Feet First Walking

 

We ummed and ahhed whether to go on this tour, but despite the cold weather and the fact that 95% of it was outdoors, it turned out to be excellent. The guide was highly informative—often scathing about some of the architects design choices, yet he was clearly fond of the place overall. The 2 hours went very quickly.

Looking over the lake to Gilbert Bridge.

 

The entrance to the 'art' gallery (on the right), that never was! Ambitious ideas from the architects, features a fortress-like design, complete with a portcullis, is sadly no longer in use.

 

Ben Johnson House. There were strict rules for residents to adhere to. Namely white curtains or blinds only, and only red geraniums could be grown on the balconies.

 

Shakespeare Tower.

 

Some of the tour group.

 

The private gardens from beside Lauderdale Tower.

 

A row of maisonettes with roof gardens. There are 180 different sizes and types of flats and apartments in the Barbican.

 

The cricket net on the sports ground.

 

The private gardens.

 

St Giles-without-Cripplegate. There has been a church on this site since the 11th century. The church has been badly damaged by fire on three occasions: In 1545, in 1897 and during an air raid of the Blitz of the Second World War. Rick Wakeman recorded his track "Jane Seymour" and the pipe organ parts in the Yes track "Close to the Edge" using the pipe organ in the church

 

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Note the tuning forks and 'A' as architectural features. The 'A' because apparently that is the note that orchestras all tune to before a concert!

 

I certainly don't remember the water looking this green at the time.

 

There was an excellent, free photographic exhibition in the music library at the Barbican. Martyn Goddard had been commissioned to chronicle the band’s triumphant 1978 return and the exhibition included 50 hand printed B&W photos. These appeared alongside rare posters, album covers, tour memorabilia, and the very cameras that froze these moments in time.