Pictures of the London Eye New Year 2008 fireworks display

Started from Bond Street station. Most stores were closed by 5pm. Below is a deserted South Molton Street at 5pm:


So was Regent Street at 6:30pm. The Christmas lights were sponsored by Nokia in collaboration with Wieden & Kennedy ad agency. These lights titled 'Unity' were designed by United Visual Artists in anticipation to Nokia's soon to be new flagship store on 240 Regent Street. The lights are also interactive with pedestrians capable to manipulating them through the touchscreen display outside the Nokia store. This and South Molton Street were the best festival light displays in London this holiday season and easily beats past ugly efforts tied to overrated Pixar films and other tripe.


7:30pm at Trafalgar Square. Note that the fountains have been drained to prevent revellers from traditional New Year's soaking. No fun.


Images promoting the Olympics were beamed onto the Shell Centre on the South Bank. Again no fun. The crowd were entertained by BBC Radio 1. And when I meant entertained, I meant just Pete Tong mumbling a few "This is Pete Tong, and you are listening to Radio 1" and then playing his music of choice. Mind you Pete Tong has never been much of a talker, but the track list does seems uninspired last night.


Countdown finally began after four hours of painful standing:



A smoky Happy New Year fireworks display:







Heading back, the police were of no help at all shepherding us into Trafalgar Square where a huge crowd of party goers awaited us. Piss poor crowd control, the police spent more time stopping tired revellers from going home with fascist metal gates and chasing us back into the crowd, than preventing drunks from throwing beer bottles all over the place. Perhaps a review of your priorities next year.



Thankfully, got safely home at 3am.

Anyway the fireworks were fine, if a bit too clustered. They should have spaced them out as the smoke was awful even from the Embankment. Disappointed with part of the crowds who tried to stealth push their way through. Even more disappointed with the heavy handedness of the Met Police force who set up blockades after blockades and actually chasing, jumping, shouting and pushing revellers trying to get home.

Guy Fawkes bonfire night

Sorry about the picture quality. Cold night + no tripod = blur

Guy Fawkes Night

Didn't go out to see fireworks last night due to the unusually (for early November) cold weather (if you want pictures see last year's Lewes bonfire and fireworks posts). Instead stayed indoors and enjoyed the free show around the neighbourhood while sipping wine and munching down cheese. May try to enjoy this coming weekend's Lord Mayor's fireworks display though.

Technorati tags: Fireworks Guy Fawkes

New Year fireworks, London

One hour before the New Year we decided to just head of towards Westminster. It was a stupid decision of course. The Tube, not helped by a partial piss-poor Tube Strike, was packed. So we took the bus to Victoria and walked the 1/2 a mile journey on Victoria Street to Westminster. It was packed with revellers. We took position on Parliament Street with a great view of the Big Ben and a partial view of the London Eye.


A minute before the New Year, London decided it needed a little rain. As usual.




While most of the fireworks were shot from barges on the Thames, some were from the London Eye itself. It was quite pretty. Those on the Victoria Embankment had a great view.


When the last colour went off, people started kissing, hugging, shaking hands and generally wishing everyone else a happy New Year.

More pictures here.

New Year's resolution:

1. Be nicer to tourists.
2. Shed the post-Christmas weight.
3. Start exercising.
4. ...

Lewes bonfire night: bonfire and fireworks

Lewes bonfire night

Sorry for the late posting of the Lewes bonfire pictures. Been having connection problems at home.



























Related post:

Lewes bonfire night: bonfire & fireworks

Reminder: Lord Mayor's Show

Bonfire Night might be over but there is still more to come. This Saturday (13th Nov - happy birthday Jeremy!), there would be the usual Lord Mayor's Show and fireworks display in Central London.



As always the day begins with the Lord Mayor parade which leaves the Guildhall at 11:00, heads down Princes St and picks up the Lord Mayor at Mansion House. The route will include Cheapside to St Paul's Churchyard, then Ludgate Circus and the former spiritual home to British journalism - Fleet Street. It will stop at the Royal Courts of Justice before continuing towards the Victoria Embankment, Upper Thames St and Mansion House. Finally it will make its way back to the Guildhall by mid-afternoon.



At 17:00, a fireworks display in tribute to Guy Fawkes failed attempt to blow up the House of Parliament would occur over the Thames. This might just be one of the most amazing public displays in the West End. River barges would be piled up with explosives. The fireworks would then be let off on the Thames between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridge just a whisker away from Guy Fawkes' failed target. There would be seats in the public gallery at Oxo Tower but you have to come early.

The nearest tube station would be Embankment and Blackfriars.

This would be my second outing on this event. The first one few years ago was a mess because I did not plan ahead. I will post some pictures of the day's event when I have the time.