#location: london

[kaliforniaaajenner]

coperni: COPERNI BACKSTAGE @kyliejenner

@oliverhadleepearch @makkaroo @rosegrandquist @makeupbyariel @/jesushair @charleslevai @/kevintekinel @helenatejedor @charlsray @mathildematteucci @partner.films

[glossahistorica]

A.

A 1—first-class; very good. F.† "A 1" at Lloyd's is the term applied to a vessel of the best construction and in the best condition for sailing. Lloyd's Coffee-house in London was the resort of sea-captains, and the name "Lloyd's" is still retained for the headquarters of the shipping interest in London. Here people get the latest shipping intelligence and transact marine insurances.  They say the snow's all packed down already, and the going is A 1.—W. D. HOWELLS.  "One of them takes his five pints of ale a day, and never leaves off smoking, even at his meals."  "He must be a first-rater," said Sam.  "A 1," replied Mr. Roker.—DICKENS.  Explanation.—Mr Roker replied that he was a first-rate fellow.

Dictionary of Idiomatic English Phrases, James Main Dixon, 1891 [x]

† EXPLANATION OF SIGNS.  F. Familiar. The phrase is used in familiar conversation, but is not admissible in polite society.

[boraxquinn]

Thank you London🤍🤍

🇬🇧

[jessicagreer]

It wasn't a rarity to spend time with him. He was the father of the church, her lifelong friend, university partner, but it was a rarity to spend time like this. Without the pressure of the collar around his neck, the world of the bible tugging him into position. Or the eyes of the town trailing them if they walked together. His life was for the Church: and as much as he tried, he couldn't make his sermon's shorter (even if she'd begged once or twice.) And no, that wasn't a joke. It was fact, and Jessica Greer always dealt with fact, unless it came to her faith. Over the years, her faith had become somewhat skewed based on the life choices she'd made, but her repentance had always been a big part of her relationship with God. Parents of Irish Catholic heritage had meant that she'd spent all her life under the watchful eye of the almighty.

And while she liked to think she was a well-rounded Catholic, she was pretty sure that her lord and saviour might have a different set of words that he'd use. Even as they strolled side by side, the weight of Daniel was in her arms. An unwed, single mother. What a sin she'd brought to her church, and yet, there wasn't a single thing she'd change — but it was often a battle. Nothing was ever that easy. She didn't hold animosity for the life Adam — father Matthews (Although she only called him that in company) had decided to lead. There were some things that were bigger than her, but when her eyes cascaded down to the boy that half of her, and half of Adam, she did wonder sometimes how anything could be bigger than him. Selfish thoughts, she knew, and it was why she never voiced them. Some conversations would remain between her and god for all of eternity.

And it would stay that way.

Adam's running snapped Jessica out of her momentary trance. A beautiful sight, indeed. She knew days like this were limited. A smile breaking out, teeth and all — she wished she could capture it on an old disposable camera. Freeze time, just for a while longer. One day Daniel would start asking questions, bigger ones that she was sure she knew how to answer without lying. And that sin, well, she'd committed enough to land her downstairs. But if there was one thing Jessica did fear about the afterlife? It was that she wouldn't be with Adam. They crafted the story well. A small place like St. Mary's Wells. Nothing stayed quiet for long. Rumours flew about his 'father'. Still, some whispered, assuming the worst of her, even if they smiled when she walked past. Their idea of what Daniel's father was like was imaginary, just as much as he was.

Because the real one was there all along, illuminated by the light of God.

Once home, the day went quickly, as it always did with a child of that age. Adam's departure had seen a wave over her shoulder, because being a mother was a full-time job in itself — and then she had a real one on top of that. The Belmont School for Girls was a beautiful place to work, and something she thoroughly enjoyed, but my goodness, was it hard work?

Seven dresses, two pairs of heels and four coats later: she was ready. Thankful that Daniel would be in the hands of the family meant that she could fully relax — the only people who knew the truth. And that was what tonight was about. In the car, the rolling sound of tires against tarmac and gravel had her wondering what it would be like to step back in time. Sometimes, she forgot what it was like to not be a mother. Especially now that she sat next to Adam — who she spent a lot of time with, in a confined space...she wished for things that she shouldn't, that she often felt...and her attempt to squash it was futile as it flourished in her chest, as she began gnawing at her bottom lip, centering herself with a quick prayer to forgive her trespasses.

