Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week’s show comes from the unusual environment of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park near Mile End tube station.

His guests this week are:

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 31 January 2012 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week’s show comes from The Star cafe in Soho.

His guests this week are:

• Peter Berthoud, Westminster tour guide and blogger at Discovering London
• Jo Moncrieff, Westminster tour guide
• Julia Forte, proprietor of The Star, and owner of the London Peculiar website

The guests discuss recent London news and features including Crossrail developments, the noses of Soho, London’s worst Tube stations, police spending on the Speaking Clock, the ‘Boris Island’ Thames airport proposals, new libraries for London, trouble with the English Defence League, as well as far more London trivia than is probably good for you.

What’s On In London
NQW rounds up the best new exhibitions and shows opening over the coming week.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Sponsored by Open Pen. Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 23 January 2012 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Buying a home for the first time is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make in your life. However, when once it was easy for first time buyers to get their foot on the ladder, with the current economic slump for many of us that first buy seems a long way off. But this isn’t time to despair. With the right advice and information, you could be moving house into your own home in no time.

Here we’ve got a few tips to start you on your way:

Government funded schemes

It’s important to make sure you check out the Government backed affordable homes schemes which enable first time buyers to step on the ladder with a much smaller deposit than that which is required in the open market. This will give you the opportunity to buy the property outright eventually, with the rent you pay on the non-owned portion usually being less than your mortgage. In today’s economic climate this is one of the best ways to get into the market and one that shouldn’t be ignored.

Ensure you get an agreement in principle

If you make sure you get an ‘agreement in principle’ from a lender before you start your property hunt, it will give you an idea of how much you can actually borrow. The way things are at the moment this is especially important as lenders are requiring much bigger deposits than before (around 25%). This will also help you as vendors are much more likely to take you seriously. All too often property chains break due to people pulling out following a failure to raise the required finance. It’s often expected you have this in place when you start looking – the estate agent will ask.

Set a budget and stick to it

This is a simple piece of advice, but arguably the most vital you’ll ever hear when looking for your first home. You may have your heart set on a specific property, and be willing to go over budget to get it. If you start thinking it’s only another few thousand pounds, where will this end? Remember you have to think about all the other costs involved with buying a house like legal fees or Stamp Duty Land Tax. Going over budget by just a few thousand on the actual asking price could have severe financial implications. If you’re serious about getting on the property ladder, get it right.

Think about your credit score and plan ahead

Most lenders will run a credit check on your to understand whether or not you are able to handle credit. Before you apply for a mortgage, it’s therefore important to think about your current credit score. Think about factors that can affect this. Don’t go overdrawn unless you have a planned overdraft and then don’t exceed it. Make sure you make all your rent payments on time, and if you don’t have a credit card, you should consider getting one to help boost your rating.

Guest Post: Top tips for getting your foot on the property ladder in Britain is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Combining tradition with modernity, it’s possible to create a functional yet rustic and relaxing home that perfectly reflects the ambience of a charming country cottage. Whether you live in the countryside or simply wish to transform a suburban home into a rural retreat, take a look at these English country cottage decorating tips and ideas.

Colours

Before you begin decorating you should decide on an appropriate colour scheme. Opt for subdued tones reminiscent of the countryside, such as shades of brown, yellow, rust and green. Textured British made carpets in a soft shade of beige are a great choice for your flooring and will look great with a broad range of wall colours and furnishings. Add a pop of colour with icy blue, which will work well on accessories (such as candles) or as a subtle feature in your wallpaper.

Furniture

Comfort is key when it comes to furnishing your country cottage. Wood tones on bookcases, coffee tables and rocking chairs will fit perfectly with the theme and colour can be added with plump cushions and soft throws. For something a little brighter, consider painting distressed furniture in white, mint green or light blue. To get this right takes some preparation but there are plenty of guides to furniture painting online.

