Napster on the Underground?

Would you share your music on the Tube?

Many thanks to both Geoff and Matt from the New Scientist who both sent me a link to Undersound, a project by three design students in California and London where you can upload and download songs at different points around the Tube network and even hear tunes that other commuters are listening to, all via Bluetooth.

Well that's what it appears to do in a nutshell although the designers give it a slightly different introduction

"undersound is a new type of experience, an interface that is on your mobile phone and in the underground stations you pass through every day. It is part personal, part public and all about the tube. undersound is a way of listening to, distributing and affecting the flow of music in the underground that goes beyond just the music itself. It allows you to see your journeys, the people around you, and the tube itself in a new light. There are three key aspects of life underground that we tapped into in the design of undersound.......

While in the carriages of the tube, I can browse undersound music of other people in range. Because the system will be gathering metadata on the stations where the track has been (via uploading/downloading at the transfer points) and thus its spread within the network, the time it has been in the system, the number of times it has been played, the number of people who have played it, and so on, I will be able to see this information when I look at other people's music. I can browse through other's tracks anonymously, but if I decide to download a song from someone else an alert will be triggered on their phone letting them know that I am grabbing one of their tracks."

They compare this type of music sharing with the way people "share" their copies of Metro (obviously written before London Lite and the London Paper came on board).

But do I really want to listen to what other people are listening to on the Tube? Haven't the London Underground spent years trying to get us all to turn the volume on our headphones down, implying that personal stereos should be kept ..... er.... personal?

As I browsed the website looking for more of "the science bit", I learnt that apparently each station would have a visual display of the music on offer. Does this imply that the music stays at the station even when you leave it? Would you be able to travel through certain stations as you knew a lot of drum & bass would be on offer?

Whether the three women will get any funding to take the project further remains to be seen. At the moment it sounds too much like a scientific experiment and I'm not sure anyone would buy into it with the current language "It combines situated and ubiquitous technologies in a way that reflects current social practices as songs are highly linked to the location where they become accessible but their journey throughout the space depends on people's movements and behaviour over time."

But stranger things have happened and maybe there is a mass market for sharing music on the Tube. What do you think?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 23, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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London Underground Fashion Victims

Fashion Victims on the Tube

Back to the weekly Tube fashion Victims. There's a retro theme to the couple of victims this week, with a definite nod to the sixties.

Byker Grove?

This sleeping victim seems to be going for the beatnik / Andy Wharhol groupie look. Her haircut's not very retro but otherwise I could see her in a sixties Carry On film on the back of a moped with Bernard Bresslaw or Kenneth Cope


I like the way she kindly sat underneath a fashion poster too and then fell asleep so I could be more overt than usual with my snap.

Duck Billed Parka

But hats off to John Spier who caught this guy with a mod inspired parka


He said "After reading your blog for a couple of months, I finally had to act.
I saw this guy wearing this interesting coat (at Kings Cross) getting off the Northern line the other day, and I had to pass the photo on to you!"

It's like a short version of those parkas with the long fishtails that made a comeback in the eighties with the mod revival. But the tail on this one looks more like the bill on a duck billed platypus.

Cheers John. I know from experience that it's very difficult taking pictures of victims on the move like that and he did a great job not to get it too blurry.

That's it for this week. The previous victims can be found here and the complete picture gallery can be seen on the following Flickr set.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, October 20, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Paris Metro Launches "Respect" Campaign

Are we Neanderthal on the Underground?

Yesterday the Paris Metro launched a drive for better manners on their subway with an interactive website and poster campaign designed to make Parisian commuters think about their behaviour.


The poster theme describes L'Homo Modernus and tries to portray us as people who have evolved beyond throwing our half eaten food ont he floor, not smoking in places we shouldn't and putting tools like Stanley knives to good use rather than slashing seats.

RATP says it spends 25 million euros a year cleaning graffiti from trains and buses and has to repair 4,500 seats slashed with knives at 100 euros each every year. It could also buy 30 new subway trains with the revenue it loses to fare dodgers each year.