Her thoughts were unclean.

Her palms sweat the whole way, like a girl on a first date. But she reminded herself that this was not the path that he had chosen, as she did every day. His path led him to the righteous, to healing. So when they stepped into the Grove, falling into old patterns, former selves, she found herself pretending that all was right. Even if their distance spoke volumes, even if she graved his affections more than anything else.

To see everyone was a blessing. Conversations of old and new. Even if her gaze was spent on Adam for most of the night, laughing at every word, and hanging on like she was a teenager in secondary school. Her old friends had so many stories that it was hard to keep up, all so successful. There hadn't been a chance of it being any different. Everyone had been destined for greatness, even...she wouldn't think of her name as she slid a small smile to Harry before returning to the conversation.

Jessica found herself outside, some time later, with the rest. A giggle on her lips, she felt lighter than she had in a long time. Always together in some kind of group, as she joked lightly with Will and Katya about nothing of importance — until she found herself snapped to the present.

Like a cold slap back to reality. Sinners, all of them. It was a shock they hadn't been smite down yet for their actions. And each one came flooding back as Harry spoke.

Jessica watched, as she often did from a distance: and while she might've been airy and light, just like a flower...sometimes she wilted under pressure. Not academically, no, never. But socially? More than she cared to let on. She often said people shouldn't let her sunny disposition fool them. Which was more often than not brushed off: a laugh there, or a joke here. But all it took was one look towards Harry, and she could feel it unravel as if it was taking root inside of her. The loss of hope, or faith, maybe even kind, was disastrous for one's soul. Her hands shook, eyes darting around her friends.

Lord have mercy on his soul.

His outburst echoed to the old guilt that she'd long thought about. They'd all be a part of it. All to blame.

The Harry she'd known at Rose, this charming, quick-witted man who had always been the life of their life since they'd vowed their secret oaths, was now but a whisper of his former self. It'd slipped past her at the beginning of the night, the entanglement of guilt staring her square in the face — had she been blind or ignored it completely? Preoccupied with their own lives, their own plight. How could they, friends who'd known each other for so many years, have not seen what was directly in front of them? It didn't help when her eye caught Adams, a mirror of her own, concern etched into her delicate features as they furrowed and unfurrowed.

Her pang of longing for Adam — she couldn't even begin to imagine how Harry's must've felt. Jessica always tried to keep her emotions...controlled. Happiness had long been one of the things that she knew weren't going to be like the fairytales she span in the church. There were nights where she wanted nothing more than Adam to offer her something...but once again, selfish thoughts like that were sinful. Did that mean she didn't still long for fleeting touches, or...longer ones? She knew he'd offered all that he could, but she still...with a sigh, she finished her drink in one fell swoop.

Jessica was unsure how to respond to such unbridled pain. All-consuming.

"He needs to go to confession," Jessica said under her breath.

It all happened so fast, the conversation, the group dispersing as Jessica found herself nodding. A man who didn't want to be found wouldn't be. It was a heavy thought, and one that weighed on her mind on the journey back. In the dark, passing street lights every few meters, she allowed herself to look at his features. Shadows painting pictures on his skin. Adam had originally offered to drive Harry home. Jessica had felt a surge at the time, almost ready to jump into action if Adam asked but — but she knew he wouldn't. Adam's presence was a comfort, whether it was religious or not: his steady hand, that all too familiar calm saved lives. Not physically like a doctor, but with his words and faith. But she that faith meant another evening apart from each other, another night where they couldn't be the family they longed to be.

Once upon a time, Jessica had hoped Adam would never have to carry such burdens that his innocence would remain unscathed for as long as possible. But life came for them all, eventually. "I'm worried about him, I mean..." she blew out a long breath. "Everyone else...it looks like they have someone." Even if their paths had diverged as they'd grown, there had always been pairs.

And Harry didn't have his anymore. What would Abigail think of them for how long they'd left him unchecked? Before they'd bothered to check in. "I should call on him tomorrow, after work. Just to check in." and as she placed her forehead against the window, no longer able to watch Adam's face as the night passed by in a blur — she prayed.

Prayed for Harry, for her friends, and for forgiveness.

Sometimes, though, not all prayers could be answered.

