GRRRR...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Not strictly Wanstead I know but I couldn't resist it. I came across this fantastic graffiti in Hackney the other day, whether you agree with graffiti or not there are some very talented artists out there. I like the way the guy speaking on his mobile phone seems oblivious to the tiger over his shoulder.

A NIGHT OUT..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson

I have been lucky enough to travel to quite a few different countries around the world for my magazine work, I have also photographed quite a few chefs for Good Food magazine. Having said that I am not what you would call an adventurous eater. However last week I had dinner at Gezi Park, the Turkish restaurant in the High Street. I imagine it's named after Taksim Gezi Park, a green space, in Instanbul. What a great evening,the company of good friends with fine food, chicken, lamb, salad, olives, calamari, Turkish tea and of course Turkish beer. A very enjoyable night...

HORSE RACING..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

These fence post and rails around Tarzy Green reminded my of those around horse racing tracks, not that I'm an expert on 'the sport of kings'. I just took a gamble and thought they made an interesting shape

VERY CLEVER...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

 Is this by accident or design... As I walked along the High Street earlier this week I noticed the sign for Longhorn, Wansteads American diner. It's very clever. I like the way the silver lettering of the sign above the door reflects up onto the frosted glass covering above it. Very different, well done..

MUSICAL TRIO

                    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Wanstead must be full of music. I am always spotting musicians carrying their instruments either along the High Street or Cambridge Park. I wonder where this trio were off to?

WHAT THE L..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was walking along the High Street the other evening when this car passed by. I was intrigued by the L shaped package strapped to the roof. What could it have been, a small arm chair? Must be many other things that shape? Answers please....

AFTER DARK 4

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This is the alley that runs between Woodbine Place and the High Street, I don't think it has a name, if you know otherwise please let me know. I have photographed it before in daylight, click here to check it out, but at night it takes on another personality. I think it's because there is a bend half way along so you don't know what's around the corner...

CHAOS....

   World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I shot this picture yesterday evening on my way home from the gallery. I spotted this stationary traffic near The George pub. No particular reason for taking the picture except I was really drawn by the colours, lights and reflections of the traffic, it made me think of chaos. It was just a gut feeling. One of those moments in photography when it all comes together in front of you with very little time to think so you just react. As I often say not everyone's cup of tea but I like it....

WHOA....

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I'm a bit of a scooter fan although I don't actually own one. I came across this beauty parked outside Robins pie and mash shop on the High Street. I'm always impressed by the amount of chrome on these scooters and I really like the way the chrome kind of blends in with the chairs in this picture.

HAIR TODAY GONE....

                 World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

...tomorrow. Every time I walk past the fab Wanstead Barber Shop it brings back memories of my childhood haircuts. They were a very regular occurrence, every two or three weeks as I recall. It was always a 'short back and sides', I think a leftover from my dad's army days. I honestly don't think there was that much hair to cut after the first week. Anyway as I passed their shop the other day I had to stop and photograph this sign in the window, as I have said before "if I wasn't bald and bearded I'd be a regular" in there. Maybe I'll have the beard trim one day just for nostalgia's sake...

JUST WHEN I....

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved
.....thought there were no more interesting chimney pictures to be taken. I recently discovered this 'nest', if that's the right word, of chimneys in Fitzgerald Road. You only get this unique view however by peeking between the buildings in Church Path. It pays to be observant..

On another note just two places left for this Sunday's craft workshop over at Craft Boutique 84 in Wanstead, click here to find the details.

A COMPLETE CHANGE..

     World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

.... from the after dark pictures of the last three days. I came across this little still life of washers and a nut on the window sill of I & K Brown, the garage on Wanstead Path. I just love the colour combination and of course the peeling paint just makes it. To find out more about this grand old building just click here, unfortunately I understand we are lose it to make room for several houses.

AFTER DARK 3

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I've always been a fan of this building, it's the old Wanstead Technical School in Woodbine Place, you can click here to see my earlier post about it. It's now the home of the Tree House Nursery School, either by day or night it's a lovely old building. What caught my eye after dark were the railings in front of it, they take on a 'look' at night, especially in black and white.

AFTER DARK 2

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Despite the internet I think libraries are very important to any community. For me there's nothing quite like holding a proper printed on paper book. Maybe it's from years on working on magazines and waiting impatiently to see the first issues off the press.

Anyway Wanstead Library is great, whether you are browsing a book, reading a newspaper, doing homework or just sitting for a little peace and quite, it's a splendid place. I really like seeing the building itself after dark, it just seems to glow with the light emanating from all those windows. 

Click here to see another picture of Wanstead Library at dusk.

AFTER DARK 1

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Apologies for the break in publishing for the last few days, we have been catching up with a few things and planning a few new things! Anyway normal service is resumed. 

I was out the other evening and was really drawn by the effect of the street lights and the illumination spilling out of buildings. So in the next few days I'm going to post some pictures of Wanstead after dark. I spotted the light glowing from these three windows, unusual because the building is the old Police station now closed and empty. So what were the lights all about ? The spirit of former policemen and villains ? Who knows but I'm sure I heard the clinking of cell keys....

A LITTLE OVERCAST..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

As they say in Eire it was 'a bit of a soft day today', meaning that there was some rain and it was just generally damp and overcast here in Aberystwyth. Still plenty of charm though in this Welsh seaside town and of course the waves breaking on the beach made for good pictures. 

A WALK..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

..smashing walk today through  a wood today here in Wales. So peaceful, not a sound to be heard, so different to London absolutely no 'background' noise. 

BETTER LATE THAN..

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

...never. I'm taking a few well deserved days off. So you will probably see a few pictures that are not necessarily Wanstead related. I spotted this Santa arriving rather late for Christmas as I passed through Aberystwyth earlier today. His usual sack containing all the presents seemed to be missing, I hope the people who were waiting at the bottom of the chimney weren't too disappointed. 

A NEW DAY..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

and a happy new year to everyone, best wishes for 2015. There have been a couple of great sunsets in the last few days, unfortunately although I got the timing right my locations weren't really up to scratch. I thought I would try a sunrise instead and I am so pleased I did, have a great year.