30 St Mary Axe AKA The Gherkin

A week or so ago I did a freelance gig in possible one of the most beautiful venues I've ever been in. It was at the building fondly nick named 'The London Gherkin' The venue was at the very top in the tip of the building in a 2 level bar/restaurant with 360 degree views of London. Unlike New York, there really aren't many other tall buildings around so the views are uninterrupted and incredible. What London lacks in height, it makes up for in history as historic building and landmarks blend in seamlessly with the modern London landscape. I love the fact that as you stare down at the higeldy pigeldy streets whose layout sometimes hasn't changed for hundreds of years; your looking down at the veins of a constantly changing city. When construction of The Tower of London was started 930 years ago by William The Conquerer (side note - also remembered in history by the affectionate name 'William The Bastard' - seriously, google it!) the surrounding areas would have been filled with cottages and wooden houses. Countless wars, kings, queens, celebrations, protests, victories, defeats, fire and growth later and I'm staring down at it from London's newest landmark 590 ft in the sky. What old Will the Conquerer would have thought about it (or if he would have enjoyed The Cavern Beatles) God only knows! - Andy