England

100 years of the Chelsea Flower Show and 150 years of the London Underground. To mark both occasions the Underground has issued a special poster showing the Tube map with its lines represented as common and unusual flowers.The Jubilee line is represented by grey Hydrangeas, Bakerloo line by a Chocolate Cosmos, the District Line by green Chrysanthemums, Piccadilly line by blue tulips, black pansies for the Northern line, red roses for the Central line, Himalayan Blue Poppies for the Waterloo &City line, maroon Lilies for the Metropolitan line, blue geraniums for the Victoria line and brightly coloured ornamental Allamanda Cathartica for the Circle line. Gerberas are used for two lines - pink for the – Hammersmith & City line and cheery orange ones for the Overground.It's the first time the Tube map has been used in a poster for the Chelsea Flower Show and works really well as previous images from the 1930's were a bit unadventurous in comparison.It would be great if Sloane Square Tube had some floral arrangements in it to celebrate as well. Although as it's pretty much underground, the flowers wouldn't get much in the way of natural light. Pinner London Underground Station Garden Winner 1966Last year Finchley Central's station garden was entered into The Chelsea Flower show and there were over 140 entries for TfL's London Underground in Bloom competition in for the best station garden. Displays ranged from the Olympic rings and herb gardens to Japanese meditation-style spaces and beehives. Back in 1966, 3000 flowers and plants were so resplendent in Pinner's station garden you could hardly see the station name. The current poster for the Chelsea Flower Show will be available from London Transport Museum shop in Covent Garden Piazza or online at the following link.You might also likeLondon Underground in BloomFruit and Veg added to Tube Garden competition

Please accept my apologies for any disappointment that may have been caused by the non-appearance of the last two daily mailings. This happened because the titles of both stories ended with the words ‘London’s Oldest Ironmongers,’ so the automated system which picks up the posts and mails them every morning did not recognise these as new stories. Normal service resumes with ‘Canal Dogs’ below and, if you missed the last two stories, you can catch up with them at www.spitalfieldslife.com

Apparently, London is undergoing another building boom, who would have guessed? Building sites can make for interesting photos.

Photographer Sarah Ainslie & Novelist Sarah Winman were up with the lark to undertake a survey of canine life along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal recently and here is their report. “It was a balmy spring morning when we set out from The Narrow Boat pub in Islington and headed east in search of dogs and their owners. It was a Sunday, and London seemed slow to waken. The canal rippled in the breeze, and blossom fell like first-flurry snow and narrow boats rocked lazily in the sunlight. Billie Holiday sang out from one, Nina from another. But no dogs passed. Towpaths were overhanging with green, and the heat released a pungent scent of nettles and cow parsley and forget-me-nots, and sweet grass and that something other, hidden in the shady depths. Joggers and cyclists and walkers passed, late-night hipsters keen to keep going. But then as the sun rose higher, tails did too, and noses rose and sniffed the fecund air, and soon the patter of tiny feet echoed along the well-trodden path…” - Sarah Winman Alfie (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) & Frankie “I’ve only just got him. Alfie’s a rescue dog and I saw on Facebook that he needed a home because he came from an environment of domestic abuse. When his owner got pregnant it all got a bit too much, so they had to let him go. If I hadn’t taken him he might have got put down. I’ve always had dogs. He’s really friendly and nice, but he still needs a firm hand. At first, if I went to stroke him he would flinch. Guess he’d been slapped about a bit. He also liked to sleep under the covers. At first I was a bit like “Whoa, what have I taken on?” But I’ve got the time for him because I work from home. I’m a musician. Dogs need long walks twice a day and I can give him that. Unfortunately I have to get rid of his balls next week ‘cause we share a house with a female dog. I’ve known dogs to break down doors to get to a bitch on heat.” Lilly (Jack Russell/Collie mix) & Linda “We’ve been together for six years now. Lilly was found in a cardboard box on the Holloway Road and taken to the RSPCA. Two years later, a neighbour who worked there said, “You know you wanted a naughty dog? Well I think I’ve found it.” She comes on all our cob builds. We use clay from excavations and build anything with it. We’re using clay from the Crossrail site at Tottenham Court Rd to build a community centre over at Meadow Orchard in Crouch End. She likes to come to parties with us and has eye lashes like a drag queen. She’s very loving and likes to rub herself against things and people a lot. She’s quite randy, but choosy. That’s why we call her a ‘Jackie Collins.’” Cassie (Golden Retriever) & Chris “After I got burgled I thought about getting a dog. I wanted an Alsatian but then I went to a puppy farm and Cassie was there and she jumped up at me and held on to me, so that was that. She’s a clever dog. Obsessed by food. She had a traumatic year two years ago when she was attacked by two dogs. Whilst she was being treated, the vet found a tumour behind her eye, and that’s how she lost it. She’s a very friendly girl, and is known by name by everyone. I’m not. She’s so well known at The Talbot that she’s even allowed to go behind the bar and serve.” Hopper (whippet) & Nadia “Both my boyfriend and I wanted a dog. We love dogs. We have a restaurant on Brick Lane – Fika – which is dog friendly. But we knew it was a big decision to make, so we chose a dog suitable for us and for where we live. We wanted a dog that didn’t bark too much and with an exercise routine that could fit around our life. We’ve had him since he was eight weeks old. He’s ten months now. I love having him around. He’s like a comedian and has great expressions. But he knows my boyfriend’s the master so it’s tougher on me. He’s a bit of a naughty teenager with me. Taking him off the lead at picnics is a definite no-no.” Moo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel c

