London Calling: New Year’s Eve Wanderings in the UK

For me, the soundtrack of London will always be punk rock. No matter how trite, The Clash album of London Calling fame plays in my head like a malfunctioning tape wherever I go here. Perhaps it’s allegiance borne from the time the record saved me from a speeding ticket. (Thank you, mystery police officer, with an unusual taste in anarchist music.)  

As a long-time anglophile, and possible teaboo, London seemed the perfect place to ring in the new year — and new decade. Save for some late-night St James Park fireworks, my preferred New Year’s celebration themed more towards solo flaneusing than partying. Getting punched in the face outside a nightclub at 4am will put you off the NYE social madness for good. 

To celebrate, I trekked around London; soaking up its history and complete lack of sun. Seriously, I didn’t see the sun at any point in the week. Does it reflect badly if I admit I enjoyed that? 

Some photos from my afternoon and through the night wanderings…