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Visit for http://www.planetslade.com for Murder Ballads, Secret London & more. Inset quote: Kurt Vonnegut.
Cross Bones' Shrine to the Suicides.
October 2, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Cross Bones' Shrine to the Suicides.
Stopped by Cross Bones yesterday, where one of the recent additions I found was this "fantasy coffin" syringe from a Ghanian tradition. The sign will explain what it symbolises and why it's there.
October 2, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Stopped by Cross Bones yesterday, where one of the recent additions I found was this "fantasy coffin" syringe from a Ghanian tradition. The sign will explain what it symbolises and why it's there.
Just back from watching Paul Gravett interview Ginseng Roots' creator Craig Thompson at the Century Club in Shaftsbury Avenue. One thing I learned was that the collected edition adds 60-70 pages of brand new material - which I suppose means I'm going to have to buy it all over again!
September 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Just back from watching Paul Gravett interview Ginseng Roots' creator Craig Thompson at the Century Club in Shaftsbury Avenue. One thing I learned was that the collected edition adds 60-70 pages of brand new material - which I suppose means I'm going to have to buy it all over again!
Recent street art from in and around Brick Lane.
September 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Recent street art from in and around Brick Lane.
@privateeyenews.bsky.social I attach pictures of Trump's FBI director Kash Patel and one of the man-babies from Haribo's current TV ad. I wonder if, by any chance, etc ...
Patel Haribo
Patel Haribo
September 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
@privateeyenews.bsky.social I attach pictures of Trump's FBI director Kash Patel and one of the man-babies from Haribo's current TV ad. I wonder if, by any chance, etc ...
Patel Haribo
Patel Haribo
Just back from Manchester where I saw Fran Lebowitz interviewed (& fielding audience questions) at Bridgewater Hall. I've loved her writing & wit ever since stumbling across the old Arrow paperbacks of Metropolitan Life & Social Studies way back in 1980/81. I've been quoting her ever since too.
September 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Just back from Manchester where I saw Fran Lebowitz interviewed (& fielding audience questions) at Bridgewater Hall. I've loved her writing & wit ever since stumbling across the old Arrow paperbacks of Metropolitan Life & Social Studies way back in 1980/81. I've been quoting her ever since too.
Final score in this week's University Challenge. I always love it when the Oxbridge side gets a spanking.
September 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Final score in this week's University Challenge. I always love it when the Oxbridge side gets a spanking.
I'll close with these three information boards from the show. Each describes a genuine Thames mudlarking find which wasn't present at the exhibition.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I'll close with these three information boards from the show. Each describes a genuine Thames mudlarking find which wasn't present at the exhibition.
Syphilis syringe. "Similar to one found on Blackbeard's pirate ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, in 1718."
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Syphilis syringe. "Similar to one found on Blackbeard's pirate ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, in 1718."
You can just about make out Wedgwood's kneeling figure in the second pic here. He's facing the other way, but you can see his bent legs and upraised arms, with the brotherhood banner above him.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
You can just about make out Wedgwood's kneeling figure in the second pic here. He's facing the other way, but you can see his bent legs and upraised arms, with the brotherhood banner above him.
Slavery case. See information sheet below.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Slavery case. See information sheet below.
"Hate if for the weak." Some people will paint little messages like this on stones, and then throw them in the river to wash up and later be discovered. Much to be encouraged, in my view.
(All the surrounding items are the heads of old clay pipes.)
(All the surrounding items are the heads of old clay pipes.)
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Hate if for the weak." Some people will paint little messages like this on stones, and then throw them in the river to wash up and later be discovered. Much to be encouraged, in my view.
(All the surrounding items are the heads of old clay pipes.)
(All the surrounding items are the heads of old clay pipes.)
Victorian skirt lifter. I'll let the caption explain.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Victorian skirt lifter. I'll let the caption explain.
This is not a key, but a padlock. You operate it by screwing or unscrewing the left hand end to make the big loopy bit spring open or lock shut again. Angela demonstrated it for us, and it still works!
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This is not a key, but a padlock. You operate it by screwing or unscrewing the left hand end to make the big loopy bit spring open or lock shut again. Angela demonstrated it for us, and it still works!
One of the show's exhibitors. They were a lovely bunch and very happy to answer all the questions we fired at them. Sometimes the problem was getting away!
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
One of the show's exhibitors. They were a lovely bunch and very happy to answer all the questions we fired at them. Sometimes the problem was getting away!
Figure of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god who blesses new ventures. The lady who found it said it can't have been in the river long, as it was still gleaming. She thought a Hindi father may have thrown it in the Thames to pray Ganesha would look kindly on a new marriage in his family.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Figure of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god who blesses new ventures. The lady who found it said it can't have been in the river long, as it was still gleaming. She thought a Hindi father may have thrown it in the Thames to pray Ganesha would look kindly on a new marriage in his family.
"Post-medieval bone dice. " They're tiny - much smaller than dice today.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Post-medieval bone dice. " They're tiny - much smaller than dice today.
More badges, the bottom one showing Becket again. The top fella appears to be pissing in a druggist's pestle while standing on a fish. Better men than me have failed to explain it.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
More badges, the bottom one showing Becket again. The top fella appears to be pissing in a druggist's pestle while standing on a fish. Better men than me have failed to explain it.
Ally Sloper was a popular British cartoon character in the late 19th century. I think these were supposed to be tiny sculptures of him for the fans, but never got a chance to ask.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Ally Sloper was a popular British cartoon character in the late 19th century. I think these were supposed to be tiny sculptures of him for the fans, but never got a chance to ask.
Pilgrim's souvenir badge showing Thomas Becket, who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Pilgrims to the cathedral would buy one of these to pin on their clothes & let everyone know they'd made the trip.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Pilgrim's souvenir badge showing Thomas Becket, who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Pilgrims to the cathedral would buy one of these to pin on their clothes & let everyone know they'd made the trip.
Had an enjoyable afternoon at Cutlers' Hall, where London mudlarks were exhibiting their historic finds from the mudbanks of the Thames which emerge at low tide. These are items Londoners either lost by the river or tossed in there deliberately. Some date back to the Roman era.
Here's some pics.
Here's some pics.
September 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Had an enjoyable afternoon at Cutlers' Hall, where London mudlarks were exhibiting their historic finds from the mudbanks of the Thames which emerge at low tide. These are items Londoners either lost by the river or tossed in there deliberately. Some date back to the Roman era.
Here's some pics.
Here's some pics.
I get why you'd want to include the word "info" in your brand name here, but "maniak" seems like a curious choice. Or am I just forgetting all those ethical maniacs who slay passers-by at random?
September 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I get why you'd want to include the word "info" in your brand name here, but "maniak" seems like a curious choice. Or am I just forgetting all those ethical maniacs who slay passers-by at random?