The string unwound slowly as Adam walked back, Jessica by his side, their son cradled in her arms. "Are you ready, Daniel?" he asked. Their nearly three-year-old son looked up, curiosity and amusement flickering in his eyes. Each time he looked at Daniel and Jessica, the familiar choke of his collar tightened, a relentless reminder of his self-imposed penance. The ache to openly embrace them both gnawed at him, but he knew such desires were beyond his reach. What he had done could not go unpunished. He had forfeited the family, the wife, and the children he had always yearned for, fully aware that his actions had irrevocably stolen those same dreams from someone else. A friend.

Ahead, the priest—sans collar today—smiled and broke into a run. His laughter rang through the air as the kite they had crafted together, painted in Daniel's chosen colours of "red like fast, father," caught the wind and soared. The fabric danced against the breeze, and for a fleeting moment, Adam felt a sense of freedom as pure as the kite’s. But kites were never truly free, were they? He glanced down at his hands, the string taut and the spool of wire unraveling, only granting the illusion of freedom. He was time to get back.

Once back at Jessica's, Adam slipped out the back door, promising to return as soon as her parents arrived to watch over Daniel. At home, he changed out of his grass-stained pants, the remnants of their afternoon in the hemlock grove—a hidden sanctuary away from the town's scrutiny. He then took the Parish car, a stark reminder of his dual existence, and drove back to pick up Jessica. They were the last to arrive at the Grove, where their old friends had already gathered.

They squeezed into the same side of the booth, and Adam, for a moment, struggled with the urge to let his hand fall naturally on Jessica’s leg. The old, forbidden intimacy tempted him, but he knew better. Instead, he clenched his hands into a tight ball on the table, feeling the weight of nostalgia turn against him tonight. It was all too difficult now that he was here, slipping back into old routines without the collar to remind him of his vows.

As the night wore on, Adam found it surprisingly effortless to shed his priestly mantle, joking and reminiscing about old pranks. It was almost too easy to forget his constraints, the rules that kept his body from pressing too close to Jessica's. By the time everyone drifted out to join the others on the patio, Adam felt like a reflection of his past self, unburdened by the collar that usually anchored him. His hand found Jessica's wrist, holding her back just long enough to retrieve a piece of sea salt—a remnant from earlier when his enthusiasm had tipped the shaker over. "Snow salt," he said with a mischievous grin.

But Harry's words shattered the fragile mirage. Concern etched itself deeply onto Adam's face as he listened, his own guilt clawing its way back to the surface, gnawing at him from the inside out. He knew they'd turn to him first, expecting some sage advice, hoping he could talk Harry down from the not-so-metaphorical ledge he'd just climbed onto. But Adam understood Harry. Religion had never resonated with him, and if there was one lesson Adam had learned since pressing his face to cold tile and lying prostrate before God, it was that people who aren't religious don't want religion thrust upon them. It doesn't help; it only fuels their anger.

So, he waited, watching as Harry poured out his soul in a raw confession, needing no booth for his catharsis. When it seemed Harry had finally exhausted himself, Adam stepped forward. "I'll drive you home," he said quietly, placing a steady hand on Harry's shoulder. "This isn't the place to talk about these things. Not now." He knew the futility in waiting for the right time, a moment that always seemed to stretch endlessly into the future, never fully arriving for any of them.

He turned, offering his own goodbyes to everyone else, accepting that the night had come to an end. Glancing over at Jessica, he realized in the flurry of farewells that Harry had slipped away. There was no time to search for him; he needed to get Jessica back to St. Mary's before her mother started to worry. "Come on," he urged gently, "we're not going to find him. He doesn't want to be found." As they made their way out, Adam couldn't help but wonder if this was for the best, if some things were meant to remain unresolved.

[lokley967]

Can’t believe I’m traveling to London again tomorrow 🐍🪽 Hope I met again a lot of wonderful people 😇😈

So I want to share the enterprise Pub today 🥃 I think I had the best Talisker in my live there last Month. Including my Wedding 😆

Yes, I tried it so many times, but I couldn’t stop smiling on that day 😅

[neathproofed]

[cinevoyageuses]

After having seen this movie a million times 🙈 we were finally able to go to one of its filming locations in London... ❤️😍 and we were like kids on Christmas morning 🤣

In addition, of course, we read all the comics from The Old Guard created by Greg Rucka who also wrote the film and the one to come.  😁

And how can I tell you that we are waiting for The Old Guard 2 like the messiah 😂

Do you like the movie too?

