June 2026
🎨 John Rocque’s 1746 London map
For some time, Matt Brown, writing on Substack’s Londonist: Time Machine, has been colouring-in the most detailed survey of London of the 18th century. Across its 24 sheets, thousands of alleys, wharves, lanes and landmarks were accurately mapped in a clear, consistent style. Adding colour to the previously black-and-white map helps to see the patterns of land use, reveals the hidden watercourses, City ward boundaries, churchyards, houses and plantations that made up the city. When finished the entire map, if printed out, would be four metres wide and over two metres tall. So why am I featuring it here? I believe it deserves to be displayed in the restaurant at the soon to be opened London Museum in Smithfield. What do you think?
💊 Another month, another hospital op
For the fourth time within months I’ve used the services of the NHS. This recent procedure was to remove a cateract. The organisation gets its fair share of criticism, but I’ve been very impressed at the professionalism and care, so much so I tracked down the surgeon who performed my pacemaker operation for going the extra mile to save my life.🏗️ Gallows Corner
This important junction is still not fully open, and rumours circulating suggest a late autumn completion, a year longer than scheduled. At least this post box topper by Stitch-in-Time Group, just yards from the building site, made me smile.
🦅 Another sighting
I still need help, with that huge identified bird still coming down in our garden. Any ideas?
📅 April’s posts and pages
Most read post – Ten things Londoners never do
Most read page – The Knowledge
📈 Last month’s statistics
4,185 views (-1.2%)3,701 visitors (-3.6%)
39 likes (+39.3%)
66 comments (+32.0%)
15 posts (±0.0%)
CabbieBlog 
Reverse searched your photo with Google Lens. It comes back as ‘Common Raven’, David. I voted yes to the map being displayed, I have seen it on Londonist, and it’s great. Like you, I cannot really fault the NHS at all. Except for the East of England Ambulance Service, whis is sadly not fit for purpose. Shared the post on Twitter, Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks again Pete. I suspected it was a raven.
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Good to hear you had good care from the NHS with the Cateract operation. I guess the other eye will be done soon , as that’s usually the case . Can you get on with the next Shelter Sleuth book once your Mince Pies are sorted thanks 🤩. Gallows Corner !!!!What a mess ! Glad I don’t venture down that way anymore.
Can’t say I know much about birds , but that one looks like a Raven 🤔. Perhaps he took a wrong turn flying to the Tower and ended up in your garden 😎. Stand by for the next heat wave 🥵. Well by English standards it’s a heatwave . Went to Australia 🇦🇺 years ago and it was 50 C, whatever that is in old money.
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Yes, my guess is a raven, it’s huge! I’ve now had both eyes done, hopefully it’s the end of procedures for the time being.
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Here in the odd colonies we call that bird a crow. There are different varieties and the size varies, but they are not ravens, thicker beak, huge, or black birds, smaller, pointed beaks. I am venturing this guess that UK birds are similar. I hope the hot weather is easing? Mark
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Point taken, but it’s much bigger than the other crows. It could be a young rook, a rookery is just up the road. Saying in the Colonies that a any dark bird is a crow. Much like any biscuit is a ‘cookie’ 🙁Thanks for the help, and yes, a few days respite before it starts to heat up. PS I love your Weather Channel they’re so enthusiastic about a little rain.
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