12 Grimmauld Place (was Re: Photograph of Grimmauld Square, London)

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff Bannister"
<gbannister10 at ...> wrote:

> 
> Geoff:
> ...
> 
> I think it was Steve who remarked at one point that we can 
> only speculate on the position of Grimmauld Place. I base 
> my theories on having lived and traveled widely within 
> London over a 45 year period prior to my moving to the 
> West Country some years ago. We may all be totally wrong 
> but analysing the clues and drawing our own conclusions 
> and sharing them is great fun.... I hope!
> :-)
>


bboyminn:

Well I certainly bow to your superior experience. Again, I'm
using paper maps and Google Earth. Initially, I shot down 
your Mornington idea because it seemed too close to King's
Cross, but upon looking at my maps again, it is right on the 
edge of my 1 mile circle just like Islington and Barnsbury. 
So, the walking time would be the same.

Now any speculation is going to be fraught with compromises.
Your area is a little more run down than mine, but I don't 
actually see any park-like squares in the area you suggest
that seem to fit the pattern. Again, I'm stuck with Google
Earth and paper maps. I did see some square, but the 
building didn't quite seem right. Again, I could only see
the roofs. 

I do agree with your general suggestion for how Grimmauld
Square looks. Which visually is much like Lonsdale Square. 
The flaw in my area is that it does seem somewhat ritzy.
There are a few mansions in that neighborhood, or appear
to be mansions when view from the roof. But still on 
Google Earth there is a picture of the intersection at the
south of Lonsdale Square and the building looks about right.

There are also some photos of nearby Pubs, and again they
look like they could be about right. Though, let's 
remember the books took place 10 year ago, and the photos
I saw are recent. 

I have speculated that the Square can't be on a busy street,
and that it must be somewhat isolated. 

Of all the places I've looked, Lonsdale Square fits best,
but then, again, I'm only looking at the roof, and can't 
take into consideration things like subway stops.

I do agree with you assessment of the likely location of 
the Ministry, though I think it is slightly off the main
area of Whitehall, but that still seems the right 
neighborhood. 

I really wish I could go to London and hire a driver to take
me around so I could explore all these places.

Still, all in all, it's fun to speculate.

Steve/bboyminn