tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66303556800507752562024-03-05T11:54:10.392+00:00Gidday from the UK...from an Aussie girl who came to the UK and stayed...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.comBlogger527125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-42442867711951225042015-01-12T17:00:00.000+00:002015-01-12T17:00:01.209+00:00New Digs...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.com/" target="_blank">Gidday from the UK</a> has moved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpAeclnQU_EypliDKYRibFgyHQJWdm3PVHzL7fMIqsHenuGBOhH5ZgqhIQADRUMxDE_N38-f1lD1SNuoH2SdJvq8w1yKjrMXlJBSaHzxSuyn4Pg7riIgpzQ4VLkX8c_Y5xm4-Bz0IWQoT/s1600/moving+website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpAeclnQU_EypliDKYRibFgyHQJWdm3PVHzL7fMIqsHenuGBOhH5ZgqhIQADRUMxDE_N38-f1lD1SNuoH2SdJvq8w1yKjrMXlJBSaHzxSuyn4Pg7riIgpzQ4VLkX8c_Y5xm4-Bz0IWQoT/s1600/moving+website.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can find me now at www.giddayfromtheuk.com</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-14449114964554590752015-01-10T16:06:00.000+00:002015-01-10T16:06:27.826+00:00Preparing to Migrate...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a few months hiatus, I'm now preparing for <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.com/" target="_blank">Gidday from the UK</a>'s migration to Wordpress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 30.6944446563721px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I'm just having a final tidy up at the new digs before the 'open house'...</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYwhQkDo0ueVz-1nKH1fqQr_Vd_SnhPxKy7rmiedUOJAIiMYGLerCDXB5rOL1cd-MNnZEzYfO6Oy646RqchQdYVuirOuiQ-XLC7oBjAYcXqSG8-dNv3c917zEs0fWhDPd75CLUPc0ixZp/s1600/B1+Green+Team+(640x490).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYwhQkDo0ueVz-1nKH1fqQr_Vd_SnhPxKy7rmiedUOJAIiMYGLerCDXB5rOL1cd-MNnZEzYfO6Oy646RqchQdYVuirOuiQ-XLC7oBjAYcXqSG8-dNv3c917zEs0fWhDPd75CLUPc0ixZp/s1600/B1+Green+Team+(640x490).jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'll give you a shout when the beers are in the <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Esky" target="_blank">esky</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimp_on_the_barbie" target="_blank">barbie's</a> fired up...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-73717778349001560952014-09-14T16:31:00.001+01:002014-09-14T16:31:46.408+01:00Mumbai Moments...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back at the start of 2012, I read a book called <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-book-nook.html" target="_blank">Shantaram</a>. Written by Gregory David Roberts, it is a narrative based on Roberts' experiences in the Bombay underworld. It is a wonderful read, my first taste of India and according to the Indian friends I know, an accurate depiction of Bombay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I got to see it for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lucky enough to travel to India for work, I spent an overnight in Delhi - not enough time to see anything unfortunately - before heading south for two days in Mumbai (aka Bombay) and after a day at our factory and offices, it was time to experience a little local colour with beer and vittels at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g304554-d810909-Reviews-Cafe_Mondegar-Mumbai_Bombay_Maharashtra.html" target="_blank">Cafe Mondegar</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cafe Mondegar is located on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colaba_Causeway" target="_blank">Colaba Causeway</a>, (officially known as Shahid Baghat Singh Road), a land link between Colaba and Old Woman's Island in the south of Mumbai and a buzzing commercial street filled with bars, restaurants, cafes and throngs of people. Cafe Mondegar, or Mondy's to the locals, is a hub for both local and expatriate socialising with tables and chairs packed closely together and a menu catering for adventurers seeking local flavours as well as travellers pining for a little taste of home, wherever that may be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The main cafe wall is covered with a cartoon mural painted by famed Indian illustrator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Miranda" target="_blank">Mario Miranda</a> which depicts the hustle and bustle of life in Mumbai - these caricatures can also be spotted on the plates supplied for your meal as well as the salt and pepper shakers on each table and a range of items for sale like t-shirts and mugs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1cfqAJTL-inU1x67BQSxyXWg-JoKipDpSQUXj5CWNUyzkskpjt7Adn-aJ8Vhkgqve67-LFw_ykRvApd_6w92EWggDG1M4347054Br9AtdBXAZKiusQayzvCwSzmPw4t8AcPUyYMxNLo8/s1600/15213092416_aa658fb263_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1cfqAJTL-inU1x67BQSxyXWg-JoKipDpSQUXj5CWNUyzkskpjt7Adn-aJ8Vhkgqve67-LFw_ykRvApd_6w92EWggDG1M4347054Br9AtdBXAZKiusQayzvCwSzmPw4t8AcPUyYMxNLo8/s1600/15213092416_aa658fb263_z.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc-tONs9BdS84C6C1SAOrSH5jiecbO0TSQ6dCAguMZP7EaN-IHSOfoQ7aQIUxXKY0apNOZlmwRSJ4e0XP_ZttqAt2Ayc7TNw2S573MPltTcuzeOqI3mF-YaV_KeD8e1bCVfIQ-6DTieGX/s1600/15049551130_fa992b7147_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc-tONs9BdS84C6C1SAOrSH5jiecbO0TSQ6dCAguMZP7EaN-IHSOfoQ7aQIUxXKY0apNOZlmwRSJ4e0XP_ZttqAt2Ayc7TNw2S573MPltTcuzeOqI3mF-YaV_KeD8e1bCVfIQ-6DTieGX/s1600/15049551130_fa992b7147_z.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZbER7g6HQKWYsJrKmOk2Za5bZnifFlm_5U9HQDdzC1Dp1SToNHLcRXPDq2qJgN5zGc_xBULa4bTcUhd-wHDpSsD4uTXeobEJ03-67GA_yWKA5s6MHoz0gzat3FDyZ7rj3r3_mURiY91C/s1600/15049555538_4b481e3acc_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZbER7g6HQKWYsJrKmOk2Za5bZnifFlm_5U9HQDdzC1Dp1SToNHLcRXPDq2qJgN5zGc_xBULa4bTcUhd-wHDpSsD4uTXeobEJ03-67GA_yWKA5s6MHoz0gzat3FDyZ7rj3r3_mURiY91C/s1600/15049555538_4b481e3acc_z.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was told that Mondy's represented just the tip of the culinary iceberg but was an excellent place to start so </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">left the ordering up to my colleagues with the only stipulation being I wanted to eat local food. In my experience, eating food in its place of origin always tastes better and I was not disappointed. Each dish was delicious and washed down with a range of ice-cold beers. With the vintage jukebox busting out some excellent 80s and early 90s tunes, Mondy's got a big </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thums_Up" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Thum(b)s Up</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> from me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Fyth2xqJSIZtLi9yx76svKWVt5IOoKHKGqdPzcxYJLjFC7g1LVg_iIPPN1NIKvDyTNsm9BCd0YaLawjymMHH1XNjLtUSguuv5ktaWUF-9ZTI0M4iHAHIdklOP1ROnXfkCqnUCBD3wOZI/s1600/15213320456_6423135517_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Fyth2xqJSIZtLi9yx76svKWVt5IOoKHKGqdPzcxYJLjFC7g1LVg_iIPPN1NIKvDyTNsm9BCd0YaLawjymMHH1XNjLtUSguuv5ktaWUF-9ZTI0M4iHAHIdklOP1ROnXfkCqnUCBD3wOZI/s1600/15213320456_6423135517_z.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thums Up, India's favourite cola</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The following day it was time for some retail visits, seeing the types of products available and how they are sold - quite different from the superstores and chains of the more developed markets that I am used to. What it meant was that, albeit from the back seat of our Tata car, I got to see Mumbai.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our first stop typified Mumbai for me, a curious mix of new affluence and poverty side by side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0d11mlhjl32mQLMxC6aYL42CpYloF_vwyQVYsuqir8afrpUIPJORJkxakTvqfcQHJuMCnx45YCTFksQD4EVr0R4Kha6pdVnlfv3oqD1YStuyNZetfRHeE3yy6_9w7yOXAD4xVNUdN1XQ/s1600/IMAG1743+(640x362).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0d11mlhjl32mQLMxC6aYL42CpYloF_vwyQVYsuqir8afrpUIPJORJkxakTvqfcQHJuMCnx45YCTFksQD4EVr0R4Kha6pdVnlfv3oqD1YStuyNZetfRHeE3yy6_9w7yOXAD4xVNUdN1XQ/s1600/IMAG1743+(640x362).jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Taken at Phoenix Market City, Kurla, Mumbai</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mfp2QKVxgAxX7GV4W0kbTqDFCcPo2FLz7dJOJp016Oy9HtZkcyRJ6X88QVESB1DYO0xcIxO8ld-3M8JIYdSl9LXEzZ7riQbkjOXgPILu8kxQDyZsjpzpaNwz7GcjEPcgfx2FfILlY73h/s1600/IMAG1749+(640x343).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mfp2QKVxgAxX7GV4W0kbTqDFCcPo2FLz7dJOJp016Oy9HtZkcyRJ6X88QVESB1DYO0xcIxO8ld-3M8JIYdSl9LXEzZ7riQbkjOXgPILu8kxQDyZsjpzpaNwz7GcjEPcgfx2FfILlY73h/s1600/IMAG1749+(640x343).jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our second stop saw us back in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colaba" target="_blank">Colaba</a> region. The streets off the main roads were quieter and lined with colonial architecture, a hangover from the area's occupation by British forces in the 1700s.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd-eLIDe0iIMBUIdGjRC5FK7mZ2zAMhjokxa4CF0XDzSjOz52iekaaM_CZEb-0SgSH8rpwdAN0d2n4vWrg5_2v3l5m6510Aqx3AikBTq4cFD58tYQRmuDb-BR5UnQLGOZHYyJSuISv7pF/s1600/IMAG1752+(640x369).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd-eLIDe0iIMBUIdGjRC5FK7mZ2zAMhjokxa4CF0XDzSjOz52iekaaM_CZEb-0SgSH8rpwdAN0d2n4vWrg5_2v3l5m6510Aqx3AikBTq4cFD58tYQRmuDb-BR5UnQLGOZHYyJSuISv7pF/s1600/IMAG1752+(640x369).jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Famous residents include Sir Ratan Tata, the Emeritus Chairman of Indian multinational conglomerate Tata Sons, the holding company for </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Group" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tata Group</a> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(ownership of Jaguar and Tetley Tea among its many interests).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking of Tata, we did visit one of their Star Bazaar stores in Andheri...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b5rIBdbZSxzMCCBC0m5n0FERaLzHCVScMy2zvHpRP9wvdrFOkC7CK_1c6HXNyh6Bg63mMVhQRj3dtMD29RaZxswd1_CefYGFo47o234p-pHC8oRNk1QCPv3o6xOiP5ooojtwD0G9xOwC/s1600/IMAG1756+(640x386).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b5rIBdbZSxzMCCBC0m5n0FERaLzHCVScMy2zvHpRP9wvdrFOkC7CK_1c6HXNyh6Bg63mMVhQRj3dtMD29RaZxswd1_CefYGFo47o234p-pHC8oRNk1QCPv3o6xOiP5ooojtwD0G9xOwC/s1600/IMAG1756+(640x386).jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...where we managed to buy a <a href="http://www.magnumicecream.com/" target="_blank">Magnum (ice-cream)</a> - quite new and extremely expensive in India according to my colleague - and eat it watching one of Mumbai's many entrepreneurs...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVb7HPVEWqrU7r-5kYw6ktdcbqwlS4uUwlk3H3otd2iiS4Gtwj8_kddPKE8WKPBJ-BtKqnOJY65uYYQCoxeYAzDFxCn94iNPCpjo3Z0y7zRchDrkUTmZSu2BDBaUeW7-Ji8lxrypTwtNO_/s1600/IMAG1754+(366x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVb7HPVEWqrU7r-5kYw6ktdcbqwlS4uUwlk3H3otd2iiS4Gtwj8_kddPKE8WKPBJ-BtKqnOJY65uYYQCoxeYAzDFxCn94iNPCpjo3Z0y7zRchDrkUTmZSu2BDBaUeW7-Ji8lxrypTwtNO_/s1600/IMAG1754+(366x640).jpg" height="400" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mumbai money: She's selling Tupperware from her car boot.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then it was time to head back to the hotel so we hit the road...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAZ51ljhis_zL2cyHDzPIBvPZU1nXYGOazOzXBm9vi4UrNInIJ9uhCkf9IuTybDqIs1o2JyCy-_rI_gAhdvKkH4eldUnnM9NXfPAnZxRV7qIxTALFPpMTq4McYPOBOPHG-zAxsUegmEq5/s1600/IMAG1753+(640x362).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAZ51ljhis_zL2cyHDzPIBvPZU1nXYGOazOzXBm9vi4UrNInIJ9uhCkf9IuTybDqIs1o2JyCy-_rI_gAhdvKkH4eldUnnM9NXfPAnZxRV7qIxTALFPpMTq4McYPOBOPHG-zAxsUegmEq5/s1600/IMAG1753+(640x362).jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviuFg50HsWYMi_Ev-6NmE7ZMgd9eIsopUGzzEz3QnETNUd-2QpSh-EogJEk6wekpL2Nfb0Arl7ySj97UuxThxw4lJhIBT_uZI4_hFuAwhbXCARmzEhFd1krWhbojm6BEVui0jAiZp34C5/s1600/IMAG1759+(640x374).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviuFg50HsWYMi_Ev-6NmE7ZMgd9eIsopUGzzEz3QnETNUd-2QpSh-EogJEk6wekpL2Nfb0Arl7ySj97UuxThxw4lJhIBT_uZI4_hFuAwhbXCARmzEhFd1krWhbojm6BEVui0jAiZp34C5/s1600/IMAG1759+(640x374).jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6Edy6J617FmPl4VEQBZAFd1uHcM995YBy8ht5qlczkIXuknlk5MVaWy_-H_bxOWQG9AlyM7R8SmHzUHZG6XjSBaaWS1GYrKwWb_hXcldejlAkIqETBw-5vd5SXdp9lhoKMxmkAnRcyGA/s1600/IMAG1765+(640x412).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6Edy6J617FmPl4VEQBZAFd1uHcM995YBy8ht5qlczkIXuknlk5MVaWy_-H_bxOWQG9AlyM7R8SmHzUHZG6XjSBaaWS1GYrKwWb_hXcldejlAkIqETBw-5vd5SXdp9lhoKMxmkAnRcyGA/s1600/IMAG1765+(640x412).jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MPhxMTB1nvsf61s9YDEKohCPIXkenIFBoH1aU94y7jsRZ6Yu9S_AKGBJ9ro7NrR33hBIRUfQN-6zAjyZLqKgJZNews__KVsPUMo4TceRRc8o1D9o4fHtrxX2qgOXHDByAiXKrwnPRxwE/s1600/IMAG1760+(640x342).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MPhxMTB1nvsf61s9YDEKohCPIXkenIFBoH1aU94y7jsRZ6Yu9S_AKGBJ9ro7NrR33hBIRUfQN-6zAjyZLqKgJZNews__KVsPUMo4TceRRc8o1D9o4fHtrxX2qgOXHDByAiXKrwnPRxwE/s1600/IMAG1760+(640x342).jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YRQ6pcpAY6p2bS3c9wtZQLB2xgso7zA20wTXnyoqM4RgX6gBGIIYqRUGLWoZ0HIkZ7qqZnPEJvKbMfiaMcLPEoOtxy6zCx6hM73Vv56Wufb52xDsEk_BQ2HvUvYLbBFmvL2acbNGZCgr/s1600/IMAG1762+(640x451).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YRQ6pcpAY6p2bS3c9wtZQLB2xgso7zA20wTXnyoqM4RgX6gBGIIYqRUGLWoZ0HIkZ7qqZnPEJvKbMfiaMcLPEoOtxy6zCx6hM73Vv56Wufb52xDsEk_BQ2HvUvYLbBFmvL2acbNGZCgr/s1600/IMAG1762+(640x451).jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So that was the end of my first visit to India and more particularly, Mumbai. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Where 20 million people exist side by side in states of extreme wealth right through to abject poverty and where entrepreneurialism thrives as every man, woman and child finds ways to make ends meet. Its crowded streets are overwhelming, decimated at this time of year as the monsoon season wrings out its final downpours and filled with the strangely happy beep beep of car horns as the traffic pushes and snarls and untangles itself again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The atmosphere is one of tolerance - how could such diametric opposites co-exist without it - and a mixture of acceptance and hope, an acceptance of one's destiny yet a belief that one's actions in life will generate 'good' <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=karma" target="_blank">karma</a>. And I found myself unexpectedly moved by this metropolitan melting pot, its </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">busy, bustling hopefuls</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and its fusion of many opposites.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gregory Roberts writes this in Shantaram:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Fate gives all of us three teachers, three friends, three enemies, and three great loves in our lives. But these twelve are always disguised, and we can never know which one is which until we’ve loved them, left them, or fought them.” </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wonder what Mumbai will turn out to be.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-67137656372857010402014-09-06T13:24:00.000+01:002014-09-06T13:24:20.896+01:00A Day At The Fair...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time last week I was arriving at Heathrow Airport after a 9 day soujourn with <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/going-global.html" target="_blank">Seattle-A</a> and all of her boys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see, I'd managed to tack a few flights onto the end of a work trip so after about 7 hours flying (and a rather tight connection dash through Houston Airport en-route) I arrived at Seattle-Tacoma Airport on a warm evening in August to be hailed by a fond Coo-ee! and Seattle-A hug at the luggage belt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It'd been about 6 months since my last visit so there was loads for us to catch up on over a burrito and a gin and tonic on the way home. There are so many changes happening in both of our lives - she as a second-nation expat and mother of twin boys and me as somewhat of a jetsetter in my new (since last October) job - but the feeling of picking up where we left off last time remained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was an unexpectedly busy first few days as a) Grandma-C was enjoying the last few days of her very own Seattle sojourn and b) I was invited to accompany Team-M on a long weekend in <a href="http://www.wallawalla.org/" target="_blank">Walla Walla</a> in Washington's wine region under the auspices of celebrating a friend's 40th birthday. Hmmm more travelling...but made palatable by wine and friends at the end of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Returning from our weekend away, I was left with a few days to hang out at Chez-M, plenty of opportunity for a cuddle top-up with my favourite little dudes and to soak up some Seattle-A time to sustain me until my next visit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On my penultimate day, this included a trip to the Evergreen State Fair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There was some discussion between Seattle-A and I beforehand as to what format this would take compared with our Aussie experiences - pavilions, rides, shows or lots of livestock to stand around and 'admire' outside. As it turned out, it was a bit of everything plus some fair 'fare' so here's a quick scoot around the fairground for your armchair touring pleasure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There was not one but two ferris wheels...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZOjxrD8PnvtVV50EgibfFVL9U-Fy8PtJ_SCOdH_Y7vAPIZKIPG5wPFS7gihDUOEn218FW4rMmrObw2XuGTjFIGHENJLJjZ4vwYco49h8CtfQPz06lwSp_556MrB7yjCUxID7jMsz1bc9/s1600/DSCN5542+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZOjxrD8PnvtVV50EgibfFVL9U-Fy8PtJ_SCOdH_Y7vAPIZKIPG5wPFS7gihDUOEn218FW4rMmrObw2XuGTjFIGHENJLJjZ4vwYco49h8CtfQPz06lwSp_556MrB7yjCUxID7jMsz1bc9/s1600/DSCN5542+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...and there were rides and games and plenty of vittels...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8VMgHS_h5S5NS0mumWUzNoLn3XhEdvERE9zSr7IVvW0JkDQMn2hMtxCpz1zJ1svY90nYtQXviIsIc2_sqPn2mlu4JInxIMGJreQN3xiZuxym7C-EnIT_iywwsWZiJb0XA8ZV40o8rVXl/s1600/fairgrounds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8VMgHS_h5S5NS0mumWUzNoLn3XhEdvERE9zSr7IVvW0JkDQMn2hMtxCpz1zJ1svY90nYtQXviIsIc2_sqPn2mlu4JInxIMGJreQN3xiZuxym7C-EnIT_iywwsWZiJb0XA8ZV40o8rVXl/s1600/fairgrounds+1.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...although the <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/a-town-called-snohomish.html" target="_blank">Snohomish Pie Company</a> (above bottom right) sold only sweet pies much to our disappointment. This turned into an important cultural lesson as the locals in our group laughed at our 'uniquely Australian' expectation of a savoury Snohomish slice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We soon got our own back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0xn_MGKUTSOl2l_1wnfndCfKER_derJxDNnpDYYYgfyjQJBke9B7EMc3hcHc33iZqBxjfxmYAe4ZdeXDNPx_zhEyKbuZH5pNULmQF0GD7OrxI3xGUnt5Ob-29CIUPKVruwo_ejY2zRLL/s1600/DSCN5511+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0xn_MGKUTSOl2l_1wnfndCfKER_derJxDNnpDYYYgfyjQJBke9B7EMc3hcHc33iZqBxjfxmYAe4ZdeXDNPx_zhEyKbuZH5pNULmQF0GD7OrxI3xGUnt5Ob-29CIUPKVruwo_ejY2zRLL/s1600/DSCN5511+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seattle-A and I were rather curious about this apparently Australian delicacy, a large onion peeled, flowered and floured before being deep-fried. Upon interrogating the purveyor of said goods, we learnt that there was no Down Under connection at all. Nor did we find out who 'Aussie' was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a quick reconnaissance we were soon tucking in to some local vittels of our own...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvpJHoB0L1YcU9FCML4W2yDL-XsRn2-mKdrmakyNwCAYc0s3vfZdJ_Hge_O_WdFGX8X1h96Ot7Z2GYgHIAkF8m6gY2zELB0CqpbdCfbbYfg7Z9JOKZeaC5rlOYJPa1wcFngVLeDUdPcBK/s1600/fairground+fare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvpJHoB0L1YcU9FCML4W2yDL-XsRn2-mKdrmakyNwCAYc0s3vfZdJ_Hge_O_WdFGX8X1h96Ot7Z2GYgHIAkF8m6gY2zELB0CqpbdCfbbYfg7Z9JOKZeaC5rlOYJPa1wcFngVLeDUdPcBK/s1600/fairground+fare.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The top right photo shows bacon on a stick. Yes that's right - bacon - on a stick. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those enormous deep fried things bottom right are onions rings (as distinct from the onion burst discovered earlier).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To the left is my lunch: a bottle of root beer (seriously I could not get enough of this stuff - anyone who can tell me where I can buy this in the UK will earn my eternal gratitude) and an all-American Russian piroshky. The lady was making these by hand when I approached the van so it was a salmon and cream cheese one for me and a meatier version for Seattle-A - delicious!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soon it was time for a little more wandering </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and while we were searching for the petting zoo (the main agenda for our visit), our little group was waylaid, this time by ice-cream. Seattle-A was delighted with her Chocolate-Almond choice and was looking forward to devouring the whole lot...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXebKAh8OHK75hIrdqtMIFpAMEWfq9Sz76F28PktDTii2LweyRsEL-yninu_e3tJrFNkwM0mAmxUx3E4VYBohSZDMUuUuGXklFU7V8DlqBeAQQYGtqguLJnwt1n4fQcpsjwtnBxDGFHaR/s1600/DSCN5534+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXebKAh8OHK75hIrdqtMIFpAMEWfq9Sz76F28PktDTii2LweyRsEL-yninu_e3tJrFNkwM0mAmxUx3E4VYBohSZDMUuUuGXklFU7V8DlqBeAQQYGtqguLJnwt1n4fQcpsjwtnBxDGFHaR/s1600/DSCN5534+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...but the little dudes, particularly R, had other ideas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BPnb_vVRRlOd5GfObMRvDrOrHAOh4TVlopO0Ii4geTpAQXFqoi4Vn_-CnKicbrzC0D4cHDNLkZ4wDeM3qi7IyaGkp99Od1X9nynMjgyb_9uE4CqnsIEPSsw6-C4dAQbqIWSbRIkgaiJ4/s1600/DSCN5535+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BPnb_vVRRlOd5GfObMRvDrOrHAOh4TVlopO0Ii4geTpAQXFqoi4Vn_-CnKicbrzC0D4cHDNLkZ4wDeM3qi7IyaGkp99Od1X9nynMjgyb_9uE4CqnsIEPSsw6-C4dAQbqIWSbRIkgaiJ4/s1600/DSCN5535+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I can't say I blame them - the couple of bites I had were divine!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More meandering followed with the little dudes practicing their new-found walking skills...