Wednesday 31 January 2007

File this under: “Things You Don’t See Every Day”

Today at work around noon, a workmate brought it to our attention to look out the window.

Rounding the turn (as almost ALL London streets are bound to do) was a funeral procession lead by a team of white horses pulling a glass framed carriage holding a white casket with the name Anna formed in flowers on the top.

Not sure who you were Anna or what sort of life you led, but for a brief moment we all shared in your remembrance. Rest in peace.

Monday 29 January 2007

Amy was sick all weekend and spent most of it ingesting illicitly acquired American over the counter pharmaceuticals (i.e. Nyquil) trying to get travel ready for her work week in Hamburg. Other good news is that British Airways settled their differences with the air service union and she’ll be able to get home on Friday.

I HAVE A GOAL!!!

I have officially committed to ride in the UK’s largest charity bike ride, The British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton ride. So me and 30,000+ of my soon to be closet friends will be hitting the pavement to the coast in June. That’s not a metric conversion… you read it correctly, Thirty THOUSAND cyclists.

So it’s back in the saddle, as I try to regain my cycling conditioning . Don’t worry, I’ll issue Spandex Shorts Photo warnings if warranted.

Wednesday 24 January 2007

I’m dreeeeeeeaming of a White….

You know….. That talk last week of how mild it was here??

Remember that??

Well… This morning we woke up to almost an inch of snow in the city. Just like that…It was winter. I was up early, got dressed and took a round about route to the train station this morning and walked through Green Park. It was something else making my way through as it lightly snowed issuing the first footprints in the first snow of the year.

Unfortunately, it was too dark for a photo op, and by lunch time when I went out to take these pics the snow was already melting away. These photos, by the way, are from Sutton, south of London where my office is. By the time for my trip home there was hardly ANY trace left.

Sunday 21 January 2007

Amy had to fly out to Copenhagen this afternoon, so I looked to fill my afternoon with some free entertainment. For the longest time I’ve been wanting to go check out Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park. With its origin being tied to allowing people who were condemned to the gallows to speak their last words, it is now the area where anyone can come and publicly speak on whatever topic (except overthrowing the British government) they choose.

Most topics were political/religiously motivated. Most involve open debate with those gathered around the speaker, but ALL of them were spirited. My favourite was THIS guy. Ya’ GOTTA admire his perseverance. Either that or he needs to get there early and get a better spot.

Funny… NO one wanted to talk about how the designated hitter has ruined Major League Baseball. Go figure.

Saturday 20 January 2007

Today Amy and I ventured into the original City of London to see the Temple Church.

Originally built in 1185 by the Knights Templar it is tucked away and hidden amidst a myriad of courtyards, gardens and law offices. A very simple building inside and out, the church is known for its nine effigy tombs of medieval knights in the nave. Anyone seeing the movie The DaVinci Code will remember parts filmed in the church.

The International Mime Festival has been in town for several weeks.

http://www.mimefest.co.uk/intro2007.html

We thought about taking in a show or two but we couldn’t get Amy out of her glass box.

Thursday 18 January 2007

As Houston and most of Texas has been in the grips of (cue the dramatic theme music please… Dum-dum-DUUMM) The Winter Storm, we’ve had our own brand of severe weather here. Today the island was battered with a storm bringing winds with gusts of just under 100 mph. London itself had winds of 40+ mph.

I find it weird that Texas is dealing with freezing weather, while the temperature here was a mild 15°C (that’s almost 60°F for the metrically challenged). I’m sure the COLD weather is just around the corner.

I’ll save the discussion of MILES per hour and degrees Centigrade being used simultaneously for another day.

Wednesday 17 January 2007

You have been officially warned. This isn’t so much of an update as it is a rambling display of what has been bouncing around in my head lately. I promise… no bench pictures.

Since Amy is away traveling, (she’s either in Copenhagen or The Hague, or maybe it’s Hamburg, maybe that’s next week. I really need to check her calendar before I type) I ventured out for a pub dinner. Imagine that.

Sitting in The Jugged Hare (to be included in my next pub update), on a rather chilly evening, it was quite nice sitting at the bar enjoying my ale and a hot Poacher’s Pie. I couldn’t help but think as I ate my pastry covered rabbit, boar, venison and pheasant that this might actually have been more fitting served in Oscar’s trailer back in Splendora. I digress.

I knew coming over here that there would be certain vernacular differences. I can accept that, but some things just stike me as odd. Like why is it “dogtooth” instead of “houndstooth”? After all, there are foxhounds here. Why I even KNOW their is a difference or why it “bothers” me is somewhat scary, but then again… you were warned.

Saturday and Sunday 13-14 January 2007

These feets - they’re made for walking…

and that’s just what we did as we ended up having a real walk-a-bout weekend.

Saturday we walked ALL around Regent’s Park, which was the first visit for both of us. Not sure if we covered the complete 166 hectares (410 acres for those of you doing the conversions), but we gave it a shot. As nice as it was, it will be much more so in the spring when the rose gardens are in full bloom. Maybe then I’ll drag Amy to Abbey Road to take my photo in “the crosswalk”.

