London 15 August 2015

During the summer there are often open air art trails in London. This summer it's Cancer Research UK's - What's in your DNA - with sculptures inspired by the DNA double helix sprinkled around London. Besides the treasure trail to follow, it takes you to iconic locations around the city. The exhibition closes on 6 September so I thought I'd make a day of it. I caught the train and started off from Paddington station. Down through Hyde Park - who would believe that you are in the middle of one of the capitals of the world - it looks like the countryside.

That is until you get closer to the Serpentine - lots of people around there - some even swimming, water looks a bit dodgy to me. I like the swan sculpture though.

The Princess of Wales Memorial Walk - some other time I think.

Down past the garish Prince Albert Memorial and on to the Royal Albert Hall where the first helix is.

Another beautiful day! It eventually got up to about 30 degrees.

Onwards, down past the Natural History Museum - also a trip for another day.

 

The next helix was in the window on Christies's Auctioneers in Old Brompton Road. Not the best time of day to be taking a photo though - the best I could do is more about me than the helix...

 

 



Carrying on to South Kensington Station - you will see that a fair amount of walking is involved here.

And so it was time for refreshments.

Refreshed and on to helix no. 4 on Dovehouse Green in Kings Road.

 

Yay! Lots of buses on Kings Road and an Oyster card - good combination.  Helix no. 5 in Duke of York Square in Kings Road.

Hop and and hop off another bus at Victoria Station for helix no. 6

Outside the station another wishfully iconic building is taking shape. What do you think, will it be an interesting part of the London skyline? Or is too reminiscent of the Shard?

Strand Street and helix no. 7. Also indoors but the skies had clouded over so the picture is better. I like this one.

It's such fun exploring London but I probably should have checked what else was happening that day because as I headed towards Westminster, the roads were being blocked off by hoards of police and pedestrians were being channelled - VJ day - celebrating the end of the war with Japan!  I could only see the next helix from a distance. Once you're in one channel, it's virtually impossible to divert anywhere else.

So that was it with sculptures. There was no point even trying to get across the river.

I found a spot and watched the parade.

This is an innovation solution when you are a short professional photographer. Make yourself tall!

Looks like all the statesmen are also watching the parade. But I would rather join the pelican party - hehe

With more walking to do I headed up the Mall which had been closed to traffic and on to Trafalgar Square. There were apparently 2 more helixes in the square but there was so many people there I couldn't see them.

Eight hours later it was time to head home. My feet were sore and I had only seen half of the exhibition. Oh well, next time ...