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsXRMOhvzm-LEXhuee6uPzoXVBwydyqe7XJ7dSCAE2GeCWJ0FXsjCHiUMmxIZpCO1qmp1_NFwd8L2xh1pmjltdQJdgUeoMZh9w3kPo4SCmw7J1F-8yZO6a4Iflz0ecsQy4QYVP4Z1Dqy0/s1600/DSCN5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsXRMOhvzm-LEXhuee6uPzoXVBwydyqe7XJ7dSCAE2GeCWJ0FXsjCHiUMmxIZpCO1qmp1_NFwd8L2xh1pmjltdQJdgUeoMZh9w3kPo4SCmw7J1F-8yZO6a4Iflz0ecsQy4QYVP4Z1Dqy0/s1600/DSCN5532.JPG" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...and before long we found ourselves near our destination, these wooden creatures greeting us as we approached</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> the location of said petting zoo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoypyxijw3OFkmSd7YY8tOpkcXq_5Z2f_Sb2BvEdkPbg7wAExCfGdhtJhAXCw7R98icN-8dTxwb4XD_I6bqEHDjc0RviAqsTBVv5dzHt83zpp5ODZHe5YIoPi_iYd0IBhC8NeIX5wddUN/s1600/DSCN5543+(464x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoypyxijw3OFkmSd7YY8tOpkcXq_5Z2f_Sb2BvEdkPbg7wAExCfGdhtJhAXCw7R98icN-8dTxwb4XD_I6bqEHDjc0RviAqsTBVv5dzHt83zpp5ODZHe5YIoPi_iYd0IBhC8NeIX5wddUN/s1600/DSCN5543+(464x640).jpg" height="400" width="290" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With bears in the Chez-M area - neighbours report ursine visitors ransacking garbage bins under cover of darkness - w</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">e thought the ones below would look great scattered through the trees surrounding Chez-M but were unsure as to whether they would attract, repel or even 'upset' the real thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOJk7oj1wdslZPU4Uq-pjNWpW5me_4MROljIIXpXb4qCzU1DaUXSL_Y3nYPs-NtSbQ4rNE36paGI_UAXDNjCAZTaTm4MHhnDvCgeK6uOemasHwuyhlwmYwUxjIa8Pr2sjeHtoDtxuXYA8/s1600/DSCN5544+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOJk7oj1wdslZPU4Uq-pjNWpW5me_4MROljIIXpXb4qCzU1DaUXSL_Y3nYPs-NtSbQ4rNE36paGI_UAXDNjCAZTaTm4MHhnDvCgeK6uOemasHwuyhlwmYwUxjIa8Pr2sjeHtoDtxuXYA8/s1600/DSCN5544+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking of locals, we were also treated to a display of indigenous colour and rhythm here so the little 'uns in our party did a bit of tribal foot-stamping to the beat of a native drum.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RG0hs-l8bE3DY6HgeMczS7pKH2vPU2dVS_HDWT3M1hwKFf8o3Ga3uV_w97fOPrp5-81pjcoOto3tFELoeMSU5q1_PGBBcMWmm2souLdOkZXRfyiKzAFC5kHR2137aa5vsuixuBTmeIxQ/s1600/DSCN5549+(492x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RG0hs-l8bE3DY6HgeMczS7pKH2vPU2dVS_HDWT3M1hwKFf8o3Ga3uV_w97fOPrp5-81pjcoOto3tFELoeMSU5q1_PGBBcMWmm2souLdOkZXRfyiKzAFC5kHR2137aa5vsuixuBTmeIxQ/s1600/DSCN5549+(492x640).jpg" height="400" width="307" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, we made it to the zoo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hooray I hear you say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">O (left) was not entirely sure of the competition for Mum's attention...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdK_U4AATQkW6IMbPp_n-wsGmt8EOQlhGQDHXzVwV2vCBPocUxzhyphenhyphennlalgps7G0hoArzCAohYITVKk-ExW7BwLngBu7mcks-Z3LvaGKLLFHfuiGXXhpLXs4XVLm0TQtwzCKz1tiM_OxeK/s1600/petting+zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdK_U4AATQkW6IMbPp_n-wsGmt8EOQlhGQDHXzVwV2vCBPocUxzhyphenhyphennlalgps7G0hoArzCAohYITVKk-ExW7BwLngBu7mcks-Z3LvaGKLLFHfuiGXXhpLXs4XVLm0TQtwzCKz1tiM_OxeK/s1600/petting+zoo.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">....but R (right) was fascinated by these real-life creatures previously only seen in picture books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So that was our big day at the fair. A hot, blue-sky day filled with new experiences for the young...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU5upwpCHu4ZPa4l_KW6fmuiNOgRL6dPAjR_2WhyQhXDFEU61vYZizwYD4o6T2tv-eKyQPW_U4VyvVmouX33XCcvqOCEMv6MwJrUwopwnZyDNOBxYWi4PFuimhIE9P0oaGqdDwLTH2vDI/s1600/DSCN5509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU5upwpCHu4ZPa4l_KW6fmuiNOgRL6dPAjR_2WhyQhXDFEU61vYZizwYD4o6T2tv-eKyQPW_U4VyvVmouX33XCcvqOCEMv6MwJrUwopwnZyDNOBxYWi4PFuimhIE9P0oaGqdDwLTH2vDI/s1600/DSCN5509.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...and the young at heart.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiSNjIkDqgQ-erjj9qbifikdshdylOhCkF8tmE0sfyqCtPWxAzfiM1puSOohioGPQPI6zgrBWBHc0Rl087RXn8WwF1wUM32QSTVFx9bsSazmnJraEcL6PIKEi8bvWxGLI1WXkXNecLbqs/s1600/DSCN5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiSNjIkDqgQ-erjj9qbifikdshdylOhCkF8tmE0sfyqCtPWxAzfiM1puSOohioGPQPI6zgrBWBHc0Rl087RXn8WwF1wUM32QSTVFx9bsSazmnJraEcL6PIKEi8bvWxGLI1WXkXNecLbqs/s1600/DSCN5525.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so the following day I packed my Day at the Fair alongside my new stash of Seattle memories in my suitcase, said some emotional good-byes and flew home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I'm already thinking about the next trip. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see Seattle-A turns 40 next year...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and you know how I love a birthday!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-59125077714735429162014-08-27T02:05:00.001+01:002014-08-27T02:05:30.283+01:00British...With A Twang<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been living in London now for more than ten years and l</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ately I've been thinking about forking out some of my hard-earned pounds for British citizenship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have no plans to make my home elsewhere. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've blogged before about my pride in <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-daring-adventure.html">the life I have built here</a> and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I still love London. Y</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">et there is a part of me that wonders whether some change in legislation or circumstance might result in my losing my right to live and work here (for the uninitiated, this is called Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With all of the travelling that's been going on of late, I love nothing better than coming back to London's grit, its hustle and its stiff upper lip-ness - things that I never thought I'd love given the qualities I miss most from Down Under are our laconic ease and quintessential directness. And my London friends tell me that I'm still identifiably Australian.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But i</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">n the last few weeks, meeting new people has been met with 'Y</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ou sound English - but there's a twang in there? Where are you from?' as opposed to the previous 'Are you from Australia or New Zealand?'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back in June 2011, I read an article in the <a href="http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/">Australian Times</a> which asked Are You Losing Your Australian-ness? and at the time, <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.com/2011/06/12-stepslosing-my-religion.html">I identified two things</a>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. </b>I was about 41% of the way along the list of 12 steps indicating British-ness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2.</b> That British-ness would overtake me after about a decade.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So it seems that the article was true to its word - linguistically speaking that is. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">But as we Australians can maintain our Aussie citizenship and hold a British passport, it's not like I have to relinquish everything. It will just be that my <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.com/2013/01/theres-no-place-like-home.html">divided heart</a> will be manifested in dual nationality. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Life has a funny way of throwing one a curve ball and while I might be sitting in the dugout waiting for the next 'batter up!' (I'm in America at the moment so please excuse the additional third-cultural reference), previous innings have shown that it's best to be a little prepared.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So it means I have to fork out some cash and get a few details together...like details of the last five years of travelling...to complete my application. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Now that's going to take some doing...</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72HkTwuHNIbZTGalUTp6c6K0klV4tgRUgWS1GNIqPJbBqve-0RPVwYz4O3sl4a8-WwNt3jsw_TesQ4Ly5G1PaCFklm-MiX4YEJuKJGNRkyB_x6-UL6jUPueEbJ8Yod0LyuxE1mrLPVibe/s1600/passport+stamps+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72HkTwuHNIbZTGalUTp6c6K0klV4tgRUgWS1GNIqPJbBqve-0RPVwYz4O3sl4a8-WwNt3jsw_TesQ4Ly5G1PaCFklm-MiX4YEJuKJGNRkyB_x6-UL6jUPueEbJ8Yod0LyuxE1mrLPVibe/s1600/passport+stamps+2.JPG" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">...because quite frankly, this is just the tip of the iceberg!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-5362073012223073582014-08-16T21:38:00.002+01:002014-08-16T21:38:53.407+01:00Ode To Ghent...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a birthday of fun</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On August day one,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On August day two</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A wedding was done</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Amid friends old and new</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we boogied on down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a big night of play</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To blow cobwebs away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It seemed just the thing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To arrange for a day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of touristic sightsee-ing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a neighbouring town.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghent">Ghent</a> (or to Gent)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the Sunday we went</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By train and by tram</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To the place we were meant</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To meet a man with a plan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And a boat to cruise 'round.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite threat of a shower</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We cruised for an hour</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Umbrellas at ready</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Past turret and tower</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our camera clicks steady.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not a drop did fall down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx01HchUlnnXilayndL0B-u3zOyTs_I-qXxWtbWtnlbh8YhBWitI86wo5-X6mVAS47ZGYEzkPD_0BJQETSWHpczjUQnW-Y8oLU3IzaIJoNtPSLQmFeWHkiS4OdrsAl7vnWRciaOgiElBG7/s1600/DSCN5240+(640x464).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx01HchUlnnXilayndL0B-u3zOyTs_I-qXxWtbWtnlbh8YhBWitI86wo5-X6mVAS47ZGYEzkPD_0BJQETSWHpczjUQnW-Y8oLU3IzaIJoNtPSLQmFeWHkiS4OdrsAl7vnWRciaOgiElBG7/s1600/DSCN5240+(640x464).jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZnr_FXUlJPF5M5ENks2yowG335NtwFxP7GfUHDKR2rEnz9wnczqrfiiJ_oYIeHem60ydW_aDu7JhQ7MlRWS205NrCd6QupFcgyTKUEfI94WjL-YdJ7PuLKxj955G4fzt1kXzfeKjRdof/s1600/DSCN5287+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZnr_FXUlJPF5M5ENks2yowG335NtwFxP7GfUHDKR2rEnz9wnczqrfiiJ_oYIeHem60ydW_aDu7JhQ7MlRWS205NrCd6QupFcgyTKUEfI94WjL-YdJ7PuLKxj955G4fzt1kXzfeKjRdof/s1600/DSCN5287+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n2zUUJNgo9FGozBUoGZdqKL4zx48_O48P5cYBUz33xGtmN85grmTCSXk0kLPU9IOqAfB1WDHH_OiRG14j4LwdXfV2D-9lbSGrv9bXosA3T3PJp-0aC6VO_628MM-n4sljkJmgK2pwXt3/s1600/DSCN5296+(491x640).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n2zUUJNgo9FGozBUoGZdqKL4zx48_O48P5cYBUz33xGtmN85grmTCSXk0kLPU9IOqAfB1WDHH_OiRG14j4LwdXfV2D-9lbSGrv9bXosA3T3PJp-0aC6VO_628MM-n4sljkJmgK2pwXt3/s1600/DSCN5296+(491x640).jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPO5UaHmtgj7hJe48q3O2f4G8eGjUyZbVSCga0HGSoIhEFgACybk3pmKq4o0IMLHoD-Sw16iP3ue7IPHGRMM4tlVlDAyHXZbERXLWeZ1G85U5uOGoFRWU-kpzLH7Kdd0XbWVeDAXhPpYT/s1600/DSCN5302+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPO5UaHmtgj7hJe48q3O2f4G8eGjUyZbVSCga0HGSoIhEFgACybk3pmKq4o0IMLHoD-Sw16iP3ue7IPHGRMM4tlVlDAyHXZbERXLWeZ1G85U5uOGoFRWU-kpzLH7Kdd0XbWVeDAXhPpYT/s1600/DSCN5302+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitqwWsDY7fDTYTWehOqUDaA_hRmJlCuRnXQkZNIFIA6pZPIXkB5nNK-m7VzOyZnOledMyh5g5vr9h_6e-b2BYXX2fnt1npzFup-xlsyplZWf4gMU9mAJLE3Uf6ipihUXExHNJx3jzHp7d/s1600/DSCN5271+(640x435).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitqwWsDY7fDTYTWehOqUDaA_hRmJlCuRnXQkZNIFIA6pZPIXkB5nNK-m7VzOyZnOledMyh5g5vr9h_6e-b2BYXX2fnt1npzFup-xlsyplZWf4gMU9mAJLE3Uf6ipihUXExHNJx3jzHp7d/s1600/DSCN5271+(640x435).jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next up was a talk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And historical walk</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Through old cobbled streets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At architecture we gawked</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And ate local treats:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenever">Jenever</a> and waffles warmed brown.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KtxCYYpmEJx2_eG-MgL_2ZyDW0RRhxsj0jhSmax1SHcOqpYnI29wz3NaUQ7XJUEuTiRhMuOLjmXXRV8ESLJoa8tOQF5oPTVOO-gv8yupB6IhU195aCD43kvMBtwj84E9OeyAp4NIRiwM/s1600/DSCN5255+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KtxCYYpmEJx2_eG-MgL_2ZyDW0RRhxsj0jhSmax1SHcOqpYnI29wz3NaUQ7XJUEuTiRhMuOLjmXXRV8ESLJoa8tOQF5oPTVOO-gv8yupB6IhU195aCD43kvMBtwj84E9OeyAp4NIRiwM/s1600/DSCN5255+(480x640).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EUzCPMsnouiOV94-CP4SbLbJJp4Ej5E4R2i9deua_PGRokvHARqXgGzgbAbirvNhyphenhyphencETH-pPge4obTvn1prrqWAtUsi3LGYGZ6BMlUtQ7XLA9M9mWYRlsvNaK4bWOY5mpK7wmZkH8-KK/s1600/DSCN5372+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EUzCPMsnouiOV94-CP4SbLbJJp4Ej5E4R2i9deua_PGRokvHARqXgGzgbAbirvNhyphenhyphencETH-pPge4obTvn1prrqWAtUsi3LGYGZ6BMlUtQ7XLA9M9mWYRlsvNaK4bWOY5mpK7wmZkH8-KK/s1600/DSCN5372+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8o9WCwwtRNrPAKm10laIU07HtuRoDuGJ3pzkv-u6zO-U6NabAeh2jaKxibzvURixAPEY6BXTf0mF14-OhofnrDa_5kSJDE_X2tLXGd0Lav0J5aQ12l22ZWlS79SxkmV8btJxLlGd61BO/s1600/DSCN5390+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8o9WCwwtRNrPAKm10laIU07HtuRoDuGJ3pzkv-u6zO-U6NabAeh2jaKxibzvURixAPEY6BXTf0mF14-OhofnrDa_5kSJDE_X2tLXGd0Lav0J5aQ12l22ZWlS79SxkmV8btJxLlGd61BO/s1600/DSCN5390+(480x640).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3qE10JZAhJASv2oyW1AbqYlvMxsxmsigSG7Oe0V0-DnHLxVpN-XPOD1RAMg3UVZpKUFuYhs-EKRo2XZy7CGZbbU0vN8CiiRaVElwL40brZf1WVJ4c3_zIQk0qdEpdy-vvXzpIjKMVTBO/s1600/DSCN5328+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3qE10JZAhJASv2oyW1AbqYlvMxsxmsigSG7Oe0V0-DnHLxVpN-XPOD1RAMg3UVZpKUFuYhs-EKRo2XZy7CGZbbU0vN8CiiRaVElwL40brZf1WVJ4c3_zIQk0qdEpdy-vvXzpIjKMVTBO/s1600/DSCN5328+(480x640).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-9vkrc-RMCrrpgaYkgnexsGxpvMP8rO2XCbc8pw_FDlcnf2OxN0T_L2hYY7S9E-m2jgQT6D9FWNJZ7Q-A8GK_fCCnD-ueot8s0yQ3h_La1sgAaSiuO3gcDnWfwRFo4yd5w4mgmB10PiM/s1600/DSCN5342+(439x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-9vkrc-RMCrrpgaYkgnexsGxpvMP8rO2XCbc8pw_FDlcnf2OxN0T_L2hYY7S9E-m2jgQT6D9FWNJZ7Q-A8GK_fCCnD-ueot8s0yQ3h_La1sgAaSiuO3gcDnWfwRFo4yd5w4mgmB10PiM/s1600/DSCN5342+(439x640).jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMoVOUdelXaw4NxyEGGXBOFBDje6cdAsVjBhYrlIrh3V5gkyrNnp9K0499iKZGGCFLyPK63PSirKgcsns3r_7lqmIYX-cFk7pm_JkysYIA6hbKTPECPYQG6aA-mi1uZ6KNQlIhBh4TOS8/s1600/DSCN5370+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMoVOUdelXaw4NxyEGGXBOFBDje6cdAsVjBhYrlIrh3V5gkyrNnp9K0499iKZGGCFLyPK63PSirKgcsns3r_7lqmIYX-cFk7pm_JkysYIA6hbKTPECPYQG6aA-mi1uZ6KNQlIhBh4TOS8/s1600/DSCN5370+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmD5GTeNuGnRk00KqTczuliLf_0yHXwH4umNdacVqIHQqwnW5Wec1E1xtye3_7Es7KLSvVxinuos2zNImpXqHJYP0dH-delg2unCfoNJyM3G0VEfxhV1-Yri8Rxwi17bxsta8s-XbA2FF/s1600/DSCN5356+(458x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmD5GTeNuGnRk00KqTczuliLf_0yHXwH4umNdacVqIHQqwnW5Wec1E1xtye3_7Es7KLSvVxinuos2zNImpXqHJYP0dH-delg2unCfoNJyM3G0VEfxhV1-Yri8Rxwi17bxsta8s-XbA2FF/s1600/DSCN5356+(458x640).jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apple jenever - delicious</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We enjoyed the Ghent view</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For an hour or two</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then sought a beer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- a good local brew</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To wish all good cheer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(no sorrows to drown).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BmwtRbifVCjFYk2neaSG7TMU5Lb0ZKO-tBcs43PO96GxLPRgFQB7_6P8GeMjbm1qCh-6wcSxdMtbuFxhCasdF42MAyrFpkD5yOvTZuWmJDLZ_xzUwqLJEwquyWDs_iWxcWjyuCWk6Hrj/s1600/DSCN5318+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BmwtRbifVCjFYk2neaSG7TMU5Lb0ZKO-tBcs43PO96GxLPRgFQB7_6P8GeMjbm1qCh-6wcSxdMtbuFxhCasdF42MAyrFpkD5yOvTZuWmJDLZ_xzUwqLJEwquyWDs_iWxcWjyuCWk6Hrj/s1600/DSCN5318+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A wide selection of local beverages</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So we followed our nose,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Down cobblestone roads</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Til we came to a square</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where a man with a pose</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Said 'beer over there!'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With an authoritative frown.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgMPj8tIZQEoC2C8FLDUHTEmCeO2PfiAiJEyjmvyx8eAfPxwKjDTvw6ZVPC8o6_RCAqn-352aLIftYj1e1qoG_5t0ZButDlaL-ZPsyfgVJ4esFvHrHoK_fQEP4FtJ-I_ut-gJuu747sAq/s1600/DSCN5399+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgMPj8tIZQEoC2C8FLDUHTEmCeO2PfiAiJEyjmvyx8eAfPxwKjDTvw6ZVPC8o6_RCAqn-352aLIftYj1e1qoG_5t0ZButDlaL-ZPsyfgVJ4esFvHrHoK_fQEP4FtJ-I_ut-gJuu747sAq/s1600/DSCN5399+(480x640).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Statue of <a href="http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_van_Artevelde_(historisch_figuur)">Jacob van Artevelde</a> in <a href="http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrijdagmarkt_(Gent)">Vridagsmarket</a> (Friday Market)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI23jrtVBBYtLmZOjFOCrsRDM3ITOVMm38kYENUc9z07mEBSvojFHJtej5XLUQeavPlBZBgNdKZ-7gL5pZj3q3YSUMo8FfpNGCHubNMgtm6uz9VXSKckzMmgCkKXhkoBfD0O4U0yEYGKiH/s1600/IMAG1616+(640x362).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI23jrtVBBYtLmZOjFOCrsRDM3ITOVMm38kYENUc9z07mEBSvojFHJtej5XLUQeavPlBZBgNdKZ-7gL5pZj3q3YSUMo8FfpNGCHubNMgtm6uz9VXSKckzMmgCkKXhkoBfD0O4U0yEYGKiH/s1600/IMAG1616+(640x362).jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So thirst quenched we went</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To a rib joint in Ghent</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before travelling back,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An afternoon well-spent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And as the sky to turned to black</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were hotel-bound.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTEnylm9sVcQC4tlFvM-mDO_feyzTNuk-p54-6CYhUflV8FdveqygXAbPlTFRKICXD8IhyphenhyphenpZ6rMzd_tz3UIrjcjiHUx41gvoos_QYsZGtLycRbKlSiPcWjbFWn6G6MiDYc0Ve4GfRjQI0/s1600/DSCN5403+(640x466).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTEnylm9sVcQC4tlFvM-mDO_feyzTNuk-p54-6CYhUflV8FdveqygXAbPlTFRKICXD8IhyphenhyphenpZ6rMzd_tz3UIrjcjiHUx41gvoos_QYsZGtLycRbKlSiPcWjbFWn6G6MiDYc0Ve4GfRjQI0/s1600/DSCN5403+(640x466).jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ghent train station</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfXGwy3OWiGbMYd3DjCVfZL5clhypWZtu89dKT9WOKU9fU-9-lyhjkwlVyF_QQEWgQABIup8_f50tYQ4TjODx84FMxgWOY2fRr4fOGKy4vqEHWiPN6WIvuhNqVCnxYQS2Y8k2r8ArBrrA/s1600/DSCN5404+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfXGwy3OWiGbMYd3DjCVfZL5clhypWZtu89dKT9WOKU9fU-9-lyhjkwlVyF_QQEWgQABIup8_f50tYQ4TjODx84FMxgWOY2fRr4fOGKy4vqEHWiPN6WIvuhNqVCnxYQS2Y8k2r8ArBrrA/s1600/DSCN5404+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Glorious ceiling inside the station entrance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So that was my ode</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To Ghent, the abode</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Wiggins">Wiggins</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_van_Eyck">Van Eyck</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghent_Altarpiece">altarpiece</a> of note.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And it does seem to me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's much more to like</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next time around!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-6339006783587092282014-08-09T22:23:00.001+01:002014-08-09T22:23:10.970+01:00No Bed-Hopping Allowed...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been about a month since I posted. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's an unexpected state of affairs for me as there's been a lot of great stuff going on including birthday number 45 (note the absence of the all important <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/its-julyand-you-know-what-that-means.html">birthday countdown</a>), a wedding and five overseas trips in the space of six weeks. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I love sharing this kind of stuff.</span><div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I'm full. Like an over-stimulated child at a birthday party, full of the thrill of new people and the excitement of new experiences, who absolutely insists it is not time to go home yet who falls asleep in the back of the car the minute you leave the driveway.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I feel so full that I've struggled to choose something to write about. It's like someone tipped about 20 jigsaws worth of puzzle pieces into my head and I just can't work out where to start. Corners, borders, some obvious part of the middle bit...it's all felt a bit much to deal with and I've found myself going around and around and around - and then doing nothing at all - on a fairly regular basis.</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that's where I am at - I am tired. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. Just tired.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And as I look forward to being at home - in my own bed - for ten days in a row, well it feels like absolute bliss.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So for the next week or so that is where I'll be...unless well, of course...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXtsFBnZRBAEj2kqGBpHFPUrRBCsRS3EDhyphenhyphenNSc29t-v47RqwaQf7RWjQR3H6Q7-qrfvEmt6oOREaeofWdG3vAUlPQm7Oq2gLbh2Yo118JysJuxJ1u6x0xl0fEQg9GEAiVubnRlepUlbXK/s1600/IMAG1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXtsFBnZRBAEj2kqGBpHFPUrRBCsRS3EDhyphenhyphenNSc29t-v47RqwaQf7RWjQR3H6Q7-qrfvEmt6oOREaeofWdG3vAUlPQm7Oq2gLbh2Yo118JysJuxJ1u6x0xl0fEQg9GEAiVubnRlepUlbXK/s1600/IMAG1646.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>This year's winner for the birthday card of best fit...</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.04190444946289px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ş</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">erefe, proost, sant</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.04190444946289px;">é</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">, cheers and bottoms up!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After all life is for celebrating and there are 356 days to <strike>go</strike> celebrate until birthday number 46 wraps its arms around me.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-85959030073077342952014-07-13T21:29:00.001+01:002014-07-13T21:29:18.094+01:00Around The Globe...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You know I love London. And you know I love a walking tour. So you may not be surprised that last Sunday I was up and out early-ish to join one. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is my third walking tour with Blue Badge guide <a href="http://crossingthecity.co.uk/">Paula Cooze</a>, the first being a wander through the City <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/in-shardlakes-shoes.html">in Shardlake's Shoes</a> last September and the second exploring the <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/my-backyardbuilding-blocks.html">City's architecture from the Barbican to Bishopsgate</a> in January this year. This time there was a wander around the globe to look forward to...Shakespeare's Globe that is...so I trundled tube-style down to London Bridge Station and ambled over to our meeting point at the theatre. This is what followed...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHfoZRTIh3UGOzDhyP_WNx9hNsR9VOlLtspMpqO39smNQh6XphnbbBn0IAQODCAa353_BLTMtZ1yMG36nbx1gt0CBHmSY9EtnVnKHZd4OL7BAqFT4WVwJiFTuwZkYUtGF2SrfF_hBqXZj/s1600/IMAG1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHfoZRTIh3UGOzDhyP_WNx9hNsR9VOlLtspMpqO39smNQh6XphnbbBn0IAQODCAa353_BLTMtZ1yMG36nbx1gt0CBHmSY9EtnVnKHZd4OL7BAqFT4WVwJiFTuwZkYUtGF2SrfF_hBqXZj/s1600/IMAG1540.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHfoZRTIh3UGOzDhyP_WNx9hNsR9VOlLtspMpqO39smNQh6XphnbbBn0IAQODCAa353_BLTMtZ1yMG36nbx1gt0CBHmSY9EtnVnKHZd4OL7BAqFT4WVwJiFTuwZkYUtGF2SrfF_hBqXZj/s1600/IMAG1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></i></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">You are right. This is not the Globe theatre but it's right outside The Anchor pub on the river bank. As I was waiting for the appointed start time to approach, I found myself quite taken by this quaint, quasi-seaside scene with The Shard looming in the background.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">This is the Globe theatre built in 1997 after the first was destroyed by fire in 1613 and the second pulled down in 1644 (after being shut down by the Puritans in 1642). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-TMKIE0zUVe0C7UNNwEZD-nbjJfnXgYqptkwvF2onSSnPX-w9fwyQTexSo6lWWsBKx9iPIHvZSTvYH_iccwk_xQsHeQmlGZeW7_hw4DKVjitPvXjWaVJNd3QyNhTiB-fZ69pn0vI9KQ3/s1600/IMAG1550+%2528640x362%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-TMKIE0zUVe0C7UNNwEZD-nbjJfnXgYqptkwvF2onSSnPX-w9fwyQTexSo6lWWsBKx9iPIHvZSTvYH_iccwk_xQsHeQmlGZeW7_hw4DKVjitPvXjWaVJNd3QyNhTiB-fZ69pn0vI9KQ3/s1600/IMAG1550+%2528640x362%2529.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">It is said to be a faithful reproduction of the original - while no plans were ever available to study, local archaeological sites have revealed clues which have been used to make this version as authentic as possible. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">This is the original site of the theatre: Old Theatre Court in Park Street, about 230m away from the current replica. You can pay close to £2,000/month to live in a 71 square metre, one bedroom apartment here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESFo8Lc4dvl5khGDPIJyrk8APl8hA0SVq1RGQmcjvULadReyr68FX4VTur2NsYJyYT9FeljN0LBx7DDj_vn7UFkkQno6upiA6i0mXiMRSmXw0KYssdSBE05kZ6fnMsN9N2y-aH_G6IBoM/s1600/prior+globe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESFo8Lc4dvl5khGDPIJyrk8APl8hA0SVq1RGQmcjvULadReyr68FX4VTur2NsYJyYT9FeljN0LBx7DDj_vn7UFkkQno6upiA6i0mXiMRSmXw0KYssdSBE05kZ6fnMsN9N2y-aH_G6IBoM/s1600/prior+globe.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">Speaking of money, the rebuilding of Shakespeare's Globe would not have been possible without <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Wanamaker">Sam Wanamaker</a>, an American actor and director who set up the Shakespeare Globe Trust in 1970 to rebuild the theatre. The contributions of those who made this possible are celebrated in the paving stones in the theatre courtyard whilst the candlelit theatre that opened next door last year - the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse - honours the man himself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UVF1B7pqyg-uGuUj9FJVjrewMOnCBf1U8GQ_UHYOs2YdOM5jGBFVbaTcNjTfyEUfUqB9boPjrNan7gIHMmCljxEojNytBGBI7n9HSZyFcetDX-2MALe_Gr4afzDslkGi_QzAX_Tei7xR/s1600/globe+underfoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UVF1B7pqyg-uGuUj9FJVjrewMOnCBf1U8GQ_UHYOs2YdOM5jGBFVbaTcNjTfyEUfUqB9boPjrNan7gIHMmCljxEojNytBGBI7n9HSZyFcetDX-2MALe_Gr4afzDslkGi_QzAX_Tei7xR/s1600/globe+underfoot.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from top left: Prunella Scales (Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers); Nigel Hawthorne (Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes Minister); Zoe Wanamaker (My Family, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Agatha Christie Poirot series as Ariadne Oliver)</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our next stop was the former site of the Anchor Brewery further along Park Street.<span style="text-align: center;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d7DgfSK6JcZWP0k2VmK31nYo8dbORIgQZefekFzl2xd8qcqkVlzuJ1MnuGRV0LW9VVEi7le9HOLkKIfh04yfPLI4pfDimvuzSlmTbZCaFMKslstekxgn5gAE7UPJKMSHqBpROSfZRb7t/s1600/anchor+brewery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d7DgfSK6JcZWP0k2VmK31nYo8dbORIgQZefekFzl2xd8qcqkVlzuJ1MnuGRV0LW9VVEi7le9HOLkKIfh04yfPLI4pfDimvuzSlmTbZCaFMKslstekxgn5gAE7UPJKMSHqBpROSfZRb7t/s1600/anchor+brewery.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Built in 1616 by James Monger, the brewery grew to be the largest in the world in the early nineteenth century. After a succession of owners and a merge with Courage in 1955, the brewery itself was pulled down in 1981 to be be replaced by council estate housing (top right). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Bankside">The Anchor Tavern</a> (bottom right) still stands in its Bankside location nearby and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">history marks this site as having had a public house on it for 800 years. A</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">side from some reputedly excellent fish and chips, it has played host to Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames in the closing scenes of the movie, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film)" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mission Impossible</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And if you turn around and look across the river, you'll see just why Samuel Pepys wrote of sitting at 'this alehouse' watching the great fire of London...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvQVC21_pNCYwc2KSOvlYsq5mMWbn8qpLjnlAoIx52fIoYwrh6ee7zlsQwBG051qySy89pZOZUkZHWcEF7wLSAiPmPQu50LTiPrMgZm_VdXaDKO5kMMFF83P6u64GC6lyJiOnX7dMzyXW/s1600/DSCN5119+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvQVC21_pNCYwc2KSOvlYsq5mMWbn8qpLjnlAoIx52fIoYwrh6ee7zlsQwBG051qySy89pZOZUkZHWcEF7wLSAiPmPQu50LTiPrMgZm_VdXaDKO5kMMFF83P6u64GC6lyJiOnX7dMzyXW/s1600/DSCN5119+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The golden orb of the Monument stands amidst the geometry of the modern city. Laying the column down brings the tip to the site of the bakery in Pudding Lane where the Great Fire of London began in 1666.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Around the corner and though the arch we walked to stop outside The Clink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD0PjbPxj_mSZAiglzCIg7zshJNgFSw7Jzm7sXljOUpQ_BUtXR7BVCIwpoqXmfRDnv5J1Ox5q5KHtVR4JO-tOB3J_LeKpE9gfOpl0Pkt58eW2LHG498uL17umpsq8f5Ls1giTPaBfOEUI/s1600/debtors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD0PjbPxj_mSZAiglzCIg7zshJNgFSw7Jzm7sXljOUpQ_BUtXR7BVCIwpoqXmfRDnv5J1Ox5q5KHtVR4JO-tOB3J_LeKpE9gfOpl0Pkt58eW2LHG498uL17umpsq8f5Ls1giTPaBfOEUI/s1600/debtors.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Left - Clink Prison Museum; <br />Right - a Dickensian view from the corner of Redcross Way and Park St.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Clink was a notorious prison in London and operated from twelfth century through to 1780. It was part of the estate of the Bishop of Winchester (you can see the remains of his palace a little further down the lane) and originally housed prisoners who held views opposing those of the clergy. Profiteering was rife amongst the wardens who sold food and 'better' lodgings to those who would pay and to facilitate this industry, prisoners were released to beg during the day and earn 'their keep' at night. It later became a debtors prison - thus the reference to Dickens' tale of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Dorrit" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Little Dorrit</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> above. It is now the site of </span><a href="http://www.clink.co.uk/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Clink Prison Museum</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> so you can still pay for the privilege of a visit</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of Clink Street, past the remains of Winchester Palace, stands the replica of Frances Drake's Golden Hinde.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y0CLPTf6_L6aweWNRcVLTvjRWlsEkb6QsAIw00ADbWQxRXnsoTOtm6hre_VUjx0NkKNXLyWz-bxkMNfReRl_xjBQETswcBPW7PTWMkmhZb3vyw5hHWE1MMEfiGMFZOe3ZlDJBalCkavU/s1600/mary+overie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y0CLPTf6_L6aweWNRcVLTvjRWlsEkb6QsAIw00ADbWQxRXnsoTOtm6hre_VUjx0NkKNXLyWz-bxkMNfReRl_xjBQETswcBPW7PTWMkmhZb3vyw5hHWE1MMEfiGMFZOe3ZlDJBalCkavU/s1600/mary+overie.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have blogged about both the palace and the ship before so if you'd like some Gidday witterings on these, you can click <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/londons-hip-pocket.html">here</a>. What I really want to share with you is the legend of Mary Overie (Mary over the river).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Long before there were any bridges to get you across the Thames, ferryman John Overs made his fortune by monopolising the shipment of cargo and people from river bank to river bank. Being incredibly tight-fisted, he had refused to pay the dowry for his daughter Mary to be married to the man she loved. In fact he decided that if he pretended to be dead for the day, his family and servants would mourn and their fasting would save him the cost of food. Wrapped in a burial shroud and lying silently in a coffin, he was dismayed to find that instead of going to plan, his servants were delighted by his demise and celebrated by unlocking and helping themselves to the pantry. Finally he could lie still no more and arose ready to admonish his staff - but one such servant, thinking him to be a ghost, struck him over the head with an oar and killed him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mary wrote to her beloved that they were free to marry but tragedy struck when his horse stumbled and threw him en route to her, killing him. Mary refused all other offers and instead formed the priory of St Mary Overie where she lived until her death. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Always something new for me to learn on Paula's tours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, on to the next stop just around the corner - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwark_Cathedral">Southwark Cathedral</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDEuTnF-NOOUHaDXItW1l7HJs7uPLHtf9h7Jw6Fpdq9_MwJbnmPShks15qhb_1fsl4GIUE8U3ELmcr_UPMomUYVDCE5RI8qGyZMufuh58wkcHAvnQLeUAVKpAhtEWBFHqD2lYoScqRDv_/s1600/southwark+catherdral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDEuTnF-NOOUHaDXItW1l7HJs7uPLHtf9h7Jw6Fpdq9_MwJbnmPShks15qhb_1fsl4GIUE8U3ELmcr_UPMomUYVDCE5RI8qGyZMufuh58wkcHAvnQLeUAVKpAhtEWBFHqD2lYoScqRDv_/s1600/southwark+catherdral.jpg" height="191" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some have placed the foundations of the building as far back as 606 but the more commonly held view is that it has been in existence since the conversion of Wessex in 886. The site has undergone many iterations over the centuries with the photo to the right showing the different levels of pavements and thoroughfares (as well as a coffin). Southwark Cathedral was even named in the Domesday Book of 1086. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We dived into Borough market next, ghostly quiet without the hustle and bustle of its Wednesday-to-Saturday trading. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we emerged from the labyrinth of empty stalls, we came across yet another famous Globe but from the modern era.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv6D1Q1VznkqaQXvE5BuYt8qKvuZVomE5J-OIbMTvXz7fPdVpRCjSukDtkqNC_CEXMQRNzpilZYKkecmke6MiD8IBb3SF20nvXET-7PUTIrvcEv8Um1kn4GDsg6zEt5GoKGgdpMctPNXy/s1600/DSCN5133+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv6D1Q1VznkqaQXvE5BuYt8qKvuZVomE5J-OIbMTvXz7fPdVpRCjSukDtkqNC_CEXMQRNzpilZYKkecmke6MiD8IBb3SF20nvXET-7PUTIrvcEv8Um1kn4GDsg6zEt5GoKGgdpMctPNXy/s1600/DSCN5133+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is, in fact, the window of Bridget Jones, (yes she of the diary) from which she peers out into the snowy night in the final scenes of the film to see Mark Darcy striding away. Yes it's true. The movie was on a few days after this walk so I checked it out for myself.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leaving the market behind us, we walked down Southwark Street past the Hops Exchange...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kx8knjpaymZRgKrzBM9F5rMtYxpB4AFiXuViawGm-xtCfDIF_4ZRVuY0_iOCIKvoS_ehboBWIT4C-dee_FzaO7sBIrVK4nxhuCaLHb26sE5YjOvzNuEdXQ9_2e8ieTUp-2n9chwkU1Pg/s1600/hops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kx8knjpaymZRgKrzBM9F5rMtYxpB4AFiXuViawGm-xtCfDIF_4ZRVuY0_iOCIKvoS_ehboBWIT4C-dee_FzaO7sBIrVK4nxhuCaLHb26sE5YjOvzNuEdXQ9_2e8ieTUp-2n9chwkU1Pg/s1600/hops.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...and crossed into Redcross Way to our next stop, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Bones">Crossbones Graveyard</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZudJXgUMXBAu1JvemsOabhkUqLXZaY0zA98hhsNtH0hcv1An5TWGMrvABiZDFgq_aFcmthRLY6imOfBsUr-eX-vhSGxbJQNSfJ1P45PlabK7ingKzbhDFjnyMYhsTfax1Bj2eQTCTJ5j/s1600/street+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZudJXgUMXBAu1JvemsOabhkUqLXZaY0zA98hhsNtH0hcv1An5TWGMrvABiZDFgq_aFcmthRLY6imOfBsUr-eX-vhSGxbJQNSfJ1P45PlabK7ingKzbhDFjnyMYhsTfax1Bj2eQTCTJ5j/s1600/street+art.jpg" height="181" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This site started out as a medieval burial ground for the area's prostitutes and by the 18th century had become a paupers' graveyard which was then closed in 1853. There were excavations on this site during the 1990s, carried out as part of the extensions to the Jubilee Underground line which unearthed the bones of the dead in 148 graves. The local community in campaigning to create a permanent memorial garden, continues to add to the poignant memorial created along the fence and holds a memorial vigil at the gates at dusk on the 23rd of each month.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Turning back we crossed back over Southwark Street and rejoined Park Street, coming to our penultimate stop...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqJ2O3ly_I6JQN-9HDylM6NTn9KQEMg0XdZeyI3V6IkcHVwQ59z8R54SnHFU-vniT-fz4v0tJEqWi4NF6YhezWxljxmAqqVLWQri9X_sLmF-J1bQo1WyZInOpeaUmJpxlZ5-n59nUDrzD/s1600/DSCN5160+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqJ2O3ly_I6JQN-9HDylM6NTn9KQEMg0XdZeyI3V6IkcHVwQ59z8R54SnHFU-vniT-fz4v0tJEqWi4NF6YhezWxljxmAqqVLWQri9X_sLmF-J1bQo1WyZInOpeaUmJpxlZ5-n59nUDrzD/s1600/DSCN5160+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This plaque shows two draymen beating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Jacob_von_Haynau">Julius Jacob von Haynau</a>, an Austrian general who was well-known for his brutality in suppressing insurrection. This particular incident happened following several narrow escapes of mob violence when von Haynau was High Command of Hungary, with the two men setting upon him during his visit to the Barclay and Perkins Brewery (previously the Anchor brewery). Let's just say that the protagonists were very much lauded for their 'chivalric' pursuit of justice in the realm.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then we wandered around the corner to find ourselves back at The Anchor and the end of our tour. It was such an interesting two hours, full of fun stories and historical titbits that, despite having explored this area before, I did not know about - and you know how I like discovering London like this. The really amazing thing is that when I look back on where we walked, it wasn't a large area and I was left in awe of how historically rich this city is. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXwoZcQIcJCx659YH4HGPIZl9DnsMd7Ue831crst4CL4_P0J6Y4qlYmuqlqbcmW3igb-mX2fgSJDG3Y5vDAGmyHNy4Sjr8r2ssGUc2BVdHJxYk_JZCCS2oNvES8BY1i6EHXk9h2OwNSkY/s1600/southwark+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXwoZcQIcJCx659YH4HGPIZl9DnsMd7Ue831crst4CL4_P0J6Y4qlYmuqlqbcmW3igb-mX2fgSJDG3Y5vDAGmyHNy4Sjr8r2ssGUc2BVdHJxYk_JZCCS2oNvES8BY1i6EHXk9h2OwNSkY/s1600/southwark+route.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So if this inspires you and you'd like to know more, visit Paula's website -<a href="http://www.crossingthecity.co.uk/">www.crossingthecity.co.uk</a> - and find out where next she might take us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I have first <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1NNVC_enGB559GB559&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=dibs%20meaning">'dibs'</a> okay?</span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-CkJ42OLu1Ns%2FU8K4LU694vI%2FAAAAAAAAFi8%2FNNrV9LWaGn0%2Fs1600%2FIMAG1540.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHfoZRTIh3UGOzDhyP_WNx9hNsR9VOlLtspMpqO39smNQh6XphnbbBn0IAQODCAa353_BLTMtZ1yMG36nbx1gt0CBHmSY9EtnVnKHZd4OL7BAqFT4WVwJiFTuwZkYUtGF2SrfF_hBqXZj/s1600/IMAG1540.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-88567471218647498682014-07-05T19:39:00.000+01:002014-07-05T19:39:06.678+01:00It's Oh So Quiet...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's July. The schools are starting to close for the summer break and thousands of families are packing their bags for their annual holiday. Many flee to sun themselves and swim in warmer climes although the UK's recent burst of gloriously sunny weather may have also inspired some vacation-ing closer to home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At this time of year, an email is circulated at work, encouraging us to be safe and take care over the months ahead. There are the usual admonishments to drive safely, to stay vigilant outside our normal routines both in and out of the work environment. This year's message really struck a chord for me.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The new captain jumped from the deck, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept his eyes on his victim as he headed straight for the couple swimming between their anchored sportfisher and the beach. “I think he thinks you’re drowning,” the husband said to his wife. They had been splashing each other and she had screamed but now they were just standing, neck-deep on the sand bar. “We’re fine, what is he doing?” she asked, a little annoyed. “We’re fine!” the husband yelled, waving him off, but his captain kept swimming hard. ”Move!” he barked as he sprinted between the stunned owners. Directly behind them, not ten feet away, their nine-year-old daughter was drowning. Safely above the surface in the arms of the captain, she burst into tears, “Daddy!” </span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><i><a href="http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/">http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/</a></i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It would appear that drowning is not the waving, splashing, attention-getting event that we think it is. It is quiet, insidious and quick. It can happen in less than 60 seconds...while we watch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NBuWqxnZSRfYbkcrt9bLKP16EAihozPqjF5DIyyR8s4-5EYNqgt1em3QETOjBL0k-PvzmKEiP1J_fFn6sGUP-E4olCXuebbf2zG7n-94Xx3NZHO0WBPc5BM-aG6CGBBRQ1qXiTvJyHSh/s1600/life+preserver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NBuWqxnZSRfYbkcrt9bLKP16EAihozPqjF5DIyyR8s4-5EYNqgt1em3QETOjBL0k-PvzmKEiP1J_fFn6sGUP-E4olCXuebbf2zG7n-94Xx3NZHO0WBPc5BM-aG6CGBBRQ1qXiTvJyHSh/s1600/life+preserver.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mariovittone.com/">Mario Vittone</a> oversees the development of maritime safety and security products for <a href="http://vlinccorp.com/maritimedivision/">VLinc Corporation</a> and is a leading expert in drowning, sea survival and safety at sea. He consults and writes on water safety and in 2012, he published the article referred to above, painting a vivid picture of the risks we run as a result of our misconception about what drowning looks like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the 1970s, Dr. Francesco (Frank) Pia Ph.D discovered </span><a href="http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg534/On%20Scene/OSFall06.pdf#page=16" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Instinctive Drowning Response</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> shown in the video below.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/B1U8DYwqncs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The misconceptions remain some 40 years later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I grew up in a culture where swimming is taught if not in parallel with learning to walk, then at least as part of every primary school's Phys.Ed. curriculum. And we learnt not just to swim but also to rescue and perform CPR as part of the higher swimming competency certificates in later years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is also a legacy of swimming in my family with my grandfather and uncle being swimming coaches and Mum swimming at State level for many years during her teens. Growing up we had pools in our various back yards and seaside holidays galore with many hours spent frolicking in the surf with Mum or Dad close by. My sister and I competed at swim meets both in and out of school and as I grew into adulthood, I spent many weekends with friends water-skiing and swimming in bays, rivers and lakes around Victoria.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yet I carried the same misconception as many of you probably do. I never knew what drowning really looked like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So with the Summer months gaining momentum in the northern hemisphere, it's vital to get this message out there, to wave my virtual arms and make some noise on behalf of those who can't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drowning is a quick and quiet killer and by knowing what to look for, you just never know whose life you might save.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So please share this post or any of the additional material below with as many people as you can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The life you save may even be yours.</span><br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Additional material:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/">Drowning doesn't look like drowning</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mariovittone.com/2011/07/video-of-instinctive-drowning-response/">Instinctive Drowning Response - video</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watersafety">Mario Vittone Facebook page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg534/On%20Scene/OSFall06.pdf">On Scene p14. - It Doesn't Look Like They're Drowning</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-45378886136182069932014-06-29T21:10:00.002+01:002014-06-29T21:10:53.090+01:00Leave A Light On For Me...