Iain Sinclair Talk at Foyles Bookshop

Earlier this week I went along to Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road to listen to Iain Sinclair in conversation with Patrick Wright. I'm not familiar with Patrick Wright's work (he's a writer, broadcaster and academic) but I've read some of Iain Sinclair's books, including London Orbital, which chronicles a journey he made around the M25 and the stories behind the places he passes through. He packs alot of information in to his writing and tends to jump from topic to topic (although always in a very knowledgeable way) so it can be hard to follow his chain of thought sometimes. Having recently read and really enjoyed an interesting article he wrote about cycling for the London Review of Books I have decided that his writing is probably best appreciated in small doses.

Iain read extracts from his new book, Ghost Milk, which will be published in July. This is based around the impact of the 2012 Olympics although judging from the write-up about it on his website, it draws in a wide range of other issues too. He and Patrick also discussed a number of other London and Olympic-related topics including the way Hackney has changed over the years (not positively in their view: 'Now everything that was interesting about [Dalston Lane] has been destroyed or is under threat.') and the relationship between China and the West. I'm not sure that I agree with everything that was said but Ghost Milk looks like it should be another interesting book for anyone interested in the past, present and future of London.

The talk was part of the Listen*Read*See London programme of events that Foyles are running this week. That particular programme finishes tomorrow but Foyles hold regular free events at their Charing Cross Road branch and a few events at some of their other branches too. As well as talks from novelists and other writers, they have jazz in the cafe there a few times a week. You need to reserve a place in advance for the talks but I like the fact that this means you don't need to worry about turning up ages in advance to secure a place which can sometimes be the case with free events. I've already booked a place to hear Evan Davis talk about his perspective on the British economy in a couple of weeks time.

A Tour of the Olympic Park

Like many of those who applied, we're currently waiting to find out whether our bid for Olympic tickets was successful. We only applied for four events and so far no money has been taken from our account so the waiting goes on.

In the meantime, I had the opportunity to go on a tour of the Olympic Park this morning. Security is very tight - you have to show photo ID to be allowed on the tour - and you are taken round by bus which you can't get off. So although you are allowed to take pictures you have to snatch a photo from the moving bus when you can. It's still interesting to see the buildings taking shape and the amount of work that is going in to creating the Park.

This was the best shot I managed to get of the Olympic Stadium. As you can see the landscaping for the Park is now going in although there is clearly still alot of work to do.

Olympic Stadium

I also managed to get reasonably good shots of the Velodrome and the Aquatics Centre. The latter looks a lot less finished than some of the other main venues but apparently the internal fittings are pretty much complete to the extent that there is already water in the pools.

The Velodrome

The Aquatics Centre

The bus took us all round the site, through the Athletes Village and past the new Stratford International Station which according to news reports last year may not now be international after all.

Finally we got to see The Orbit, the twisted tower designed by Anish Kapoor, which is currently under construction. The finished structure will include viewing platforms and restaurants and will be taller than the Statute of Liberty. There's been some debate as to whether the Orbit will become London's Eiffel Tower and I'm still undecided on it's architectural merits. However, given the success of the London Eye, it seems there is a ready market for attractions that allow people to view London from above so it should be a commercial success (assuming people are as keen to see East London once the Games have finished).

 

The Orbit under construction

To book a place on the free bus tours operated by the Olympic Delivery Authority phone 0300 2012 001. Apparently there is currently a three month waiting list.