London Bus Sculpture Trail VII

This bus is 360°Panorama of London by Rob Wilson. It is in Trafalgar Square on one of those featureless grey traffic islands that are dotted around it. At least this bus brightens it up a bit. This design is quite clever. The artist has painted what you see in front of you as you look at the bus. Where you see Nelsons Column the bus has part of the column painted on it and it lines up with the real column. Painted on another side there is the base of the statue it shares the island with. Because this photo is taken at an angle it doesn't work, but this way you can see more of the design.

I like this bus it brightens up the square, it's brighter than the real square. Its a pity it won't be kept here as its the best thing about Trafalgar Square since they got rid of the road in front of the National Gallery and the pigeons. The bit in front of the National Gallery is now populated with people painted silver pretending to be statues or Yoda – not sure am I why Yoda someone would paint themselves as, nor money give to them another – I say bring back the traffic and pigeons.

London Bus Sculpture Trail VI

Here's another bus. This one was in an alley near Leicester Square Station. It goes by the name of Swinging London and is by Sian Storey. The design is inspired by London in the 'swinging sixties'. In this photo you can see the Carnaby Street road sign on the front and a car - I like the car all buses should have one painted around the driver. On the other side from where the photo was taken there is a road sign for Abbey Road and a large picture of Twiggy.

London Bus Sculpture Trail V

The fifth bus I found is on Charing Cross Road just as it meets Trafalgar Square. This is London Skyline Bus by Kristjana S Williams, who also did Gull Graeni Straeto which I photographed earlier. It is decorated with images of London landmarks.

London Bus Sculpture Trail IV

Back on the bus trail and this is Busby. Also outside the London Transport Museum. Busby is also known as 'Queen's Conductor', I presume a play on bus conductor and the guardsman's uniform the bus is wearing. This one is by Oliver Dean an illustrator and artist from Essex, he has another bus on the trail. As this bus is wearing a bearskin hat (not real bearskin I hope) it was a bit warmer to sit on on a winters day than the others with metal roofs (or rooves if you're from parts of the country that use that).

I like this bus. It has the chin strap coming down and the markings from the uniform of one the guards regiments uniforms. On the side is the rose shoulder badge and at the front are the garter stars from the collar badge, though I thought they were eye's at first. It's the Coldstream Guards uniform, but it doesn't have the red plume in its bearskin.

Paddington Trail London III

The third Paddington I met. This one goes by the name of Paddington Jack, explains the coat. It does make him look very patriotic - for a Peruvian bear. It was designed by Davina McCall the television presenter. Paddington Jack is on Horse Guards Parade outside the Churchill War Rooms, which used to be The Cabinet War Rooms but I suppose tourists tend to recognise 'Churchill' more than 'Cabinet'. Unless they are furniture sellers, but they would be in for some disappointment if they visited thinking it would be about their work. Behind me (and Paddington) in the photograph are Clive Steps with a statue of Clive of India. You can also see part of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office building which was originally built as the India Office in the 1860's.

Paddington Trail London II

Another Paddington who wanted his photograph with me. This one is Little Bear Blue designed by Intel, the technology company. His colour is 'Intel Blue' and has 100 LED lights, you can see some in the photograph. Little Bear Blue is outside Framestore in Soho. Framestore is the CGI company involved in the new Paddington film.

Paddington Trail London

It's a busy time for trails in London. Aside from the Bus Sculpture Trail there is the Paddington Trail. The Paddington Trail is related to the release of the new Paddington Bear film. There are fifty statues around London each designed by an artist, designer or celebrity. The trail will raise money for the NSPCC.

This Paddington is Rainbow by Darcey Bussell, the ballerina. I expect his tutu and ballet shoes are inside his case. Rainbow Paddington is outside the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. So he is quite close to the London Transport Museum, not sure if he has a ride on the bus sculptures there.