25/08: Bring on the long weekend
After having two short weeks in a row, Cass and I are now on our third, with this weekend being the UK's Bank holiday weekend. As we were in Berlin the weekend before we hadn't planned any trips away though it may have been nice to of gone somewhere.
As I was working Friday night and a little on Saturday morning we had a farily easy day but decided to have a BBQ in the backyard. So I decided to get the lawn mower out and gave the back lawn a quick cut as it had been growing fairly rapidly with all the rain we had been having.
We walked to our local ASDA store and picke up some goodies for the BBQ and came back home and cooked our mini feast. I had a steak and shared some chicken drum sticks with Cass. We also roasted some capsicum or peppers as the English call them.
We were supposed to head out to the funky buddah bar in the city, but Cass's friend who was organising the tikets to get in was sick so everyone had to cancel. But Cass and I had a few drinks at home anyway.
Come Sunday we were able to have a nice sleep in and again take the day fairly easy. We had plans to meet up with Leigh , Matt and Kylie for her birthday. Initially we were going to go to Clapham but it would have been a nightmare getting there and back home again after the tube stops running. In the end we headed to Brick Lane where we were able to have a great curry. Also with a free bottle of wine, beer and 30% off. it was a little late when we left and being Sunday there wasn't much else open. But we headed down to Embankment where we found the bar on teh water closed, so we let Matt and Kylie take a few night shots of the London eye and Big ben before they had to run to get the last tube home. Leigh, Cass and I hoped to find another place open but as it was a Sunday everywhere was closed. A few restaurants were open but you had to order food in order to drink, due to licensing. So missing the ast tube home we had the joy of getting the night bus, which for Cass and I consisits of bus hoping, as we don't have a direct night bus home. Howeverall three of us got the N207 which after dropping Leigh off took us all the way to where we get the 266 bus home. Jumping off the N207 the 266 was diretly behind so we didn't have to wait and were able to get straight on and head home.
Monday is the main day of the Nottinghill Carnival, however I went last year, and Cass isn't too interested, so we will probably find something else to do.
Anyway, I have uploaded my photo's of Berlin, check them out.
http://david.catterall.com.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=16644
Ciao
As I was working Friday night and a little on Saturday morning we had a farily easy day but decided to have a BBQ in the backyard. So I decided to get the lawn mower out and gave the back lawn a quick cut as it had been growing fairly rapidly with all the rain we had been having.
We walked to our local ASDA store and picke up some goodies for the BBQ and came back home and cooked our mini feast. I had a steak and shared some chicken drum sticks with Cass. We also roasted some capsicum or peppers as the English call them.
We were supposed to head out to the funky buddah bar in the city, but Cass's friend who was organising the tikets to get in was sick so everyone had to cancel. But Cass and I had a few drinks at home anyway.
Come Sunday we were able to have a nice sleep in and again take the day fairly easy. We had plans to meet up with Leigh , Matt and Kylie for her birthday. Initially we were going to go to Clapham but it would have been a nightmare getting there and back home again after the tube stops running. In the end we headed to Brick Lane where we were able to have a great curry. Also with a free bottle of wine, beer and 30% off. it was a little late when we left and being Sunday there wasn't much else open. But we headed down to Embankment where we found the bar on teh water closed, so we let Matt and Kylie take a few night shots of the London eye and Big ben before they had to run to get the last tube home. Leigh, Cass and I hoped to find another place open but as it was a Sunday everywhere was closed. A few restaurants were open but you had to order food in order to drink, due to licensing. So missing the ast tube home we had the joy of getting the night bus, which for Cass and I consisits of bus hoping, as we don't have a direct night bus home. Howeverall three of us got the N207 which after dropping Leigh off took us all the way to where we get the 266 bus home. Jumping off the N207 the 266 was diretly behind so we didn't have to wait and were able to get straight on and head home.
Monday is the main day of the Nottinghill Carnival, however I went last year, and Cass isn't too interested, so we will probably find something else to do.
Anyway, I have uploaded my photo's of Berlin, check them out.
http://david.catterall.com.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=16644
Ciao
For our third day in Berlin Cass and I decided to head out to Sachsenhausen Concentration camp. We slept in a little and didn't make it to the guided tour meeting point by 10am so decided to head out there ourselves. This saved as 12 quid, though the guide would have been good for a better explanation then the portable audio guides.
