Switzerland - Day 1 (Geneva)

An unfortunate start to our trip when we receieved a text message at 5:30 in the morning to inform us that our flight was cancelled. It had been very foggy the past few days, and a lot of earlier flights had been cancelled. Although the weather was now clear, we were hit by the knock-on effect. We quickly scrambled to find another flight as we didn't want to ruin all our plans (hotel and restaurant booking included), and luckily managed to get an (expensive) Easyjet flight from Luton. We were away!

Because of the later flight, we didn't arrive in Geneva until the later afternoon, by which time the sun was already setting. It was an invigorating one or two degrees in temperature. We had a comfortable train ride (the first of many!) ito the city and found Hotel Edelweiss, which was whimsically decorated in wood with painted flowers.

Our greeting treat - chocolate and Xmas peanuts!

We got out and about for a quick walk before dinner. The faux iceberg on Mont Blanc island:

We weren't out for very long as we had a dinner booking at the fancypants Brasserie du Parc for Frank's birthday. We took a taxi around the shore of Lake Geneva to the restuarant, a chateaux nestled in beautiful grounds.

It was intimidating to begin with, as we were the first people there, not to mention that we were feeling a little rugged after the day's scrambling about. The multi-course menu of rich but off-putting food (foie gras) didn't help - but I had it good with my vegetarian plates.

The others started enjoying themselves once the gourmet ouer d'oeuvres were over, and the 6th and final course of delicious cakes was a delight.

Cabinet War Rooms

Another long-outstanding tourist opportunity fulfilled, with Frank and I off to visit the Cabinet War Rooms and newly opened Churchill Museum. It was great to see where Churchill conducted his strategy meetings during the Second World War, and I was surprised at how low-key the surroundings were.

And outside the fog rolls on. Big Ben:

Xmas diorama

We bought a nice little Xmas tree from the local dairy, and decked it out with the cards we received and our (and Emma and Frank's) pressies. I'm wearing the mohair blanket from Mum and Dad.

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds (O2) 22/12/07

Simon, me and Frank outside the O2 centre:

Rocking out to Jeff Wayne's 70s martian-themed rock musical. Check out the on-stage tripod blasting the audience with its deadly heat ray:

Jack the Ripper tour

We've been waiting to do this London Walks tour for ages, and what better a time to do it than in the company of some friends from home! We had a perfectly atmospheric evening for it - the fog was in, and it was suitably freezing. We had a great guide, but the walk was actually a bit disappointing. We only made a few stops, and it was very much 'stand and listen, not so involving. Nonetheless we really enjoyed the scenery...

Emma and Frank's first Tube trip:

The Tower of London:

Where the Goulston Street Graffiti was found, near the cut-away piece of victim Catherine Eddowes' apron:

Emma and Frank (party)

The funtimes continue for our guests. After a busy day touring the city and taking in the sights, the London kiwi contingent all met for dinner and drinks in Convent Garden.

Anna and Emma:

Connor showing off his work-out photos:

James and Anna:

We don't get to see James much because he's a big city lawyer. See how much we've missed him!

Emma and Frank (dinner)

We were delighted to invite our friends Emma and Frank to London for December. They came over via a little holiday in the continet to join us for Xmas. Fortunately I had a day off and was able to meet them at the newly renovated St Pancras station, where the Eurostar now arrives. I supplied them with a few UK treats - Minstrels, Newcastle Brown, Jaffa Cakes etc - while they chilled out in the comfy surroundings of our little lounge.

I had to head off to my work Xmas party, but Anna took them to our local pub - the Lord Stanley - for dinner with Jan and Emma's sister Anne. Gordon Ramsay was having dinner there at the same time. What a great example of how much goes on in this city!

Indiana Jones hats!

Found myself outside Bates, a vintage hat merchants, and supplier of Indiana Jones' original fedora:

Untitled spy film

I've just finished principal photography on a short spy film, and thought I'd share a few of the photographs. Will be editing in January...

Daniel Lane's costume test:

Warming up after an incredibly cold shoot in Piccadilly Circus. Kirk, James, Dan (L-R):

Kirk being fitted with a prosthetic wound by our FX guru, Zoe Lee:

Shooting in Bedale's Wine Bar, Leadenhall Markets. Georgia, James, Dan, Kirk, Connor (L-R):

James and I setting up a shot in the presidential suite of XXXXXX hotel (name withheld by request):

Zoe's gruesome make-up kit:

Kirk suffering for my art:

Spice Girls (O2) 15/12/07

Setlist:
Introduction

Act 1 - The Power of Five:
Spice Up Your Life
Stop
Say You'll Be There
Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)

Act 2 - Seduce Me:
The Lady Is A Vamp
Too Much [fast version]
2 Become 1

Act 3 - Bitter Sweet:
Who Do You Think You Are
Like A Virgin/Supermodel (You Better Work) [Victoria Beckham solo catwalk]
Are You Gonna Go My Way [Melanie Brown solo]
Maybe [Emma Bunton solo]
Viva Forever
Holler [without Geri Halliwell]
It's Raining Men [Geri Halliwell solo]
I Turn To You [Melanie Chisholm solo]

Act 4 - Celebration:
Let Love Lead The Way [without Geri Halliwell]
Mama
Celebration/That's The Way I Like It/Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)/We Are Family
Goodbye

Encore:
If U Can't Dance (reprise)
Wannabe
Spice Up Your Life (reprise)

Jan's Xmas party

Róisín Murphy (Koko, Camden) 28/11/07

Saw a lunchtime piano recital by Alexander Karpeyer at the St James's Church in Piccadilly (designed by Christopher Wren, and where William Blake was baptised). Was also interviewed by a street camera crew for a Virgin 1 documentary called Money Envy!

All in all an interesting day, capped off by another gig at our Camden local, Koko - this time by irish electronica singer Róisín Murphy, formerly of Moloko:

Roisin Murphy has become the fashionistas’ favourite dance-pop diva since striking out solo. More cutting-edge than Kylie, much cooler than Madonna and with an adventurous dress sense surpassed only by Alison Goldfrapp, the glossy blonde had only to stride on stage and strike a modelling pose to send the Koko crowd crazy.

Murphy altered her outfit between every track — skintight trousers and a body-hugging top were accessorised with a puffy smock, long leather gloves and a bright pink beret. Later came various outrageous hats, designer jackets and, for a routine with a chair, what looked like a feather-trimmed negligée.

Setlist:
Cry Baby
You Know Me Better
Checkin' Up On Me
Primitive
Dear Miami
Pandora
Sow Into You
Footprints
Scarlet Ribbons
The Truth (Handsome Boy Modelling School)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Movie Star
Tell Everybody
Forever More (Moloko)
Let Me Know
Overpowered

Encore:
Ramalama (Bang Bang)

More Lucky Quid

And that's a wrap!