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was browsing through my general clever clogs emails this week and came across a bit of a gem from Springwise.com. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.springwise.com/color-changing-desk-lamp-owners-status-incoming-emails/" target="_blank">Placelamp</a> is a desk lamp which changes colour according to the owner's status.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKIoINZe3wuOMWwVwIPHdZ1BQGBs2Lp52l5LZw3wjqvOdkJX0uYSuvQnOxdfAOMzoXUuwNmpyvj6Ijii9IPklY4XnH9DiemG692cKLs0hFLJSy7nsm4lQGpJkKhkKtS4Uy97Srujmg3IK/s1600/place-lamp-connects-to-owner-smartphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKIoINZe3wuOMWwVwIPHdZ1BQGBs2Lp52l5LZw3wjqvOdkJX0uYSuvQnOxdfAOMzoXUuwNmpyvj6Ijii9IPklY4XnH9DiemG692cKLs0hFLJSy7nsm4lQGpJkKhkKtS4Uy97Srujmg3IK/s1600/place-lamp-connects-to-owner-smartphone.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Image source: www.pixelonomics.com</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You link the lamp with an app on your phone and you can program it to do all sorts of things - colour intensifies when you are closer and becomes a 'reading' lamp while at your desk. You can also set it to change to various colours according to your status eg. out of the office or even to reflect incoming emails or messages. Cool huh?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway I got a bit excited and started looking at all of these other lamps and there's some pretty amazing stuff out there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is the <a href="http://www.furniturefashion.com/15-quirky-and-funky-modern-table-lamps/" target="_blank">Titanic lamp</a> from Viable London...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxTCIIapGIg-h8HBNHOwOh2fb9Tt2fX4fbOTVCy2Xaqn4FmLtl0888cfsDkZ93ObnqD0ROgomp0JcTBCxNReEX0W8T4noaaCN-OlAeYMemhmgVfMI5jVQD7qV66KqKuJJ-730fmfGhcjT/s1600/titanic_lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxTCIIapGIg-h8HBNHOwOh2fb9Tt2fX4fbOTVCy2Xaqn4FmLtl0888cfsDkZ93ObnqD0ROgomp0JcTBCxNReEX0W8T4noaaCN-OlAeYMemhmgVfMI5jVQD7qV66KqKuJJ-730fmfGhcjT/s1600/titanic_lamp.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span class="fam_text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #263f5b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was designed by Charles Trevelyan in 2005 and while it doesn't seem like it's for sale any more, it was such a great design that I just had to share it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This next one's the Martyr, a playful energy saver designed by UK design studio <a href="http://www.theplaycoalition.com/projects/project_2/project-2.html" target="_blank">The Play Coalition</a> in 2008...its sense of fun made me giggle.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHPaom2_4D6fpzA1IxOOhcfuEUXVsP5Mh9lMukYGPMTnEfsS73w8teZ2Rhx4N3CU00ml_aUkHChLYY1lLtzg_yjqpIBMxehKnCDbsTVfaozCZUrjJZvGo8N-4c-T7X27ucK8u5XIjxiIJ/s1600/plug+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHPaom2_4D6fpzA1IxOOhcfuEUXVsP5Mh9lMukYGPMTnEfsS73w8teZ2Rhx4N3CU00ml_aUkHChLYY1lLtzg_yjqpIBMxehKnCDbsTVfaozCZUrjJZvGo8N-4c-T7X27ucK8u5XIjxiIJ/s1600/plug+lamp.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And for the slightly </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">morbid, here's Hung - he (or she?) has been created </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">by enPieza! and will </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">set you back about €185...gulp! Game of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangman_(game)" target="_blank">Hangman</a> anyone?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi-80azdLZ0mgLDI9dEq8rN3KauztPEO2uQ4WGw8hlnCHw0rEtYBsQqoY9f8I3x9oHJxgbcWO6ZnQhCHrlw_T2ANpaQ2RzoYFQMeMHpfoP5ZGpzG23M84JcqoHyb6uI8wXfC_KwtEbxt_/s1600/hung+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi-80azdLZ0mgLDI9dEq8rN3KauztPEO2uQ4WGw8hlnCHw0rEtYBsQqoY9f8I3x9oHJxgbcWO6ZnQhCHrlw_T2ANpaQ2RzoYFQMeMHpfoP5ZGpzG23M84JcqoHyb6uI8wXfC_KwtEbxt_/s1600/hung+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the opposite end of the spectrum I found this cute cottontail on that most excellent of inspired-gift-giving websites, <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/allthingsbrightonbeautiful/product/bunny-lamp" target="_blank">not on the high street</a>. The Bunny lamp is</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> available from All Things Brighton Beautiful</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for £69.95.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW18DJhJiNCeotZcFe0LrqBo43RVIaBOCdAsEw6F38GDhHyB00WZdfmOj1gCv6SOhP0Au_yYxJQXwu5kLyJYES8T2JtKGgQTchclZF47niLd4EyKcGb3mcKNDzmu1qTu6npi8qP-iNQ00a/s1600/normal_bunny-lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW18DJhJiNCeotZcFe0LrqBo43RVIaBOCdAsEw6F38GDhHyB00WZdfmOj1gCv6SOhP0Au_yYxJQXwu5kLyJYES8T2JtKGgQTchclZF47niLd4EyKcGb3mcKNDzmu1qTu6npi8qP-iNQ00a/s1600/normal_bunny-lamp.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I meandered further and discovered an illuminating and spirited trio.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First, I found </span><a href="http://www.funkyfurnitureandstuff.com/WoopsyTableLamp.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Whoopsy from Lumisource</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> which reminded me of that deliciously intoxicating flow from cocktail shaker to glass - available in four fab </span><strike style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">flavours</strike><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> colours for just $24.95.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuZuwychTzJWXfUrEKLD7WveODUtjeol_i4YmnxCxpRyrh6JzkVil5YdpeQhgof6GduG-CSj-K_hhCSMVXA0BlEpmEOvNZagcqHzIABY2cAIH4_QuRChnnegsGNsIUt7drDlSN1uVH5N_/s1600/woopsy_pr_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuZuwychTzJWXfUrEKLD7WveODUtjeol_i4YmnxCxpRyrh6JzkVil5YdpeQhgof6GduG-CSj-K_hhCSMVXA0BlEpmEOvNZagcqHzIABY2cAIH4_QuRChnnegsGNsIUt7drDlSN1uVH5N_/s1600/woopsy_pr_lg.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next it was this upcycled Beefeater London Gin lamp from AfterGlowsbyStacey. She makes all sorts of spirit brands light up but I loved the mix of vibrant colour and London tradition combined with the whole <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upcycling" target="_blank">upcycling</a> vibe best. It caught my eye on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/178023781/upcycled-beefeater-london-gin-bottle?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">Etsy</a> for the bargain price of £20.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3j2mBFWGtSEt68N1ZPuLWOWhFDcjxb1B3D9NNf7NXApncWgw-U10h8sekDylmauOdQLFjzlRN7VzgDfFx8tWlLSEvOAz5t3MqyzK9thdFNYE_7TjMVuCEz7OVI95Bracs5gAi6-66mKo/s1600/afterglow+-+beefeater+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3j2mBFWGtSEt68N1ZPuLWOWhFDcjxb1B3D9NNf7NXApncWgw-U10h8sekDylmauOdQLFjzlRN7VzgDfFx8tWlLSEvOAz5t3MqyzK9thdFNYE_7TjMVuCEz7OVI95Bracs5gAi6-66mKo/s1600/afterglow+-+beefeater+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the last in this alcohol-fuelled triumvariate was San Remo, an oriental inspired shade made from a whole load of paper cocktail umbrellas. It's bottoms up from <a href="http://www.zipper8lighting.com/" target="_blank">Zipper8Lighting</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/77060548/the-san-remo-pendant-light-cocktail?ref=shop_home_active_16" target="_blank">Etsy</a> again for £72.34</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRPmes8Il2DA_0DHPZmN1Ztq33YhVLYlCk2YtB0rxa0c5iCdqjc6eSco5c2tRUjB8NNvG3Rm8LDLGxhK4JOSYJRa_FSOGKTLSuI8b95O41VjNM7z1RCQuLTBke8PXa2SzYGRexmleBnqH/s1600/umbrella+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRPmes8Il2DA_0DHPZmN1Ztq33YhVLYlCk2YtB0rxa0c5iCdqjc6eSco5c2tRUjB8NNvG3Rm8LDLGxhK4JOSYJRa_FSOGKTLSuI8b95O41VjNM7z1RCQuLTBke8PXa2SzYGRexmleBnqH/s1600/umbrella+lamp.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This whole upcycling thing intrigued me so I <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/moseying" target="_blank">mosey-ed</a> around a bit further on this and got a bit excited about this recycled book lamp shade from the 'make-it-yourself' website, <a href="http://www.instructables.com/" target="_blank">Instructables</a> - you can download the instructions <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycle-lamp-shade/step8/Finish/" target="_blank">here</a> for making this little beauty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn6eWFZk90Ob-MqwfsytE0-q7_63rXXURx1GMRPYrwmZYfjbnZPpNc6EVuEinQOC8R87ByopNCZnoV7ulgC1J9VfH-LIEofGsshY0AbIJUpQpGto3TryvvtBDtHWHNXdfVLeMVkwEuN5t/s1600/recycled+book+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn6eWFZk90Ob-MqwfsytE0-q7_63rXXURx1GMRPYrwmZYfjbnZPpNc6EVuEinQOC8R87ByopNCZnoV7ulgC1J9VfH-LIEofGsshY0AbIJUpQpGto3TryvvtBDtHWHNXdfVLeMVkwEuN5t/s1600/recycled+book+lamp.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wasn't really sure how I could do that with my Kindle though so the last one I found was absolutely perfect. The Andrew Lang NOD has a slot for <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/kindle-womenaudreys-coming-out.html" target="_blank">Audrey</a> (that's the Kindle for the Gidday uninitiated), a nook for my glasses and a third cranny for...well something else. It's available from <a href="http://freshome.com/2008/05/19/bedside-table-light-the-nod-light/" target="_blank">Emmo Home</a> for $220. Yikes!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn7zMOJdZzL6eweQAXhH09pu29T8gAGDW5XBRofMihj0GpQ8i1xn1l1VNlV82io8oYJIzxRTZJIcl1uq8nT1g0u167vLcHw5XobYbsNNkMwzUQs95d3WSHwkPRhdmalLQ_6utNyHsvAqZ/s1600/lang-nod-bedside-light-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn7zMOJdZzL6eweQAXhH09pu29T8gAGDW5XBRofMihj0GpQ8i1xn1l1VNlV82io8oYJIzxRTZJIcl1uq8nT1g0u167vLcHw5XobYbsNNkMwzUQs95d3WSHwkPRhdmalLQ_6utNyHsvAqZ/s1600/lang-nod-bedside-light-1.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Strangely enough, all of this inspiration just reminded of an old favourite. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw it in a store about 18 years ago in Melbourne, the store lights glinting invitingly off the glass beads. Struck by its classically elegant shape, I paid and took it home and it stood on the table near my purple reading chair for more than seven years before I lugged it across the world, added an adapter and found it a new home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is the first thing I see when I open the front door. There's a place for my bag on the table beside it and, when I turn it on, the beads tinkle gently as my hand brushes past before the room is suffused in a soft glow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwEg6r8j9UcPgl4XgCIx4iNAnFGCrL4SP87V13EZDfPSpz67M-iElwb6olZyg0uW3vVGYjFjILsJErVABNYSNT6J4p1zSbZVJ1Iv0E6B1MjiP5blF34K26JHWfz66NKSEbI0_a2spwn_l/s1600/my+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwEg6r8j9UcPgl4XgCIx4iNAnFGCrL4SP87V13EZDfPSpz67M-iElwb6olZyg0uW3vVGYjFjILsJErVABNYSNT6J4p1zSbZVJ1Iv0E6B1MjiP5blF34K26JHWfz66NKSEbI0_a2spwn_l/s1600/my+lamp.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But best of all? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It tells me I am home. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-92045189537846297322014-06-21T19:51:00.003+01:002014-06-21T19:51:38.161+01:00Midsummer Magic...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_solstice" target="_blank"> Summer Solstice</a> occurs and we in the Northern hemisphere will get our longest day of the year courtesy of the sun reaching its northernmost point in the sky. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-27954267" target="_blank">Stonehenge</a> was awash with 37,000 worshippers at sunrise this morning and all manner of <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140620-summer-solstice-june-culture-pictures-world" target="_blank">celebrations</a> will take place throughout the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today also marks </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer#Sweden" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Midsummer in Sweden</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, a festival as important to the Swedes as Christmas is to me and mine. It's a time of family and food, dancing and drinking and the Swedish contingent at work are pretty much out of contact during this holiday period.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Which brings me to a little Midsummer moment of my own, this week's visit to Skanor med Falsterbo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lmXPipbboiRloRvh0bWLNe7rwu5pl3dWCRmhgnmThRJWwNdVgGb0BXWsh358_NqTihUgLekCrc6lkiKFd0JgWxe6oMbGm6632rk5vwIvqc5aKWUgvtqfsKw08ZSK5SLNzE9DGS6iOJs-/s1600/Skanor+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lmXPipbboiRloRvh0bWLNe7rwu5pl3dWCRmhgnmThRJWwNdVgGb0BXWsh358_NqTihUgLekCrc6lkiKFd0JgWxe6oMbGm6632rk5vwIvqc5aKWUgvtqfsKw08ZSK5SLNzE9DGS6iOJs-/s1600/Skanor+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's actually <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/goose-steps.html" target="_blank">my fourth visit</a> to this lovely little part of Sweden. Our European division holds its mid-year sales meeting here, a nod to a time when the company (or part of it anyway) was Swedish and management would leave the conference to travel to their respective holiday homes in the area for Midsummer. In any case, it's not your run-of-the-mill conference choice - and that's a good thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skan%C3%B6r_med_Falsterbo" target="_blank">Skanor med (with) Falsterbo</a> are twin medieval towns situated 28-30kms south of Malmo on the Falsterbo peninsula. It's a quiet place with a population of less than 7,000 and the area is filled with quaint, wonderfully kept houses and surrounded by pristine beaches and glorious stretches of sea and sky. This year we were blessed with warm mid-20s temperatures and I found a little time to take a stroll to the beach and to soak up a bit of Midsummer magic...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQPJKaEG53kUpI40Vbj5bEGtQgYlbVfhWzpA6VK1D3YF6ra4HoPDdlqPpfmdKcDgJXk2-e1O7npOZk1X78I6LnaAZGKJIWo5m2QtUnqDJTkK76dfjLjQ50fOUOt5cuJwZGX-1Gi4T6oCs/s1600/Skanor+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQPJKaEG53kUpI40Vbj5bEGtQgYlbVfhWzpA6VK1D3YF6ra4HoPDdlqPpfmdKcDgJXk2-e1O7npOZk1X78I6LnaAZGKJIWo5m2QtUnqDJTkK76dfjLjQ50fOUOt5cuJwZGX-1Gi4T6oCs/s1600/Skanor+6.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtNllC8G1Da9ohdjecuBvgi526GRsYZQU68higNYlN9U8M7KqnhZaz5pfoza9QO1TZaAmQyfsX7ce6NFKBvrtmNtUGjV6eAs8UZ6JNJNEO303WP3TSD8RMyfHNk93jMKvrU2HVlDKbi22/s1600/Skanor+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtNllC8G1Da9ohdjecuBvgi526GRsYZQU68higNYlN9U8M7KqnhZaz5pfoza9QO1TZaAmQyfsX7ce6NFKBvrtmNtUGjV6eAs8UZ6JNJNEO303WP3TSD8RMyfHNk93jMKvrU2HVlDKbi22/s1600/Skanor+7.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_kmet8bC8hWSY8fa3Xjierv6f4TfcJE_MgIEVhYvNiXgVuT8n6uTvK4TcrdKgNvAPozi_uNyFNH_Of4FHImr4fRdKW4h93zgBLMGxEC9ZOqT_cl8uteJ_ruTfiMY0-GGgdQ5cXj6LwYs/s1600/Skanor+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_kmet8bC8hWSY8fa3Xjierv6f4TfcJE_MgIEVhYvNiXgVuT8n6uTvK4TcrdKgNvAPozi_uNyFNH_Of4FHImr4fRdKW4h93zgBLMGxEC9ZOqT_cl8uteJ_ruTfiMY0-GGgdQ5cXj6LwYs/s1600/Skanor+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwN5lSWkeNqhUqgJBEq0z_T7Oeyh2-MNeW1nRcBf-sd5UTlOH4qACQaQESXrH8s43i2Ebj66t2uOtBuKPiaIMyXV1j4ynHm3F-K8JO_Akj0zip07gDwHYX86__W-mBFApoP97s1M_Vu07/s1600/Skanor+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwN5lSWkeNqhUqgJBEq0z_T7Oeyh2-MNeW1nRcBf-sd5UTlOH4qACQaQESXrH8s43i2Ebj66t2uOtBuKPiaIMyXV1j4ynHm3F-K8JO_Akj0zip07gDwHYX86__W-mBFApoP97s1M_Vu07/s1600/Skanor+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfC2PKWOiXpVzyi2zs9D_PRbXMFXsI2Q-67DZ6uNZkX7KJ8zgd38-emxdYpA1k2ieMmodJtfDjKnGiGnkE3she7Lcur-X6TY5Wu8TBYvWO6FgFxKmsnOxLZvjWFF_s6HSlm4pYxmnqWq-/s1600/Skanor+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfC2PKWOiXpVzyi2zs9D_PRbXMFXsI2Q-67DZ6uNZkX7KJ8zgd38-emxdYpA1k2ieMmodJtfDjKnGiGnkE3she7Lcur-X6TY5Wu8TBYvWO6FgFxKmsnOxLZvjWFF_s6HSlm4pYxmnqWq-/s1600/Skanor+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Like a row of quirky sentinels, tiny beach huts line the foreshore.</span></i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9vAcIp63M_BmFoix1wQniL5h3m2Zwb931VKVbiCuZMh1P26vsjUnAWK6-2gbc9yJNrotrvafKj5Vjrm2TtgzXFS22KRpBS_nn2I10EGLf2jNWOB895hlzeq0mI0iv_DY9Qq0C0tENmto/s1600/iphone+JUN14+020+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9vAcIp63M_BmFoix1wQniL5h3m2Zwb931VKVbiCuZMh1P26vsjUnAWK6-2gbc9yJNrotrvafKj5Vjrm2TtgzXFS22KRpBS_nn2I10EGLf2jNWOB895hlzeq0mI0iv_DY9Qq0C0tENmto/s1600/iphone+JUN14+020+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiordzZjqsSxwWIhX8F0BO-_mfBDIcCrqT1qe3fjbk3sIwWBsq76aXoshm3zqDwBQahwyS6bXMCTbf2Lg2KWZNAVFvTkUlF_lRLYXd9f78rhQWxAPrS7KniBMGQbT79yxFFsKRHVen0lv4k/s1600/iphone+JUN14+021+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiordzZjqsSxwWIhX8F0BO-_mfBDIcCrqT1qe3fjbk3sIwWBsq76aXoshm3zqDwBQahwyS6bXMCTbf2Lg2KWZNAVFvTkUlF_lRLYXd9f78rhQWxAPrS7KniBMGQbT79yxFFsKRHVen0lv4k/s1600/iphone+JUN14+021+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH64HuHmcV2h3MCuAfqbRPn5Wh4avZkhGT66yJFpjGI_4PiqIyLnI3b0CcausZ7EbhP0wNQUyBvWSfaQgvvUPvsISRxoyUvrM4dm2hcJzanWihwAYeYXhfyff_okavwI8ZWp8Q7gbTfC6/s1600/iphone+JUN14+023+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH64HuHmcV2h3MCuAfqbRPn5Wh4avZkhGT66yJFpjGI_4PiqIyLnI3b0CcausZ7EbhP0wNQUyBvWSfaQgvvUPvsISRxoyUvrM4dm2hcJzanWihwAYeYXhfyff_okavwI8ZWp8Q7gbTfC6/s1600/iphone+JUN14+023+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgBvfq5JfuCjZtuPk14mngaQuOecaJvxBhTYGj6IRKxud8AmURJ-Cpzbi8te7o2xlMJG2DW6FA-zPnGQz1MNKu3U2H0717xHtoUsIScOP4HhMVJsgTAePGDlrQkcCwIfZOudQvZVvIgLb/s1600/iphone+JUN14+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgBvfq5JfuCjZtuPk14mngaQuOecaJvxBhTYGj6IRKxud8AmURJ-Cpzbi8te7o2xlMJG2DW6FA-zPnGQz1MNKu3U2H0717xHtoUsIScOP4HhMVJsgTAePGDlrQkcCwIfZOudQvZVvIgLb/s1600/iphone+JUN14+025.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Unfortunately the magic of Midsummer was not quite enough to keep Australia from departing the <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43976/groups.html" target="_blank">FIFA World Cup</a>...in spite of this, last week still found this little Aussie more than happy with her lot.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-85698000590933914602014-06-08T20:13:00.001+01:002014-06-08T20:13:52.944+01:00The F Word...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV1uClnPcqYjv6UQDaZ_p76JFBT3ePjFvxtY3a8nc_b7i5FZxFaiVHUYhqHOIXmFOYsf1_L3xKLWxAg-WIterAvnK9FcHjRz79jN1SxoP6BXwf5lddcU4fTtaPPrT-d1nnfvs6rPB9P8C/s1600/speech-balloon-orange-f-icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV1uClnPcqYjv6UQDaZ_p76JFBT3ePjFvxtY3a8nc_b7i5FZxFaiVHUYhqHOIXmFOYsf1_L3xKLWxAg-WIterAvnK9FcHjRz79jN1SxoP6BXwf5lddcU4fTtaPPrT-d1nnfvs6rPB9P8C/s1600/speech-balloon-orange-f-icon.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week my world has taken on something of a feminist flavour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not that I am not a feminist - I am.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(I am also sure that there's a better way to deal with that double negative. Go ahead - comment away!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't actually plan it that way but when I look back there has been a definite theme to the events I attended, the things I learnt and the conversations I had. Might be the planets aligning, might be a raising of my feminist consciousness. Might be my current musings about what my future might look like. Who knows. But over the last four days there has been a lot for me to consider about the future of women.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Wednesday, I listened to some amazing women (and one man) explore women's roles in our modern world at the <a href="http://www.womeninbusiness.db.com/en/content/london_next_event.html" target="_blank">Women in European Business</a> Conference. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It featured an excellent panel discussion, an interview with the always fabulous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Lumley" target="_blank">Joanna Lumley</a> and a fascinating 45-minute presentation from Harvard associate professor and social psychologist, Amy Cuddy on <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are" target="_blank">shaping who you are</a> - literally. It was an inspiring night and it was thanks to the 'oh I've double-booked' mistake of a work colleague that I got a guernsey. And what did I take away from all of this? That there are many, many choices about my future, many potential pathways to explore and a myriad of conversations to have. Oh and a potential place on the invitation list for next year's event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Thursday, I listened to a lively discussion on the <a href="http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/the-pinkification-of-young-girls-selfridges-beauty-project/" target="_blank">Pinkification of Young Girls</a> at Selfridges as part of The Beauty Project. This was the last in a series put on in partnership with Intelligence Squared who always offer controversial topics and provocative panelists and with the future of the world's female population firmly in their sights, Alannah Weston, Tiffanie Darke, Tanya Gold and Katie Hopkins launched into a litany of opinions about the dangers (or not) of a rose coloured world and the potential of a 'princess' generation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It seemed to me that we came no closer to any answers and whilst it was an interesting discussion, it meandered around for a while then finished all too quickly. In the end, it did transpire that encouraging a questioning mind, a breadth of choice and a sense of confidence in our women of tomorrow were the keys - and also some of the prevailing themes from my previous evening's WEB Conference. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How on earth this is going to happen, I have no idea but that the topic continues to raise in profile is generally deemed a positive thing. But is it enough?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Friday morning I listened to a less-than-seven-minute TED talk from Dan Gilbert called <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_you_are_always_changing?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2014-06-07&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=talk_of_the_week_button" target="_blank">The Psychology of your Future Self</a>. (You may have noticed over the last few posts that I am having a bit of <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/a-single-story.html" target="_blank">a love affair with TED talks</a> at the moment.) Anyway, Gilbert postulates that we all under estimate how much we will change in the future and he uses some really clever ways of demonstrating that our heads really are buried in the sand when it comes to envisioning our future selves. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Think about who you were, what you were doing and what was important to you ten years ago. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then think about how much you think you'll change in the next ten years. Doesn't it stand to reason that the rate of change will continue? Well, apparently reason has nothing to do with it but given my recent reflections about <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/what-lies-before-me.html" target="_blank">what might lie before me</a> in the next 40 or so years, it seemed another fitting piece to add to my puzzle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And finally yesterday, when I opened this week's Mental Floss newsletter, I discovered that LEGO will release a <a href="https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/1-blog/post/11" target="_blank">new series</a> featuring female scientist figurines this coming August. Hurrah! (Imagine hooray in the posh, clipped syllables of the English.) The LEGO Research Institute set will show women exploring the world from three different angles - chemistry, paleantology and astronomy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfq1BHL3KHH2Ji54wVYpBetVr528hOpCCjNUixxOcqsbCVwXnlyL9xCYkCcddHnDYJM_jCTdAJG65rO9B-DxG4V6h3_tRXeSCpEsZjlAci04RGoEOUOulaIUUstqgtQPjYRKtcI8JUbsW/s1600/lego+research+institute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfq1BHL3KHH2Ji54wVYpBetVr528hOpCCjNUixxOcqsbCVwXnlyL9xCYkCcddHnDYJM_jCTdAJG65rO9B-DxG4V6h3_tRXeSCpEsZjlAci04RGoEOUOulaIUUstqgtQPjYRKtcI8JUbsW/s1600/lego+research+institute.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Image source: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/15401</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And not a </span><a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/skerrick" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">skerrick</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> of pinkification to be seen. Double hurrah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The concept was submitted by </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dr. Ellen Kooijman, a geochemist from Stockholm</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> who, despite entering her concept last year, may have tapped into the <a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/zeitgeist" target="_blank">zeitgeist</a> by encapsulating the sentiments of <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/lego-told-off-by-7yearold-girl-for-promoting-gender-stereotypes-9104571.html" target="_blank">Charlotte Benjamin</a>, a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">seven-year-old girl</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> who wrote a widely publicised letter to LEGO in January admonishing the toymaker to</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 'have more LEGO girl people who go on adventures and have fun.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So while the rate of change might seem snail-paced to those of us who are firm believers in gender equality, it appears that all it takes are the words of a seven-year-old to create a little momentum. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At this rate, just imagine where she could be in ten years time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So as I sit here on the comfy couch, tap-tap-tapping away and reflecting on the week that was, I am definitely left with some positive feelings about the whole feminist issue. But it still seems like we still have one hell of a mountain to climb and while I lean towards the side of a bright future ahead, I think that the visibility remains poor and the path ahead uncertain. Not only for the women of future generations but also for those of us struggling with how to create a world of choice and equality now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And it leaves me wondering just who and where I might be in all of this in ten years time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bears some thinking about doesn't it?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-60924950254323803862014-06-01T20:52:00.000+01:002014-06-01T20:52:31.867+01:00Summer's Lease...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's the first of June so that must mean it's time for another Calendar Challenge and this month, Simon Drew offers a pictorial take on the words of the immortal Bard to kickstart our days of Summer...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCisBBWW6l5liEHyOY9Xa6YVoFYdRTbr2fT7ZseM108cGOoAlZa5yD0a4gOA89nciHgsaRRapGMdR0EWDQQvWlkXFrIMePOqlwRFoOGiwwjhRGgUxxUvgcCMDfxuLSyLjmkr6XIiCxjCHJ/s1600/to+be+or+not+to+be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCisBBWW6l5liEHyOY9Xa6YVoFYdRTbr2fT7ZseM108cGOoAlZa5yD0a4gOA89nciHgsaRRapGMdR0EWDQQvWlkXFrIMePOqlwRFoOGiwwjhRGgUxxUvgcCMDfxuLSyLjmkr6XIiCxjCHJ/s1600/to+be+or+not+to+be.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To my mind, I think 'not to be' sounds rather drastic so I'm voting for the former. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But in any case, this quote (from Hamlet in case you were wondering) does make me think about <a href="http://absoluteshakespeare.com/trivia/quotes/quotes.htm" target="_blank">William Shakespeare's influence in our language</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I took literature both at High School and then as my minor at Uni, and I remember how surprised I was at the proliferation of quotes that were already familiar to me. Just sticking with Hamlet, I had heard of both <b><i>to thine own self be true</i></b> and <i><b>neither a borrower nor a lend</b></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>er be</b></i> despite never actually studying the play itself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And while I've never gotten around to seeing As You Like It, my theatre forays here on Gidday from the UK are tagged with <i><b>all the world's a stage</b></i>. Imitation is, after all, the sincerest form of flattery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What I did study was Macbeth - three times. Not for me the dark romance of Romeo and Juliet (who was <i><b>the sun</b></i>) nor the comic delights of a Midsummer Night's Dream, where <b><i>the course of true love never did run smooth</i></b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No, after wading through this tragedy as our compulsory Shakespeare in Year 11 English, taking English Literature in Year 12 found me <b><i>double double toil and trouble</i></b>-ing again with the teacher thinking it would be better to do something we already knew. And then I went to Uni to broaden my horizons and such-like only to find that rather than <b><i>bear[ing] a charmed life</i></b>, <i style="font-weight: bold;">fair was foul </i>and I was in the<i style="font-weight: bold;"> hurly burly</i>...again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks goodness we did The Merchant of Venice in second semester and I got to learn all about <i><b>pound[s] of flesh</b></i>. And I did <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finagle" target="_blank">finagle</a> a spate of Twelfth Night. With wonderful lines like '<i><b>B</b></i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>e not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them</b></i>' it is little wonder that this remains</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> one of my favourite plays.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have since seen quite a few of the Bard's back catalogue here in London, most recently Measure for Measure, King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing. And I love them but I've noticed a peculiar pattern emerging. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The norm is that I struggle to keep pace with the language in the first half, then google the story again in the interval to see whether I have managed to gain any sense of what's going on. The answer is almost always yes and I invariably return and just relax into the language, trusting that I will get all of the points that must be made and having a much more enjoyable time as a result. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And speaking of enjoyment, today is the first day of Summer here in the UK. It has been sunshine-y and warm and the roses are out in force at Gidday HQ - who needs <i><b>all the perfumes of Arabia [to] sweeten this little hand</b></i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3tQyKjaDbFd2vXbRHUmILYRfldOOmb-cyzduZYL8_9ZYLvvxi7Zcq5ZmjRqrx35c34m-lAtp8CZxG9Oi36DKT-5jdzSGdfDaM0HjkQzHI2WHXhWLfsyBL0SW9Q2fZo-i9bSJMP_nTg9b/s1600/14299605776_1dfc5f84f5_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3tQyKjaDbFd2vXbRHUmILYRfldOOmb-cyzduZYL8_9ZYLvvxi7Zcq5ZmjRqrx35c34m-lAtp8CZxG9Oi36DKT-5jdzSGdfDaM0HjkQzHI2WHXhWLfsyBL0SW9Q2fZo-i9bSJMP_nTg9b/s1600/14299605776_1dfc5f84f5_z.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21.450000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And with that, it seems to me that the only fitting end to this post lies in Shakespeare's Sonnet 18:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21.450000762939453px;"><b><span style="line-height: normal;">"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?</span></b></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21.450000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: normal;">Thou art more lovely and more temperate:</span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="line-height: normal;">Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,</span></b></i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="line-height: normal;">And summer's lease hath all too short a date".</span></b></i></div>
</i></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's to a fabulous Summer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>ps...and just in case you are struggling with the translation of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictogram" target="_blank">pictogram</a>...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>To be or not to be - that is the question:</b></i></span><br />
<dt><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer</b></i></span></dt>
<dt><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune</b></i></span></dt>
<dt><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Or to take arms against a sea of troubles</b></i></span></dt>
<dt><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep--</b></i></span></dt>
<dt><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>No more</b></i></span></dt>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">-------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Calendar Challenge 2014 - Back Catalogue</span><br />
<u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html" target="_blank">Keep Calm And Carry On</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/sour-grapes.html" target="_blank">Sour Grapes</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/water-water-everywhere.html" target="_blank">Water Water Everywhere</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/on-shore.html" target="_blank">On The Shore</a></span></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/what-lies-before-me.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">What Lies Before Me</span></a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-47586513147356705722014-05-31T20:17:00.000+01:002014-05-31T20:17:43.282+01:00A Single Story...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had the enormous privilege of seeing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie" target="_blank">Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie</a> speak about her latest novel</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> last week. I knew nothing about her except that she was Nigerian and that she had written a book I'd loved (Americanah 2014 #29 in <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-book-nook.html" target="_blank">The Book Nook</a>). I left the event 90 minutes later inspired and wanting to know more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I watched Chimimanda's TED talk, <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story" target="_blank">The Danger of a Single Story</a>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Throughout she talks about how limiting and how damaging a single story or viewpoint about a person can be, that it creates stereotypes that while not necessarily incorrect, are more often than not incomplete. That a single story creates presumption rather than openness, a potential wall of prejudice in our relationships with one another as human beings. She told of her own single stories, blown apart by having the opportunity to see things from a different perspective and also of the single stories about herself, experienced through the eyes of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It made me think more about single stories and one of the most extreme and damaging of all time - the Nazi 'story' about the Jews. Scary stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It also made me think about the single stories about me: each twist of my kaleidescope reveals a potential single story - laconic Aussie, <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/l-is-for.html" target="_blank">40-something woman</a>, single lady, career woman, <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/going-dutchshes-got-look.html" target="_blank">Dutch pragmatist</a> just to name a few. Even so, the whole is so much more than just the sum of all of these.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there are my single stories about others and I began thinking about how this starts with our parents. We see them as Mum and Dad and then they become 'people' as we get more and more perspective about them. How my Dad went from the person I thought was my biggest critic to someone who was more proud of me than I ever knew. How my Mum continues to be one of the strongest and most inspiring women I know, rising to every challenge and finding strength of purpose again and again in making a difference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was even thinking beyond people to my original single story about London and how every discovery I make about it both enriches my experience of living here and deepens my love for this amazing city. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It made me think about my reading of Americanah as my first dip into 'Nigeria' and how much I loved it and took the story to heart. And how this was my single story until I saw Chimimanda speak both on Thursday night and today on her TED talk. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And as I only read it three weeks ago,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> it made me think (not for the first time) that life has the ability to transform when you read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4VlvVVF9j9fn_x65cMJ8OO0AjWi8vpO01_uzYJQLeGzGIXW3DRxDWLtd-OY6u-uFbDP00atS-ltz0Ti6k216cqa1QSRBV2_Ai5-JTQVgRUEKRruGT7MlRu4Dxj9dmobk4HneNnlAJf1x/s1600/whats_your_story_off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4VlvVVF9j9fn_x65cMJ8OO0AjWi8vpO01_uzYJQLeGzGIXW3DRxDWLtd-OY6u-uFbDP00atS-ltz0Ti6k216cqa1QSRBV2_Ai5-JTQVgRUEKRruGT7MlRu4Dxj9dmobk4HneNnlAJf1x/s1600/whats_your_story_off.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-4526008097964240112014-05-26T19:08:00.002+01:002014-05-26T19:28:27.229+01:00Welcoming The World...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my last post, I took you on an armchair tour around my pre-work weekend in Rio de Janeiro, where I climbed mountains, strolled along the beach, ambled around the lagoon and sauntered through markets and gardens. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I must say that throughout the trip, I kept thinking to myself 'I am in Rio. Who gets to live</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> this kind of ridiculous (in a good way) and surreal life?' Apparently that would be me.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2rg09YXdBcipPvpPihvj7mflqOcNW81sSPznSto8DTIr43Eb-V5U4c7Lue8QNlencxHOTecFxKWOfWi00t-Ta2xui_0a1C2ha5f0iu3rJahu2jur4tLk-AIfoUwhNmIfhRbyufyCsHPt/s1600/14209578092_18d2f28fe9_z+(640x363).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2rg09YXdBcipPvpPihvj7mflqOcNW81sSPznSto8DTIr43Eb-V5U4c7Lue8QNlencxHOTecFxKWOfWi00t-Ta2xui_0a1C2ha5f0iu3rJahu2jur4tLk-AIfoUwhNmIfhRbyufyCsHPt/s1600/14209578092_18d2f28fe9_z+(640x363).jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Standing on Arpoador with Ipanema beach stretching away behind me.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But for all its easy amiability, there's another side to Rio: More than a million of the city's poor live in favelas, or shanty towns. Over 900</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> favelas perch on the hills around Rio, hundreds of delapidated shacks clustered amongst the green slopes rising from alongside Rio's most affluent communities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDxLLB0aJ1xSNWYUItx70d7TiejeoXILWyMZz2lYwZCKFo-JY2nartZwevEuMkFL0LpGtphtAWnzwKhBpxNT3MGAWPCfZAfeRa-qojBAVzY580ORFOq08OCPNlkrdEgMRepyvTvgZLD1s/s1600/Lights+of+Copacabana+%2528640x362%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDxLLB0aJ1xSNWYUItx70d7TiejeoXILWyMZz2lYwZCKFo-JY2nartZwevEuMkFL0LpGtphtAWnzwKhBpxNT3MGAWPCfZAfeRa-qojBAVzY580ORFOq08OCPNlkrdEgMRepyvTvgZLD1s/s1600/Lights+of+Copacabana+%2528640x362%2529.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This is a view of Copacabana from the Arpoador Fort - you can see the favela lights stretching up into the hills to the left of the lamp post.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There has been significant investment to improve conditions and reduce violence and general crime since 1994 and I am told this continues in earnest as next month's <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/" target="_blank">FIFA World Cup</a> and more particularly, the <a href="http://www.olympic.org/rio-2016-summer-olympics" target="_blank">2016 Olympic Games</a> will focus the world's eye on the city. A police presence has been installed in a number of favelas and</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> construction projects like the cable car system for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complexo_do_Alem%C3%A3o" target="_blank">Complexo do Alemeao</a> are being designed to facilitate workers' ability to earn a living. The cable car has also made the favela itself something of a tourist attraction (although reports of occasional outbreaks of violence and drug trafficking was enough to deter me).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The favelas have attracted many artists. The towns themselves are well known for their brightly painted shacks and are popular subjects for local painters with dozens of colourful canvasses on display in local markets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZxyjxWH1Bn-xrkrAU-rlvDaDkm7zEMstpeRngQXZSxVamBXEutrfZNO0vPxmlYFDcdkLJLWqkw8d51MsoXNSfzdg5qIDUuyk60rgvSeyDaQYqKRMBLB1T-u0YtmLHzIdNh_-6ne5dLeQ/s1600/Hippie+Fair+2++(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZxyjxWH1Bn-xrkrAU-rlvDaDkm7zEMstpeRngQXZSxVamBXEutrfZNO0vPxmlYFDcdkLJLWqkw8d51MsoXNSfzdg5qIDUuyk60rgvSeyDaQYqKRMBLB1T-u0YtmLHzIdNh_-6ne5dLeQ/s1600/Hippie+Fair+2++(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>One of a myriad of favela art collections on sale at the <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Feira de Artes de Ipanema</span> </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I didn't visit any favelas, they were easy enough to see, one of the largest climbing the hills behind Ipanema and Copacabana whilst the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Complexo do Alemao and its cable car were clearly visible from the main road leading from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barra_da_Tijuca,_Rio_de_Janeiro" target="_blank">Barra de Tijuca</a> to the airport.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I found myself bemused by </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this glamorous portrayal of Rio's slums and I wondered how many tourists pay eagerly for their 'authentic' souvenir, oblivious to the abject poverty and danger that these people live with every day. I felt like the proceeds should somehow go towards further improving conditions in these communities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In any case, most of the colleagues I spoke to would never dream of venturing into one of these areas yet were complimentary of programmes to improve conditions and safety. What was also interesting was their surprise at my catching a local bus service from Cosmo Velho (near the station whose train takes you up to Christ the Redeemer) back down to Ipanema on Saturday afternoon - surprised that I actually worked out how to manage this and pleased that I felt safe enough to do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's the thing - I felt safe. Shoulder to shoulder with locals, the bus whizzed through suburb after suburb and I felt like I saw more of the 'real' Rio in that 40 minute trip. And despite the lack of English speaking amongst local storekeepers and waiters, everyone was friendly and willing to help - so with the aid of a very limited 'Lonely Planet' vocabulary and some pretty impressive (if I do say so myself) charades, I managed to feed, water and generally navigate myself around this great city...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...walking along Ipanema Beach, I watched the cariocas (residents of Rio) play, at one with the sand and the sea...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSom_0lUAowIg8Z7x5WRGfzsUGI5GUOOewsPY9kVlYfrd0Jfu8bhu2Y6zeoeBhYiSOa9b_VduR54KnnjRMIHnk0el087FMgS2Y2kQACv_YpKoNWwmQtny9tD_wdmSnujCTvJNrlxLaQHN/s1600/Relax+in+Rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSom_0lUAowIg8Z7x5WRGfzsUGI5GUOOewsPY9kVlYfrd0Jfu8bhu2Y6zeoeBhYiSOa9b_VduR54KnnjRMIHnk0el087FMgS2Y2kQACv_YpKoNWwmQtny9tD_wdmSnujCTvJNrlxLaQHN/s1600/Relax+in+Rio.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Top left is Praia de Diabo (Devil's Beach); the rest were taken on Ipanema Beach</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...admiring the easy yet watchful opportunism of the local traders, whether on the beach, in the market or simply capitalising on a captive audience...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RMfdeL5zjQAiqP0c_67dSTi7f2AEQNj8riRIFFGs4mTQTm-CmeSwKnBU39AHc32eoSKGNmRkTHqgkSwmWCNZBrAdewCOckiiKzsSZQqufMsx7Rrs7gqjr8vADAkYvMXcZKK0b4GKIK0T/s1600/retail+in+Rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RMfdeL5zjQAiqP0c_67dSTi7f2AEQNj8riRIFFGs4mTQTm-CmeSwKnBU39AHc32eoSKGNmRkTHqgkSwmWCNZBrAdewCOckiiKzsSZQqufMsx7Rrs7gqjr8vADAkYvMXcZKK0b4GKIK0T/s1600/retail+in+Rio.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Clockwise from top left: opportunistic selling on the ride up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer; bikinis for sale on Ipanema beach; one of the most popular drinks in Rio is coconut juice; a bit of carnival spirit at the Hippie Fair; local art on display; sarongs for sale.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...and ambling along tree-lined streets with their colourful apartment blocks, wondering who might live there.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbcqu1xKnNeUNfv9zco0PxiyrdKQpJdnFhNKOcYwvLLNAGfN_rFLD8QCsZ34sCW2FJgS0yR-xjvLiyPeG9brZjns7zG4LAEb7M3DLKaNvwXw5v3rGMEvc8DIQWMjAq4crDysnRrlkQIrO/s1600/residence+in+Rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbcqu1xKnNeUNfv9zco0PxiyrdKQpJdnFhNKOcYwvLLNAGfN_rFLD8QCsZ34sCW2FJgS0yR-xjvLiyPeG9brZjns7zG4LAEb7M3DLKaNvwXw5v3rGMEvc8DIQWMjAq4crDysnRrlkQIrO/s1600/residence+in+Rio.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Top row; Ipanema<br />Bottom row L to R: Leblon, Ipanema, Laranjeiras</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rio is a city tucked cosily around its mountainous surrounds and retains the easy intimacy of a cluster of villages rather than the hustle and bustle of a metropolis of more than 6 million people. It is surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and spectacular scenery and the natives - or cariocas - are outdoorsy, easy-going and hugely welcoming. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You might argue that I've only scratched the surface but I think the world will enjoy its first Olympic soujourn in South America.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's hope that Rio will be able to put its best foot forward.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-46294927492820934912014-05-18T20:54:00.000+01:002014-05-18T20:54:51.546+01:00I Go To Rio...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Actually, I've been and come back - to Rio, that is. But these are the words, from the fabulous Peter Allen song, that played in my head over and over again during my visit so it seemed an appropriate title (versus the more mellow and perhaps obvious <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NldPFVKYmiw" target="_blank">The Girl from Ipanema</a>) for this first cursory <strike>brag about</strike> squiz at my week in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro" target="_blank">Rio de Janeiro</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes peeps, that's where I've been.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9GKABWRBgp1-8sO_pAYVOYVo9MqWKeeX9CLqcsv7PfePO3UcbdsLXFZvAXmyP9yl43hRjrY7zS5G06-Ts2_PAp9CIGla0O_Y-aVj6bQyOj0CAnucH6TFMmimaFQj1VVK9gzc25rb1Z3l/s1600/DSCN4988+(640x597).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9GKABWRBgp1-8sO_pAYVOYVo9MqWKeeX9CLqcsv7PfePO3UcbdsLXFZvAXmyP9yl43hRjrY7zS5G06-Ts2_PAp9CIGla0O_Y-aVj6bQyOj0CAnucH6TFMmimaFQj1VVK9gzc25rb1Z3l/s1600/DSCN4988+(640x597).jpg" height="298" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went for work - to visit our team there </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(sigh...I love my job)</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> - and I took some time last weekend to have a wander around and explore a little. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had planned to post in situ but the wifi wasn't great for photo uploading and having only arrived back yesterday evening, I've only just managed to do the necessary chores and sort my photos so this post is a 'best bits in pics' and I will follow it up with a little more detail on a couple of specific things in posts to come. So here we go...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Saturday morning, I got on one of these...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEXvtp6zj6FWt_Zr0Il88pgwI_uB-SM-tA3vqfUb4hSTbhHvlJN4kAXdbQJ6ZKJ36Ndm8hJNkGG91WXhkKJPzAtWYRAAroWtT2gxZvI2DYhWhuxDxeyZk9ebIc7sx6IAogiIy4fQ2-o5i/s1600/DSCN4885+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEXvtp6zj6FWt_Zr0Il88pgwI_uB-SM-tA3vqfUb4hSTbhHvlJN4kAXdbQJ6ZKJ36Ndm8hJNkGG91WXhkKJPzAtWYRAAroWtT2gxZvI2DYhWhuxDxeyZk9ebIc7sx6IAogiIy4fQ2-o5i/s1600/DSCN4885+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...to see what the man on the mountain...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTzJpIMHCimndezSlC_JiGKDtWEzAYSJaFUy0ygd7P_fVGSDTKPNj1d1vN4ZG25_bU9q9q0z18tnYFtFwOXwowN9rh1LTyEL5ByuU7N5tU7D2ksw1ZvzTAXCUiv51XUkdYXucjvQgFeaF/s1600/DSCN4854+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTzJpIMHCimndezSlC_JiGKDtWEzAYSJaFUy0ygd7P_fVGSDTKPNj1d1vN4ZG25_bU9q9q0z18tnYFtFwOXwowN9rh1LTyEL5ByuU7N5tU7D2ksw1ZvzTAXCUiv51XUkdYXucjvQgFeaF/s1600/DSCN4854+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Christ the Redeemer - or Cristo Redentor in the local lingo - sits atop Corcovado (the hunchback)</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...was looking at.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiGLGKJfhlBYX0MftahfpY3Xl8hBHaF4Q_Ct_nOSm0cX-4fUHPK2PQjRRwxwcA6hSD4Dj90xeaGDbfaUyNt_LoXxTAL1YtEeep_Fuq8p1_61is9rtpgDE893wE6IKF6cuhNRgycFqcDkM/s1600/View+from+Corcovado+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiGLGKJfhlBYX0MftahfpY3Xl8hBHaF4Q_Ct_nOSm0cX-4fUHPK2PQjRRwxwcA6hSD4Dj90xeaGDbfaUyNt_LoXxTAL1YtEeep_Fuq8p1_61is9rtpgDE893wE6IKF6cuhNRgycFqcDkM/s1600/View+from+Corcovado+1.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Windswept selfie!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was pretty bloody good if you ask me.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQdLVC-rDIhyYo6lAuZih8DtlvSTrukVPE611mD2sNZB8wsqf02SZ1q_R9igygXOAog3RFeKGCbatB7e0tdf1sRbktxjvrH_1C-ecbDzbltfxV3ij_HxhgO95bqSuwzXZk3_EViBl9FAC/s1600/DSCN4873+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQdLVC-rDIhyYo6lAuZih8DtlvSTrukVPE611mD2sNZB8wsqf02SZ1q_R9igygXOAog3RFeKGCbatB7e0tdf1sRbktxjvrH_1C-ecbDzbltfxV3ij_HxhgO95bqSuwzXZk3_EViBl9FAC/s1600/DSCN4873+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The view from the top. That's Ipanema on the other side of the lagoon, where my weekend digs - the <a href="http://ipanemainn.com.br/en/" target="_blank">Ipanema Inn</a> - were located.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I came down the mountain and explored some more...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB929lLtFwMhAHns2LXTZnmi5li15d1nKAdU24Z0SXQPmWJqlaBOmSi4ILqxg02bPAIGfDicOVhOnBXk9CkrVRixP5QVp8kdfiUepjXUdgVGpCVz5UCb0LgpKtFIsVuviE4PEfmBMtMk3/s1600/DSCN4911+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB929lLtFwMhAHns2LXTZnmi5li15d1nKAdU24Z0SXQPmWJqlaBOmSi4ILqxg02bPAIGfDicOVhOnBXk9CkrVRixP5QVp8kdfiUepjXUdgVGpCVz5UCb0LgpKtFIsVuviE4PEfmBMtMk3/s1600/DSCN4911+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The largo do boticario, an oasis of colour off the main road in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosme_Velho,_Rio_de_Janeiro" target="_blank">Cosmo Velho</a></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...before meeting someone for a local 'brew with a view' in the evening.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS70dHta1MGOqQY5KIIxB56kC4unSglMiqvg5pRPRg4GSnCV8DiwpjsJDLMousXXQm_no20gI-gN0Tu17pxwfE7L_BQLkuqfdrLvkON_BYAMH8FXZ-82AWjFPA0rPgKYsR32si5mQWzWl/s1600/Copacabana+beach+from+Arpoador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS70dHta1MGOqQY5KIIxB56kC4unSglMiqvg5pRPRg4GSnCV8DiwpjsJDLMousXXQm_no20gI-gN0Tu17pxwfE7L_BQLkuqfdrLvkON_BYAMH8FXZ-82AWjFPA0rPgKYsR32si5mQWzWl/s1600/Copacabana+beach+from+Arpoador.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>View of Copacabana beach from the Arpoador Fort</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next day (that's Sunday - are you keeping track?), I wandered a block from my hotel to Ipanema Beach...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho5OGFinITNoYekWdGkJn7LmWaY_4kfWGrvXkOQh4yjjd0hex-X1xjD8tuHo7b2j2b5UkJPktYetps933uoccfWWx5O_F9tUGSdrq7ylIEnBpxL0OzBktSYJe7JABib4bVRZbsPiU3AKg/s1600/DSCN4919+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho5OGFinITNoYekWdGkJn7LmWaY_4kfWGrvXkOQh4yjjd0hex-X1xjD8tuHo7b2j2b5UkJPktYetps933uoccfWWx5O_F9tUGSdrq7ylIEnBpxL0OzBktSYJe7JABib4bVRZbsPiU3AKg/s1600/DSCN4919+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...before hitting the back streets to find a little musical history...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGLNV0hZ3_eXSQ5uPhWaY425onA2v6w80VIuwOEdcPiadX4jKVvLZmJu7amdztt7v8UMlGxLaJrF6UNZlSXcreWuNbe7gSCkzGjzYPTLSopMkGzsJ476wJnlJjw6nTQoyz8WvcbJ2LdYC/s1600/DSCN4931+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGLNV0hZ3_eXSQ5uPhWaY425onA2v6w80VIuwOEdcPiadX4jKVvLZmJu7amdztt7v8UMlGxLaJrF6UNZlSXcreWuNbe7gSCkzGjzYPTLSopMkGzsJ476wJnlJjw6nTQoyz8WvcbJ2LdYC/s1600/DSCN4931+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Previously Bar Veloso, the bar Garota de Ipanema at 49 Vinicius de Moraes, is where Moraes and Tom Jobim were inspired by the 17-year-old Helo Pinheiro, the original Girl from Ipanema, to pen one of the world's most ubiquitous tunes. </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...and local expression. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8CSEGndVs3WMUHkKNsFDTMy63cxf1HXVjdae9jXwc5Zv8xmQrPXvCpaJQeK583sfV4JtpBNq7dc7mOe-jueA8BkSFYcOf5BQh1YuntdfhHz0pHZtY_VdvrtXBS1RNk5YCkqKMekSbtHz/s1600/DSCN4940+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8CSEGndVs3WMUHkKNsFDTMy63cxf1HXVjdae9jXwc5Zv8xmQrPXvCpaJQeK583sfV4JtpBNq7dc7mOe-jueA8BkSFYcOf5BQh1YuntdfhHz0pHZtY_VdvrtXBS1RNk5YCkqKMekSbtHz/s1600/DSCN4940+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The Hippie Fair in Ipanema (or Feira de Artes de Ipanema if you are practising your Portuguese) has a whole gamut of arts and crafts for sale as well as some local vittels if you get a bit peckish. It's also a mecca of artistic expression for local painters - this was one of my favourites.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Heading back towards the beach, I walked out onto Porto do <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arpoador,_Rio_de_Janeiro" target="_blank">Arpoador</a>...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tH94yhX0I1SCweqAwaz975t6AYjW29KDQP1xHhyphenhyphenYWy3ekRLUe5I3-Q0iGlj21oPIhIv2Qv8ZoSAW68oWJnHjI2tO-yb8JTnIJVsCdnUegLlzfINOukt6A_tntpziqV-YbCFKkPzDe3Fd/s1600/DSCN4983+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tH94yhX0I1SCweqAwaz975t6AYjW29KDQP1xHhyphenhyphenYWy3ekRLUe5I3-Q0iGlj21oPIhIv2Qv8ZoSAW68oWJnHjI2tO-yb8JTnIJVsCdnUegLlzfINOukt6A_tntpziqV-YbCFKkPzDe3Fd/s1600/DSCN4983+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...and then back to the hotel for a short rest before setting off for the Botanic Gardens.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlAearEcLOYD6l6kOuBtoDn4CavcWL6_BXYHMCDh9tY6TWdbhHqMOS5rJRHtEKb3AnNmQvFSEaa81cTZN7l4dtJW3JVYObYllqcPK_Zlb4QdyV817X4IPlivK5y8qQoDSR6p9A6A-62s7/s1600/DSCN5042+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlAearEcLOYD6l6kOuBtoDn4CavcWL6_BXYHMCDh9tY6TWdbhHqMOS5rJRHtEKb3AnNmQvFSEaa81cTZN7l4dtJW3JVYObYllqcPK_Zlb4QdyV817X4IPlivK5y8qQoDSR6p9A6A-62s7/s1600/DSCN5042+(480x640).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I passed a pleasant couple of hours here before heading back towards the hotel, my path taking me around the lagoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmVlC8VkwyDQ6X7JsFwGFl9zD-6EF6husoJMo82m2rYIB9tgyDer8nfiIZDYQcN_HQtNu_pamwTGvpDMA94FIDpdekzXMvrbL1WAQNL7KuCMcSLE1NzSzSrugzF3A2EJMtjh_uu9B-ct1/s1600/DSCN5053+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmVlC8VkwyDQ6X7JsFwGFl9zD-6EF6husoJMo82m2rYIB9tgyDer8nfiIZDYQcN_HQtNu_pamwTGvpDMA94FIDpdekzXMvrbL1WAQNL7KuCMcSLE1NzSzSrugzF3A2EJMtjh_uu9B-ct1/s1600/DSCN5053+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then it was time to enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the lights of Ipanema before packing my suitcase to move to my 'work hotel' in Barra de Tijuca on Monday...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThAY85Glwy88U8FWS8iNtwC3uyf_DlAKDH7Pufes32GNUFQBhCfwxPH9npGZT36SQ8WYrs4vweExCeTavI0x0HF3e6A9HpBjWL30ZmmbZJxvWe3HB0SadZfvEZwI8bqr_CeSkoldhF_rU/s1600/14208459151_ca31c8b739_b+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThAY85Glwy88U8FWS8iNtwC3uyf_DlAKDH7Pufes32GNUFQBhCfwxPH9npGZT36SQ8WYrs4vweExCeTavI0x0HF3e6A9HpBjWL30ZmmbZJxvWe3HB0SadZfvEZwI8bqr_CeSkoldhF_rU/s1600/14208459151_ca31c8b739_b+(1).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View from my room on the 10th floor of the Sheraton Barra (pronounced Ba-ha)</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...and while that was the end of my personal meanderings, a very early flight to Sao Paulo Tuesday morning meant I got to see this from the taxi... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58qW7iCFF1xF8s1gWiSk9cLvbXUpl5UQtUdA6LSAquHDhfRxwCEWQRT15iMP4g4vUo_-JGqXRp3wtnkrvH4CimfINl5h2-Mw1r9vgRIPEWlnbk5Uoa8qkxVssdI2pqcP0Q2fPMB1ZwF1l/s1600/14025106839_f5fd4481b9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58qW7iCFF1xF8s1gWiSk9cLvbXUpl5UQtUdA6LSAquHDhfRxwCEWQRT15iMP4g4vUo_-JGqXRp3wtnkrvH4CimfINl5h2-Mw1r9vgRIPEWlnbk5Uoa8qkxVssdI2pqcP0Q2fPMB1ZwF1l/s1600/14025106839_f5fd4481b9_b.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Ipanema dawn</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...as well as this...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzWWESd7Dt16h-1oEDZ1GaHNeCnc1sQXdoaZWwNieAjuOUSeDspqptr8fq2I94AG2Ip5Fse1FnbSNCY-_UTbQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Copacabana sunrise</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...before taking this photo from the plane.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtk9iT0tD0eLrNAsUX8arUSRergDK1mfyZAtsF44rNStvhMQDJJcWeGJ_bJabH-sE1tQE2YBoUmChlHgc5eDUjIgtt_eGS_LodHBuG90s8B-XN779qbZ4HdwhdL-KJY71ptgQwSUZdMin/s1600/View+from+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtk9iT0tD0eLrNAsUX8arUSRergDK1mfyZAtsF44rNStvhMQDJJcWeGJ_bJabH-sE1tQE2YBoUmChlHgc5eDUjIgtt_eGS_LodHBuG90s8B-XN779qbZ4HdwhdL-KJY71ptgQwSUZdMin/s1600/View+from+plane.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>That's Ipanema beach on the left and Copacabana beach on the right.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So if that hasn't inspired you to google travel deals to the carnival city, I'll leave you with the original shoulder-shimmying boy from Oz...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CUMhCQ6u0YA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If that doesn't do it, nothing will!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-56499592852836199212014-05-03T18:58:00.002+01:002014-05-03T18:58:29.276+01:00What Lies Before Me...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here we are at another 1st and this time it's the first of May...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ooops! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is what happens when good intentions get waylaid and a person gets laid low by a hideous migraine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I'm back, albeit a little overdue, which means it's time for another </span><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Calendar Challenge</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uzUsPNJ8awPQ_7uzImh59fSEXKNwpnLozcWaXXQEP6QN0yk-g7QBJhHGgB5lg4VtxABN6ngQBluI4u_iQlKvs_PTTSh1L6CA9DmzNeh8SYDm0HAcmRq-SiSJNplZlE082r0AyZeg36uX/s1600/Thirst+aid+kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uzUsPNJ8awPQ_7uzImh59fSEXKNwpnLozcWaXXQEP6QN0yk-g7QBJhHGgB5lg4VtxABN6ngQBluI4u_iQlKvs_PTTSh1L6CA9DmzNeh8SYDm0HAcmRq-SiSJNplZlE082r0AyZeg36uX/s1600/Thirst+aid+kit.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are the obvious 'lush' perspectives here (although in the last few days, I have never felt less like a drink in my life). There's the social glue of getting together with friends and putting the world to rights. The importance of a cracking red with a new 'local' pizza at the end of countless moving-house-again days. The virtual Cheers! across the miles with Lil Chicky via WhatsApp or Facebook. In fact, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he sheer necessity of such an indugence if one is to have a balanced outlook on life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And this brings me to an important point, one which a friend and I were discussing a few weeks back over...you guessed it...a bottle of red. We have both come to realise that, at this point (we are in our mid-forties), we are at about the halfway point in our lifetimes. (All going according to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">the statistics</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> of course</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> - as an Aussie sheila, it's expected I'll be </span><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pop%20your%20clogs" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">popping my clogs</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> at 85.6.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, it made for some interesting discussion about what we would do and in fact what the world would be like for the next 40 years or so. Will our jobs still exist and if they do, what are the chances of us wanting to do them? And for how long? Where will we live? What things will we do to inform, amuse, educate, indulge ourselves? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do we shape the years that stretch ahead of us before they shape us? How much planning do we do and how much should we leave to serendipity, chance or spontaneous gut feeling?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have no answers, this being a new and slightly unsettling line of thought for me. My life right now feels really full and fabulous, like the work of the last 44 years has come to fruition and given me the life I always dreamed of. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even so, I found myself picking up Investors Chronicle magazine with my Saturday paper this morning and over the last week or so 'google writing courses' keeps popping up on my mental to-do list. And I swear there's that brine-y cloying smell of the sea in my future somewhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not that I'm racing off into the wild blue yonder - breaking the glass in an emergency so to speak - with any of this yet but this recent twist of the kaleidoscope has made me wonder what would make me happiest in my future and how I give myself the wherewithal to be there, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">wherever there turns out to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-daring-adventure.html" target="_blank">move to the UK</a> was driven by that deep-down feeling in my gut that this was what was right and next in my life. And it was sudden so it makes me wonder what the next catalyst for change in life as I know it will be. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I sincerely hope it won't be anything tragic. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Perhaps it will just sneak up surreptitiously, moving me along a gentler path until suddenly I look around and say, 'Aah yes, this is exactly where I am meant to be.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life has a funny way of showing us a path when we least expect it but to my way of thinking, I need to take a few more steps off the beaten track and forage about in the undergrowth a bit to understand what I might really like to have in my future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who knows what I might find. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">---------</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">----------------------</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Calendar Challenge 2014 - Back Catalogue</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html" target="_blank">Keep Calm And Carry On</a></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/sour-grapes.html" target="_blank">Sour Grapes</a></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/water-water-everywhere.html" target="_blank">Water Water Everywhere</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/on-shore.html" target="_blank">On The Shore</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-66241099929144507312014-04-27T11:00:00.000+01:002014-04-27T11:00:04.520+01:00Memories of Nanjing...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Memories are funny things aren't they?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We gather so many millions and millions of them throughout our lives and somehow they all get stored away in our mind's filing cabinet. Some things we want to remember - a couple of mine include standing awestruck in the empty chamber in one of Giza's great pyramids or for something more mundane, just remembering the name of the person I met half an hour ago. Others we'd rather forget. Most retreat and end up buried beneath the constant and never-ending deluge of our life. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yet sometimes, like yesterday, they pop up when least expected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blogger (and published author) extraordinaire Linda Janssen writes <a href="http://www.adventuresinexpatland.com/wp/" target="_blank">Adventures in Expatland</a> and I was over there yesterday checking out the latest piece in her Expats A to Z series, <a href="http://www.adventuresinexpatland.com/wp/2014/04/25/c-is-for-committed/" target="_blank">C is for Committed</a>. The post was pretty much what I've come to expect from Linda's writing: thoughtful, insightful and generous. But what I didn't expect was the evocation of a memory so powerful, it took me right back to a summer's evening in a Nanjing street almost nine years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had been in my own version of expatland for about 18 months. It had been a hard induction - initial expectations of money, home and job had fallen well short and my family and friends watched from afar - concerned, helpless and confused - as I struggled with both the practical</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> and emotional minefield of building a new life. A</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nd whilst I knew deep down that here was where I was meant to be, there was another little voice in my head whispering, 'What are you doing? Why are you doing this to yourself? You had a good life, it would be easier/far more sensible to give up and go back to Australia.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At this point in time, I'd found myself in a job that promised so much and fairly quickly became a huge disappointment but I did get a couple of amazing opportunities to travel in the ten months I was there and one of these trips was to Asia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'd spent a week with our local rep visiting suppliers in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. We'd managed a casual evening in Macau, another more digestively challenging evening as guests of a supplier in Shanghai, had visited villages and great cities and had been flown and driven around for six days. On the final day, we crossed the Yangtze River for our final supplier meeting and then spent the afternoon heading towards <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/nanjing.htm" target="_blank">Nanjing</a> in order to get on our respective flights home the following morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the pressure of the week finally over, my colleague suggested a stroll through the city and a 'local' dinner so fortified by a drink at the hotel bar we set off. Nanjing was full of colour and life and my local took great care of me, showing me the sights and encouraging me to share several local dishes at a tightly packed restaurant filled with the curious clacketty-clack of Chinese chatter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we wandered back towards the hotel, I felt a whole world away from my troubles back in the UK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We passed a few art and craft stalls and finally stopped where a small crowd had gathered. Drawing closer, I could see a young woman surrounded by rolls of bamboo parchment, an array of small ink pots before her: she was finger-painting these extraordinary Chinese scrolls and selling them for about £10. I stood and watched her for a while, fascinated by her complete immersion in her task, wanting to imprint the moment of simplicity, purity and happy endeavour firmly in my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually, I asked for one to be painted for me and as I looked on, a delicate picture of ebony branches with tiny bright red flowers came to life beneath her deft fingers. It was beautiful and I was so delighted at the prospect of taking this little piece of Nanjing home with me. But even more poignant was her explanation as she presented me with my finished scroll - the tree she had chosen to paint for me was one that slept and struggled through the cold dark months of winter and then would blossom in a vivid testament to its commitment to both survive and thrive in spite of the elements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It hung on my wall in my tiny Kingston flat for six years before getting irreparably damaged during my move to Finchley. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But Linda's post yesterday brought it back to me, as vivid and delicate as the night it was created. And when I shared this story in response to her post, she asked me to share it with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've built <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-daring-adventure.html" target="_blank">a life</a> I absolutely love here in London and it feels like the seed that was planted ten years ago has finally blossomed. But I will never forget that moment in the dim light of a Nanjing street when, in fractured English, I was inspired by the recognition and acknowledgement of all my heart was feeling by a complete stranger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABKEH6iVLFzOocXPBs6msjx7-rTJPiKjKJsWJ9bl2CMIfkCxhlUwcUIEJG9SF8C-XMurb6bLqVP_175dAyUIcwkxDlYJ-q8sa8uMpj6oKKcmjZWRQjIzf5jwRj0VY6L67_6YWS6vLwhNs/s1600/nanjing+blossom+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABKEH6iVLFzOocXPBs6msjx7-rTJPiKjKJsWJ9bl2CMIfkCxhlUwcUIEJG9SF8C-XMurb6bLqVP_175dAyUIcwkxDlYJ-q8sa8uMpj6oKKcmjZWRQjIzf5jwRj0VY6L67_6YWS6vLwhNs/s1600/nanjing+blossom+pink.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-52016331716250707212014-04-25T23:30:00.004+01:002014-04-25T23:30:52.074+01:00Hanging A Right...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am lucky enough to work right near Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament and my morning walk to work from Charing Cross Station takes me along the bottom corner of Trafalgar Square and straight down <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehall" target="_blank">Whitehall</a>, past 10 Downing Street and through Parliament Square. With so many beautiful buildings and breathtakingly famous views, I am constantly whipping out my phone to capture a moment that makes me catch my breath and say 'Wow!'. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But this morning I turned right out of the station exit and discovered an entirely different source of snap-happy inspiration, <a href="http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=WST129" target="_blank">Whitehall Garden</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Garden forms part of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Wren" target="_blank">Christopher Wren</a>'s original vision of a continuous series of public gardens along the river bank back in 1666 - Whitehall Garden is one of four gardens and stretches along Victoria Embankment from the Golden Jubilee Bridge towards Westminster Bridge. It</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> was laid out in 1875 along the river side of Whitehall Palace (which to this day still contains the Banqueting House with its </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/tis-seasonparty-feet.html" target="_blank">exquisite Rubenesque ceiling</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Compared with the hustle and bustle of Whitehall, the lush green landscape before me offered a more serene and contemplative space than usual for the last leg of my commute. With today being <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day" target="_blank">ANZAC Day</a>, it also seemed appropriate that my decision to beat a different path to the office took me past the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Air_Force_Memorial" target="_blank">RAF Memorial</a>. And I loved the opportunity to finish off my commute with a different perspective of Big Ben...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacd2sU9xNzDdhYJk6RZ_hc3lpXLWR8hw7ue4UzHBP6sUNQjKK4bvQA1KwGmKYCgCU7M7neoqQDLzgsafcLo4owgDw4rn1JC6T2CbNwdsBsI9Kjy-9lbHqARuLUGBbh6cQCy8HyNbMpDa1/s1600/A+Different+Face+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacd2sU9xNzDdhYJk6RZ_hc3lpXLWR8hw7ue4UzHBP6sUNQjKK4bvQA1KwGmKYCgCU7M7neoqQDLzgsafcLo4owgDw4rn1JC6T2CbNwdsBsI9Kjy-9lbHqARuLUGBbh6cQCy8HyNbMpDa1/s1600/A+Different+Face+1.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't expect to find so much that was interesting along the way, expecting a spot of vague strolling</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> but up</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on crossing Northumberland Avenue, having a <a href="http://monopoly.wikia.com/wiki/Northumberland_Avenue" target="_blank">Monopoly moment</a> and entering the garden, I stumbled across a fabulous little piece of history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N1T19DUygDrdjrcWbhU6d44ObAh2PLpaQKc9tyQuXsZxkyr8wz2b-BvFglie1XrFS9mlK6sZLuBKJLtj-v-OBagA5JtlxVghyKppo04NdqjwijivCD9EuSSUOO-IxYbOYy2HarDspKwt/s1600/Queen+Marys+Steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N1T19DUygDrdjrcWbhU6d44ObAh2PLpaQKc9tyQuXsZxkyr8wz2b-BvFglie1XrFS9mlK6sZLuBKJLtj-v-OBagA5JtlxVghyKppo04NdqjwijivCD9EuSSUOO-IxYbOYy2HarDspKwt/s1600/Queen+Marys+Steps.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These are Queen Mary's Steps and were discovered in 1939. They were built by Wren in 1691 as part of a riverside terrace for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_II_of_England" target="_blank">Queen Mary II</a> in front of the original Whitehall Palace (one of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_of_England" target="_blank">Henry VIII</a> pads) and the curving steps provided access from her Royal Apartments to the State Barge. *snap snap*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But the serenity of the gardens (and more 'peaceful picture' opportunities) beckoned...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_2Pb-G-NvA7JPvpEkUveh4iWxYvOe8eJCuzWASkh4hZFwdkwauT-YCdfLpMJjZLLzcAnJTMguz5hBon_KVqyatWdHv9SiNFF9V1dqOBJNTZR5dp4p6Plo2ny1TXy0wLkTEcf0BzWNzR9/s1600/14010630834_b27b7fd3d8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_2Pb-G-NvA7JPvpEkUveh4iWxYvOe8eJCuzWASkh4hZFwdkwauT-YCdfLpMJjZLLzcAnJTMguz5hBon_KVqyatWdHv9SiNFF9V1dqOBJNTZR5dp4p6Plo2ny1TXy0wLkTEcf0BzWNzR9/s1600/14010630834_b27b7fd3d8_b.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4gtSkCbTmzerHJNMB0Xh0LDRqidJupO6n_ho4RDlMLt7xQgPXRXsE7gwENhPtRYf7YR2-1q4W9iXJojXHDv8MmXugsXzYhvSR2yjfLFIH_imX_9Mgaz0BUA0eV2y4BxVm693LuYPPVtI/s1600/14006992182_2a37107124_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4gtSkCbTmzerHJNMB0Xh0LDRqidJupO6n_ho4RDlMLt7xQgPXRXsE7gwENhPtRYf7YR2-1q4W9iXJojXHDv8MmXugsXzYhvSR2yjfLFIH_imX_9Mgaz0BUA0eV2y4BxVm693LuYPPVtI/s1600/14006992182_2a37107124_b.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlE6I5UsusCjyX8YiYsyZiOmFohQvQbi70LDppzE1D_xCbjdChu-HvDdRBSvyDP5vTRnFbQPYQftx0hRAmxRK7MU-WNSiBj5sEx0FIG2nY4GHQZkuo483kZV9p3FJoE4FSlRWFKye28uI/s1600/13987066126_8186f57b17_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlE6I5UsusCjyX8YiYsyZiOmFohQvQbi70LDppzE1D_xCbjdChu-HvDdRBSvyDP5vTRnFbQPYQftx0hRAmxRK7MU-WNSiBj5sEx0FIG2nY4GHQZkuo483kZV9p3FJoE4FSlRWFKye28uI/s1600/13987066126_8186f57b17_b.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ41_m-nO5PteVneK4z2427gaH6Nl8mYpvUyljtP1V928aBVkO8O0NUF7k0ZImwTKsjiR2vn2c5QVCvxpjdLTzRXrwIpMwIhm0jD8V8MpPgyZfuLUyO55KIFvI_RHlvMi5PX3FTLPhgCc/s1600/14010638984_5d1d4f607c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ41_m-nO5PteVneK4z2427gaH6Nl8mYpvUyljtP1V928aBVkO8O0NUF7k0ZImwTKsjiR2vn2c5QVCvxpjdLTzRXrwIpMwIhm0jD8V8MpPgyZfuLUyO55KIFvI_RHlvMi5PX3FTLPhgCc/s1600/14010638984_5d1d4f607c_b.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-_y_ACKs6O9KoRpcgrkq70ZBEInIn_MN0cAmzig-PtrvpM8asTBd_23VqnOuV3LLw-DlgrEFww2C0uWBV5wfXaJU7VAfbSDp8UmCjIYJxj49BwAkBzMltP7iQjFmz5DQg8bUni3R8pQV/s1600/14006972332_1a01cf1173_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-_y_ACKs6O9KoRpcgrkq70ZBEInIn_MN0cAmzig-PtrvpM8asTBd_23VqnOuV3LLw-DlgrEFww2C0uWBV5wfXaJU7VAfbSDp8UmCjIYJxj49BwAkBzMltP7iQjFmz5DQg8bUni3R8pQV/s1600/14006972332_1a01cf1173_b.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And soon I was turning right and crossing into Parliament Square beneath the gothic gilded clock tower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do love this city...what a great way to start a Friday...and all because I had a whim to <a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hang_a_right" target="_blank">hang a right</a>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-58409519461680353652014-04-18T10:22:00.002+01:002014-04-18T10:22:50.182+01:00A Milestone With Meaning...I<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">t's <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/easter/10773013/Good-Friday-the-day-we-forget-to-remember.html" target="_blank">Good Friday</a> here in the UK and after an impromptu dinner out last night with a work friend (and a nice bottle of red shared between us) it's been a lazy start to the day. But with Vegemite toast done, the coffee machine warming up and back episodes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier" target="_blank">Frasier</a> on the telly, I've popped by to see what was happening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it seems rather a lot - in the last few days, Gidday from the UK has tipped into triple figures and passed 100,000 page views.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQLwmy_DiI62UvDRt58QAh8Afgl8djMEQH7coG-BMx3s0RPNBHrEMDkrJy3jGoL8bSKolv8hg2nu1CB5hUn8q6Ml2viFfSUcXnRm7ysI1XwA8hF4Iq8F1SfdbmYi9h-3YEx2ULSdly-3K/s1600/fireworks+100000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQLwmy_DiI62UvDRt58QAh8Afgl8djMEQH7coG-BMx3s0RPNBHrEMDkrJy3jGoL8bSKolv8hg2nu1CB5hUn8q6Ml2viFfSUcXnRm7ysI1XwA8hF4Iq8F1SfdbmYi9h-3YEx2ULSdly-3K/s1600/fireworks+100000.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It might not seem so much to some but when I started tapping away in 2008, it seemed quite impossible that anyone outside </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my nearest and dearest</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> would actually find my witterings in the big wide blogosphere, let alone read them with any regularity. And that's because I really started this blog for me, to find an outlet to express both the richness and ordinariness of my </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">everyday expat moments that seemed to fall short in their relating during long distance phone calls to loved ones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But it appears that there are many more of you out there - and for the most part we've never physically met each other - and I feel </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">enormously humble when I think about that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So whether you've been visiting for a while or you're a newbie here, thank you for stopping by and being part of the Gidday community.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And have a wonderful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" target="_blank">Easter</a> however you choose to spend it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-83125401151220567802014-04-13T18:57:00.002+01:002014-04-13T18:57:24.994+01:00Having Reservations...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday I went out with some friends of mine to see a show followed by some drinks and dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had a great time. <a href="http://www.vaudeville-theatre.co.uk/Handbagged.html" target="_blank">Handbagged</a> was witty, topical and a lot of fun and with a few drinks under our belts (there may have been three grapefruit Cosmopolitans involved...for me), we expected that dinner at American-eatery-in-Soho, <a href="http://www.jacksonrye.com/" target="_blank">Jackson and Rye</a>, would contribute some worthy state-side vittels to finish off our evening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And the verdict? My inaugural grits (a kind of polenta porridge) were weird, pleasant-ish but not right with shrimps, my sea bass with apple and fennel slaw was light and lovely and the pecan pie was mmm...mmm scrumptious!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I digress. You see, Jackson and Rye don't take reservations which is a pet peeve of mine. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I am coming across this situation in London with greater and greater frequency. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A catch-up dinner with a friend at no-bookings Italian 'tapas' joint </span><a href="http://www.polpo.co.uk/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Polpo</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> last year was planned around being there just before 7pm to ensure we got a table rather than when we were actually hungry or what was convenient for us. And looking for somewhere to eat </span><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/simply-est.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">after the theatre with Lil Chicky</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> last October was fraught with queue after queue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiantBjQKWgi37YnLpFkYrM1neMPXJ1dXfjTfT5_KKsrRDpKEUc7Zcsow7aiPrgFMBbphYIkTaO5Imb7lc7IyPKIQjZAc5qTCwOwJdlYu_4GdlGnwQNg3KfWFaQPm2o7_6rW8lskDhklgnO/s1600/standing+in+line.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiantBjQKWgi37YnLpFkYrM1neMPXJ1dXfjTfT5_KKsrRDpKEUc7Zcsow7aiPrgFMBbphYIkTaO5Imb7lc7IyPKIQjZAc5qTCwOwJdlYu_4GdlGnwQNg3KfWFaQPm2o7_6rW8lskDhklgnO/s1600/standing+in+line.png" height="300" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(We eventually found a table at </span><a href="http://www.tuttons.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tuttons</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> right on Covent Garden which was lovely...and for future reference, book-able.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I remember when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Oliver" target="_blank">Jamie Oliver</a> opened his sans booking restaurant chain Jamie's Italian in 2008 and we thought we'd head down to the one in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Thames" target="_blank">Kingston</a> to give it a try. We queued outside - no room inside for waiting - for a barely acceptable 15 minutes. I've been to Jamie's Italian once since when we were lucky to have only a five minute wait. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To say I was put off is putting it mildly. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I accept that if I haven't booked then I have to take what I can get but this we-don't-take-bookings nonsense is all getting a bit much for me. I don't want to have to trawl Soho post-show because of this growing 'no booking' policy. What ever happened to looking after the customer? Couldn't they at least allow some tables to be booked, leaving some free for these apparently all-important walk-ins?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Polpo's website offers an explanation of sorts, saying that their casual Venetian '<a href="http://www.bacaro.co.uk/news/2011/07/03/just-what-is-a-bacaro/" target="_blank">bacaros</a>' are designed to encourage the locals to pop in for a bite to eat and to build a sense of community </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">amongst their regulars</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. There are 3 Polpos and 1 Polpetto in Central London, none of which take bookings. Who are these 'locals' I wonder?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In any case it would appear these places are doing rather well and that the standing in line has become a badge of honour - after all, if you've queued (or waited in the bar) for at least an hour, the food had better be rave-worthy, or at least</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> good enough for you to tell everyone about. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't know about you but after an hour, my palate becomes a little less discerning, swamped by a-drink-(or two)-while-I-waited or the sounds of my stomach growling with hunger...or both.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Luckily last night's drinks were at one of our favourite drinking holes, the <a href="http://freedombarsoho.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Bar</a>, just two doors down from Jackson and Rye so <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/ye-olde-bucket-listpart-two.html" target="_blank">The Umpire</a> kindly did a recce before we gave up our pre-dinner perch. And the meal was delicious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But if I'm really honest, I have my reservations as to how long I really would have waited for it.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-74373106527379523732014-04-06T20:38:00.001+01:002014-04-06T20:38:27.668+01:00Literary London...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUwPhOQ6R5zRJhPora-97-LMAY6MXE9gcLNAsRLBboBgb11wjTajtl2nD7OQdhCAIlXuXDkGLI-ujlPSdscFnHbtX5Ml6YtxBsvXWyxHtUHFr7MakYAuC7VmBihCAwW7ydOgg-n4D_uaX/s1600/bookworm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUwPhOQ6R5zRJhPora-97-LMAY6MXE9gcLNAsRLBboBgb11wjTajtl2nD7OQdhCAIlXuXDkGLI-ujlPSdscFnHbtX5Ml6YtxBsvXWyxHtUHFr7MakYAuC7VmBihCAwW7ydOgg-n4D_uaX/s1600/bookworm.gif" height="171" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those of you who keep an eye on my literary forays - whether through <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-book-nook.html" target="_blank">The Book Nook</a> or on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8381232-kym" target="_blank">Good Reads</a> - you'll know that my Year in Books has gotten off to somewhat of a prolific start. Having set my yearly target at 54 books (that's one a week then bumped up to match last year's tally), I am already reading #24. That's right - three shy of the halfway mark and only 25% of the year gone. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6630355680050775256" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I was walking up to North Finchley last week and noticed</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> this street poster for <a href="http://www.cityreadlondon.org.uk/" target="_blank">CityRead London</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05YJuIvBWFKZES3eDPrfzBiIOnKnjfoAKseLv5ggdcZ3Kid0g5k0lh4f1JCaG7yUOvQS5SzQCI0Be1-Ki39wCmcdxFE7nE8opWlwE4zu2hUm6pqf64unn9Msm_rn_ea-59pTzqX_ssE5A/s1600/13645067414_76cc612384_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05YJuIvBWFKZES3eDPrfzBiIOnKnjfoAKseLv5ggdcZ3Kid0g5k0lh4f1JCaG7yUOvQS5SzQCI0Be1-Ki39wCmcdxFE7nE8opWlwE4zu2hUm6pqf64unn9Msm_rn_ea-59pTzqX_ssE5A/s1600/13645067414_76cc612384_b.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Intrigued I came home, googled and found out about this wonderful initiative.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Launched in 2012, CityRead London is an annual literary festival held in April each year which is designed to have us read a little something about London...together. Then throughout the month, the book is brought to life with literary events and talks in borough libraries all over the capital. This year it's <a href="http://www.louisayoung.co.uk/mydear.html" target="_blank">Louisa Young's My Dear, I Wanted To Tell You</a>, a love story set during the first World War. Released early in 2011, this book was short-listed for the <a href="http://www.wellcomebookprize.org/" target="_blank">Wellcome Prize</a>, the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.costa.co.uk/costa-book-awards/welcome/" target="_blank">Costa Novel Award</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalbookawards.co.uk/about-the-awards/" target="_blank">The National Book Awards</a> that same year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There has been a plethora of authors eager to showcase London and all of its charms over the centuries (think back to <a href="http://charlesdickenspage.com/fast-facts.html" target="_blank">Charles Dickens</a> in the 1800s who actually wrote part of Martin Chuzzlewit just up the road here <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Park,_Barnet" target="_blank">in Finchley</a>). So the choice must have been a challenging one with so much to choose from but for all its accolades, I had not heard of Young or this particular book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love reading about this wonderful city: its history, its place in the modern world or simply as a backdrop to a cracking story. One of my very favourite books of the last few years is <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/530869091" target="_blank">John Lanchester's Capital</a> s</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">o with all of this London literary love in mind, I have Amazon One-Click-ed Young's war tale to <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/good-book.html" target="_blank">Audrey</a>'s lovely e-pages. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What an inspired and clever way to promote reading (and to get me to download yet another book to my kindle this week).</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-56405308582009917542014-04-01T07:00:00.000+01:002014-04-02T20:19:19.678+01:00On The Shore...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This month's <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html" target="_blank">Calendar Challenge</a> inspiration comes from waiting around for hours for something to happen - also known as fishing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8TLof29zMI8MRZVKUHYny_QvGhg8KQuHocJ8FfUTBLmCbYSsfe6qHszyaNw-k10wZ_s50AKknc_Azpn5szQ0Pq31FvWaFzgiZeg9Ls7rs8wnnFkht3i1f-H8aid6h271pmPrt2OIAG6v/s1600/april+simon+drew+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8TLof29zMI8MRZVKUHYny_QvGhg8KQuHocJ8FfUTBLmCbYSsfe6qHszyaNw-k10wZ_s50AKknc_Azpn5szQ0Pq31FvWaFzgiZeg9Ls7rs8wnnFkht3i1f-H8aid6h271pmPrt2OIAG6v/s1600/april+simon+drew+(478x640).jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went fishing once. I caught a small reef shark off <a href="http://www.missionbeachtourism.com/" target="_blank">Mission Beach</a> in Queensland (Australia) when I was in my teens and having shrieked with fear and promptly dropped the fishing rod for someone else to deal with, I decided that perhaps the whole waiting patiently deal was not at all worth it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I played golf once too. Surrounded by advice at the first tee, I wiggled and kept my eye on the ball and swung the club as instructed. And I smacked that little white ball right down the middle of the fairway to achieve a birdie (that's one less than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_golf" target="_blank">par</a> for the uninitiated). Nothing to this I thought as I collected my ball from the hole. And things went downhill from there, with both my beginner's luck and my patience running out by holes two and five respectively.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Apparently </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">patience is a virtue and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">good things happen to those who wait.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I tried to apply these guiding principles to skiing in my mid-twenties. I'd been when I was twelve and after three days of valiant effort graduated to the next class, promptly hurt my ankle and spent quite some time sitting in the snow waiting for help and then sitting around the chalet waiting for everyone else to come back. I was twenty-five before the opportunity arose again (how's that for patience!) and this time it only took an hour before it was ski-do to the rescue again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I've decided that there are times when it's infinitely preferable to be the idiot standing on the shore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibyrJ1jhNjw3nLrtlbcDQUCgZ7hpIxKJHT1gZh1-1rNffhhsiVvFl6B4-n75FW3bWBflKLtFGJlr-KD1hNdf5gPU-bizq6YONu1G_wvK-QGuJ3dqfAjl-R9N8lxPN-2H1ccOKEblTWxrD/s1600/beach+view+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibyrJ1jhNjw3nLrtlbcDQUCgZ7hpIxKJHT1gZh1-1rNffhhsiVvFl6B4-n75FW3bWBflKLtFGJlr-KD1hNdf5gPU-bizq6YONu1G_wvK-QGuJ3dqfAjl-R9N8lxPN-2H1ccOKEblTWxrD/s1600/beach+view+1.