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London, South Bank, leading up to Christmas.

The whole city braces itself and collectively holds its breath for the festive season, hoping the end of year break and new year soon to be thrust upon us all will usher in better times for everyone.

We know it's all a lie, but we continue on in the vain hope that one day things will change and this will be the year that it does.

In the shadow of the London Eye and between the bigger wheel and Jubilee Bridges, where the Christmas Market hides from the elements, sits an old and colourful carousel. It spins on its spot with barely a soul on board, a lone figure in the centre overlooking the almost empty ride under the chilly greying skies above.

Opposing streams of people hustle against one another like warring currents of water desperately seeking alternative exits from a turbulent whirlpool. Christmas music pumps out from street food vendors and nick-knack traders hoping to capitalise on the Christmas Spirit.

I raise my camera at the colourful lights of the carousel as it continues its Sisyphean journey, going nowhere and everywhere all at once. I fire off a few shots, keenly aware of the crowd around me, on high alert for anything that looks out of place.

The motion in this ancient piece of fairground machinery is both beautiful and melancholic all at once. Someone clearly loves this ride and keeps it clean and in beautifully preserved condition, which brings me hope that not everything in the world is made to be thrown away. And yet, barely anyone but the youngest of children show any interest in this colourful circle of wonder. Everyone is far too distracted by the little glowing fire in their hand to even notice properly the world around them.

I take my pictures, I move on. Through and under Jubilee Bridges, passing the street food vendors. Queues of people already several deep waiting for their turn to be served hot food and mulled wine.

After passing the market, I turn right and hurry back to Waterloo tube station, glad to be away from the heaving masses. I tap my card at the entry barrier to the underground and wonder where I will go next.