Anyone for Cream Tea?

We celebrated the official beginning of spring this month with a day trip out to the Cotswolds, a very picturesque part of the English countryside, using the same tour company we went with to Stonehenge and Bath. Our bus stopped off at three Cotswold villages: Stow-on-the-Wold, Burton-on-the-Water (the so-called Venice of the Cotswolds) and Burford. A very pleasant and relaxing day, as there is not a whole heap to do in these little villages so we just wandered, looking at the scenery and visiting a few tea shops and country pubs.
Last Saturday we took ourselves down to She Bu Walkabout for two very important causes: a fundraiser for the victims of the Victorian bushfires and the birthday of one Rebecca Berrigan :). A very good night was had by all involved.
Not a lot more to report; we are both getting itchy feet waiting to finish up at work (4 weeks for me, 5 for Dave) and go off travelling. After our 5 week trip, we are planning a night or two in York up in the north of England, followed by a cheap flight to somewhere in Europe (possibly Italy) with friends for a final weekend before we are back to life down under.
Will update again before we go away.

Burford

Burton-on-the-Water

Burton-on-the-Water

Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold

Birthdays and beers!

We have had a great birthday weekend here in London Town. We booked for the Tower of London on the Friday and got there (fairly) early at 10.30am to avoid the worst of the school holiday crowds. After spending a good couple of hours enjoying one of London’s biggest tourist attractions, we headed down to Portobello Markets for some browsing and some lunch. That night we made for Angel to meet up with J, Bec, Nathan and Ryan at the Camden Head for some celebratory drinks, continuing on at the local Walkie until we had to run to catch the last tube home.
Saturday we decided to pay a visit to London's big new Westfields. We picked up some great bargains, although were a little disappointed that a certain Portuguese chicken place was not among the numerous food options! (The Boost juice really hit the spot though!) Sunday we hit O'Neills for some lunch, before embarking on a (unsuccessful) mission to Brick Lane in search of some of those cheapo DVD's.
In other news, unfortunately living at the pub at Angel just didn’t stick, so we are now down here at Clapham South in a share house, living with 3 others. A little hard to get used to at first, but it’s working out OK and Clapham is a lovely area. We are here until we go away, so for about the next 7 weeks.
Will update again after our trip out to the Cotswolds on Sunday (fingers crossed for a nice day!) We have also entered the ballot for a 20/20 county cricket match at Lords (seeing we won’t make it to the Ashes after all) to be played the day after we return from Norway, and we should find out shortly if we have been successful.
Hope everyone is well.

Some random on the dance floor

Weber siblings

Portobello markets

At the Tower of London

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Well, as you may have been reading about in the news, London has been hit by its biggest snowfall in 19 years, making for some great fun as we were able to make snowmen, have snowball fights and generally have a blast! The Monday snow dump capped off an eventful weekend in London Town, so here is an update on what’s been happening.
We had tickets to a Premier League game on Saturday at Fulham’s home ground, Craven Cottage. After a quick pint en route at the Slug and another outside the stands (not allowed to drink while watching the English football – seems quite unnatural really) we took our seats behind the goal. Fulham ended up winning an entertaining game 3-1 (although we left before the final whistle to avoid the crowds – I would guess about 24,000). On the way home we stopped for some dinner and a…ahem… few drinks at the Slug (great Aussie bar that it’s hard to believe we haven’t been to before this). Then, seeing as it was our final night down at Earl’s Court, we decided to say farewell to SW5 with a drink at our local O’Neills, a semi regular haunt in our time in south west London.
Sunday was our official moving day, although Dave had been moving our stuff gradually over the past couple of weeks, so most of it was already done. Sunday morning was spent cleaning the flat, before our landlord’s representative had a brief inspection and saw us on our way. Sunday night, to our delight, it began to snow…
The next morning we woke to a world of white. With the news that all buses were suspended, I grumpily hopped on the tube the two stops to work. After lasting out the morning and looking longingly out at the snow, at midday we were told we could leave!! As half our office couldn’t make it in it seemed pretty pointless being there anyway. I arrived home and went out to lunch, after which Dave and I helped make a snowman!! (Some pelting of Dave with snowballs also occurred at this point.) The snow eased up by evening (but the pub still shut early!) and it is not snowing now, although more is forecast for later in the week so we’ll see what happens. Some pics below.
Before I wrap, a brief update on our plans for the remainder of our time abroad. I finish up at work on April 10th, and on April 20th, accompanied by Giedre, we fly to Riga, travelling by train from there on to Moscow!! We will spend 6 days in Mother Russia before looping around some of the rest of Eastern Europe, stopping in Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic (we have a reservation at Gordon Ramsey in Prague!!), Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Hercegovina, before heading up to Norway to see Bergen and the fjords. On our return we will spend a leisurely week in London with my parents. Our flight to Australia departs Heathrow on 8th June, touching down in Sydney on the 10th, bringing to a close the past 20 months.
So that’s it for now. We are planning our birthday weekend (long weekend – mine falls on a Friday this year and we are both taking the day off!) We will be staying around London, sightseeing and catching up with people, including my little brother, who is making the big move to London this month!
Hope everyone is well xo