Their site outlines the usual list of annoying behaviour that we suffer on the Tube (people screaming down mobile phones, putting their feet on the seats etc etc) with seated passengers deliberately ignoring pregnant women topping the list.


You can even play a little interactive game where you can move characters around a station concourse. I'm rubbish at computer games and also only have fairly rudimentary French, so all I managed to do was get a chavvy looking hoody to keep crashing into the barriers and bouncing back into the station. But perhaps that's the intention and it's a new type of therapy where you can exact your revenge on fare dodgers.

Anyway it's sobering to see that the Parisians have the same problems as us and after yesterday's discussions on smoking, perhaps it may mean that French Smoking Man might think twice before lighting up.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Smoking on the Tube

Anti smoking police at Turnham Green


As I was coming home last night a woman on my Westbound platform, decided to take on her own personal campaign against someone heading Eastbound who was smoking a fag. Instead of just tutting, or even reporting him to one of the handy station staff, she shouted across the platform "There's no smoking on the London Underground, there hasn't been for years".

Smoking man either pretended that he couldn't hear her or decided that he couldn't speak English. "I said there's no smoking on the London Underground. Put that cigarette out", she said with even more force. Smoking man walked so that he was standing opposite here and shrugged his shoulders.

Good gambit, I thought, perhaps he really can't speak English.

"Don't you understand English? Can't you see the signs everywhere?" she said sounding increasingly hacked off and like a blonde, female, shorter version of Basil Fawlty. "PUT YOUR CIGARETTE OUT"

At this point Smoking man remembered that he could speak English, but with a vaguely French accent said "What business is it of yours?".

"Put it out or I'll report you. NOW".

He put it out, but then started mocking her, repeating back "Put it out or I'll report you". It was like being in a school playground.

She retorted back with a 'talk to the hand' type of sign, and then mimed "Yack, yack, yack" with her hand and walked away in disgust.

I do actually remember when you could smoke on the London Underground (pre the King's Cross fire in 1987) and there were smoking carriages - the middle carriage - which were pretty hideous. In July 1984, London Transport began the ban on smoking, but it was intially only a trial for a year and hundreds of people ignored it. We obviously needed more people like the public spirited Ms Fawlty above to "enforce" the ban.

However, I wonder why was it deemed OK to smoke in the middle carriage? And is it really banned more as a fire risk than a health risk?

Researchers apparently have "discovered" that air quality in carriages and at stations is up to 73 times worse than at street level and a 20-minute journey on the Northern line through central London has the same effect as smoking a cigarette. Perhaps Ms Fawlty ought have told Smoking Man to spend a while on the Misery liine so that he could have got his fix there instead.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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London Underground Fashion Victims

Fashion Victims on the Tube

Back to Friday's Fashion Victims. The day where I showcase people who could be deemed as fashion victims or have a style that they have "made their own". (Trade mark Louis Walsh). There may be a few more parents perusing this week's section, but more on that later.

Rhino Toes?

Are these this year's Uggs but for men?


Are these called Rhino Toes? Or have I just made that up?

Shades Inside

This girl is really going for the celebrity about town look


Oversized Nicole Richie / Victoria Beckham shades, tick. Top Shop / Superdrug cheap looking canvas bag as modelled by Kate Moss, tick. Micro shorts in October, tick.

Fashion Victims in Print

Finally, I'm pleased to say that the Fashion Victims have been deemed as vaguely educational as this month they are featured in a family lifestyle magazine "With Kids"


The feature in the Planet Teen section says "Is anyone in your house seen out in public wearing gold Pumas with green socks, or skinny jeans with Ugg boots? Annie Mole is dedicated to exposing the fashion excesses of the capital on her website and you may find her picture gallery handy for demonstrating some familiar fashion excesses to your own flock. (Warning: Annie has a particular dislike of Aladdin slippers, and mum-types carrying shiny metallic handbags)."

