London - August Break day 9

Sad events in some parts of this town at the moment but like many other Londoners I am carrying on. This morning as I was pedaling along I saw this gold Chopper bike in a shop window on Oxford Street and this afternoon I have stunned to see images of devastation on the television. It is difficult to believe it is the same city.

Comments

Well, I hope you are safe. I realize that some or even many of the people rioting may simply be "hooligans" but we are living in pretty reckless and hard times. I am glad the demonstrations in Wisconsin were peaceful but sometimes I wish I'd just see a fraction of the anger here that we see abroad. Best wishes.
Courtnee said…
Stay safe out there. Reports that I've read made it seem like the mayhem was mainly in East London, but the nightly news portray the riots and fires as occurring all over the city. I hope the anger and violence subsides soon.
Leslie said…
The smell of burning and the agitating sound of helicopters overhead. I can see a slice of Mare Street from my kitchen window. I can imagine the attraction of looting a fashion store, but a funeral parlour? There are spectators climbing on roofs and railings for a better view. There are more of them than participants. The police arrive in a line across the street. The trouble-makers have moved on. Some officers break off to talk to the onlookers. In a corner, one is talking to a mother and child, their body language of 'chat' contrasting with the wider scene. Residents from one block of flats are moving their cars onto the children's playground to save them from the torch. The chair of the residents' committee is trying to stop them. A Mazda is set to fire on a side-street. The smell of smoke is inside my flat, the clouds obscuring the view. This incident is already on TV, so now I can see it outside, smell it inside, and watch it on television. It must be happening!
Cycling in Heels said…
Hi Leslie. It sounds frightening and I hope that it is has passed. I also think that standing around to watch encourages disorder because the perpetrators know that they will not be stopped.

Stay safe
Anonymous said…
I saw it on the news, terrible !
Be careful !
Cycling in Heels said…
Thank you N. It seems to have all calmed down now.