There are not many plus points to working shifts that are either 12 hour days or nights or a mixture of earlies / lates and nights but some times there are just a few moments where you stop charging about and think " Ah, hang on a moment " ....
Central London is not everyone's cup of tea and I know it doesn't match the scenery that Mr Wolf and others post here but there are plenty of iconic sites that are overlooked everyday as you go about your work and taken for granted by those of us that work within the capital ......
So here is just a quick glimpse of an empty London just before 6 this morning ....
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo-3.jpg)
That is taken from the middle of Westminster Bridge ... stop there in the day time at your own peril ... either from what most of us call " Traffic Wardens " or from just being run over !
Parliament, properly called The Palace of Westminster, is an amazing place with huge historical importance ...
Here is another view .....
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo-4.jpg)
Not quite a GTR but these R1200 RT's are decent bits of kit and are almost bomb proof ... they get a good caning 24 hrs a day and the the bike I use at the moment, a 57 reg 32000 miler is sweet as a nut ... some of us prefer to use the older bikes as they feel more broken in ... others like the new sparkly ones ... each to their own !
(http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/NigelCooper/photo-5.jpg)
As I now have a few days off, perhaps a venture into the Sussex countryside will provide some alternative scenry ........
Rusty this is where my training from the cubs comes in. Judging by the position of the Sun in the second picture I'd estimate it was about 05:55 when the picture was taken. ;D
I'm intrigued though now....you told me what you did a long time ago in 'The Job' and I'm curious how you do it from a bike.
Oh, good pics though its good to see you haven't forgotten how to post photos!
I'm going to be followed by a bike in those colours in a few weeks when I do a bikesafe course with the Dyfed/Powys branch :)
Nice pictures LR, I used to live just round the corner on birdcage walk....not often that Westminster looks so nice ;D
Quote from: fatharry on May 15, 2011, 05:34:11 AM
Nice pictures LR, I used to live just round the corner on birdcage walk....not often that Westminster looks so nice ;D
What? The big place end of the Mall? ;D ;D
When I'm in London I work just around the corner from there. LR, if that's the patch you cover on your beat I'm sure I've seen you many a time! Always wonder who is on those RTs
Hey I am glad you all like the pics ;)
it is a lovely time of day and there are many iconic sites in London that look good in the early morning sunshine !
The Mets' DPG ( Diplomatic Protection Group ) are responsible for the protection of iconic sites, Diplomats and visiting Heads of State etc when they are in or visiting London. The Group is 700 strong, all armed, and take on many roles ... there are " posts " ... for example, if you go to Downing Street at Whitehall the officers on the gates are " on post " and there to protect the site and all within ..... there are fast response cars who may go to alarm calls at Embassies or Consulates or calls of concern, or, as we have at the moment many spontaneous demonstrations that need monitoring , and then there are the bikes, .... very much of the same but much quicker through the london traffic. There are plain clothed jobs too. I love the job I have to say. I come from a Traffic background so I have the advantage of being able to fulfil all the roles that require courses and qualifications etc ... IE Police Advanced Class 1 on both Cars and Bikes ... some officers just do a couple of years and then move back to Borough Policing, some stay for longer, some just like " posts " and others want to do everything ....
NB .... I cover that central patch 80% of the time ... other times we work in different parts of London where protected persons live or visit of have their HQ's etc .... Like anywhere, once you work it you soon get to know your way round ( with a map book stuck in my panniers of course ) !
There you are ... I digress somewhat .... now ... how to get a picture of my GTR at the top of Big Ben ..................
Rusty, sounds like a dream job. I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed my relatively short stint on traffic, but thanks to the recent traffic reviews all my training has gone to waste and they binned 76 of us off.
This was one of my toys....(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/100_2156.jpg)
Absolutely useless for divisional work but a nice enough car to drive. I preferred my allocated car, a Vectra VXR V6 Turbo, solid as a rock and it would perform when you needed it to.
Happy days. ;D
Quote from: Winston Smith on May 15, 2011, 08:38:47 AM
What? The big place end of the Mall? ;D ;D
Next door......Wellington Barracks, had a nice view to the 'Big House' and over St James Park from my roof top garden though ;D
Wellington Barracks eh ? Brigade of Guards or civvy job ?
Errrmmmm...how do explain this??
Bit of both (although not guards..more R.L.C)...nuff said ;) ....whatever, the view was nice...you could sit on the rooftop and listen to 'Proms in the Park' if the wind was in the right direction
It matters to me not one bit the size and shape of your cap badge, the fact is you were there doing your stuff for Queen and Country ... well done you. Where else can you stay in London for free and listen to The Bands of The Household Division whilst sunning yourself on the rooftops ?? Nice one Harry !
Nice in the smoke aint it!
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/Hoody_photo/Ride%20Outs%20and%20Bike%20Stuff/BikeSafe%202011/110.jpg)
Which Barracks?
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/Hoody_photo/Ride%20Outs%20and%20Bike%20Stuff/BikeSafe%202011/070.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/Hoody_photo/Ride%20Outs%20and%20Bike%20Stuff/BikeSafe%202011/071.jpg)
The way things are going those bottom two pictures are going to represent the numbers going to Swallow Falls in August, & I aint joking ;D
I recognise those two guys in the top picture too. Great pics Winston, when were they taken?
G20 a couple of years ago
effing hell, I better be careful with what I spout out on these forums! :D
Nice one Winston ! ....Nothing like a bit of Mutual Aid to The Met !! I always carry a camera on the bike and your pictures are a prime example of why everyone should !