Soft furnishings

Opt for soft furnishings that accentuate the cosy romantic feel of the room. Lace and floral designs are ideal and the patterns you choose don’t necessarily have to coordinate. For example striped cushions mixed with various floral patterns will work well as long as they are from the same colour group. In the bedroom, a handmade patchwork blanket will look great thrown across the bed or draped over an armchair.

Accessories

To complete the look, don’t forget the little details. Hang copper pots and pans in the kitchen and, if possible, install brass taps for the sinks to contrast the wooden tones and soft colour palette. Decorate dressers with family photos placed in distressed photo frames or add a touch of colour with candles. Fresh flowers are an instant way to bring the outdoors in and brighten up any room.

Guest Post: English Country Cottage Decorating Ideas is a post from: Anglotopia.net

It’s difficult to measure which English city is the best place to make your home as everyone has a different ideal. Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in the UK that offer the best affordability, or are close to great schools, take a look at our guide to some of the best cities to live in the England.

Cambridge

Named Britain’s best place to bring up kids by Virgin Media, picturesque Cambridge has shown steady improvements in the emotional and physical wellbeing of its children and young people. It displays a significant decline in the number of obese children of primary and secondary school age and the county ranks in the top 20% for the level of satisfaction with parks and play areas[1]. Educational facilities in Cambridge are also considered to be very good, with four private schools located within the city itself.

Birmingham

With an average house price of £158,980[2], property in Birmingham is among the most reasonable for a city in the whole of the UK. What’s more, there have been numerous low cost housing developments throughout the area, offering buyers a great choice of affordable homes. But that’s not all, Birmingham has also been performing excellently across the education sector, with improvement among children obtaining five or more A*-C grades at GCSE level and achievements among Early Years and Key Stages 1 and 2[3].

Brighton

Nicknamed the city by the sea, residents of Brighton are believed to enjoy one of the healthiest lifestyles in the country. According to a survey, nearly 80% of Brightonians report either ‘good’ or ‘very good’ health and 23% (well above the national average) play sport regularly. 40% say that the city’s open spaces and parks are important to them and everything from early death rates and male life expectancy in the area are showing signs of improvement.[4]

London

The sprawling capital city offers a range of great places to set up home. Amongst the most highly rated are Lewisham and Sutton. Whilst many Lewisham residents are ‘income deprived’, around three quarters like where they live and 80% believe that everyone gets on well, landing this London borough the title ‘Best place: where everyone gets on well’ from Virgin Media[5]. Sutton, on the other hand, has gained recognition as one of the best places to lead a green lifestyle, with an above average 34% of household waste being recycled[6].

Guest Post: Best Cities to Live in England is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

In another Londonist Out Loud special, host and producer N Quentin Woolf speaks to the team at Cory Environmental. Cory’s barges tirelessly transport refuse along the Thames for incineration. NQW takes a trip along the river with the crew. Along the way, he learns about the barges’ remarkable history and important modern role.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 10 January 2012 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Image from Google Street View.

This week’s episode is the first in a special four-part series visiting some of London’s most famous and endearing institutions. Host N Quentin Woolf begins by visiting Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, where Celine Gauthier shows him round. They discuss the history and present work of the pet refuge, which reunites lost dogs and cats with their owners, or finds them new homes.

The centre costs £13 million to run each year, and is almost entirely funded by donations. You can help the cause by donating here.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 12 December 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week’s show comes from the Coach and Horses pub in Covent Garden, where NQW is joined by cab drivers Bill Ward, Dickie Hudd, Reg Hay and Dick Goodwin of the London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled.

The guests discuss their charity, which takes ex-servicemen and women on taxi excursions. They then talk over recent London news and features, including the abusive woman on a South London tram, the unusual cases London Fire Brigade has tackled in the past year, and the recent strikes and protests.

What’s On In London
NQW rounds up the best new exhibitions and shows opening over the coming week.

