Just last weekend I was saying to a friend how after years of getting lost when I go to the Barbican that it doesn’t happen anymore. How wrong was I…

This afternoon, after a trip to Islington for the stitch festival, I arranged to meet Adam there for a wander. I thought I had time to take the scenic route to the main entrance, where I suggested we meet, and was enjoying taking some snaps when Adam messaged to tell me he had arrived. Trying to find each other however was not as easy as I had anticipated.

I was directly above the entrance, in fact it turns out I was two levels above street level, but finding a way down from there was not easy. When we did finally meet in the entrance foyer, Adam showed me a simple way down from where I was. Will I remember it next time? Probably not, but it was definitely not a route I’ve used before.

Today’s experience taught me a few things:

1. The main entrance, by which I mean to the Barbican Centre, does not mean the same thing to everyone. For future reference, I mean the one on Silk Street.

2. Trying to use google maps to navigate the estate is nigh on impossible due to the different levels.

3. Getting lost is a great way to find new routes around a familiar place.

One thing I already knew is that I will never tire of photographing this brutal beauty. I probably should bring together all the photos I’ve taken of it over the years, but that’s a job for another day.

I already had this badge but today it feel like I deserve to wear it with pride as a reward for finding my way around the labyrinth that is the Barbican Estate.