I love the idea of parents sitting down with their kids and instead of saying - "Don't go out in that as you'll look like a tart", but "Don't go out in that or you'll end up on Annie's fashion victim blog".

A disturbing responsibility, but I'm pleased the writer is aware that Mums have no escape either.

That's it for this week. The previous victims can be found here and if you've missed the whole picture gallery they can be seen on the following Flickr set.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, October 13, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Dontcha wish your boyfriend was a girlfriend like me?

Metrosexual Boyfriend

I was highly impressed with the interest this man was showing in his girlfriend's collection of Elizabeth Arden cosmetics.


In my experience you have to drag a man almost kicking and screaming into a perfume or cosmetics department. They certainly don't spend the time it takes to travel from Leicester Square to Glamoursmith unwrapping each item of make up and discussing how you put it on. He even tested some of the make-up on the back of his hand.

The poor girl looks like she wants a turn with the make-up unless she was thinking about putting up some shelves or changing the brake fluid in the car when they got back home.
Perhaps she'll hire him out as "rent-a-boyfriend". If so can I have him this Saturday afternoon.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Thursday, October 12, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Home, home on the rails

No scroungers, slouchers, singers or strumpets

I think that was the intention with this very err.... charitable railway sign which I snapped on the outside of a church.


Admittedly it was a church with railway associations. Any guesses which one?

I'd love to see how sign writers of 1901 would deal people outstaying their welcome or various "undesireables" on the Tube today.


People wonder why I change on the Sadistic Line at Hammersmith station rather than at Baron's Court. But there's never a dull moment in the waiting room there, as it usually doubles up as either McDonalds or EasyHotel. Last night's sleeper would have actually had more space in the waiting room at Hammersmith Station than he would have in an EasyHotel commuter pod.

Take the following description of Stelios's orange rooms "found in the centre of international cities, targeting short-stay customers". Not much difference between that and a Tube waiting room really. Sheriff Ken - you're missing some valuable revenue here.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Next Stop Ikea Way

Sponsored Tube Map?


The Tube's lawyers got all in a kerfuffle about the "Sponsored Tube Map" with companies replacing station names, but it looks like the flatpack Kings IKEA have managed to get onto a TfL map.

The webmaster of Croydon Tramlink's unofficial site said "The latest Tramlink route maps show Ampere Way as IKEA Ampere Way. It now seems likely that the stop will be formally renamed IKEA Ampere Way, probably with some kind of IKEA branding. This issue seemed to arise again from when it was originally rejected by TfL when the system was built as no stop should be named after a commercial enterprise. However, with Centrale being named as such, IKEA appeared to approach TCL/TfL again. Nothing official has yet been announced. However, with it on the route map, it is useful for passengers. Enquiries as to which tram goes to IKEA and which stop to use must be in the top 10 most frequently asked questions that I get asked both online, and while travelling on Tramlink."

Does this mean that Neasden might be renamed "IKEAden" or that we'll see "Ikea Hale" appearing on the Victoria Line?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 09, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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A whole new meaning to the BakerLOO line

With friends like these


Ahhh, what jolly japes some people get up to. Mike played a trick on one of his mates "He'd fallen asleep, and I used the government-recommended bottle of water to give the impression he'd wet himself. He wasn't impressed, but everyone else thought it was funny."

I've cropped the picture to try to spare Mike's mate as much embarrassment as possible but I do like the look of the woman reading the Haruki Murakami book next to him.

I'm possibly the world's worst culprit for falling asleep on the Tube, but luckily I live near the end of the end so if I ever miss my stop, it's fairly easy to get back home. There are a number of urban myths knocking around about people falling asleep. and people's reaction.

My favourits is an old lady who fell asleep on the Metropolitan Line and was sleepily woken up by the driver. "Is this Aldgate East?" she asked. "Nah love", the driver replied "It's All get out".

