Which is your favourite elephant? Part 2

I'm just uploading some photos of the touring elephant sculptures in 'Intu' shopping centre in Bromley (probably still better known as 'The Glades', its old name). Which elephant is your favourite?
In the picture above I'm standing as tall as I can, but I'm still so difficult to see next to the giant elephant beside me! (Clue: I'm in the bottom left of the photo). Roll on the ellies!

This romantic one is called 'Love Story' and she has large eyes like she's utterly besotted with someone. Maybe she's off to see her boyfriend? If so, I'm in her way!

Here's a fashionable one (with a very comfortable trunk for me to sit on). She's called 'Razzle Dazzle' and has pictures of well-dressed women all around her body, and retro designs above and below.

I guess this one is pretty easy to name: she's called 'Red Arrow' after the famous stunt pilots in the RAF (Britain's Royal Air Force - you can sometimes see them doing special 'fly pasts' during occasions like royal weddings). I'm not sure this elephant can fly though - perhaps she could use her ears as wings?

Here's a rather complex one called 'Spirit'. I'm standing by her right front leg. At first it looks like a kind of leopard pattern that got really smudged, but if you look closely at the pink wash of colour in the middle, it's actually a herd of horses! The lead horse and the elephant cleverly have their eyes aligned.

This is a photo I posted on my Twitter @ElfDryadalis , and it got retweeted by @IntuBromley! She's called 'The Butterfly Effect', not only referring to her pattern, but also to the idea that a tiny, insignificant change somewhere in the world (like a butterfly beating its wings) could have massive consequences elsewhere (like causing a thunderstorm in another country). It's a huge idea, and it does make some sense, but I'm quite happy just to slide on her trunk rather than figure it out.

Here's one which is very fitting for this blog: 'Unforgettable Journey'! I guess it would be unforgettable indeed if an elephant went up into the sky using a hot air balloon...... and the rain beside her (falling onto my head, thanks) is accurate for Britain!

There's even a London section as well, where you can see Big Ben and the London Eye!

I'm going to continue my own journey around London's landmarks.

See you soon,

Elf Dryadalis

Police Horses

Isn't this one of the coolest sights in the city? 21st century London still keeps its eyes firmly on tradition, as police horses regularly patrol the streets of the capital. They usually patrol in pairs (it's a bit difficult to see from this picture, but if you look at the horse's legs you can see there's another horse behind it).

It's quite exciting when you're in the buzz of such a modern place, and then there's a clip-clop, clip-clop noise behind you, and you can turn to see these lovely creatures keeping the area safe.

These horses were at Cambridge Circus, which is along Charing Cross Road.

I've also seen them at Covent Garden, where they stood still outside the Underground station. Sometimes if you ask the policeman (or policewoman) nicely they let you say hello to their horse.

Police horses are also seen at demonstrations and at events where crowds are expected - they allow the police to get around quickly without needing a car.

As an elf, I am fully in support of these horses trotting around London - more non-human creatures can only add to the species diversity of this city!

See you soon,

Elf Dryadalis

Buckingham Palace

Haha! In this picture it looks like I'm bigger than the entire Palace! Actually, I'm only a small elf - it only looks like this because I came from St James's Park, and from this viewpoint I can see the whole building.

Since 1837 it's been the official residence of the monarch, and it's therefore famous as being where the Queen lives.

I know the Queen's in today because the Union Jack is fluttering high. If it's down, it means the Queens visiting one of her other castles. I wonder if the Queen can see me?

I've just pressed the button, so I can cross to get a better look. The railings behind me are used when everyone's here in an excited crowd. I think they look like giant climbing frames for elves.

These are high arches around the Palace. They're painted gold, and it makes them look very regal.

And here I am outside the main gates to Buckingham Palace! It's not possible to go inside (although sometimes, when the Queen is away, people are allowed to pay some money and look inside at the State Rooms.

He looks very fierce, doesn't he? This soldier is standing outside Buckingham Palace to guard the Royal Family - there are several of them and they stand still for hours, even though it's really hot, and they're wearing long-sleeved uniforms and those great big helmets!

When they change positions (so they can get a bit of rest), it's called the Changing of the Guard, and it's very popular, so lots of people watch them.

Luckily for me, though, I don't have to stand still for so long! So I could look at this golden statue, which is part of The Queen Victoria Memorial. It's right outside Buckingham Palace, and it flashes in the sunlight so everyone can see it.

Eww. This was smelly. It wasn't by me, honest! I'm a very well trained elf.

There are lots of horses in London. Sometimes the police ride horses around London, so maybe one of their horses saw the golden statue and pooped in surprise!

I'll see you later (I need to find some perfume),

E. D.

Walking towards St James's Park

Well, isn't this patriotic?

I'm walking towards St James' Park, and couldn't resist taking a photograph with this Union Jack. There are loads of flags all along the road, which isn't surprising since at the end of the road is Buckingham Palace!

And here I am, being a bit cheeky and riding Mark Wallinger's 'The White Horse Sculpture' which is visible on the right when approaching St James' Park from the Charing Cross side. There is a sign on the ground saying , 'Do not climb on the horse', but I couldn't resist! The horse was okay, though, and I don't think she minded!

This is the approach to St James' Park - I took this as a crossed the road from the horse sculpture. Look at the blue sky! It was such a sunny day.

Above my head you can see even more Union Jacks fluttering in the breeze. I'll finish crossing the road, and then I'll show you some more.