The top 20 best players of the 2012/13 Premier League season. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts 20. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) This has undoubtedly been Theo Walcott's best season for Arsenal, with 14 goals and 10 assists in the league to help fire the Gunners to fourth place. He was really the in-form player in the country at the start of the season, with a number of man of the match displays against Tottenham and Newcastle earning him a new contract with the club. 19. Rickie Lambert (Southampton) Along with Frank Lampard, Southampton striker Rickie Lambert is the joint top English goal scorer in the Premier League this season with 15 goals. However, the 31-year-old's fine displays seem unlikely to earn himself an England call up, which is harsh considering his all-round impressive ability in the Saints' passing and attack-minded game. Not bad at all considering it's his first ever season in the top flight. 18. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) It's hardly been a vintage season from Wayne Rooney, but the 27-year-old is still up there with the best players in the country, showing his quality to provide 12 goals and 10 assists for Manchester United. However, his time at Old Trafford may be up after the England star submitted a transfer request. United's loss will be someone else's gain, and the rush of clubs queuing up to sign him shows how valuable a player he can still be if used properly. 17. Romelu Lukaku (West Brom) The Belgian striker has really impressed on loan at West Brom from Chelsea this season, scoring 17 league goals for the Baggies as they enjoyed an eighth place finish. The 20-year-old is certainly one of the best young players in the league, and deserves a chance at Stamford Bridge next season, though another spell on loan seems most likely. He bid farewell to the Hawthorns with a fantastic hat trick against Manchester United on the final day of the season. 16. Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Despite his advancing years, Frank Lampard has shown his quality this season, particularly in the latter half of the campaign, scoring some crucial goals to take him to the top of the club's all-time scoring charts and earn himself a much-deserved new contract. The 34-year-old has scored 15 times for the Blues and will still be around for at least one more year, which is bad news for the rest of the teams in the Premier League. 15. Simon Mignolet (Sunderland) Despite Sunderland's poor season, Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been a real stand-out performer for the Black Cats and arguably the best 'keeper in the Premier League this season. His eye-catching saves have caught the attention of the likes of Arsenal and Napoli, who are both keen to sign new goalkeepers this summer. He has helped keep Sunderland from dropping down to the Championship, but his strong displays will surely mean he leaves the club for bigger things in the transfer window. 14. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) One of many talented Belgians in the Premier League at the moment, Eden Hazard was an exciting arrival to Chelsea last summer when he joined for £27million from French side Lille. The 22-year-old settled immediately, getting off to a flier with one goal and five assists in Chelsea's opening three games. He has finished the season with 9 goals and 11 assists in the league, and was a deserved nominee for PFA Player of the Year, and he certainly looks like he could be a future winner of the award, as well as of plenty of silverware with the Blues. 13. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) Four goals and three assists is a great return from Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen, who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the country in only his first season with the club since joining from Ajax in the summer. The 26-year-old has slotted into English football perfectly and looks like being a key player for Spurs for years to come. 12. Leighton Baines (Everton) Baines has been one of the best defenders in the country fo

Etihad Stadium side set to bring in Etihad Stadium centre-back. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Liverpool are poised to sign Man City defender Kolo Toure according to the Daily Telegraph. The 32 year old Ivory Coast international will be available on a free transfer as his Etihad Stadium contract is due to come to an end on July 1st. Toure joined Man City in a £16m deal back in 2009 but after serving a six month ban for a failed drugs test the former Arsenal man has been something of a bit-part player, finding himself behind Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and youngster Matija Nastasic in the defensive pecking order. Brendan Rodgers is keen to strengthen his defence with Jamie Carragher retiring from the game and with question marks over the future of Slovakian international Martin Skrtel, who has barely featured in the Liverpool first team over the past few months. Liverpool have been linked with numerous potential defensive signings with the likes of Schalke youngster Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Llori and Swansea City centre-back Ashley Williams all being linked with moves to Anfield. Toure has made 99 appearances for Man City, winning a Premier League and an FA Cup in the process prior to which he spent eight seasons at Arsenal.

Manchester City and Chelsea could pounce as Barcelona move falls through. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts One of the most sought-after young talents in the world could still be set for the Premier League, with the Daily Star claiming that Neymar's proposed move to Barcelona has hit a snag. The 21-year-old's move from Santos to the Nou Camp looked done and dusted not long ago, though it now appears that the two clubs have come into disagreement over a fee. Real Madrid are also interested in the talented striker, but Manchester City and Chelsea will take this opportunity to renew their interest in bringing Neymar to England. The Brazilian has scored an incredible 136 goals in 222 games for Santos already, and is itching for a move to Europe to test himself on the big stage, with great things expected of him in his future career. City and Chelsea are known to be targeting strikers this summer, with both competing for Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao, but could now make Neymar their priority after being alerted to his availability. Barcelona, meanwhile, have been linked with Liverpool's Luis Suarez as an alternative to Neymar.

