Nereid in Cardiff

Another visit to Cardiff. I met this Nereid, she wasn't doing any guided tours to the city - dragon or not. She seemed a bit occupied with that bird on her hand, so I sat on a fish and posed for the picture.

Nereids are sea nymphs from the Aegean Sea -this one's a bit lost. They are the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris (sounds like they might really be from the East End). The Nereids would go to the aid of sailors in heavy storms. This one looks like she goes to the aid of birds as well. I didn't spot any of the other 49, nor Doris. Though she was probably having a knees up round the piano in some pub.

Horse Ride in London

I've found a dragons only ride in London. This is a night time excursion on a lovely white horse. It starts round the corner from Trafalgar Square, which is where this photograph was taken. The ride was only available for a short time and has stopped now. It was fun while it lasted.

The horse, Ethelred, gives a commentary as he trots along. All very informative. Ethelred was telling me that sometimes people try to climb on despite the signs telling them not to. He thinks its because humans can't read. I think its because they are silly, just nowhere near as sensible as dragons or even horses. He moves away when people try to get on, I said I would singe them with my flames, much more effective. Pity we're not allowed to eat people any more.

Soho Square

I often pass through Soho Square and have noticed this group before. This time I thought I'd stop and have a chat, though not sit on the ground which was damp and a bit muddy. Given their lack of clothing I didn't know quite where to look and didn't get round to asking where their clothes were. They were jolly enough, probably cold as well, and we had a pleasant chat.

Soho Square was built in the 1670's and called Kings Square after Charles II. A statue of him was placed in the middle of the square in 1681. It was removed in 1875 and replaced by the half timbered building in the background of the photo. The building is a tool shed, I think it would make a good dragon house. The statue of Charles II went to an island in a lake on an estate called Grime's Dyke. It stayed there until it came back to the square in 1938.

In a Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens has Dr Manette living in a house on Soho Square.

Royal Leamington Spa II

Here I am in another part of Jepshon Gardens. Behind me is the Davis Clock Tower. It was built in 1925 and named after William Davis who was mayor of Leamington three times. The park was originally called Newbold Gardens in 1834, it became Jepshon Gardens twelve years later. They seem to like changing names in this town. I'm not sure what the metal pillars are for, maybe somebody put them here ready for small visiting dragons as a handy place to pose for a photo. In the gardens there are a number of memorials, one of these is for Dr Henry Jepshon. He was a local doctor who promoted the spa waters. Apparently an album by Ocean Colour Scene features the Jepshon Memorial on the front. Not sure what the connection is.

Royal Leamington Spa

My first visit to Leamington, it likes changing it's name. It's been Lamintone, Leamington Priors then Royal Leamington Spa but known as Leamington Spa or just Leamington. Could get confusing, but nobody has written a song on the subject yet.

This photo is in Jephson Gardens, a park on the banks of the River Leam. Apparently it has lots of colourful floral displays, think I picked the wrong day. The gardens were created in 1831 and have won a number of prizes in recent years. There's a glasshouse here with tropical plants and a goldfish pond. Sounds warmer than where I'm standing. A boating lake is here, not a good day for that either.

Also in Jephson Gardens is a Czech memorial fountain to honour members of the Czech Free Army which was based in Leamington. The fountain is in the shape of a parachute and engraved around the bowl are seven names. These are the men who were parachuted in to Czechoslovakia from Leamington to assassinate the Nazi Governor of Bohemia, Heydrich, in operation Anthropoid. They succeeded but were killed after.

Giant Doughnut in Brighton

Walking along Brighton seafront I spotted this giant doughnut and feeling peckish I flew over. I was very disappointed to discover it wasn't real. It turns out it's a piece of art called 'Afloat', not sure it would float as its made of bronze. Afloat is a globe with the poles pushed together, which is the hole. Not sure I understand it, much prefer a nice chocolate doughnut.

Brighton Pier

The weather is still bad, not the best time to go down to the pier. So I'm on the other side of the road with the pier behind me. It is still known by lots of people as Palace Pier even though the sign above the entrance says 'Brighton Pier'. The West Pier was Palace Piers' rival but after a series of fires (nothing to do with me!) there isn't much of it left.

The construction of Palace Pier began in 1891. It opened in May 1899. The pier has is popular with film makers. It has been in a number of films and TV programmes including Carry On At Your Convenience, Dr Who, Sweeney Todd and Midsomer Murders. That reminds me, it's about time I was in Midsomer Murders. Death by dragon must be the only method of killing someone they haven't used.