🎬 The Old Guard (2020)

📍 Filming location: Wapping Beach, London

---

Après avoir vu ce film un million de fois 🙈 on a enfin pu se rendre sur un de ses lieux de tournage à Londres... ❤️😍 et on était comme des gosses le matin de Noël 🤣

En plus, bien sûr, on a lu tous les comics de The Old Guard créé par Greg Rucka qui a aussi écrit le film et celui à venir. 😁

Et comment vous dire qu'on attend The Old Guard 2 comme le messie 😂

Vous aussi vous aimez le film ? 

🎬 The Old Guard (2020) 

📍 Lieu de tournage : Wapping Beach, Londres

Follow us on Instagram for more filming locations: cinevoyageuses

[zeebreezin]

A Postcard depicting the Waswood in all its hazy glory. Be careful handling the thing - the paper seems to age faster in your grasp.

[thegreatyin]

i really hope they make this a profile header at some point. it'd be so perfect for the scoundrel

[ktkellart]

Good Omens London Trip 🐍💞🪽

It's my Birthday today and I treated myself to a trip to London last weekend to see my favourite actor Michael Sheen in Nye at the National Theatre. I made the most of my weekend by combining it with a Good Omens filming location self-tour and I'd love to share it with you all. So, are you ready for the tour?

Here we go!

Starting off with Soho, and the inspiration for Whickber Street, where Aziraphale's bookshop, Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death, The Small Back Room, and the Dirty Donkey are located.

It’s Berwick Street and a record shop that is very similar in shape to A.Z Fell & Co. Bonus points for spotting Duck Lane!

Next is Berkeley Square, a short walk from Soho. The first two photos are of the real Berkeley Square gardens in Mayfair, and the last two photos were taken in the filming location of Tavistock Square across the other side of central London near Kings Cross. I’m sitting on their ‘body swap’ bench in the last photo!

As you can see, the benches are turned around facing inwards now but are the other way, facing outwards in Good Omens.

Oh, and I can confirm that there were no nightingales singing in either location 😭

Heading up the road a few minutes from Tavistock Square to The Enterprise pub where I met a fellow fan who kindly took photos of me posing (I bet the staff thought we were off our rockers!). This is where Crowley drowns his sorrows in Talisker Whisky whilst waiting for the world to end after thinking he'd lost Aziraphale. Omg that poor poor demon, he was really just gonna die along with the world.

Also, one of my favourite moments of season 1 is Crolwey's line: "I heard that. It was the wiggle-on..." then shrugs. 😆 So many emotions in such short a time.

Onto the Ritz. The first two photos are of the real Ritz (a stone's throw from Berkeley Square) and the last one is inside Masala Zone in Piccadilly Circus where the ‘Quite extraordinary amounts of alcohol’ and ‘To the World’ scenes were filmed.

I ate in here alone to get the photo and was so lucky with the table I was given! Perfect discreet snap whilst eating my curry! Haha!

Next up is Battersea Park and the Bandstand. It was a bit of a faff to get there, it's an 8-minute walk from the Battersea Power Station underground and we walked the full length of the park to find the Bandstand, but it was so worth it.

Also filmed here was Gabriel and Aziraphale’s run/jog. Poor Angel is soft scene.

The trees were a little leafier with it being mid-May and the park was very busy because the weather was glorious. They also have a beautiful lake here with herons!

The Heaven & Hell staircase escalators are right over the east side of London in Broadgate Tower, Bishopsgate. I got the overground to Liverpool Street station to get there. It is in a private business building so I politely/awkwardly asked the receptionist if I could take a photo and had to explain about the scene from Good Omens… eek! But he kindly let me snap a photo anyway! (Phew)

The Windmill Theatre was three minutes away from my hotel in Piccadilly Circus, so I wandered up the road to take a photo of where Aziraphale ‘performed on the West End stage’ as Fell the Marvelous. And wasn’t he just?

The scenes weren't filmed here but it was fun to find it anyway.

St James’s Park is up next! I sat on their bench and got my friend to take photos of me posing and had fun editing the first photo. Haha! We enjoyed walking through the park, watching the ducks on the lake and had a nosey at Buckingham Palace while we were there.