Have you ever had to wake anyone at the end of a line? How did they take it?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 09, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Not on the London Underground

More Tube Roundels in unlikely places

Off to send TfL's lawyers in another frenzied tour of tracking down (more than likely" unauthorised uses of the London Underground roundel.

We start off in Melbourne where Agent Fare Evader spotted the following sign for a newsagent at a shopping centre


Regular commenter Dmitri remembered that he'd seen a sign for the Tube in Luxembourg


However, the weirdest came from Ellen F who spotted this advert on the Hauptbahnhof U-Bahn (central station underground station) in Hamburg.


My German is rubbish but it seems to be something about some adult cinema. It certainly would have looked good against the next advert. Mike from Toronto saw this in Dehli, and although it's not another roundel it's a clearly "borrowed" from the Tube's map design


If you want to see the station names click on the image to err, enlarge. I can just about make out some saucy Carry On names such as Mile High Airport, Threeway Junction, Lower Grind, Seemore Street, Spanky End and Moor Wood. They must have had a lot of fun in the creative department of that agency.

Keep those sightings coming in and I'll add to the collection.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Wednesday, October 04, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Subway smells map

What's the smelliest station on the London Underground?

We sooooo, need one of these for the Tube. Thanks to Mike, I learnt that the guys from Gawker.com had put together a Google Map where people can report on the smells of a New York subway station:


"Created from reports sent in by Gawker readers, the map displays particular smells -- horrific and sublime -- encountered throughout New York's subway stations. Mouse over any station to see the station name, subway lines, and types of smells to be found there. Click on any station for a popup with actual reader smell reports."

The key is particularly expressive and American spelling aside, covers a lot of the smells you'll find on the Tube.

Everytime I go onto the East London Line I think it smells like a toilet. I check the seats and it's not because some undesireable has been using it for that very purpose. Maybe it's something to do with the age of the line or the remnants of the Thames Tunnel, but I can't wait to get off it.

It's interesting that the New York Subway has "perfume" as one of the smells as you may know that the Tube trialled exposing commuters to a perfume called "Madeleine" at St James's Park, Euston and Piccadilly Circus stations (presumably they needed it).

The fragrance was "a fresh, watery floral bouquet of rose and jasmine combined with citrus top notes. Tiny touches of fruit and herbs give way to strong woody accents and a hint of sweetness in the base." and was said to counteract the "interesting collection of odours in stations, reflecting all aspects of London life, some nice, some not so nice."

It was withdrawn after a day as it made passengers feel sick. So perhaps we prefer the smells of London life, old sweaty socks and all.

Do you have any contenders for smelly stations? And if so, what do they smell like?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 02, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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London Underground Fashion Victims

Fashion Victims on the Tube

After a break of a week, while I was sunning myself in Malaga, with not a Tube train in sight, it's back to Friday's Fashion Victims. The day where I showcase people who have taken a style and "made it their own". (Trade mark Louis Walsh)

Novelty Belts

Just in case you had thought the metallic look was beginning to be over.


Sadly it's not. Although I think that Gold Belt woman's friend was doing her bit for International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Plus Fours or Twiggy Trousers?

They're sort of the same length as Twiggy Trousers but the tight hem gave them more of the appearance of plus fours


Perhaps it was the dark socks/tights that helped to, coupled with some shoes that wouldn't have looked out of place on a golf course.

I have cold wrists

I don't understand wristwarmers. To me they are slightly less sensible than leg warmers.


Why not just wear a jumper than covers up your arm? Could someone please explain.

Swimmies on the Tube

Finally, a guest TFV spot from Jim F


He couldn't resist sending in a picture of "Lurid flourescent leotard on top of black leggings, topped with hoody. There were two of them on the Hamm & City yesterday morning but could only get one.

The looks they were getting..."

I can only presume they were off to dance school or unless the 80's Fame look is really coming back.