After another nice breakfast in the hotel, we headed up the road and jumped onto the S-Bahn which is like a cross city train which took us from Alhalter Bahnhoff stataion all the way out to Oranienburg. The trip took about 45 mins and was a good way of seeing some of Berlin out side of the city. We could have caught the faster regional trains but this would not have past through the staion near our hotel.
Arriving at Oranienburg we were not exactly sure of the direction we had to go , but we could see a sign to the museum and a visitors centre, so we decided to walk to get some information. It was only about 400 yards away but we walked straight past it and ended up walking about double. As we turned back up the street to go back towards the station we found it and to our luck it was closed.
The guide book had indicated that it was only a 20 min walk from the station and you could just follow the signs, however the signs that made more sense soon disappeared as we got further down the road. We past a memorial and came upon a complex that hosues a free museum. This was a large T-shaped building that served some part of the concentration camp but was only a very small exhibit. The guard at the door spoke no english and the entire building sounded empty. It had the most eerie sounds inside as you could hear doors opening and slamming, which just echoed through the bar corridors. Unable to read any of the exhibit as it was all in German we left.
Walking behind the building we cam upon a locked gate in which we could see the concentration camp, however we couldn't find how to get in, so continued to walk up the road hoping to find the entrance. First we came to a gate which looked like a police camp of some sort, so kept going. The streets were empty and the shops etc all closed so we didn't have anyone to ask for directions. As we came to almost the end of the road we came across a pub which backed onto the river. We stopped in for a cold drink and directions. By this stage Cass was a little frustrated that we had walked so far. But after a short break we were back on track.
Walking into the camp you come to the information centre where you can see guard towers nearby. Its an almost instand indication that your about to walk into a prison. As you walk in you follow one of the old main roads past the SS compound and barracks then into the main Gate or Tower A. As you walk in through the gate you get a real feel for the over alll size of the place as the audio guide I'm listening too explains what went on. The electrified fences with barbed wire and a gravel patch of about 3 metres wide along the fence. Gaurds were offered pay rises just for shooting prisoners who stepped onto the gravel patches. So bad were the conditions that priosoners would often throw themselves on the fence to be elecocuted rather then suffer the abuse in the camp.
We got to see inside the barracks were the prisoners slept side by side without any room to roll over. The toilet blocks where they had to fight to use the toilet in over crowded conditions as well as the bath fountains where guards would drown prisoners for the sake of it. Very hard conditions and abuse were explained on the auido guide as you explored further, just so hard to believe what these people were put through all because of their race or other difference.
Some of the most horrific murders happened in the camps section Z which was the executions style killings of prisoners. They showed the ruins of a building where many thousands of people died and were later cramated. Prisoners would walk into the building thinking they were going for an doctors inspection. The doctor would check them over but not for anything health related but for items such as gold fillings. They would be inspected whilst a loud music played to drown out what was happening in the next room. If they had no fillings containing gold, they would go into a room disguised as a shower. As the water started to pour the guards would fill the room the toxic gas, killing the prisoners. If you did have fillings they would take you into another room that had a tape measure style spike on the wall, thinking you were getting your height measured soon found a bullet into the back of your neck. Both instances would then see your remains burnt in one of the three furnesses. A horrific way to go. Grassed beds around the building remains are said to contain the ashes of those that were cremated.
Next came to the infirmary buildings where the sick prisoners would be used as guniea pigs. People would often be used for medical experiments often without proper treatment. A morg located nearby was very well preserved with the observation tables still standing. The basement beneath had a very cold and eerie feeling to it, as it was the place they stored the bodies awaiting ortopsy.
Finishing up at the camp we jumped on the bu and headed back to the station. The bus was a lot easier then walking.
Back In Berlin we attempted to find the markets that we saw the day before, but unfortunately they were not on, however we did find some great artistic graffiti in a side alley and a few interesting shops.
We ended up doing a afternoon cruise on the river spree, which was fantastic. Despite the low bridges we got a great insight of Berlin from the water. It took us all the way past the reightstag and other parlimentary buildings. Over all very well recommended.
Cass wanted to get the bus on the way back to the hotel and thought the #100 took us past our hotel, but instead it took us in the wrong direction. We instead got to see the victory column and then had to come back on the same bus and get the train back to the hotel. As it was getting late we decided to stop for some food at an Italian restaurant just up the road from the hotel. We had some red wine from sicily and a couple of Pizza's before heading back to the hotel for bed.