Despite being Japan's second largest city, Yokohama isn't high-up on most tourist itineraries. This is probably due to it being perceived as a suburb of Tokyo as well as lacking traditional tourist attractions. That said, if you're staying in Tokyo then I reckon it's well worth making the short trip to Yokohama. But I would say that, as Yokohama is home to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum!This homage to ramen opened in 1994 and is spread over three levels. The ground floor is taken up mostly by a gift shop (more on that later) but the main part of the museum consists of a recreation of a 1958 Tokyo street scene spread over two subterranean levels. It's all a bit kitsch but I don't really care, as there are no less than nine ramen shops - all outlets of famous ones from all across Japan - to check out. After a quick scout around the various joints, I decided to visit Ganja to check out their dipping ramen. Ordering is by machine and with some help from a waitress I selected one of the taster portions (these smaller portions are available to enable punters to sample more than one shop). To be honest, this wasn't really my cup of tea. I didn't mind the noodles being cold, but I would've preferred the dipping tonkotsu-shoyu broth to be hot, not lukewarm (by the way I have no idea what the 'correct' way should be). On the plus side the toppings, especially the belly pork, were top notch and the broth was packed full of flavour. It's just that the overall combo would have been better served all in one bowl. By the time I left Ganja, the museum was starting to get busy and queues were forming at some of the shops. Taking a punt on the wisdom of crowds I joined the longish queue for Kamome-Syokudo, which I thought was a tonkotsu joint but in fact served shio ramen (this just goes to show that I can't read Japanese, especially when hungover). This time I went for a normal size portion and while the toppings were abundant and of good quality, being a shio-based broth it wasn't really what I was after. That and the fact the broth was far too salty for my liking. I may have chosen badly, but neither ramen shop I went to in the museum was as good as those I'd visited in Tokyo. Mind you, there were seven ramen shops at the museum I didn't try.Feeling quite full I left the year 1958 behind me and popped upstairs to the gift shop. I went over to the design-your-own-ramen section where you can pick out your choice of soup, tare (seasonings) and noodles to take home in a souvenir box. I plumped for a mixed broth consisting of a sachet of tonkotsu (pork bone broth) and a sachet of rich chicken stock. For the tare I went for shoyu (soy sauce) with a pack of shrimp oil for good measure. And last but not least, I chose some thin ramen noodles to complete my ensemble. I then had to suffer the humiliation of having my photo taken that was then stuck on the top of the box. The end product tasted better than anything out of a packet had any right to, although it is clear that my egg boiling skills need honing.If you do decide to go to the ramen museum then I also recommend you visit Yokohama's Chinatown (Japan's and some say Asia's largest Chinatown). Save for a cheeky skewer of siu mai, I didn't eat there but from what I could see the eateries serve a wide range of food from authentic dim sum to Japan-ified Chinese dishes. However, Yokohama's Chinatown is more about walking around and savouring the atmosphere than the food. That and, if you're of Chinese-descent, topping up the Chineser points. I enjoyed my day trip to Yokohama and with its ramen museum and Chinatown it can boast two attractions that Tokyo can only envy. In other words: Yokohama 2 Tokyo 0.

Ross Barkley the latest player to be linked with Everton departure. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Everton youngster Ross Barkley is the latest player being linked with a move to Manchester United to follow David Moyes, according to the Daily Star. The 19-year-old midfielder is highly rated at Goodison Park, despite limited first team appearances so far in his career, and Moyes believes he could grow into a fine player at Old Trafford. This is the fourth Everton player who is said to be being eyed up by the departing Toffees boss, as he is set to take over from the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United next season. Everton could also lose key players Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jagielka in a mass summer exodus, though they will be determined to hold on to as many of their players as possible after losing their talented long-serving manager to the Red Devils. Competition for places will be fierce at Old Trafford, but Barkley may be tempted by a move to a big team that has a good track record of giving opportunities to young players. And there could be places available in United's midfield next season, with the likes of Nani and Ashley Young being tipped to leave the club during the summer.

Club confirm Russian striker could still leave. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Relegated Premier League side Reading have confirmed that Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak could leave the club this summer after admitting that he has a relegation release clause installed in his contract, Sky Sports reports. The 29-year-old hasn't had the impact that most had hoped for this season after managing just eight goals in 24 appearances as the club sank back down to the Championship at the first time of asking. The Russian international joined the club last summer from Bundesliga side Stuttgart after impressing at Fulham whilst on loan there at the tail end of last season but Reading chairman Anton Zingarevich has confirmed that he may still leave following news of a relegation release clause being installed in his current deal. "There's a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Reading if the club was relegated," Zingarevich told Russian newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta. "Regarding his five goals, Pogrebnyak can be blamed the least. Yes, he couldn't score some chances but the team couldn't create a single chance for him during some games." "Pavel is considered to be a dependent and a strong striker in England." Pogrebnyak signed a four year deal last summer but the club are hoping to offload a number of their high earners ahead of the campaign in the second tier.