That's it for this week. The previous victims can be found here and if you've missed the whole set they can be seen on the following Flickr set.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, September 29, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Coughing Banned on the Tube

Thank goodness for inverted commas

I love the way the London Paper's headline about coughing being "banned" on the Tube is next to the picture of that paragon of health, Fag Ash Lil aka Kate Moss. Much tabloid space given over to her smoking a fag in a bar in Ireland, but she's not been banned from coughing on the Tube.

In fact the judicious use of inverted commas means that no one's acutally been banned from coughing on the Tube. We learn that a Government body want us to see that coughing and sneezing without covering your mouth on the Tube is anti social behaviour, because it could spread a killer "public transport" flu (Yes, I love inverted commas too).

Professor Lindsey Davies, national director of the Government's Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, said: "We will be ­encouraging people not to cough or sneeze without something over their face. If we make it socially unacceptable to cough and sneeze in ways that spread disease, we have a chance of preventing the pandemic."

The Londonpaper say that Government officials "are urging millions of Londoners to arm themselves with a hanky and make it 'socially unacceptable' to cough or sneeze.....Estimates suggest that one in four people in Britain will be affected in a pandemic. The last major one struck in 1918 and claimed more lives than the Great War."

Does this mean that we are going to get a spate of ads on the Tube telling people to not travel without a hanky? What happens if you're about to sneeze but one hand is strap hanging and the other is holding a bag or briefcase - will you be jumped upon by the PIP police? Perhaps things will get so bad that we'll see more people travelling around with those little white cotton masks that commuters wear in Japan.

But before we get into panic mode, I remember blogging about viruses being spread on the Tube quite some time ago now and there was a suggestion that the risks were over-hyped. "The Health Protection Agency says there is no indication that passengers in London and the South East - where public transport is more crowded - suffer more respiratory illnesses than other parts of the UK." said the BBC

Even so it doesn't feel great to be in a crowded Tube with people coughing and spluttering around you, specially when you learn that sneezes travel from speeds ranging from 100mph - 200mph depending on which fascinating fact table you are looking at. In The Guardian, which also covered the story, Professor Davies said "When a person with the flu sneezes, large droplets containing the virus can travel up to a metre through the air".

Just let me know when we hear the first announcements from Tube drivers reminding us not only to "Mind the Gap", but warning us that "Coughs & sneezes spread diseases". Maybe Sheriff Ken will cough up some funds so we see some TV adverts with a range of Londoners extolling the virtues of wet wipes and Handy Andies along with their Oystercards.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Thursday, September 28, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Lost on London Transport

Strange things found in the TfL Lost Property Office

Yesterday, I was kindly sent the very diverting Book of Lists: London, as the publishers, Canongate, happened to come across some of my pictures on Flickr and wanted to use them to illustrate their book.

Amongst the 180 lists of London which would keep a London pub quiz team happy for weeks, I found 14 of the weirdest things left on public transport. How some of the items would have even fitted on public transport, let alone left behind, beggars belief:

1. Two and half hundredweight of sultanas
2. Lawn mower
3. Breast Implants
4. Theatrical coffin
5. Stuffed eagle
6. 14-foot long boat
7. Divan bed
8. Park Bench
9. Garden Slide
10. Jar of bull's sperm (how they identified it as belonging to a bull is beyond me, one assumes it was labelled)
11. Urn of ashes
12. Dead bats in a container
13. Vasectomy kit
14. Two human skulls in a bag

If you were sitting across from any of the people carrying these items, wouldn't you think of calling them back and saying "Oi, you've left your dead bats behind", or "Excuse me madam, I think you've dropped your breasts". But if these people were travelling on the Northern Line weirdness is just part of the journey.


I'm always surprised about the number of people I've seen carrying computers on the Tube. But sadly they never seem to forget them.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Tuesday, September 26, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Friends of London Transport Museum Auction

How much would you pay for the first copy of Metro?

Or a King's Cross Tube Station roundel? Or your own personalised announcement on the Docklands Light Railway?