London Unfurled
Your host speaks to Matteo Pericoli about London Unfurled, an incredible drawing that includes every building on the Thames between Hammersmith and Greenwich. A (very) small section is shown above.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 5 December 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 5 December 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

This week’s show comes from The Mad Bishop and Bear in Paddington. Image by M@.

News and Views

Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week, NQW is joined by regular Londonist contributors:

• Beth Parnell-Hopkinson, contributing editor to Londonist
• Ruairidh Anderson, East End troubadour, compiler of the Folk Olympics and composer of Londonist Out Loud’s closing theme music

The guests settle down at the Mad Bishop and Bear in Paddington to discuss recent London stories and articles. Topics include transport projects that were never pursued, looming transport strikes, a blue plaque for a stripper, the latest cycling developments, missiles to protect the Olympic Park and other Olympics news, the proposed demolition of a south London museum, and the feeding of 5,000 in Trafalgar Square.

London Maps: The Magical, the Methodical and the Multifaceted

In association with TAG Fine Arts, Londonist recently hosted an evening devoted to the many many forms and uses of London maps. In this short excerpt, cab driver John Kennedy offers a unique insight into a cabbie’s mind. The full audio recording of this event will be available on Londonist soon, and the accompanying exhibition The Art of Mapping runs at Air Gallery on Dover Street until 26 November as part of the London Mapping Festival.

What’s On In London

NQW rounds up the best new exhibitions and shows opening over the coming week.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

This week’s show is sponsored by Open Pen Magazine.
Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 22 November 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 14 November 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

There is such a romance about the British country house, I wonder what it would have been like to be a guest at a grand country house during this time in history. I would have adored participating in all of the events of a grand weekend in the country. While I cannot travel in time, Life in The Victorian Country House by Pamela Horn, gives a wonderful idea of what it would have been to be there. Reading the book, I felt almost as if I were actually in a Victorian country house.

The book encompassed all aspects of what a grand country house would have been like, from who lived and worked in the home to the activities that would have taken place, and everything in between. The book has a wonderful collections of pictures of daily life and illustrations from the time period.  The information in the book allowed me to immerse myself in the daily life of the Victorian country house.

I loved this book. I loved all of the illustrations that showed the daily life. I really enjoyed the parts of the book that talked about Victorian and Edwardian fashion. I wonder what it would have been like to go about my daily activities dressed in such style. I loved that book gave such an accurate view of such a grand style of life that is rarely seen today.

Life in the Victorian House is a wonderful glimpse into daily life of the Victorian home. The book is organized in a easy to read way that allowed me to feel almost as if I were a grand lady living a day in beautiful country home. I especially loved the chapter on growing up in the grand country house. I found the book to be a historically accurate view of this type of life.

I would highly recommend, Life in the Victorian Country House to any Anglophile. It was a wonderful view into such a grand way of living. I enjoyed seeing the real photographs and illustrations throughout the book. The book covered such a vast array of topics about the country house that I would have not originally sought out to research, but I was glad to have read about. I highly recommend, Life in the Victorian Country House by Pamela Horn.

Brit Book Reviews: Life in The Victorian Country House by Pamela Horn is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views

Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week, NQW takes a stroll round the outside of the Olympic park with his special guest:

• Jim Zambrano, founder of Scout, a website and soon-to-be free newspaper about London.

The pair discuss the challenges of launching a new print magazine for the capital, and cover recent news and features about London. Topics include the topped-out Orbit tower on the Olympic park, the secret SAS base, and Olympic security. And then something surprising happens…

After the pair regain their composure, the conversation continues with discussion about police surveillance, the Occupy London camps, squatting, a hotel employing homeless people, London philanthropists, the mayor’s mentoring scheme, the Thames Estuary Airport, the 25th birthday of M25

What’s On In London
NQW rounds up the best new exhibitions and shows opening over the coming week.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 8 November 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

With the success of dramas like Downton Abbey, the Edwardian lifestyle is once again brought to the small screen, bringing curiosity about how people lived during this time. The Edwardian Home by Yvonne Bell is an excellent resource to see how those who weren’t in charge of a large manner house lived.  So much of England is filled with Edwardian architecture but rarely does one get a peek inside, behind the front door.