On the Monday we didn't have a full day but decided to head out and see what we had missed. We tried to see the famous Berline Bears in their pit, but on arrival there were no bears to be seen. I assume they are still in there but they must have been inside their enclosure. We gave the S-Baun and the U line of underground train a good run as we trained it all over the city. We stopped for some shopping in Galleery Lafayette but didn't buy anything. We then headed down to the Europa Centre where the Imax theatre is and did a spot of tourist shopping in a book shop. Grabbing a quick bite to eat at the train station, we were soon grabbing our bags from the hotel and jumping on our flight home.
The flight home was mared by a screaming kid who screamed for the entire flight. But apart from that it was't to bad. We got through customs and imigration in the quickest time ever. We then just grabbed a easy bus into Marble Arch before getting the tube home.
After another nice breakfast in the hotel, we headed up the road and jumped onto the S-Bahn which is like a cross city train which took us from Alhalter Bahnhoff stataion all the way out to Oranienburg. The trip took about 45 mins and was a good way of seeing some of Berlin out side of the city. We could have caught the faster regional trains but this would not have past through the staion near our hotel.
Arriving at Oranienburg we were not exactly sure of the direction we had to go , but we could see a sign to the museum and a visitors centre, so we decided to walk to get some information. It was only about 400 yards away but we walked straight past it and ended up walking about double. As we turned back up the street to go back towards the station we found it and to our luck it was closed.
The guide book had indicated that it was only a 20 min walk from the station and you could just follow the signs, however the signs that made more sense soon disappeared as we got further down the road. We past a memorial and came upon a complex that hosues a free museum. This was a large T-shaped building that served some part of the concentration camp but was only a very small exhibit. The guard at the door spoke no english and the entire building sounded empty. It had the most eerie sounds inside as you could hear doors opening and slamming, which just echoed through the bar corridors. Unable to read any of the exhibit as it was all in German we left.
Walking behind the building we cam upon a locked gate in which we could see the concentration camp, however we couldn't find how to get in, so continued to walk up the road hoping to find the entrance. First we came to a gate which looked like a police camp of some sort, so kept going. The streets were empty and the shops etc all closed so we didn't have anyone to ask for directions. As we came to almost the end of the road we came across a pub which backed onto the river. We stopped in for a cold drink and directions. By this stage Cass was a little frustrated that we had walked so far. But after a short break we were back on track.
Walking into the camp you come to the information centre where you can see guard towers nearby. Its an almost instand indication that your about to walk into a prison. As you walk in you follow one of the old main roads past the SS compound and barracks then into the main Gate or Tower A. As you walk in through the gate you get a real feel for the over alll size of the place as the audio guide I'm listening too explains what went on. The electrified fences with barbed wire and a gravel patch of about 3 metres wide along the fence. Gaurds were offered pay rises just for shooting prisoners who stepped onto the gravel patches. So bad were the conditions that priosoners would often throw themselves on the fence to be elecocuted rather then suffer the abuse in the camp.
We got to see inside the barracks were the prisoners slept side by side without any room to roll over. The toilet blocks where they had to fight to use the toilet in over crowded conditions as well as the bath fountains where guards would drown prisoners for the sake of it. Very hard conditions and abuse were explained on the auido guide as you explored further, just so hard to believe what these people were put through all because of their race or other difference.
Some of the most horrific murders happened in the camps section Z which was the executions style killings of prisoners. They showed the ruins of a building where many thousands of people died and were later cramated. Prisoners would walk into the building thinking they were going for an doctors inspection. The doctor would check them over but not for anything health related but for items such as gold fillings. They would be inspected whilst a loud music played to drown out what was happening in the next room. If they had no fillings containing gold, they would go into a room disguised as a shower. As the water started to pour the guards would fill the room the toxic gas, killing the prisoners. If you did have fillings they would take you into another room that had a tape measure style spike on the wall, thinking you were getting your height measured soon found a bullet into the back of your neck. Both instances would then see your remains burnt in one of the three furnesses. A horrific way to go. Grassed beds around the building remains are said to contain the ashes of those that were cremated.
