For the second month in a row I was out-and-about with filmmaker Jon Klein – in the company of my London Walks pals Richard Porter, Andy Hallett, Stephen Noonan & David Tucker – filming a promo for the London Walks Beatles tours…
Here's the finished film. Again, Jon's soundtrack music is a real star turn…
The whole day was a lot of fun and the second time this year I'd pretended to be one of The Fabs - see April's entry.
The few seconds of footage at Abbey Road took almost the whole afternoon to film. We didn't want to hog the crossing from the other fans who were taking pictures, plus a bloody great truck blocked the way by parking illegally for AGES. Here it is on the Abbey Road webcam…
And here we are crossing…
Here's David's Hitchcock-style cameo, directing proceedings…
And Jon consulting on a shot with Beatle expert Richard…
As you know, the movie business is very glamorous and we all travel first class, or in private jets…
A splendid time this afternoon larking about with @londonbeatles & @hallett_g shooting the #Beatles @londonwalks promo film! pic.twitter.com/3lBBDIHX5r — Adam Scott (@AdamScottG) July 17, 2017
In this line of work I meet people from all across the globe. Even from Tangambalanga. Where? This handy postcard, a gift from an Aussie London Walker in July, explains all…
July saw the Gay Pride celebrations mark the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England. My own small contribution was a Rock'n'Roll Special starring the LGBT Legends Of Pop & Rock music…
Here's a shot from along the route on the day…
And a reminder of the excellent #LoveIsLove campaign to mark the celebrations…
Even MORE filming in July! Down to the Lyceum Theatre to work with some of the cast from The Lion King on a film for Halloween (working ahead!) looking at the ghostly history of the theatre…
Look out for the film in my October diary…
One of the questions asked most often on my London Walks is: where is the best place for traditional afternoon tea? Well, research is ongoing (!) but this July I headed out to North London and the Hendon Hall…
… where traditional high tea is alive and well.
Hendon Hall was once actor David Garrick's out-of-town retreat and the England World Cup-winning squad of 1966 stayed here during that famous tournament.
The Hendon Hall website is here: www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hendonhall
Lastly for July, one of my favorite things of the year… a customised guitar.
This year, my 10-year-old daughter Isobella received a gift of a hand-me-down acoustic guitar. She loved the guitar, but hated the color - it was pink and she is SO OVER her pink phase. So she decided to customise it.
I acted as her willing assistant.
When the decoupage and varnish was all done, she announced her finishing touch.
"I'm going to make a sign just like that guy you were talking about had on his guitar…"
("That guy" was Woody Guthrie and the sign he made read "This Machine Kills Fascists".)
"… but I'm going to do my own version that says 'This Machine Kills Sexism'"
That's my girl.
Isobella is only 10 but, at this rate, will probably be leading The Rock'n'Roll London Walk before the end of 2018.
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