The Edwardian House wonderfully describes how a middle class family would have lived, from the kitchen to the garden and everything in between.The book starts with the beginnings of the Edwardian home, from the style in which the homes were built all they way to the loo. The book shows how the rooms that the Edwardian lived in shaped their daily life. The book is filled with pictures of daily life, some taken and printed during this period in time.

I loved that The Edwardian Home did not shy away from areas of the home that one does not usually see, such as the bathroom. The pictures in the book are outstanding as well. Merely, by paging through the book one can easily get a sense of what it must have been like to live in the Edwardian Home. I loved that this book showed what a basic middle class family would have had, because after all, we aren’t all Earls of Grantham.

The book starts from the most basic aspects, from building and design of the Edwardian home to going through the rooms that comprised of the Edwardian home. Ms. Bell even included the Edwardian garden and what roll it played in daily life. Each room in the home was pictured  and it was explained how each room would have been lived in. As many of the pictures were taken during the Edwardian era they are historically accurate.

Overall, I really liked The Edwardian Home by Yvonne Bell. It gave me a clear understanding of how a middle class family would have lived during this time. This era in history has always fascinated me, thinking of how their world was changing quickly and technology was advancing. This book perfectly illustrates that point, showing how the Edwardian yearned to embrace that newest technology into their homes and daily lives.

Brit Book Review: The Edwardian Home by Yvonne Bell is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 1 November 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

An annual poll by the Guardian newspaper was recently released revealing what European nations think of themselves and Great Britain. They seem to consider ourselves to be average in most areas, but you do get a glimpse of what other countries think of them.

Brought to you by Confused.com – Compare cheap car insurance quotes in minutes.

How does Great Britain stack up against other European nations? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Editor’s Note: The following is an excellent guest post by Nate and Sheri Wadman – a couple that has just returned from a trip to England. They kindly have written about their experience on the trip culminating in the 2011 NFL Game at Wembley. Thanks for sharing guys!

As soon as it was announced that the Chicago Bears would be playing at Wembley in 2011, we knew we had to go. For anyone who wants to go to an NFL UK game that means signing up for the registry of interest to make sure you can buy tickets. With that done, we just had to wait out this year’s NFL lockout. Fortunately for us, the lockout ended early enough that the game would go on. So after waking up VERY early in the morning on the prescribed day because of the difference in time zone, we purchased our tickets and made firm our plans. We were going to the Bears VS. Bucs in LONDON!

Disclaimer: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the hosting team, but may be under represented in this article because they were not our reason for traveling the world to watch American Football. Go BEARS!

We arrived in London almost a week before the game so that we could be tourists before the crowds for the game arrived. This was not our first trip to London and we had already seen many of the major sights, so this time we wanted to see some of the lesser visited things, which are no less amazing, and revisit some places we really wish we could visit more.

Although we were supposed to have arrived at Heathrow in early evening our flight was delayed, and even with taking the Heathrow Express we didn’t get into Paddington until after the Tube station window service attendant was gone for the day. The automated ticket machines wouldn’t take our credit cards because they are not chip and pin, so we had to get cash to buy our Oyster cards (not usually an issue if you arrive during the day because the attendant can accept swipe cards through the window). With Oyster cards in hand, we gratefully made it to our hotel after a long day of travelling. [If you plan on visiting a number of the traditional sights of London i.e. Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms and will be using the Underground/National Rail Service as your primary form of transportation may we suggest a rail pass over the Oyster card as you can receive two for one entrance to a number of sites throughout London. A full list of current offers can be found at http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/offers.]

Our list of places to go for this trip was very flexible as the only thing that was a MUST DO was the game. Playing it by ear most mornings, we saw:

The Monument

Three hundred and eleven steps to the top of the tower in the old part of the City. Built in 1671-1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and celebrate the rebuilding of the City, the view from the top is a captivating panorama. Amazing in its own right and worth a visit, this would also be a good substitute for any who would not be able to climb the steps at St Paul’s, as it is currently closed for the Occupy London protests.