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Abu Dhabi, UAE - March 2014</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a0yH78iaUDZhGJXjrUV3ruuGljOYuUqFVwtJ-XKThnHCj2UUdjXqZpX1Ozwu9jbSWj7OlxJtVjABgrxJYVZcmEXunL7GuKjXz8t2owVLoFsAY-YVrkXAsD0kh2H-qKKwdwi2ZXKFPNBQ/s1600/DSCN4105+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a0yH78iaUDZhGJXjrUV3ruuGljOYuUqFVwtJ-XKThnHCj2UUdjXqZpX1Ozwu9jbSWj7OlxJtVjABgrxJYVZcmEXunL7GuKjXz8t2owVLoFsAY-YVrkXAsD0kh2H-qKKwdwi2ZXKFPNBQ/s1600/DSCN4105+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Amsterdam, The Netherlands - October 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jNG1Fll-7xttzOhr4qkPmC66TkFSwpMDtJ7ATVQGaZi2AY6vcZejjkdOxnLLn2hZCRLniHHj6UjOJ5ghAWOdEf9AiBR7f1Dm5rlIhWPysz9UuIJzXqbfe70drFasZgQQyETzdRgaLUjF/s1600/Seattle+JUN13+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jNG1Fll-7xttzOhr4qkPmC66TkFSwpMDtJ7ATVQGaZi2AY6vcZejjkdOxnLLn2hZCRLniHHj6UjOJ5ghAWOdEf9AiBR7f1Dm5rlIhWPysz9UuIJzXqbfe70drFasZgQQyETzdRgaLUjF/s1600/Seattle+JUN13+001.JPG" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cottage Lake, Washington USA - June 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkMBs_oNspVytJ22shiU_1-8mFJ6NNywLTMyCU769suImlkEaQwLEM_jpK55ChTs1zVG6jVMQMLPr-ZWz9fs_wrQ-011C07XkyKrZWtrSsGYjp1rKGIEcBxeZilLIa34phsgcmczPtyP8/s1600/Paris+MAY13+to+Jardin+de+Luxemborg+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkMBs_oNspVytJ22shiU_1-8mFJ6NNywLTMyCU769suImlkEaQwLEM_jpK55ChTs1zVG6jVMQMLPr-ZWz9fs_wrQ-011C07XkyKrZWtrSsGYjp1rKGIEcBxeZilLIa34phsgcmczPtyP8/s1600/Paris+MAY13+to+Jardin+de+Luxemborg+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paris, France - May 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-quDX2JheKQyopSjJhOqSlFAjiXI1qa_M3fzXHiRYqmqTjAq_CjLmf5RN823McvGWVZR-aPr-6ctrBaGXmeyeq2YCTsanPhIelmkAYFH7ODRPCF6IjgNSeWtsddr-ujmbvBawnQCWAHZ/s1600/DSCN2741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-quDX2JheKQyopSjJhOqSlFAjiXI1qa_M3fzXHiRYqmqTjAq_CjLmf5RN823McvGWVZR-aPr-6ctrBaGXmeyeq2YCTsanPhIelmkAYFH7ODRPCF6IjgNSeWtsddr-ujmbvBawnQCWAHZ/s1600/DSCN2741.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Frankston, Australia - January 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFgTj0saM57PbP7Q3r3_knNzIfpM4GM66V0NhRrqNzSEEj3NCXdXyyQEDUcaQDn1wTSS-S_G9R0vlkRnjEtZgl3NKwl1hpVZAJoTghr_lonDLnqGDv6eAk53ODAbQ_5YDMoVvWYLgEYPb/s1600/Monday%2527s+View+-+Langkawi+DEC12+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFgTj0saM57PbP7Q3r3_knNzIfpM4GM66V0NhRrqNzSEEj3NCXdXyyQEDUcaQDn1wTSS-S_G9R0vlkRnjEtZgl3NKwl1hpVZAJoTghr_lonDLnqGDv6eAk53ODAbQ_5YDMoVvWYLgEYPb/s1600/Monday%2527s+View+-+Langkawi+DEC12+%25281%2529.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Langkawi, Malaysia - December 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And let me tell you, waiting on the shore is absolutely fine with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">-------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Calendar Challenge 2014 - Back Catalogue</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html" target="_blank">Keep Calm And Carry On</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/sour-grapes.html" target="_blank">Sour Grapes</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/water-water-everywhere.html" target="_blank">Water Water Everywhere</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-21429007660918859032014-03-29T18:20:00.004+00:002014-03-29T18:20:35.550+00:00Bean Reminiscing...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was travelling to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plze%C5%88" target="_blank">Pilsen</a> with a colleague this week and having only met before very briefly, we took the opportunity to chat en route...in the taxi, on the Heathrow Express, in the airport lounge. You get the picture...lots of finding ways to make the time go faster while getting to where we had to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, we were chatting about my living in the UK and the invariable questions came up: Why did you leave? Will you go back? and What do you miss most? Nothing unusual.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But this time the last question really made me think. What do I miss most?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It goes without saying family, family, family. And usually at this time of year, I would have answered something about really feeling the lack of sunshine and daylight hours during London's winter months. But we've had a mild winter which in the last few weeks, has merged into a lovely Spring - beautiful blue skies, double digit (celsius) high temperatures and patches of colour everywhere as London's parks, gardens and suburban streets are transformed by a riot of daffodils, crocuses and cherry blossoms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I've just come back from my <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/maa-salama.html" target="_blank">Vitamin-D top up in Abu Dhabi</a> so I'm missing the sunshine much less than usual.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So the question gave me pause. What do I really miss?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then I thought back to my last trip Down Under and I knew...t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he coffee. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Great, great coffee. C</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">reamy lattes, foaming cappuccinos and pungent espressos with velvet-y golden crema.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have not enjoyed coffee anywhere nearly as much as I have in Melbourne. Not even in Italy, the self-proclaimed mecca of coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it would seem that the voters on website booking.com agree, with 301 of them nominating <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/travel-news/melbourne-has-been-voted-as-having-the-worlds-best-coffee/story-fnjjv9zn-1226865534856" target="_blank">Melbourne as having the best coffee in the world</a> (followed by Vienna - 187 and Rome - 116).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not the first time I've waxed lyrical about coffee here at Gidday from the UK and I have found <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/land-sans-long-black.html" target="_blank">a treasured favourite</a> or two serving sensational shots here in London but there's no hunting for these rare gems in Melbourne - great coffee is everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyA7YmmO6F-cLoDleBa18tbrP5K94kh2rP6gGy5iQHgs3K93-HD9Y8bKHb89RyhwdTGlEV8yEocq5nMUH7YHYp9Uz-AcqsykSFNeiSzPbRgodRDzCuiD3StibbH6-qoinxeblmCi1QF3T/s1600/DEC12+TRIP+140+southbank+coffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyA7YmmO6F-cLoDleBa18tbrP5K94kh2rP6gGy5iQHgs3K93-HD9Y8bKHb89RyhwdTGlEV8yEocq5nMUH7YHYp9Uz-AcqsykSFNeiSzPbRgodRDzCuiD3StibbH6-qoinxeblmCi1QF3T/s1600/DEC12+TRIP+140+southbank+coffee.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I'll be booking myself a Christmas Down Under this year to get me a fix!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh and Sydney? Sydney got 20 votes in the survey. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not that I'm competitive or anything.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630355680050775256.post-68752446397600024442014-03-23T20:35:00.000+00:002014-03-30T12:32:03.852+01:00My Backyard...B Is For Brixton<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having returned from playing away in <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Abu Dhabi</a> for a week, it was time to play a little closer to home again so this morning I was up </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and on the way to Brixton for another <a href="http://giddayfromtheuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/my-backyardbuilding-blocks.html" target="_blank">'backyard'</a> walking tour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8twMOBAHjTrBwBhNRVSXPRuxWr1LcCytdnMPJ4Xjb5qSif2DVOr6hFzx_wXhXgby7L5w7X5_aR-ktOOiAc62NWKh_gNJgwOGTGu88KiMtYLk7YGDLhyphenhyphenzSnyVKMb_lgMTbMVY83Ed4v9r/s1600/brixton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8twMOBAHjTrBwBhNRVSXPRuxWr1LcCytdnMPJ4Xjb5qSif2DVOr6hFzx_wXhXgby7L5w7X5_aR-ktOOiAc62NWKh_gNJgwOGTGu88KiMtYLk7YGDLhyphenhyphenzSnyVKMb_lgMTbMVY83Ed4v9r/s1600/brixton.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brixton is in South London and being most notable for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_Brixton_riot" target="_blank">Brixton Riots in 1981</a>, it's an area of London that it's fair to say has been somewhat tainted by its turbulent past. But the area is also one of those 'up-and-coming' parts of London as home buyers seeking lower property prices move outwards from the city while still remaining in commuting range. In fact it's one of the things that surprised me today - how near Brixton is to central London. (I thought it was much further out!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway our small group met at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritzy_Cinema" target="_blank">Ritzy Cinema</a> at 11am and headed down Coldharbour Lane to the frontline of the 1981 Riots at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizH5FE07LwHCAPm0yK_L_RIGYwCR0i73ElTTCd4Kl6SLRbvQ5St4Dvt60BANcPF-0hyphenhyphenr77zfUzyL3et4GzEK_rNVC_6KqdecIxsU9gJO88powrsb9gKvUBkBs95BAyi8O25HhxVPsvk1Ba/s1600/DSCN4759+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizH5FE07LwHCAPm0yK_L_RIGYwCR0i73ElTTCd4Kl6SLRbvQ5St4Dvt60BANcPF-0hyphenhyphenr77zfUzyL3et4GzEK_rNVC_6KqdecIxsU9gJO88powrsb9gKvUBkBs95BAyi8O25HhxVPsvk1Ba/s1600/DSCN4759+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a bit of background on the Riots from our guide Angela, we continued down Coldharbour Lane a little further to see <a href="http://www.londonmuralpreservationsociety.com/murals/nuclear-dawn/" target="_blank">Nuclear Dawn</a>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">This extraordinary mural was painted by Brian Barnes and finished in 1981. It features a large skeleton swathed in the flags of nations who had nuclear weapons at the time and paints a grimly powerful portrait of politics and the Cold War during the late 70s/early 80s.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzdS10Yii78yxkAvACCwlJolCG2dV_BwXXzOhs82mnVnumLzp2CCzufWA50G91T0kmgdrEXh3OlykJbNB6JD9xWXX53NgZ1CwGKD4vD1iWSwBu40XKV-sgQwWshfLxvvgTHSEM_5glLi6/s1600/DSCN4761+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzdS10Yii78yxkAvACCwlJolCG2dV_BwXXzOhs82mnVnumLzp2CCzufWA50G91T0kmgdrEXh3OlykJbNB6JD9xWXX53NgZ1CwGKD4vD1iWSwBu40XKV-sgQwWshfLxvvgTHSEM_5glLi6/s1600/DSCN4761+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Turning away from the mural, we faced Southwyck House - also known as Brixton's </span><a href="http://one%20of%20the%20world%27s%20most%20famous%20artists%2C%20damien%20hirst/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Barrier Block</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> - an unusual building featuring the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Brutalist architectural style</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> common of the period in which it was built. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_8xWSC02ODH5-Y1IgejB_nbb-q1NAQIaJGz2FI90OgyZNy4f8ZsB2xtcypoE8svRmL71JtTVUi2SVwVy5LNb_xYJvBgDl-x7yCZpTAmh-gQiH9QkTHAJ15UpEo288HRgyrpuCiT6smLD/s1600/Southwyke+House+Brixton+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_8xWSC02ODH5-Y1IgejB_nbb-q1NAQIaJGz2FI90OgyZNy4f8ZsB2xtcypoE8svRmL71JtTVUi2SVwVy5LNb_xYJvBgDl-x7yCZpTAmh-gQiH9QkTHAJ15UpEo288HRgyrpuCiT6smLD/s1600/Southwyke+House+Brixton+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">The Barrier Block has played a controversial role in Brixton's history. The other side of the building features large windows and balconies and has been home to one of the world's most famous artists, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Hirst" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Damien Hirst</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">. Ex Prime Minister </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Major" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">John Major</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"> lived briefly in Brixton and his support for the demolition of the block later in his career was more than a little undermined by the fact his Planning Committee had approved its construction. Oops!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our next stop was <a href="http://brixtonmarket.net/brixton-village/" target="_blank">Brixton Village</a>, a series of markets accessed through an entrance across Coldharbour Lane from the Nuclear Dawn mural. Fascinatingly enough, our short dash across the road was peppered with more art from the locals...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhkdSAGi4j-OBwgJLe3TUbWQrAoX9OWamfo9wyNEhyek5K5GZKgJm_0JwhC0R4bDUMcffMwBrh-fbM6cru-IGZ8UxDmh6HMERTd81Lb2a8UYQLIJqQgRYqcryK5bKWNIqtAZ7HxHHejEt/s1600/DSCN4767+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhkdSAGi4j-OBwgJLe3TUbWQrAoX9OWamfo9wyNEhyek5K5GZKgJm_0JwhC0R4bDUMcffMwBrh-fbM6cru-IGZ8UxDmh6HMERTd81Lb2a8UYQLIJqQgRYqcryK5bKWNIqtAZ7HxHHejEt/s1600/DSCN4767+(640x480).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">French street artist <a href="http://invaderblog.com/tag/london/" target="_blank"><u>Space Invader</u></a> leaves his mark at the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Atlantic Avenue.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSKmjQuok7pzDtfMZEbCMd7dlYQHOnzsdTndo4tf2iWKv7F3_LUi1q338C8poni942dbRTwEEWzWWYLbRZxBMSVosSF8yqmE50OeC6QetdJyUz9MDzRX-1ohD140JdZLZiJOxCWDxWzT5/s1600/Brixton+Street+Art+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSKmjQuok7pzDtfMZEbCMd7dlYQHOnzsdTndo4tf2iWKv7F3_LUi1q338C8poni942dbRTwEEWzWWYLbRZxBMSVosSF8yqmE50OeC6QetdJyUz9MDzRX-1ohD140JdZLZiJOxCWDxWzT5/s1600/Brixton+Street+Art+1.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bee (top left) can be found at the intersection of Coldharbour Lane and Atlantic Avenue as can the image bottom right. The image top right was right near Nuclear Dawn and 'B Our Guest' adorns the railway bridge over Brixton Hill.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWhisdiq6QbVNSWNEy2RI5_UbbDQKhgJskCneKyu7gSqh_gR4_COWBJ2Ojoa2IpQstNff5X-trzM6UT5JGglmxUn4OgJk6y48lwQKUPXi2MWHU7gc84E0sWJsigtvoqxIB79NGPYWICrA/s1600/Brixton+Street+Art+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWhisdiq6QbVNSWNEy2RI5_UbbDQKhgJskCneKyu7gSqh_gR4_COWBJ2Ojoa2IpQstNff5X-trzM6UT5JGglmxUn4OgJk6y48lwQKUPXi2MWHU7gc84E0sWJsigtvoqxIB79NGPYWICrA/s1600/Brixton+Street+Art+2.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lucy' Casson's Foxes and Cherries sculpture (top left) adorns the roof on the corner of Electric Lane and Electric Avenue; bottom left - collaborative mural near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Coldharbour Lane; right - an homage to Brixton-born <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie" target="_blank">David Bowie</a> (or David Robert Jones as he was christened) painted by Australian street artist James Cochrane.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://brixtonmarket.net/brixton-village/" target="_blank">Brixton Village</a> was traditionally a food market where the local Caribbean community would buy fresh produce, particularly specialities like </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackee" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">ackee</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, plantain, yams and salt fish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXwdGpkhFQuTdXyzhfLpydRPP6PdXxd40t0VmRBqAE1MU8NPxqt23Qo2YMBG8JCtLlYKJ_WN1Ghv9_oHGHCTNQYg_hK-opqTTi2I8gfVw9VY3ZcEmLn-6N16Ihrxl_lxmd4WbVRjG408L/s1600/Brixton+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXwdGpkhFQuTdXyzhfLpydRPP6PdXxd40t0VmRBqAE1MU8NPxqt23Qo2YMBG8JCtLlYKJ_WN1Ghv9_oHGHCTNQYg_hK-opqTTi2I8gfVw9VY3ZcEmLn-6N16Ihrxl_lxmd4WbVRjG408L/s1600/Brixton+food.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On our little tour, I got a bit of an education about Caribbean cuisine, also finding flying fish (top left) - which I saw flying several years ago on a trip to Tobago - and breadfruit (bottom left). The biggest surprise came when I was introduced to chow chow, which I knew as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chayote" target="_blank">choko</a> growing up in Australia! We also laughed at the ubiquity of Milo (a malted chocolate powder that we add to big glasses of milk) in both the Caribbean and Australia - how strange that such similarities exist between islands so far away from each other.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The produce stalls are far fewer and the markets have been taken over by restaurants and cafes. It was fairly quiet as we walked through but you could just imagine the little lanes buzzing with the energy and chatter of lunchtime or after work crowds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlg2nUDk7zKm2LZ-5V9u2fJbE9K_hJOyghSZKUNJXhD4YAlgybdNEWG16nLBmUVSXY9udKOQS66f46Xfe9321ncYrqKOFeg4_lsbQWj3OV5OzLfXutxsFEcElwprSg0T1D4AIQaJjcSls/s1600/Brixton+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlg2nUDk7zKm2LZ-5V9u2fJbE9K_hJOyghSZKUNJXhD4YAlgybdNEWG16nLBmUVSXY9udKOQS66f46Xfe9321ncYrqKOFeg4_lsbQWj3OV5OzLfXutxsFEcElwprSg0T1D4AIQaJjcSls/s1600/Brixton+eating.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C</i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>lockwise from top left:</i> Traditional Caribbean fare from Fish, Wings and Tings; enjoy a tipple and nibble at Champagne and Fromage; tuck in to morsels from the sea at Etta's Seafood Kitchen; beat the crowds for a cuppa at Federation Cafe, graced in the past by none other than Hollywood star, Will Smith.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Emerging from the markets it was a short walk down to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Avenue" target="_blank">Electric Avenue</a> - yes the one made famous by the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuwxZSIS__4" target="_blank">Eddy Grant song</a>.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28G7s_zWpx2St4AFh0Lzkt1gemGUFgF8bf0PBNetmgDDzltMtNc3r0Y224hTapT_hYk05ERTQV6IlHUQ3duBBQevJqKNKD98Y5ZijbtHePr3uXz040Rop2IX9wKdlEM5Kgihn0Z_O0QYF/s1600/Brixton+Electric+Avenue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28G7s_zWpx2St4AFh0Lzkt1gemGUFgF8bf0PBNetmgDDzltMtNc3r0Y224hTapT_hYk05ERTQV6IlHUQ3duBBQevJqKNKD98Y5ZijbtHePr3uXz040Rop2IX9wKdlEM5Kgihn0Z_O0QYF/s1600/Brixton+Electric+Avenue.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Electric Avenue, so named as it was the first market street to receive electric lighting. Bottom left: Healthy Eaters' delivery vehicles feature the names of prominent locals.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Further down Electric Avenue, we found <a href="http://www.urban75.org/blog/will-selfs-art-piece-on-brixton-electric-avenue-lights-up/" target="_blank">Brixton Speaks</a> an installation on the wall of the Iceland store. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Created by author Will Self, Brixton Speaks pays homage to the unique Caribbean patois of the area. Click</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.urban75.org/blog/will-selfs-art-piece-on-brixton-electric-avenue-lights-up/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for a much better photo! This was also the site where</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Copeland" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">a nail-bomb exploded in 1999</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">injuring 39 people.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zp2K3ie44HSZwP1ThQ2GZJQ9CMuwYBXjGSvCNtwcYR49IX6n5IbkK-HbH0u-tHaibL1AMSUMBrJ33A4gFlOtLC2ntMnOMEa1gCRztFMtzyiEZMsSqr9OozWwfVPblwNa2xLvVSSCuuZo/s1600/DSCN4793+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zp2K3ie44HSZwP1ThQ2GZJQ9CMuwYBXjGSvCNtwcYR49IX6n5IbkK-HbH0u-tHaibL1AMSUMBrJ33A4gFlOtLC2ntMnOMEa1gCRztFMtzyiEZMsSqr9OozWwfVPblwNa2xLvVSSCuuZo/s1600/DSCN4793+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Turning right onto Brixton Hill we walked under the railway bridges to visit our next point of interest, the <a href="http://www.demotix.com/news/3330997/ricky-bishop-memorial-tree-brixton-london#media-3330801" target="_blank">Ricky Bishop Memorial Tree</a>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">Ricky Bishop was taken into police custody in 2001 and was later admitted to hospital with unexplained injuries. The tree serves as a poignant reminder of the still-fractious relationship between the community and the local police.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0SEaetqYH7w0cPTR0AGQMh0VHK65GFNOv-C9hlnvCKE916g5oByRGqdG4EugN-WIT5Ayxx-vZYQiphV2rwSzr7E8G7XwtoSAjZ5sCl9wQKNj8n36E0zEpYR44YDDxxmKafAQ6N7QQD-g/s1600/DSCN4798+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0SEaetqYH7w0cPTR0AGQMh0VHK65GFNOv-C9hlnvCKE916g5oByRGqdG4EugN-WIT5Ayxx-vZYQiphV2rwSzr7E8G7XwtoSAjZ5sCl9wQKNj8n36E0zEpYR44YDDxxmKafAQ6N7QQD-g/s1600/DSCN4798+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We crossed over Brixton Hill and spent about 20 minutes away from the cacophony of the high street.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO996eGw-A1Za85zob8Tz1Lbr9AhPYYk7fZilgJNdzGLgv6Rtp12K-VvxHdBbmn_vNecvozBmyOWWrXH6mqD4ZSObOlqpqM6kT5YkJM5n0AnCJrjSzfmV212Zi9ZghU5T_hg2k30V9Tfk/s1600/Brixton+buildings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO996eGw-A1Za85zob8Tz1Lbr9AhPYYk7fZilgJNdzGLgv6Rtp12K-VvxHdBbmn_vNecvozBmyOWWrXH6mqD4ZSObOlqpqM6kT5YkJM5n0AnCJrjSzfmV212Zi9ZghU5T_hg2k30V9Tfk/s1600/Brixton+buildings.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Left: emergiing from Stockwell Avenue between the twin buildings of Bon Marche, London's first purpose built department store; top right: the Grade II listed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton_Academy" target="_blank">Brixton Academy</a> which started life as the Astoria Theatre in 1929; bottom right: <a href="http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/acrelane4.html" target="_blank">Trinity House</a> on Acre Lane, Georgian architecture preserved since 1822.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCQXDQNdkDafq8msOKhSCnXoXbmA3kzmz4AvI97o2Nb4yJDnjnakue70D2D3aA6TYRDTimW7pgx6w1c06HzyzGZ3OIInoNA2Plhx18VRvTzWv1pnLvhxJ-Gyy9GuclmEy9-tQrQfzhSVS/s1600/Brixton+a+quiet+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCQXDQNdkDafq8msOKhSCnXoXbmA3kzmz4AvI97o2Nb4yJDnjnakue70D2D3aA6TYRDTimW7pgx6w1c06HzyzGZ3OIInoNA2Plhx18VRvTzWv1pnLvhxJ-Gyy9GuclmEy9-tQrQfzhSVS/s1600/Brixton+a+quiet+square.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life in a leafy Brixton Square: a two bedroom (top right) will set you back at least £750,000 but you can always drown your sorrows at the Trinity Arms (bottom right).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With that we headed out onto Acre Lane and wandered back to the Ritzy Cinema. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nursing my hot chocolate on the tube ride home, I felt like I'd barely scratched the surface of this colourful neighbourhood, so different from my own yet discovering so many unexpected similarities in our cultures. And I mused once again at how utterly fascinating this big backyard of mine called London truly is.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420852941644763293noreply@blogger.com0