29 August 2008
At the British Museum
Went to the British Museum with Lisa. I was able to show her most of the highlights, and we also visited the temporary exhibition on the Emperor Hadrian.
Windsor Castle
In the queue:
Inside the moat today - much prettier!
Windsor Castle's Upper Ward from the north west — The Quadrangle — not open to tourists:
On the way out...
Inside the moat today - much prettier!
Windsor Castle's Upper Ward from the north west — The Quadrangle — not open to tourists:
On the way out...
Dog & Duck
Caught up with our friends Wes (from Anna's work) and Monica, and their firend Huw (apparently the correct spelling) who has just arrived from Aus. I met Lisa in Leicester Square after work, showed her briefly through Chinatown..
...and up to Soho Square, where we all met. From there, a short trip back to one of my favourite pubs, the Dog & Duck, on the corner of Frith and Bateman Streets. I'm sure I've entioned this place previosuly, but George Orwell was a patron, and it gives me great pleasure to sit in the lovely upstairs room, which is named the Orwell Bar.
Anna was keen to go out for a dance after dinner (typical pub fare, there were sausages, pies, pints and Pimms all round), while Lisa and I turned in early. Lisa was keen to try one of the many rickshaws that plague central London, so for £10 we had a ride from Soho all the way to (gasp!) Trafalgar Square.
Still it was good fun, and I have to admit, a lot nicer than walking. We arrived at the Square in time to witness a strange fashion parade down the main steps, with people dressed to represent different suburbs of London - a drag queen in a green chicken suit for Soho, a Hen's party for Leicester Square, goths for Camden, housewives for Clapham etc etc. There's always something happening in this city!
...and up to Soho Square, where we all met. From there, a short trip back to one of my favourite pubs, the Dog & Duck, on the corner of Frith and Bateman Streets. I'm sure I've entioned this place previosuly, but George Orwell was a patron, and it gives me great pleasure to sit in the lovely upstairs room, which is named the Orwell Bar.
Anna was keen to go out for a dance after dinner (typical pub fare, there were sausages, pies, pints and Pimms all round), while Lisa and I turned in early. Lisa was keen to try one of the many rickshaws that plague central London, so for £10 we had a ride from Soho all the way to (gasp!) Trafalgar Square.
Still it was good fun, and I have to admit, a lot nicer than walking. We arrived at the Square in time to witness a strange fashion parade down the main steps, with people dressed to represent different suburbs of London - a drag queen in a green chicken suit for Soho, a Hen's party for Leicester Square, goths for Camden, housewives for Clapham etc etc. There's always something happening in this city!
28 August 2008
England vs Czech Republic
I managed to luck into a pair of tickets to this friendly football match at Wembley Stadium (thanks Simon and Dustin!), so I took Lisa along with me since I figured it was a pretty good toursit outing. They were good seats too, right behind one of the goals - so excellent visibility, though it did make tracking the distance of the ball up and down the field a bit difficult, as it was always foreshortened!
Lisa bought me an England scarf to wear. I bought us Cornish pasties and chips.
It's number 7, David Beckham!
It was good fun, but not a great match unfortunately. Lots of grumbling from the England fans, as the Czech's led the game the whole time.
Final score, 2 All!
Lisa bought me an England scarf to wear. I bought us Cornish pasties and chips.
It's number 7, David Beckham!
It was good fun, but not a great match unfortunately. Lots of grumbling from the England fans, as the Czech's led the game the whole time.
Final score, 2 All!
Lisa in London and other news
After saying farewell to Jenny and Malcolm, and then Mum and Dad (who we will be catching up with in Europe next month), we had a few days to ourselves. Instead of doing the sensible thing and getting some rest, we had a few big nights out with friends.
First Selina and Anthony paid a quick visit from Paris, then I had a night out to farewell my friend Kirk from Sohonet who was heading back to bonnie Scotland, we then went to a party with Wes and Ewelina from Anna's work, plus I had my bi-monthly catch up with James Chapman.
Here's me monkeying around in Leake Street, photo courtesy of Anthony Maragou...
Lisa arrived on Deb's birthday!
27 August 2008
Castle Combe
Went to Castle Combe, Wiltshire for the weekend with Mum and Dad, where Dad's friend Bill Cross owns and operates a lovely hotel. It's a beautiful little historic town, which doubled as a film set for Dr Dolittle, Stardust and the upcoming Wolfman.