The Imperial War Museum

There is currently showing an exhibit on children during WWII and 1940s house and a display from MI5 & MI6 that are very good. The displays on World War I and II are also interesting and seeing just this portion of the museum will take up the better part of an afternoon.

St Pancras and Kings Cross stations

To find platform 9 ¾, because we are Harry Potter nerds. St Pancras is dressed very nicely for the 2012 games but Kings Cross is still under construction so the Hogwarts students have been moved outside the station to the street corner, which looks hastily constructed and is a bit disappointing.

Bank of England Museum

We have been to this one a few times as well but it is free and although a bit small, interesting enough to do more than once. The history and evolution of English currency is fun to learn (we know why it is called a pound note, do you?) and there is also information about employees and events through the years.

Borough Market

We come for the people watching, to see what sorts of delicious and disgusting things you can buy to eat when you live here, and for the best grilled/toasted cheese sandwiches ever. The Kappacasein Toasted Cheese Sandwiches & Raclette stand in the shadow of the Southwark Cathedral is a pleasure to behold in sight and smell and a great place to get lunch on weekends when the market is open. The gentleman that runs the stand makes his own cheese and a sandwich or raclette for a picnic in the churchyard is a great way to enjoy his hard work.

The Science Museum

Even though we had intended to visit the Natural History Museum we ended up learning science for a good couple of hours instead because the queue to get in was shorter. The history of aviation is very good and the Secret Life of the Home exhibit was very nostalgic. There is also an exhibit called the Listening Post that claims to be “what the internet sounds like” and samples posts live from unrestricted chatrooms, bulletin boards and public forums; it makes you wonder if anything you’ve written has been on there.

Hampstead, Hampstead Heath and La Creperie de Hampstead

This is a stop we make every trip and it’s wonderful every time. We take the tube or the overground to the village of Hampstead, walk around town for a bit before waiting for a crepe and then stroll over to Hampstead Heath to eat. The Creperie de Hampstead has been in the same little roadside stand for over 31 years serving both savory and sweet crepes that we crave when we are at home.  There is almost always a queue and you get a bit of “Soup-Nazi” service but they are absolutely worth the wait and hassle. Hampstead Heath is quite large with lots of different types of park land to enjoy but also has one of the most spectacular views of London, in an area called Parliament Hill where they fly kites on good days.

Soho and Chinatown

We always find a way to make a stop here to eat at the Pollo Bar and then have a walk around. La Porchetta Pollo Bar Pizzeria [20 Old Compton Street, London W1V 5PE] is a great Italian restaurant that is filled with locals every time we’ve been (on every trip), which we learned about from family that grew up just down the road. They are VERY reasonably priced and have never disappointed in deliciousness.

Oxford Street

We like to have breakfast at the cafeteria in the Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street then walk around and on this day the shoppers were in full form. There were lots of people in town to do their weekend shopping and also lots of shoppers in for the game, you could tell from all the team gear around.

With all of our touristing days over, it was finally time for why we made the trip -the GAME!

Getting to Wembley stadium was simple. There is a Wembley Park stop on the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines, Wembley Stadium stop on the Chiltern Railways line and a Wembley Central stop on the Bakerloo and Overground lines, not to mention the bus service that drops there as well. On our Oyster Cards we had a weekly travelcard for zones 1 and 2 but Wembley is in zone 4. We just asked a station attendant how much to top-up, with pay-as-you-go, to each of our Oyster Cards and we were covered for the round trip journey. Our hotel was just off the Jubilee line so we could go straight there with no line changes, and as you exit the tube station following the signs for Wembley Park you come out on Olympic Way that goes straight to the entrance of the stadium, no getting lost or turned around.

