A view from the Zuriberg, looking back down to the lake with the tower of the Grosse Kirche, Fluntern blocking most of it out

And another one from Edinburgh...... this time the wee cluster of buildings below the castle that gives the view from Princes street much of it's character - but in a kind of cutesy, unauthentic, Portmeirion sort of way. Better to explore the back closes of the Royal Mile

Interesting to compare modern architecture in cities like The Hague, indeed most european cities that I know, with Switzerland. The style in Switzerland is restrained but impressive in it's own way, and, I think, when examined at the human level has more to offer us who have to live in the built environment. Eye-catching although it is, and a godsend for photographers I suppose, I get tired of this relentless ostentation - a seemingly endless competition between architects to produce building whose main aim appears to be to say "look at me".

The Hague has a lot of new building going on. I commented on it in an old post, on the old blog. Here's some more.

The jolly statue of John Betjeman in the concourse of the newly refurbished St Pancras station. In general I approve of what has been achieved here. It's difficult to tell with the statue whether Sir John is aghast or breathtaken... but I'm sure he would have had something poetic, or waspish, to say about it.

I certainly do not approve of the giant Stalinesque statue of two parting lovers which is some meters away from this - hopefully it will toppled when artistic good sense is restored and the capital's current obsession with civic bling and showiness is a thing of the past.

I had the privilege last week of going behind the scenes at Ham House, near Richmond, Surrey in England. This was courtesy of Chuckeroon. Readers of his blog will know about his involvement with the house, and it was this relationship that allowed me to go around snapping happily - something that is not normally possible to members of the public. Many thanks also to the management and staff at the house for allowing this, and especially for their enthusiasm and friendliness.

The house is well worth a visit for its historical connections, the building and contents themselves, and its serene location and gardens which I recommend approaching via the 30min walk along the Thames from Richmond. For more info visit the National Trust website

Here's a photo of the "Round Gallery" - pandering more to my photographic tastes, rather than trying to show of the house!