Monday 26 February 2007

Monopoly Run

I tried a new way home tonight as I had some jobs to do on the way home from work... and ran the monopoly board... by Euston, past Kings Cross, up Pentonville Road (one of the few hills in London), through Angel and Islington... and home. Looks like I've got the light blue set - now time to build a hotel!

When I first arrived here I read, well almost read Tim Moore's book Do Not Pass Go. I normally never not finish a book, but with about a chapter to go, and it being overdue I could not make myself read the last few pages of this one. Some of his other travel books look interesting so I may give them a go, and maybe I'll finish them.

Sunday 25 February 2007

A quick hello

Chantel reminded me recently just how slack I have been on the blogging front recently. I guess it’s tied to all the low profile keeping, and attempts to not spend any money before heading off to India in about 21 sleeps. That and there’s only so much excitement that comes from the work / gym / home routine. Actually, that’s not fair as my tube station has been closed, and will be for another week, so I have been working out new and exciting ways to work.

The big news in London belongs to our good friends Neil & Ange as their daughter Emma arrived safe last week. By all accounts she’s rather well behaved - and seems to like napping on her new quilt (courtesy of Brenda’s supreme sewing skills).

Emma and her Dad Neil


Other than that… on minor news… I’ve chopped all my hair off (a little more Mrs Beckham than Ms Spears, thankfully)…we’ve been to see a v funny movie “Hot Fuzz”, bringing back the glory of Brittish Police Cinema. … oh and I mis-counted, it’s probably only about 20 sleeps til we get away. Bring on the curry!

Thursday 8 February 2007

Waitangi Week




It was Waitangi Day earlier this week but rather than a BBQ like last year we opted for a very fusion celebration… curry at our house, followed by watching Brazil play Portugal at Arsenal (err that would be Emirates Stadium, owned by arabs) at an international foolball friendly.



Now I’m not much of a football follower (I do enough to not get kicked out of our very Arsenal supporting pub) but it was v cool to finally see a big match (from the 5th row near the centre line), the music and drums in the crowd were just amazing, and the game wasn’t too bad either.





I also learnt some choice Portuguese phrases like “Go Brazil / Portugal”, some comments about the parentage of the players and my favourite “Mr Referee, I am sorry but I disagree with your decision and I believe that you may wish to reconsider” (followed with gestures…).















Sitting outside for a couple of hours made me realise just how cold it really is at present. The frost on the way back was just nasty. It was all worth it though when I woke up this morning to a couple of inches of snow. Paul thought I was quite nuts when I made a snowman on the deck before breakfast.








As I did with the last snow I again walked through the park to work and again had no shame in taking photos like a tourist. I have to add there were a fair few people doing the same!




This weekend Paul is taking a break from rugby (he’s rather good and has scored a silly number of tries in recent weeks) and we are having a weekend break in London. This will either mean we will play tourist in London, something that we’ve not done in a while; or, we’ll huddle in the warm somewhere and watch the six nations.