Tailgating at regular NFL games in the states is usually only for arriving early to get parking and maybe have a BBQ with other people you know that are going to the game, but at this game everyone came early to make it through the first layer of security and take a look at the pre-game exhibition. They had International Game team sponsor vehicles on display, as well as Team Zone tents with Hall of Fame relics to see, each team had a photo-op point (a giant inflatable bear and a buccaneer pirate ship) and there were very long queues to purchase official NFL merchandise.

It was quite evident that a lot of the spectators were not necessarily dedicated fans of either team but just happy to be able to go to any NFL game at all. Looking at the team jerseys worn that day, every team from the NFL was represented. One of the things displayed on the jumbotron was this little fact: 76,981 attendees (which undoubtedly were from all over the world)!

The pregame show included the Goo Goo Dolls performing while team flags were sent around the stadium passed along by the crowd.  When the teams came out onto the field the Buccaneers star player ran out with a Union Jack, which was very nice way to thank the fans for letting them come play there (and us to watch). The last thing before the start of the game was the singing of both national anthems while airmen from the US and UK stationed at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, and the London Olympians displayed the colors. We were in the lower bowl area so we even got to be part of the Union Jack design that was on one side (Stripes on the other).

Shortly after the start of the game there was what our seatmates called a “Squirrel on the play”. That little squirrel stayed on the field long enough the audience started rooting for it!

The only other interesting fact that maybe didn’t make it onto ESPN was the streaker (or pitch invader as we heard it called) in the third quarter and his apprehension. The squirrel received more cheers.

Final score Chicago 24, Tampa Bay 18 – THE BEARS WIN!!!

This trip was definitely worth it to see that happen.

Also, it is insanity when 75,000 people all try to take the tube back after the game. Fortunately the crowd was pretty friendly and the queue didn’t take too long, although the trains were PACKED!

Here’s a gallery of our pictures:

Da Bears at Wembley – On the Ground Report from the NFL London Game is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views

Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf.  In a special outside broadcast from the St Paul’s Occupation camp, he’s joined by:

• Neil Denny, presenter of the Little Atoms podcast, a London-based show about science, rational thinking and ideas of the Enlightenment.
• Darryl Chamberlain, author of 853 blog and commentator on Greenwich, Charlton and Woolwich.

The guests wander round the Occupy London encampment near St Paul’s, looking at the organisation and discussing the motives behind it. They also discuss recent London news and features, including some nasty cycling incidents, a clamp-down on uninsured drivers, and money troubles at City Hall. The trio also discuss Londonist’s recent features about pubs with cats, how to pronounce difficult London place names, and whether there should be an apostrophe in King’s Cross.

What’s On In London
NQW rounds up the best new exhibitions and shows opening over the coming week.

Occupy London
Your host finishes the show by interviewing a few of the protestors at the Occupy London camp.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

How to donate your account:
• Click on the button. (this will bring you to another page where you…)
• Click on the twitter donate button. (upper right blue button)
• Log in with your details.
• Choose the frequency of retweets.
• Supporters donate the use of their Twitter account to be used once per day, once per week or once per month.
• Come say hello to London – and THANK YOU for donating your account.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 24 October 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Image of Ben Franklin House by Ell Brown under creative commons.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf.  In the studio with him this week:

• Melanie Abrahams, director of Tilt, an organisation promoting spoken-word events, and organiser of London Liming, a spoken word party at Rix Mix.

After discussing Melanie’s work, the pair talk about recent London news. Topics include travelling during the Olympics, the Olympic wifi network, anti-corporate protests, the leaning of Big Ben, doggy bags in restaurants and Floella Benjamin’s support for the Notting Hill Carnival.

Events Around Town
NQW rounds up some of the best upcoming openings and events around London this week.

History
NQW and Mike Paterson of London Historians visit the Benjamin Franklin House museum in Craven Street to investigate the history of this fascinating building.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 17 October 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes /www.londonist.com)

Smoke, of a different variety, over London.

