Not quite the shelter of a window ledge, but often with great views, there’s always the rooftop ledge.

Best just for a stop off rather than an overnightdue to the high winds. Getting blown off during a bit of shuteye is not only embarassing, it can be quite confusing.

Here are a couple of examples of London’s rooftop ledges. This particular one being on Pratt Street in Camden, North London:

The ’standard flat’.

Again, this is ususally found on council blocks. What’s always quite a good laugh is finding one with one of these on it:

A satellite dish.

It’s what makes pictures come out of a television, unless you walk or fly backwards and forwards in front of it. Fucking funny. Even better, do it a little bit everyday until a man in a van from Sky turns up. Then fuck off to the rooftop next door and watch him trying to fix it.

The best thing about rooftops in Camden is they are close to Camden Market. If you want a decent throwaway or fancy shitting on some goths – Camden Market on a Saturday and Sunday is the place to be.

Here’s another ’standard flat’ in Camden:

This one’s near Georgiana Street.

Coz Camden used to be quite a shit place to live there’s loads of council houses and therefore LOADS of standard flat rooftops. Trouble is though, what you gain in the flat roof you loose in the window ledge.

London’s all about compromise, especially for a pigeon.

These two are in the North London area.

The ‘alternative’ ledge:

A brightly coloured low based ledge usually found on council blocks.

And this is a good example of ‘the protective ledge’:

Found on buildings mainly used for corporate occupancy – i.e. those with a shop downstairs where the owners tend not to use the upper floors.

As with this example, there are some that exist with an upper ledge – totally protected and unseen.

This particular ledge is located in Kings Cross. Not so good night, particularly with young squabs, but centrally located and within easy access of the West End.

Right – decided to give Pigeon Blog a bit of purpose.

Met some dude called Brummy Pete:

This is Brummy Pete looking all lost and shitting himself in Trafalgar Square.

Brummy Pete flew all the way down from Birmingham for a day trip in the Smoke, no fucking clue where to go or what to do.

Got me thinking – with all the long haul flyers everywhere these days, more and more pigeons are heading to London. Day trips, mini-breaks, sabbaticals, they’re all at it – then, when they get here, there’s no info anywhere telling them where to go or what to do – best places to hang out, make pals, get some kip, pick up the ladies, tuck into a fine throwaway, get pissed, play ‘Shit or Miss’ etc.

So, I’m gonna do it – ‘Brian Pigeon’s Guide to London’.

By a pigeon for the pigeon. Everything a pigeon needs to know when travelling to London.

For starters, how about Best Places To Make New Pals. Obviously Trafalgar Square rocks, but you’ve got to be brave. Can be a bit daunting for an out-of-towner like Brummy Pete.

Best thing to do is come on a Thursday. Thursdays are good. Thursdays are flying practice with Wing Commander P.R. Geon. There are beginners lessons and everything. Not so good for pulling though coz everyone’s a bit focussed.

Took this last Thursday. This is a bunch of dudes learning to fly in formation:

And this is Norma putting in a bit of landing practice. Norma’s from Teddington. She rocks up every Thursday trying to get to grips with the parallel feet manoeuvre:

Tricky stuff. That’s Wing Commander P.R. Geon bottom right, running for cover.

Top day out. Right laugh too.

Anyone else out there got ideas for great places to hang out, eat, shit, or whatever for a pigeon new to London, email them to me – brianpigeon AT gmail DOT com.