Saturday 26 April 2008

We FINALLY had some spring weather and decided to take a late planned daytrip out to the historic academic community of Oxford.

Arriving just in time to grab the last two available slots in the last walking tour, we were able to go into two of the colleges viewing the historic dining halls and their individual chapels.

The most visual of the two was the chapel at Exeter College which was patterned after Ste. Chapelle which I had just visited in Paris.

Afterwards we walked through the city’s main sights including the Bridge of Sighs (patterned after the original in Venice).

And also…

Christ Church College, the Radcliffe Camera along with the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin and the Carfax Tower.


What better way to finish the day than a couple visits to some 700 year old pubs?

Can’t think of many…

Well... Amy's feet might argue that soak in the tub once we arrived back in London was a better finish.

Friday 25 April 2008

Sit right back and hear this tale…
A tale of a faithful trip…

Too bad Ginger or MaryAnn couldn’t join us.


Today I joined my work mate Paul for a day’s sail on his 29 ft. yacht. We left from near Portsmouth and sailed across to the Isle of Wight.

The weather didn’t cooperate ALL that much and it was a lot of work, BUT it was worth it. After fighting the morning tides and westerly winds (learning how to “tack” the boat) we spent the afternoon “recovering” with a nice pub lunch sampling a local ale that was worth the trip.

These pictures aren’t of Paul’s boat, but were taken from it during our sail.

And yes… that IS a gent climbing UP his mast while on the water.

Friday through Sunday 11-13 April 2008

This past weekend I “treated” myself (Amy is still in Houston) to a quick jaunt spending time doing what I have found to enjoy. Climbing stuff and walking around in old cemeteries.

Except for one small caveat…

This trip was to Paris.

Yes… after jumping on the Eurostar, I spent the weekend wandering the labyrinths of the Gardens of Stone, reminiscing with the gargoyles atop Notre Dame and sitting in bistros drinking Leffe while eating crepes filled with coconut and chocolate. There were a few disappointments as The Catacombs were closed due to refurbishments (they were SUPPOSED to have re-opened in April) and the rib steak and frites at Les Relais de l'Entrecôte was a bit disappointing.

BUT… Did that dampen my spirits? I think not.

Now… I understand why the queues for the opportunity to climb the 400+ narrow steps to the towers of Notre Dame are so long. It's because they only allow 40-60 people up in increments of ~20. Even WITH the wait, it was well worth it.

Well… for me it was, especially when Quasimodo performed his chores in the bell tower while I was on top at 11:00 AM.



Then a quick visit to Ste. Chapelle, a gothic chapel originally built in 1239 to house the remains of Christ’s crown of thorns and bits of the True Cross that King Louis “acquired” from Constantinople. The most visually striking aspect of this was the original stained glass that survived the destruction of the French Revolution.


What can I say about the grand cemeteries of Paris?

COMPLETELY different from anything I’ve visited to date. The family vaults and detailed somber statuary literally blew me away.

First was a Saturday visit to Montparnasse which opened in 1824 as one of the three principal cemeteries of Paris. It was generally flat and easy to transverse, yet it would have been easy to have gotten lost amongst the tall vaults and monuments.

What I found fascinating were the small family vaults. Some were enclosed and included family mementos and photographs, while others were open which allowed an occasional respite from the rain.

The details in the statuary were phenomenal to say the least.

Pere-LaChaise is Paris’ (and one of the world’s) largest cemeteries AND one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. Opened in 1804, its 109 acres include some of the world’s greatest names of history. It’s difficult to describe the grandeur of some of the monuments and tombs. Combine that with the expanse of the grounds, the winding paths, the steep hills… and well… let’s just say one could have spent all day

I only scratched the surface of what sites this cemetery had to offer.

As difficult as it was finding my way around even WITH a map, it seems that all roads led...

To...

That’s right. How could I not attempt to locate Jim Morrison’s burial site (supposedly).

Then... there was Paris by night.

This little whirlwind trip left me tired and aching which, of course, has NOTHING to do with age.

Friday through Sunday 4-6 April 2008

This past weekend I joined my friend Christine for her daughter’s Hen Party in Barcelona. Back in the States, we refer to these bachelorette parties! It was so nice to get out of London and enjoy a couple of days of sunshine … and yes, I missed the London snow while I was away.

Barcelona is another of Europe’s beautiful cities. When we arrived, we jumped on the city tour bus and took a quick and windy ride around the city. This weekend we saw a few of the historic and architectural highlights including Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo and La Pedrera. The Sagrada Familia is the unfinished Gaudi cathedral which began building work in the late 19th century and is still under construction today.

The facades of this cathedral are absolutely amazing and unique.

The Casa Battlo is one of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces. The Modernistic façade of the building conceals a truly artistic interior. Designed as a private home, there are no straight walls in this place. Colorful stained glass and beautiful design work are present throughout this building.

La Pedrera was created as an apartment building and the highlight was definitely the terrace.

This unique roof is a masterpiece of ventilation towers and chimneys which are all designed to fulfil functional role – yet are as artistic and unique as one can imagine. Some are covered with broken pieces of ceramic.

The Hen Party for Gemma included a Cowboys and Indians night out. Of course, Christine and I were dressed in authentic Texan wear imported from Houston specifically for this occasion. Saturday was posh tops and frocks night as we enjoyed a nice dinner out in Barcelona.

Barcelona is a place that I know Ray would enjoy with the architectural delights and beautiful gardens, perhaps we’ll get back here for a long weekend before the end of the year.

Saturday 05 April 2008

Amy is sunning in Barcelona this weekend, so I decided to go into north London for a little adventure. Nothing says adventure like a cemetery with its own warning label.

I spent the afternoon wandering in St. Pancras Cemetery, and while it wasn't nearly as interesting as some of the other cemeteries I've visited, it did have its moments.



It still is an active cemetery, yet there are monuments dating back to the late 1800's.

Friday 04 April 2008

Mind the Gap…

Every visitor we’ve had has found humour in this warning. Tourists take photos of it. It’s broadcast incessantly throughout the tube system and occasionally on the trains. It’s painted on the platforms everywhere.

I’ve become desensitized to it.

That is until last week when boarding the train for my commute home I watched as Network Rail staff scurried about an open door of my train carriage. I watched from my window trying to determine what is was that was delaying my departure.

Did someone drop a parcel between the platform and train?

Maybe a shoe?

I theorized all sorts of possibilities. They powered down the entire train, which IS electric – and no… I have NOT tried to wee on the hot rail.

And then… with the assistance of two Rail employees… they pulled out a short gray haired elderly gentleman.

Who…

Obviously…

Forgot to…

You have been officially warned.