Thanks to IanD, I learnt that The Friends of London's Transport museum are runing a charity auction through eBay up until the 1st October, to raise money for the refurbishment at Covent Garden. Transport related lots include: a one off bus driving experience, rare model buses (Fimb get your bids in); use of a routemaster for the day or evening; a train cab ride (currently standing at £255 - Graham O'Mara gets to do this every day); a tour of Kingsway tram station; plus 'lots' more.

Surprisingly, no one has yet bid to be a mannequin in the museum itself. If you've been to the Museum you'll know that there are dummies sitting in the trains on display. So you for the a mere six grand you could be immortalised like one of the Tussauds wax works. As normal the dummy would be dressed in suitable clothing for the period but the face would be personalised to resemble the winner of this lot. A perfect although rather expensive way to scare the living daylights out of your friends if they visited the museum next year.

Happy bidding!

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, September 25, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Fare evasion dilemma

Any legal eagles amongst you?

Back in London now and thanks to Neil for holding the fort while I was in sunnier climes.

While I was away, someone left a message on goingunderground's message board with the following question:

"HELP! - A few weeks ago I was stopped by a plain clothes officer, and as I did not have a valid ticket, so I was told I would either be cautioned or prosecuted. I have received a letter saying that I should write to them explaining my case so they will decide whether to prosecute or caution me. The thing is, in spite of having a valid ticket at the time, I touched the wrong one on the machine (which belonged to someone else) by mistake. I was advised that I can only get a caution if I plead guilty, but in this case they might still prosecute. Does that mean that if I tell the truth, that I touched the wrong ticket by mistake, I will definitely be prosecuted and have criminal record for £1.50??? I really don't know what to do and would appreciate some advice. Cheers!"

So what happens in situations where you do have two tickets and you use the wrong one by mistake? There must be genuine cases where this happens. Or would TfL see this as the fare evasion excuse number 239, in the great collection of Lost Travelcard Excuses? Surely if you explain your mistake they would understand - because technically you have actually paid your fare and are travelling with a valid ticket - but just not showing it.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, September 25, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Fancy Dress Party Quiz Results

And the winners are......

Apologies for taking a while to get the results of the quiz

Firstly you had to guess what Tube stations the following people had gone to a fancy dress party as


The answers are:

a) High Barnet b) Canary Wharf, c) Elephant & Castle and d) King's Cross St Pancras

Part two asked, if you were going to a London Underground fancy dress party, what station would you go as and what would you wear?

There are some bonus prizes here for the best guesses to part two

I liked Kristen's "The only idea I can come up with is Notting Hill Gate... dress up as a hill, carrying a gate, and keep nodding my head (although that would hurt after about 5 mins lol)".

I also liked Saff's "Turnham Green - go wearing green clothes with a packet of ham on string round your neck. Every so often, flip the packet of ham around." as it combines a costume with party food.

However, the winner from the paperclip selection of those with the most points was Billy Abbott and I also liked his suggestion of Perivale where he said he would be dressed as a small woodland clearing while carrying a jug of pear based alcoholic beverage.


Billy wins the very cuddly Tube Teddy Bear!

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, September 25, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Avast, Ye Underground Mariners!

(or International Talk Like A Pirate Day)

Ahoy there me hearties!

Now be ye listening up, scurvy-dogs! Cap'n Mole has set sail fer sunnier climes and left yer olde first mate, able-assister Neil in charge of the good ship Blog, aaarrrr!

It be International Talk Like A Pirate Day today so we'll have less o' that there English as ya call it (or whatever it be that ye rotten foreign lubbers be a-gibberin' away at, yaarr!)

I say we be gettin' us hence to the underground briney, boardin' the nearest vessel and makin' them there commutin' swabs speak like corsairs! And if they be not agreeable we'll put 'em all to the cutlass under obligation of surrendering their doubloons! Yaaarrr!

Mind you mates, should we spy maidens fair on board let us not be too hasty in cuttin' their throats. Rather, I say we might try a-makin' love to 'em with our worldly charm. They like a man who speaks proper ye know. We'll be wantin' some phrases to woo 'em with so I suggest this 'ere list of delightful fayre:

• Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?
  
• Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?
  
• Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you
  
• I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon
  
• Pardon me, but would ya mind if fired me cannon through your porthole?
  
• How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?
  
• Prepare to be boarded
  
• They don't call me Long John because my head is so big
  
• You're drinking a Salty Dog? How'd you like to try the real thing?
  
• Wanna shiver me timbers?
  
• Let's get together and haul some keel

An' if ya manages to get some photographs (whatever they be) of fellow pirates on the underground briney then we'll be puttin' their mugs up on the mast fer all to see.

Now be off wi' ye, or ye'll be kissin' the gunner's daughter afore ya knows it. YAAAARRRRR!!!!!!

London Underground; Tube Posted by Neil Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Poirot on the Tube Quiz - 2

Agatha Christie on the London Underground

Many thanks to a regular reader who was watching Poirot's The Case of the Missing Will over the weekend and there was a scene where a woman was followed onto the tube and pushed down an escalator.

Can you guess from these pictures where the scenes were shot? Bear in mind the producers may have used some artistic licence and shot them at a number of locations:










If you want to see them all a bit larger, click on the images themselves and there are some more which may or may not be helpful on the following page.

You have until Sunday 24th September 23.59 GMT to make your guess and all correct guesses will go into Neil's paperclip selection

The prize is another photo frame / fridge magnet styled on the ticket booths that wer around at the time and there will be a bonus prize for best captions to the fourth picture.

Also there's going to be a week's break in blog proceedings as I'm off to Malaga for work - see you next week!

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, September 18, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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London Underground Fashion Victims

Fashion Victims on the Tube

Here's the regular weekly look at people spotted on the London Underground with a particularly unusual sense of style, or who could be considered victims of fashion.

Do they call her Mellow Yellow?

Coming back from Proms in the Park last weekend, we couldn't fail to spot this "Lady in Yellow"


Perhaps she should have sat next to the guy with the Yellow Pages Tube Map as the shade was remarkably similar.

Red & Green Should Never Be Seen

Or is it blue & green, or yellow green. I forget. Fishnet tights aside I don't think this red and green combo works.


Maybe it's the sequinned green flats which don't quite go with the pillar box red skirt. Maybe it's just the skirt itself which is almost like a micro kilt but not quite. I think at the end of the day the tabard 3/4 length black top is not doing the look a lot of favours.

Parallel Lines

I know that footless tights are this season's err.....tights, (according to The Sunday Times) but these tights are not exactly footless tights and not exactly leggings either


It all looks a little bit Blondie or Andy Warhol muse to me. What sort of length tights are you supposed to wear with that skirt?

The Avengers Look

A guest entry from James spotted on the Victoria Line


"She's wearing a combat jacket and evidently skirt/shorts small enough not be
seen below the jacket. Then to finish it off brilliant white boots."

Personally I think she's in training to become the new Emma Peel. Those white boots scream 60's throwback, yet the combat jacket is very "Take one look at me and I'll wrestle you to the floor".

The Long Tails

Finally, and just in case you were worried that men were letting the side down, something that I really hope is not going to become a trend.


From the front the guy on the left might not look particularly unusual, fairly loud taste in socks for the military looking jacket, but otherwise nothing too weird until you notice something dangling between his legs. And if you thought the guy on the right was carrying a soft toy, you'd be wrong.


Rather bizarrely they were both wearing tails.

Apparently this wasn't a fancy dress party or some sort of passing fad, as shortly after I posted it on Flickr pixeldiva said:

"Oh my god! I know this guy!

Well, *know* as in, I saw him once, several years ago, outside Forbidden Planet when it was on New Oxford Street - but he's somewhat memorable.

Can't believe he still has the same tail."

If anyone can explain the significance of this goth/punk/furry tail look, I'd be very happy.

That's it for this week. The previous week's victims can be found here and if you've missed the whole set they can be seen on the following Flickr set.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, September 15, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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