I am tired, I have holiday'd myself out. Is that possible, I am not sure. No don't feel sorry for my affliction, I brought it upon myself. Sigh. Poor pity me. NOT. I also have a serious case of writers block, for that I do require your tea and sympathy.
I have so much to write about though; Dad's visit, the various exciting destinations that we jolly jaunted to (oh the sea sides, the battered cliffs, lofty heights, cultured cruising), our special day remembering mum, and the final days with Dad enjoying London. Then there was the manic week back at work before the big trip to France and Belgium, that felt like months, in a brilliant way, from all the driving and super whirlwind of places that we visited. We visited 8 French provinces if that gives any indication of our trip and we didn't even make it to the centre of the country. So alas, I have too much to write about and so I write...nothing.
I even stayed late at work tonight thinking I would get bored of actually working and urge my fingers to type witty banter about previously aforementioned events, but nope worked right through past 7pm only to be beaten by the tube. Damn thing, delays South bound, then delays, then delayed both ways all from where I was only - faulty train though apparently. It was a taunt at me to go back to my desk and write, or it was a taunt that I should have gone home at a normal time and enjoyed what looked like a beautiful sunset. Sigh, gotta love an Indian summer, so I will enjoy that tomorrow night and maybe I will write again soon.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Liverpool, Paris, Dublin and Ireland...oh my
Dad in Dublin with James Joyce...well his likeness
Blarney Castle, Dad pre-kissing of the Blarney Stone
Dad at the Liverpool Cavern, one of the first Beatles locations, the new one the orignal was pulled down
Me at Strawberry Fields forever!
Dad and I at Kylemore Abbey in the Connemmara in the West coast of Ireland
Dad eating Maccas on the Champs-Elysee in Paris
Dad at the Sacre Coeur at Montmartre in ParisSaturday, August 22, 2009
Dad does London...first days...
Us at Tower Bridge
Paddington Station with Paddington Bear
Dad at St Pauls Cathedral
Dad and Lisa at Buckingham Palace
At Wellington Arch
Dad at very top of St Pauls Cathedral, with view to East London City and the Gerkin
Fish and Chips on Brighton Beach...mmm
Our first tube ride in from Heathrow
First ride in a London Cab
Me and Dad outside Dominion Theatre where we saw We Will Rock you - amazing
At Covent Garden before dinner at GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen)Friday, August 14, 2009
Starlight....Starbright....or Meteor Shower
Last night was the peak night of the Perseid meteor shower and I was determined to get a glimpse. I am not really that into astronomy and certainly not since I have lived in London , as you can barely see the North Star on clear night let alone any stars, let alone shooting stars. The best view I have ever had of the star system was on a clear night sky was in 2003 in the South Australian desert where I headed for my honeymoon, with Mark (obviously) and some Canadian friends Bob and Shawna. We were staying near Wilpena pound in a tiny one pub, and nothing else, town called Parachilna.
One night we drove a couple of miles away from the pub, so it was completely pitch blackness once we turned off the car, to sit on the car bonnet and watch the stars. I must say it was very beautiful and every star in the southern hemisphere was clearly visible. The moment was shattered when we saw a light coming at us from the highway and thought a road train was going to hit us, as we could see its headlights coming across the plains from about 20 mile away, we had a good 20 minutes before it was anywhere near us.
Sigh. Well no bright starlight skies in London at all. Last night it was still a bit cloudy after some evening rain but lots of breaks in it so I thought I’d have a try to see if I could have a glimpse of the meteor shower. I went outside our flat to the back car park and looked towards the north eastern horizon.
I must have been out there about 15 minutes craning my neck and starting to get a bit unsure if I had seen one or not. I kept seeing an occasional flicker of light, but could never be sure if it was a plane or a star peeking out from the clouds, but just after that my patience was rewarded when a meteor shot out of the Northen sky, all doubts faded and I was chuffed that I had finally seen one. It was easily spotted and was like a very large close shooting star, impossible to miss. I waited in the hopes of seeing more, but alas the clouds folded in thicker and well that was that.
For some information;
The Perseid shower occurs each year when the Earth passes through a stream of debris shed by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun once every 130 years or so and last passed through the inner solar system in 1992. According to a report in National Geographic News, this year, from any vantage point in the world, you might see more than 80 meteors an hour streak across the sky during the best viewing time, when the moon’s glare will be weakest-late night on August 11and into the wee hours of August 12, local cloud and lighting conditions permitting.
http://blog.taragana.com/n/perseid-meteor-shower-may-yield-80-space-rocks-an-hour-136337/
One night we drove a couple of miles away from the pub, so it was completely pitch blackness once we turned off the car, to sit on the car bonnet and watch the stars. I must say it was very beautiful and every star in the southern hemisphere was clearly visible. The moment was shattered when we saw a light coming at us from the highway and thought a road train was going to hit us, as we could see its headlights coming across the plains from about 20 mile away, we had a good 20 minutes before it was anywhere near us.
Sigh. Well no bright starlight skies in London at all. Last night it was still a bit cloudy after some evening rain but lots of breaks in it so I thought I’d have a try to see if I could have a glimpse of the meteor shower. I went outside our flat to the back car park and looked towards the north eastern horizon.
I must have been out there about 15 minutes craning my neck and starting to get a bit unsure if I had seen one or not. I kept seeing an occasional flicker of light, but could never be sure if it was a plane or a star peeking out from the clouds, but just after that my patience was rewarded when a meteor shot out of the Northen sky, all doubts faded and I was chuffed that I had finally seen one. It was easily spotted and was like a very large close shooting star, impossible to miss. I waited in the hopes of seeing more, but alas the clouds folded in thicker and well that was that.
For some information;
The Perseid shower occurs each year when the Earth passes through a stream of debris shed by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun once every 130 years or so and last passed through the inner solar system in 1992. According to a report in National Geographic News, this year, from any vantage point in the world, you might see more than 80 meteors an hour streak across the sky during the best viewing time, when the moon’s glare will be weakest-late night on August 11and into the wee hours of August 12, local cloud and lighting conditions permitting.
http://blog.taragana.com/n/perseid-meteor-shower-may-yield-80-space-rocks-an-hour-136337/
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Team Bowling
Our team doesn’t get out much as we all live all over the place, so it’s hard to arrange a night out. We had a good excuse this time as work was paying to reward us for our hard work over the year end, which is March here.
The Team
We had previously been bowling and given there was a bit of fierce competition last time, those who were not there then wanted to have a go. I was given the task of arranging it, which was not as straight forward as you like. I had to consider, part timers, holiday’s, half days, people who don’t work in our office and a tube strike. It was worth it in the end and we got the venue we wanted on the right day.
We headed to Bloomsbury lanes, an old fashioned basement bowling alley near Russell street and Holborn in London ’s east end. The place has not changed since the 1960’s when they put it in, but it makes for a really cool atmosphere. It has a diner, karaoke rooms, a small theatre and 8 decent lanes.
Me Bowling...not too badly
We’d booked 2 of them for 2 hours and managed to squeeze in 2 ½ rivalry fuelled games over that time before we settled for our American diner meals, of hot dogs, burgers, apple pies and banana splits. American sizes too, they were huge! Was a fun night out and we all really enjoyed it, that much so the team bought me flowers for organising, unnecessary, but thoughtful all the same.
The TeamWe had previously been bowling and given there was a bit of fierce competition last time, those who were not there then wanted to have a go. I was given the task of arranging it, which was not as straight forward as you like. I had to consider, part timers, holiday’s, half days, people who don’t work in our office and a tube strike. It was worth it in the end and we got the venue we wanted on the right day.
We headed to Bloomsbury lanes, an old fashioned basement bowling alley near Russell street and Holborn in London ’s east end. The place has not changed since the 1960’s when they put it in, but it makes for a really cool atmosphere. It has a diner, karaoke rooms, a small theatre and 8 decent lanes.
Me Bowling...not too badlyWe’d booked 2 of them for 2 hours and managed to squeeze in 2 ½ rivalry fuelled games over that time before we settled for our American diner meals, of hot dogs, burgers, apple pies and banana splits. American sizes too, they were huge! Was a fun night out and we all really enjoyed it, that much so the team bought me flowers for organising, unnecessary, but thoughtful all the same.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Guildhall - Sunday Outing
Sunday, after a leisurely and well deserved lie in, Mark and I went down to Moorgate to visit the Guildhall Art Gallery (English Heritage) and view the photographic work of John Gay, who in his day was known for his architectural photographs and celebrity portaits (inc Agatha Christie), he also took pictures of cows - moo!! 
This is the Guildhall and below are some of my pictures of London
St James's Park grasses on a picnic day!
Love Lane....Love it!
Bollards for the City of London
The Gerhkin, you can see this from my bedroom window too, but not quite as well.
These are not my best works, but hey there are no people in the photos!!
This is the Guildhall and below are some of my pictures of London
St James's Park grasses on a picnic day!
Love Lane....Love it!
Bollards for the City of London
The Gerhkin, you can see this from my bedroom window too, but not quite as well.These are not my best works, but hey there are no people in the photos!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Capital of England....circa 828
Well it used to be Winchester, as you all obviously know its London now. We had heard much good things and how lovely Winchester is so we decided to head down on the train after being couped up in London for the past couple of weekends. When I heard that the cathedral has the longest nave, and is the longest in the country, I was SOLD!! I didn't do too much research as well it would spoil it if we did. Must say thanks Amy, it really was quite lovely with sweet treats and all.
Winchester Cathedral
Its only an hour away from London in the heart of Hampshire, which for some reason I think with the name should be North, like Hampstead, Hamptons...all North... Nope not Hampshire...quite South, near New Forest and Southampton actually.
The highstreet view up to St Giles Hill
We weren't 5 minutes out of the station when we found an English lolly shop - yum. I stocked up on Sherbert lemons...mmmm, before we wandered down the quaint little high street, complete with Tudor style buildings. Then we found Winchester Cathedral. It simple appears out of nowhere, in a lovely park full of families enjoying picnics, and it is indeed rather grand. We weren't sure where to start, so we started with a guided tour.
The Nave, very Long
Our guide took us around over the space of an hour, starting with the Chantry chapel of William of Wykeham, who as Bishop remodeled the cathedral to Gothic style; he also was involved in Oxford university and each year students come to pray for his soul - spooky. The Quire is the very original dating back to the 1300's and the oldest medieval quire in England, with amazing carved woodwork. Antony Gormley's work - Sound 2 - occupies the crypt and creates a very peaceful space, which is neither cold nor damp. In keeping with my love of anything relating to the 15th century and the Tudors, I was delighted to discover that this was where Mary Tudor married Prince Philip II of Spain in 1554.
Anthony Gormley's Sound 2 statue in the Crypt.
Winchester CathedralIts only an hour away from London in the heart of Hampshire, which for some reason I think with the name should be North, like Hampstead, Hamptons...all North... Nope not Hampshire...quite South, near New Forest and Southampton actually.
The highstreet view up to St Giles HillWe weren't 5 minutes out of the station when we found an English lolly shop - yum. I stocked up on Sherbert lemons...mmmm, before we wandered down the quaint little high street, complete with Tudor style buildings. Then we found Winchester Cathedral. It simple appears out of nowhere, in a lovely park full of families enjoying picnics, and it is indeed rather grand. We weren't sure where to start, so we started with a guided tour.
The Nave, very LongOur guide took us around over the space of an hour, starting with the Chantry chapel of William of Wykeham, who as Bishop remodeled the cathedral to Gothic style; he also was involved in Oxford university and each year students come to pray for his soul - spooky. The Quire is the very original dating back to the 1300's and the oldest medieval quire in England, with amazing carved woodwork. Antony Gormley's work - Sound 2 - occupies the crypt and creates a very peaceful space, which is neither cold nor damp. In keeping with my love of anything relating to the 15th century and the Tudors, I was delighted to discover that this was where Mary Tudor married Prince Philip II of Spain in 1554.
Anthony Gormley's Sound 2 statue in the Crypt. The cathedral is the resting place of a woman whose knack for literature gave us the stubborn Elizabeth Bennet, self absorbed Emma Woodhouse and of course the dashing, sigh, Mr Darcy; it can only be Jane Austen. She also lived nearby in the years before her death, even though she lived most of her live in Bath (visiting there soon with Dad). It was definitely one of the more interesting cathedrals I have visited, it even has a place in movie land, staring in Elizabeth and in the Da Vinci code, as the Vatican!
Jane Austen Memorial
Following that Mark and I took a walk around the outside and back up the high street, past the Westgate and the very naked man on horseback - go figure (yes a statue) - to the Great Hall. The great hall is all that is left of what was once 13th century Winchester castle and it has housed THE round table, of that great man King Arthur for 700 years. It also has a recreated garden that once would have been that of Queen Eleanors.
West Gate .... well Gate, it was also a prison for 150 years too
The Great Hall - Queen Eleanors Garden
King Arthurs Round Table...yes the very one
Skip ahead 2 hours of my life - we watched Australia lose to South African in the rugby in a very dreary O'Neils pub - we find ourselves back around via the cathedral so we could continue our walk. We took a lovely stroll, the weather was superb, past Cheyney court (gorgeous half timbered houses - Tudor style), Jane Austens house, Wolvesey castle ruins and up towards the lovely St Giles Hill.
St Giles View back to the Cathedral
Mark was sure we were going the wrong way, despite significant signage to the contrary- yea of little faith - as it was too residential, when out of nowhere we were at the entrance to a park with LOTS of steep steps. Ugh, but the view of the town made it worthwhile, a spectacular view to end the day.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Quote Me!
"He never understood that women like to complain for the sake of it, to get things off their chest, and they don't want to be fobbed off with practical solutions and course of action. They just want sympathetic attention, and lots of it"
As said by the Mum in The Bad Mothers Handbook by Kate Long
Saturday, August 08, 2009
High Drama!! Jewellery Heist!!
Yesterday evening Sophie I were just making our way through Mayfair to our dinner destination Benja near Carnaby street. We were just winding our way past Old Bond street, where all the posh jewellery stores are, including Tiffanys when we noticed an abundance of seeming random car directing and police men.
Then whoops police tape, more police, milling tourists. We were intruigued but like they were going to openly be chatty with us about what had happend, que we move on - if it was anything, well it would be in the papers Friday.
And you know what it was... a massive jewellery heist...humm humm, and we missed the drama, though gladly given guns and shooting being involved, not so exciting if you get a bullet - not at all!
London Lite - Jewellery Heist
So check it out...will put up a pic of the London lite, it made front page! You heard it here first, up to the minute news...right...er here...
Then whoops police tape, more police, milling tourists. We were intruigued but like they were going to openly be chatty with us about what had happend, que we move on - if it was anything, well it would be in the papers Friday.
And you know what it was... a massive jewellery heist...humm humm, and we missed the drama, though gladly given guns and shooting being involved, not so exciting if you get a bullet - not at all!
London Lite - Jewellery Heist
So check it out...will put up a pic of the London lite, it made front page! You heard it here first, up to the minute news...right...er here...
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