, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What Every Traveler Needs

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

One thing that all travelers have in common is the need to find toilet facilities in a timely manner. These days, even when one can discover convenient facilities, a numerical code is necessary to use the bathroom. Then there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s Quicker By Rail

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Between 1920 and 1950, the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) was the second largest rail company in Britain. The railway commissioned a wonderful series of posters to advertise its passenger services and to encourage travel to vacation destinations around … Continue reading →

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London Calling

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The British design studio Dorothy has created a map of the United Kingdom incorporating  the titles of more than 1,400 pop songs. The map places the names of tracks in the precise location that the music references, imagining a musical … Continue reading →

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Gross Domestic Product

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The anonymous street artist and provocateur Banksy has opened a new online store, called Gross Domestic Product. The launch was heralded  by an art  installation-come-shop in the London Borough of Croydon, which stocks Banksy-related merchandise. However, the IRL store can’t … Continue reading →

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London : Food For Thought

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

My favorite London travel book store Stanfords has opened a food-themed bookshop in a joint venture with street food pioneers KERB “to showcase London’s food and cultural history through literature,” the Bookseller reported. Market Bookshop will be a permanent fixture at the newly opened Seven Dials Market in Covent … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Reading Cities

Posted on July 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When I am planning my travels, I always spend time reading about the destinations. Those of you who follow TBTP know that I am devoted to old school travel guidebooks, but I also do my due diligence by reading both … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Europe, Maps, Museums, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Never Underestimate The Hanseatic League

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

This recently discovered map of London from 1572 was created by the engraver Frans Hogenburg. Commissioned by the free-wheeling capitalists of the Hanseatic League,it provides a fascinating aerial view of the rapidly growing capital city. It shows that there was … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Maps | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment