We have had the pleasure of Brendan and Jess joining us in the house on and off over the last couple of weeks. (Some highlights: games of 'bullshit' and their predilection for leaving underwear strewn around the house!!) The first weekend they were here, we organised a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Our bus left from down near Victoria tube at 9am, travelling first to Stonehenge (after first negotiating some shocking traffic coming out of London). Donning our audio guides, we walked the path around the stones for an hour or so (taking many photos along the way, including a few of Bec B's fast-becoming-infamous 'leaping' photos). Jumping back on the bus, we headed up to Bath, where our time was limited. We toured the Roman Baths (taking the odd silly photo along the way) and took a walk around the very pretty town, treating ourselves to ice cream in the process. Jess and I couldn't resist the markets and bought ourselves some earrings as a 'souvenir' from the day. We wrapped it up back at Angel with a cheap dinner at O'Neills, before calling it a night.
The next day we went to see the production of 'King Lear' at Shakespeare's Globe. It was absolutely fantastic, and at 5 quid for standing room tickets (right in front of the stage - said to be the best view in the place) was incredibly good value for the quality of the performance.
Following a trip to Edinburgh, our houseguests were back the next weekend. Friday night we called in to Dave's pub (where he unfortunately had to work) for a drink, before hitting the dance floor at the local Walkie. After a sleep in on Saturday, Jess and I visited the National Portrait Gallery (the boys, funnily enough, weren't too keen for that). That night Brendan and Jess cooked three very lucky housemates (Dave had to work again) a lovely candlelit meal of salmon fettuccine and pink champagne! Then on Sunday, the three girls went shopping on Oxford Street, where Bec and I both picked up (very sexy) swimmers for the bargain prices of four and six pounds. Gotta love Primark.
Our houseguests are currently in Dublin, returning late tonight. Tomorrow night we are off to see 'The Lion King' in the West End. And coming up in the next couple of weeks we have Hilltop Hoods at the Islington Academy (just down the road, perfect for stumbling home) and Origin 3 (also just down the road at the Walkie, and with a halves combo of Anasta and Pearce, the Blues are specials!) Dave and I are also planning to try and get down to the tennis currently on at Wimbledon. As we are not all lucky enough to have centre court tickets :), the plan is to try and get a pass for the outside courts and watch the action inside the complex on the big screen (while getting into the English spirit with strawberries and Pimms.) Then we are off to Spain early July for Running of the Bulls.
So that brings you up to date. Dave and I are good, our jobs are going well. We have been planning our itinerary for the Edinburgh Fringe in August, and have also visited Kensington Palace (nice, but not cheap). And I have discovered 'genuine fake' French Connection clothes down at Brick Lane markets for 5 quid! I am also happy at having acquired some tapes of Roosters games from this season (thanks Wayne!)
As many of you also know, we are currently looking for a new place to live, as we will be leaving Angel late July (sob sob.) We have seen one place so far out past Greenwich - a little too far out for us, but a nice flat. Will keep you updated on the progress. We are keen to live at either Earls Court or Bethnal Green, but whether we can get something nice in our price range will be the challenge.
How goes everyone? xxoo
PS. And a very happy birthday to my dad for the other day. (More photos to be available later, as this blog isn't too good at uploading them.)
At Stonehenge