The Duke of York Statue steps are at the other end of St James's Park and were fun to walk up. I smiled to myself as I thought of the scene where Crowley says ‘Well let's have lunch? Hmm,’ and Aziraphale turns around, as it was the first time I realised that these two were more than just friends.

Heaven’s top floor, the Sky Garden in Fenchurch Street near Monument is a very tall building with a botanical garden on the top floor. You can visit the sky garden for free, but you do need to book in advance so it’s best to plan ahead for this one. The views of London are breathtaking from the 35th floor and the tropical plants are fun.

My last stop for this visit was Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. I booked a tour on the morning I was due to go home. The first tour is 10 am and lasts an hour, so I dashed off as soon as the tour guide was uttering his last words about the gift shop, across London back to Kings Cross to pick up my suitcase from luggage storage and get the 11:48 am train home!

One I missed and could have easily gone to is St Margaret Street where Newton and Shadwell meet, and Shadwell fleeces Newton for a cup of tea with nine sugars and pockets the change. A bit gutted I missed it to be honest – I love Jack Whitehall (I’m back in London with the family in June so I’ll swing by and update then!)

There are also some other locations a little further afield that I might try to visit on a later date, such as Shadwell's and Madam Tracy's flat down Hornsey Road in Islington, Crowley's Flat exterior in Eastfields Avenue, Best Cafe on Garratt Lane where Crowley meets Shadwell, Crystal Palace Dinosaur Park where the ineffable husbands watch Warlock defacing a dinosaur sign and Antonella's Cafe and Bistro where Crowley and Aziraphale are thinking of ideas to track down the antichrist whist Aziraphale eats cake.

Okay, I’m gonna finish up with the man himself. The very kind, very charming, and VERY patient Michael Sheen The reason for my London visit in the first place. Nye was spectacular OBviOUsLy, but he was super generous with his time at stage door for us all. I got a hug and asked him to pass it on to Aziraphale (that angel really needs a hug) and it made him laugh, which made my night!

Check out my reblog for extra locations when I visited London again a month later, and for a hilarious bonus photo of.... Gabriel??!

Here’s the wonderful map I used -

from this website:

[surrender-souls]

fallen london is so fun yesterday i died on purpose

[kaliforniaaajenner]

coperni: King Kylie was here ? 👀 @kyliejenner

@oliverhadleepearch @makkaroo @rosegrandquist @makeupbyariel @/jesushair @charleslevai @/kevintekinel @helenatejedor @charlsray @mathildematteucci @partner.films

[glossahistorica]

ADELPHI.

Here Mr. Albert Smith presents us with "The Tarantula; or, the Spider-King."  The piece opens with a scene, representing the Realm of Reptiles, in which Spiderion, the King of the Spiders, and other unearthly objects, are brought into notice, so as to constitute a Monster Meeting, which is terminated in a skilful manner by its transformations into a cloud.  In a subsequent scene, the height of the ridiculous is attained in a "coaching incident," in which a car is introduced, drawn by horses made of boys, two to each horse.  Luigi (Miss Woolgar) is the victim of the tarantula receiving what is supposed to be a fatal bite, and, on the strength of this belief, Luigi's betrothed, Loretta (Madame Celeste) is affianced to Dr. Omeopatico (Mr. Wright), but Luigi's recovery slightly deranges this secondary arrangement, and restores the status quo.  In the course of the piece, "the village in flames" furnishes opportunity for a very brilliant and effective scene.  The illustration is a most effective tableau of the principal characters.

The Illustrated London News, Dec 28, 1850, p. 514 (via [x])

[atundratoadstool]

Do you know if your annotated Dracula website (the old one) is still accessable through the wayback machine? If so, would you mind sharing a link?

Sorry to have been absent from this blog for so very long that some time has probably elapsed since this was asked, but the good news is that while the old site probably has some accessibility via Wayback, I finally finally finally got it up and running at a new domain. You can check it out here. :)

[hegodamask]

“Ah isn’t this nice, Dedra? Just you and me and….Cassian Andor?!”

(thank you @supervisormeero for my new awkward roommates 🫶)

[lokley967]

body swap bench before breakfast 🤗🪽🐍

Visit the bench, and the squirrel 🐿️😍