We spent the Saturday exploring the countryside in a little car that Bill lent us. We first stopped in Bradford-on-Avon, originally a Roman town, now noted for its Norman-era bridge and Saxon church. There is a weather vane on the bridge in the form of a golden gudgeon (an early Christian symbol), hence the local saying "under the fish but over the water".
On the 'broad ford' bridge:
It had been sunny in London, so Anna had only brought light clothes. We had to pop into some shops to get something proper to wear. I bought a high street label top in a thrift shop for just £5, though I almost bought an over-sized garish handknitted jumper with a picture of Rupert the Bear on it. I think my final purchase has somewhat better re-use value...
The town:
Inside the 700AD Saxon Church of St Laurence, where King Edward the Martyr was temporarily buried:
Next we decided to pay a visit to the Westbury (or Bratton) White Horse. We'd seen this hill figure before, but it was fascinating to go up close. The origin of the Westbury White Horse is obscure. It is often claimed to commemorate King Alfred's victory at the Battle of Eðandun in 878. However, the earlist documentary evidence states that there's been a horse on this hillside since at least 1742. Unfortunately the current version is a restoration.
I was disappointed to see that it is now appears to be just a slab of concrete, as opposed to some wild and natural chalk carving.
The weather became particularly fierce while we were up there, so we had to retreat back to the car, and then off to Lacock for a fortifying cream tea.
Some castle somewhere:
The town of Tiddleywink:
Back in Castle Combe, which has quite a few interesting sights of its own.
The tomb of a knight, inscribed Walter de Dunstanville 1270, in the church. He is in armour with his legs crossed at the knees, indicating that he fought in two crusades, while the lion at his feet indicates that he died in battle.
The so-called Roman Bridge, because of a ghostly legionary seen there by locals...
Bill and Ann outside their hotel:
We spent the Saturday exploring the countryside in a little car that Bill lent us. We first stopped in Bradford-on-Avon, originally a Roman town, now noted for its Norman-era bridge and Saxon church. There is a weather vane on the bridge in the form of a golden gudgeon (an early Christian symbol), hence the local saying "under the fish but over the water".
On the 'broad ford' bridge:
It had been sunny in London, so Anna had only brought light clothes. We had to pop into some shops to get something proper to wear. I bought a high street label top in a thrift shop for just £5, though I almost bought an over-sized garish handknitted jumper with a picture of Rupert the Bear on it. I think my final purchase has somewhat better re-use value...The town:
Inside the 700AD Saxon Church of St Laurence, where King Edward the Martyr was temporarily buried:
Next we decided to pay a visit to the Westbury (or Bratton) White Horse. We'd seen this hill figure before, but it was fascinating to go up close. The origin of the Westbury White Horse is obscure. It is often claimed to commemorate King Alfred's victory at the Battle of Eðandun in 878. However, the earlist documentary evidence states that there's been a horse on this hillside since at least 1742. Unfortunately the current version is a restoration.
I was disappointed to see that it is now appears to be just a slab of concrete, as opposed to some wild and natural chalk carving.
The weather became particularly fierce while we were up there, so we had to retreat back to the car, and then off to Lacock for a fortifying cream tea.
Some castle somewhere:
The town of Tiddleywink:
Back in Castle Combe, which has quite a few interesting sights of its own.
The tomb of a knight, inscribed Walter de Dunstanville 1270, in the church. He is in armour with his legs crossed at the knees, indicating that he fought in two crusades, while the lion at his feet indicates that he died in battle.
The so-called Roman Bridge, because of a ghostly legionary seen there by locals...
Bill and Ann outside their hotel:
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
After making a booking the customary two months in advance, we were able to take Mum and Dad to Restuarant Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road - holder of three Michelin Stars.
Dad onto his second bottle of Felton Road Pinot Noir, Block 5 (ie. their equivalent of the Grand Cru). All the way from New Zealand...
My first full glass of red wine. When it costs this much, it must be good!
An enormous bowl with a tiny soup. But it was incredibly delicious!
Dad onto his second bottle of Felton Road Pinot Noir, Block 5 (ie. their equivalent of the Grand Cru). All the way from New Zealand...
My first full glass of red wine. When it costs this much, it must be good!
An enormous bowl with a tiny soup. But it was incredibly delicious!
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