Also had lunch in a quaint little pub, Dover Castle, tucked… no… make that HIDDEN in a maze of alleyways off the main streets. I swear if I didn't have a map we would have never found it.

Sunday we walked past Buckingham Palace, through St. James’ Park and Trafalgar Square on our way to The National Gallery taking in the classics of Monet and Van Gogh.

Anyone else surprised that I've actually started to appreciate the Impressionists??

Observation: As we made our way past Buckingham Palace we were “delayed” by the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Does that mean we are slowly getting assimilated to our surroundings and are now desensitised to the pomp and circumstance? Or are we becoming cynical olde people?

Thursday 11 January 2007

This post is dedicated to our good friend Sheryl M.

So tonight Amy and I went to the London Palladium, one of the premier West End theatres, to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Sound of Music. Amy loved it, and I really enjoyed the technical aspects of watching the live stage effects.

How-EVER… The memories of the evening (for me) were of the people around us. We had decent seats in the Royal Circle and after locating them, settled in for the show. Amy sat to my left. On my right was one… how should I say… rather LARGE gentlemen. One of those guys that needs one and a half seats, and unfortunately for me I got to share that extra half seat with him. At least he wasn’t sweaty.

On Amy’s left was a lovely British lady that saw fit not only to sing along to most songs (poorly at that), but stomp her foot to the music. Yes… not tap, but stomp. If it were only that, it might have been tolerable, but it was her choice of “Eau de Edelweiss” perfume that made Amy’s night.

During the intermission, my seat buddy gets up allowing me to enjoy the full price of my ticket if only for a moment, so I spread out a bit. As Amy and I begin comparing notes on each other’s “neighbor” I couldn’t help but notice something. In the row in front of me, there was an elderly, frizzy haired lady bent over the back of her chair with her head right between my legs.

I couldn’t help but blurt out, “HEL-loo??”, as I sat upright giving her all the room she needed. Seems she lost her eyeglasses, but for the life of me I can’t figure out she thought they ended up BEHIND her and between my legs.

The General Public. Ya' gotta love 'em (or hate 'em).

I want it made perfectly clear that when Ray gave me the evil eye during "My Favorite Things" - it was NOT me singing! The show was great and I'll see it again with anyone who is interested.

Tuesday 9 January 2007

Did Amy mention to anyone that she "thinks" she saw Patrick Duffy getting into a car this past Sunday?? She "thinks"..... riiiiiiiight.

Also had my first experience with rail delays on my commute home yesterday with something about a broken down train in the Waddsworth Common area causing some scrambling on my part to get home.

All in all it wasn't too bad as I was only 60 minutes later than usual. (and STILL beat Amy home)

Saturday 5 January 2007

Pub Update:

I know everyone is wondering what new pubs I’ve ventured into lately. Here is a quick update.

14. The White Swan: Stopped in for a pre-rugby match drink (or two) at this traditional 17th century pub located on the river in Twickenham across from Eel Pie Island.
15. The Albany: Again in Twickenham. A refurbished “gastropub” where we had a post rugby match drink.
16. The Cardinal: Traditional pub built in the mid 1800’s near Westminster Cathedral where we attend Mass. Lots of dark wood panelling and etched mirrors.
17. Lamb and Flag: Considered the oldest pub in London established in the late 1600’s. Tucked away from the main streets, you have to wind your way down some side streets to find it.
18. Salisbury: Relatively “modern” pub built in 1892, but it was the mirrors and the cool Victorian light fixtures that was the best part of the interior.
19. Duke of York: Located next to the Victorian Palace Theatre and a five minute walk from our flat. Built in the 1820’s, it’s a nice place for dinner AFTER the Billy Elliot show starts.
20. The Shakespeare: Located across the street from Victoria Station and again just a five minute walk from the flat (ok… maybe 10 minutes). Need to go back one night and check out the attached piano bar.
21. The Sherlock Holmes: Not near Baker St. (actually between Embankment and Trafalgar Square), but a neat “themed” pub with a traditional feel. Constantly showing old Sherlock Holmes’ movies.

(from my 10 September entry)
1. The Iron Duke
2. The Albert
3. Ye Olde Watling
4. Princess of Wales
5. The Wig and Quill
6. Slug and Lettuce
7. The Elusive Camel
8. The Nightingale
9. The Crooked Surgeon
10. Rose and Crown
11. Hedgehog and Pheasant
12. Greencoat Boy
13. The Stonehenge Inn

21 December 2006 thru 01 January 2007

After a few hours delay at Gatwick Airport due to the icy fog, we were able to depart for Houston. We were quite lucky as Heathrow Airport was closed for several days. 13.5 hours on the plane – but we were headed home for Christmas! We had a great Christmas vacation visiting with the family. It was great to see everyone and we tried to fit in as much as possible during our 10 days in Texas. We missed some friends as this was a busy season for all, but we were able to catch up with quite a few (usually around a meal!). I think we each gained a bit of weight on this trip – but we just couldn’t pass up all of the home cooked meals and our favourite restaurants around town.

It really was a great trip and I’m so glad that we have the opportunity to get back home a few times per year, I know that there are many who are not so lucky. We’re blessed with wonderful families and friends. I hope that some are able to visit us during 2007!