County Cork

We have just returned from a very pleasant long weekend in Cork. Although it drizzled a bit on and off, and on Saturday night we experienced ridiculous gale force winds, there were some really nice patches of blue sky and sunshine. Saturday we spent exploring Cork, ducking into a fair few pubs to take shelter from the rain, wind and cold, as it was the worst day weather-wise. We also visited the English Market, a big hall that is like a farmers market with all the fresh food you could ever want. We spent a good hour drooling over all the cuts of meat and poultry, fresh fish, sushi, cheeses, fruit, fresh breads, salad rolls, pastries and chocolates, and grabbed a quick bite to eat at the cafe (our first taste of black pudding). Sunday we took a bus out to a place called Kinsale, a very pretty port town. We took a very nice 45 minute walk out to Charles Fort, a defense fortification used in the 17th and 18th centuries, and visited a couple of bookshops and lovely pubs. (Dave's shining moment was mistaking a post office for a pub...seems to be a bit of a recurring theme lately!) Monday we returned like magnets to the Farmers Market for brunch, before flying back to London. Some photos below.
Our next trip is a while away – 20th April, after I finish up at work. It will be a longer one, though, as we will be gone for about 5 weeks. We will spend that time travelling through Eastern Europe and Norway! Very excited. More on that later.
Meanwhile we are frantically trying to see a little more of England before we leave for good. We have a day trip booked to the Cotswolds in March, and may attempt to squeeze in a day in Brighton, depending on costs. We are also planning a few days in Yorkshire in June just before leaving. In London news we have scored some Premier League tickets (yay!) We will be attending Fulham v Portsmouth on the 31st January at Craven Cottage. We are also leaving Earl's Court and returning to Angel!!! We move out on 1st February and in with Jo, Daisy and Laura in rooms above the York, which is great for us as we will save on rent and travel to work. (And we get to return to an area we both love). Dave is also excited as (apparently) it is his dream come true to live above a pub and I am excited to be living with people again!
We are both well and, although we are looking forward to coming home, are still enjoying London very much, especially now the temperature has begun to creep up (sloooowly). We no longer need the heater on at home and some days the mercury reaches double figures!
So that’s about it for now. No doubt we will be doing something for Australia Day, with celebrations at the Aussie bars here planned for the Sunday and the Monday, so will update again soon. Much love to all.

At Charles Fort outside of Kinsale

Kinsale

Charles Fort

Charles Fort

Looking across to James Fort opposite

On our walk, looking back towards Kinsale

Views on the walk

Fresh fish at the English Market

On arrival in Cork, about 8am Saturday morning

Cold Enough for You?! Innit!!

Our flight landed in Copenhagen, Denmark, at about 10 on Tuesday morning. Dumping our bags, we took a walk to orientate ourselves with the city (where Blue mistook the art museum for the Carlsberg brewery, much to my amusement). We spent that evening at the Christmas markets in the Tivoli amusement park - very pretty with some great mulled wine and burning coal fires to warm us in the minus 2 degree temperature. We did think, however, that the 12 pound equivalent entry fee would entitle us to some rides as well - wrong!! Each ride was about 40 kroner (6 quid), with an unlimited pass 20 quid! Copenhagen, as we found out a number of times, is not an inexpensive city.
The next day, New Years Eve, we continued our exploring of the city with the King's Garden, and the adjoining Rosenborg Slot (17th century castle). As we were walking in the gardens, music reached our ears on the wind, so we followed it to see what was happening and stumbled upon the changing of the guards ceremony (we think, or something like that). Think Buckingham Palace with a handful of people instead of massive crowds. It turned out to be much much better than that, though, as the guards and the band marched through the city, before returning to the castle. For a moment we did think we were in with a chance of sighting Mary, and got excited, but no luck. Following that, we went over to Slotsholmen, an island separated from the city centre by a canal, but being NYE most of the museums and the palace there were closed for visitors, so we retired to our room for a few beers before venturing out later. Our first stop was a pub for a few more beers, then we made our way to the lakes at the edge of the city to watch some fireworks. Copenhagen doesn't have one official fireworks display; people let off their own fireworks all night long. Often you are surrounded by noise, at times it can sound like a heap of bombs are hitting the city. All those fireworks are quite spectacular though, and we heard them going off till 2 in the morning (could have been longer, but we fell asleep).
New Years Day we slept in, and then stopped at the outdoor ice rink for some skating. Dave, however, opted out after his last experience in London, so I skated on my own. The rink was fantastic - like a massive roundabout - and at 1pm on New Years Day there was only a handful of people; plenty of room to skate and pick up some serious speed! Afterwards we headed down to check out the Little Mermaid Statue, perched on a rock looking out to sea towards Sweden.
Our final day we had our fill of Danish food - Danishes (called wienerbrod in Denmark) and smorrebrod (little open sandwiches that are just delicious). We also visited the Hans Christian Anderson museum (delightfully nostalgic) and the Carlsberg brewery, before catching our late flight back to London.
A very pleasant, although REALLY cold, New Years break. We are still excitedly planning the first half of this year and are at the point now where we are both really looking forward to coming home! Work starts back again tomorrow (boooo). Next trip will be Ireland in a few weeks time.
Hope all are having a great start to 2009.