News and Views

Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf.  In the studio with him this week:

• Matt Haynes, editor and driving force between the much-loved London-themed magazine Smoke: A London Peculiar.

The pair discuss the challenges of publishing an independent periodical, before moving on to recent London news and views, including the opening of the world’s first Google store, pedestrianising Oxford Street, developments on and around the Olympic Park, Tube driver salaries and Boris Johnson’s political future.

Music
Eoin Quiery and Burning Wheel premiere their new song, Get There.

Events Around Town
NQW rounds up some of the best upcoming openings and events around London this week.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details. This week’s show is supported by Open Pen magazine.

Image by dicdotcom in the Londonist Flickr pool.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 10 October 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes /www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London. You can listen in-browser, or subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf.  In the studio with him this week:

• Tom Bolton, author of London’s Lost Rivers, a Walker’s Guide
• Eoin Quiery of London band Burning Wheel

The guests discuss recent London news including the rebranding of London neighbourhoods (NoGo, Midtownet al.), the rewriting of laws to prevent ambush marketing at the Olympics, private security, magic wands in Parliament and bull’s semen on a Tube train, the Thames cable car, lost rivers, boundary changes, the Brixton Pound and quirky London maps.

Events Around Town

NQW rounds up some of the best upcoming openings and events around London this week.

Tube Art by Kim - photo taken by Eoin Quiery

Music
Eoin plays a ballad about one of his favourite characters on the London Underground. He then goes on to set Victorian poem London Misnomers to music.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com or info@londonistoutloud.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 3 October 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The village of Winkleigh, in Devonshire, has been named the best place in England and Wales for bringing up families.

Video: Is this the best place to live in England? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes / www.londonist.com)

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 21 September 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud is a podcast of London news, opinion and curiosities, presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf.

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London. You can listen in-browser, or subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf.  In the studio with him this week:

• Paolo Viscardi, natural history curator at the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill
• Fiona Yaron-Field, photographer and creator of Uncertain States, in independent photographic newspaper

After introducing their projects, the guests talk about old video footage of London, Olympic news, museum thefts, the joy of bees, outdoor swimming, and the EDL demonstrations.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

This week’s show is supported by Open Pen magazine.

Image me-tiger by Paolo Viscardi.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 8 September 2011 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

We’ve had a long relationship here at Anglotopia with Author Mike Harling. Mike is an American expat – or accidental Anglophile as he likes to say – who moved to Britian a few years ago to be with his English wife. He’s been writing about his experiences since on his blog, on Anglotopia (Dispatches from the South) and in his first book Postcards from Across the Pond.

This summer, Mike has come out with a brand new book that continues his expat journey in Britain, aptly title More Postcards from Across the Pond.

This book picks up where the last book left off and continues Mike’s bemusement at the quirks presented to him by life in Britain.

More Postcards from Across the Pond focuses on his home life, work life and we also get to journey with him as he takes advantage of Britain’s generous, pretty much forced, vacation time.

Each chapter is short and easy to read. I’ve always loved Mike’s writing style, which is best described as simple, engaging and often humorous. Mike is not afraid to write about true life in Britain, warts and all. He’s not particularly much of an Anglophile so he really isn’t under Britain’s spell like a lot of us are. So his books provide an excellent insight into what it would be like to live in Britain for real.

My favorite topic he writes about is the process he takes to actually becoming British and taking on British citizenship – a process he enjoys with detached amusement and the joys of government bureaucracy.

It’s quite easy to be jealous of Mike – he’s living the ‘Anglophile Dream’ after all – but after reading his wry observations of life in Britain, I’m rather glad I don’t live there but I’m quite happy to visit as often as possible.

That said, I highly recommend More Postcards from Across the Pond and I very much look forward to Mike’s next inevitable book and I hope that life in Britain continues to entertain him (and us!).

Book Review: More Postcards from Across the Pond by Michael Harling is a post from: Anglotopia.net