Watching fireworks in the cold on NYE

The guards and band march through the streets

The Tivoli Xmas markets - Xmas scenes

The Tivoli Xmas markets - Xmas scenes

Entrance to the Xmas markets

The roundabout ice rink

One of the canals

Smorrebrod

The Carlsberg Visitors Centre houses the world's largest collection of beer bottles - 18,000 at last count

With the Little Mermaid statue in the background

Down at the harbour

Merry Christmas from London Town!

So as you can see from the title, Christmas this year was a relaxed affair at home in London. Christmas Eve, after treating ourselves to a sleep in, we took the tube to Leicester Square and walked down to Trafalgar Square to check out the Norwegian Christmas tree. After a few photos and a visit to Waterstones for some browsing, we made our way to Hyde Park, via a few cute little pubs. We then spent time browsing the Christmas markets, fuelled by hot mulled wine and a chocolate banana on a stick. Being 4pm, it was already dark (London in winter; the sun goes down at 3pm), so all the Christmas lights were on and it made a pretty sight.
Christmas Day we spoke to our families at home, had porridge for breakfast, and watched some films (Mary Poppins and A Muppets Christmas Carol - nostalgic choices.) Dave cooked a fantastic Christmas dinner of pork, crackling, roast potatoes and veggies and Yorkshire Pudding, with Christmas Pudding and custard for after.
Tonight we are off to the ballet - the English National Ballet production of The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House (very excited). Tuesday we fly to Copenhagen!! We make it in time for the final day of the Tivoli Christmas markets, and stay for New Years celebrations, returning to London on the 2nd.
A happy new year to everyone.

Christmas dinner (tablecloth and placemats courtesy of my mum)

At the Christmas markets in Hyde Park (with mulled wine)

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Christmas Eve drinks

With the tree in Trafalgar Square

Shakespeare-Upon-Avon

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life
Prologue, 'Romeo and Juliet'

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Act 1, Scene V

Yea, noise,then I'll be brief;
O, happy dagger!
This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die.
Act V, Scene III

Last weekend we made our way by coach to Stratford-Upon-Avon, town of all things Shakespeare. It was bright and sunny, but absolutely freezing. Upon arrival on Saturday at 11, we checked into our nice, cosy B&B (after getting into the English spirit and sharing a pot of tea), and went to see the sights. We saw the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare's grave is, Shakespeare's birthplace, the Great Garden of New Place, and numerous statues and sculptures depicting the scenes and characters from his works. The play was our main reason for being there however, and after dinner and a few drinks at the Dirty Duck, we took our seats at the Courtyard Theatre for the RSC production of 'Romeo and Juliet'. I can't use enough superlatives here, so just let me say that it was absolutely BRILLIANT. Worth every penny. The actors were amazing, favourites being the portrayals of Mercutio and Benvolio by, respectively, Gyuri Sarossy and Daniel Percival.
In other London news, we had a great day/night yesterday at our 'Orphans Christmas' (thanks guys). Today, while Dave has been at work, I have done a themed walking tour, Shakespeare's and Dickens' London - very interesting and worthwhile.
A few photos below. Hope all is well.

At The Dirty Duck before seeing 'Romeo and Juliet'

Christmas lights in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Dave tries his best on the ice at Somerset House

Somerset House ice rink