Next came to the infirmary buildings where the sick prisoners would be used as guniea pigs. People would often be used for medical experiments often without proper treatment. A morg located nearby was very well preserved with the observation tables still standing. The basement beneath had a very cold and eerie feeling to it, as it was the place they stored the bodies awaiting ortopsy.
Finishing up at the camp we jumped on the bu and headed back to the station. The bus was a lot easier then walking.
Back In Berlin we attempted to find the markets that we saw the day before, but unfortunately they were not on, however we did find some great artistic graffiti in a side alley and a few interesting shops.
We ended up doing a afternoon cruise on the river spree, which was fantastic. Despite the low bridges we got a great insight of Berlin from the water. It took us all the way past the reightstag and other parlimentary buildings. Over all very well recommended.
Cass wanted to get the bus on the way back to the hotel and thought the #100 took us past our hotel, but instead it took us in the wrong direction. We instead got to see the victory column and then had to come back on the same bus and get the train back to the hotel. As it was getting late we decided to stop for some food at an Italian restaurant just up the road from the hotel. We had some red wine from sicily and a couple of Pizza's before heading back to the hotel for bed.
On the Monday we didn't have a full day but decided to head out and see what we had missed. We tried to see the famous Berline Bears in their pit, but on arrival there were no bears to be seen. I assume they are still in there but they must have been inside their enclosure. We gave the S-Baun and the U line of underground train a good run as we trained it all over the city. We stopped for some shopping in Galleery Lafayette but didn't buy anything. We then headed down to the Europa Centre where the Imax theatre is and did a spot of tourist shopping in a book shop. Grabbing a quick bite to eat at the train station, we were soon grabbing our bags from the hotel and jumping on our flight home.
The flight home was mared by a screaming kid who screamed for the entire flight. But apart from that it was't to bad. We got through customs and imigration in the quickest time ever. We then just grabbed a easy bus into Marble Arch before getting the tube home.
17/08: Berlin - Day 2
After a good night sleep, Cass and I headed down to a rather crowded breakfast lounge. It was as if the two tour buses out on the street had dropped off their passangers at the same time. Despite the amount of people we managed to find a table and had a good feed.
Thankfully the day outside was much better then Friday and we had some brilliant sunshine. Which made it a fantastic day to do the walkign tour of Berlin. We met a group called Berlin Insider Tours which was with an english speaking guide who happened to be from Glasgo, but had lived in Berlin for over 10 years. He took us on a great walk past basicly everything in Berlin. Checkpoint charlie, the Dom and art galery, The place where the Nazi's burnt all the books, Brandanberg gate, The ritzstag or Berlin parliment and the new Berlin parliment house and much more. The tour was well worth it and gave us a real insight to how Berlin was only so many years ago.
As you walk throught the streets you can see that various places are still recovering from when the wall came down. Many of the areas where the dead man zone was are being built up once again. From the photo's around the streets you can see what Berlin was like only 20 Years or so ago, its a real eye opener.
For dinner Cass and I visted a nice German style restaurant where we had some nice food. However on each occasion we swapped our meals as Cass didn't reall'y like the look of her fish. However it and the beer tasted great.
After dinner I grabbed my camera and headed out for some night shots, as we walked back from the Branderberg gate the streets were rather qutie and empty and a few people kept asking us fro directions, which we had no idea. A car even tooted and a group of girls asked how to get to one of the S-Bahn, but we couldn't help them. Anyway , after a long day we are now back at the hotel and ready for bed.
Thankfully the day outside was much better then Friday and we had some brilliant sunshine. Which made it a fantastic day to do the walkign tour of Berlin. We met a group called Berlin Insider Tours which was with an english speaking guide who happened to be from Glasgo, but had lived in Berlin for over 10 years. He took us on a great walk past basicly everything in Berlin. Checkpoint charlie, the Dom and art galery, The place where the Nazi's burnt all the books, Brandanberg gate, The ritzstag or Berlin parliment and the new Berlin parliment house and much more. The tour was well worth it and gave us a real insight to how Berlin was only so many years ago.
As you walk throught the streets you can see that various places are still recovering from when the wall came down. Many of the areas where the dead man zone was are being built up once again. From the photo's around the streets you can see what Berlin was like only 20 Years or so ago, its a real eye opener.
For dinner Cass and I visted a nice German style restaurant where we had some nice food. However on each occasion we swapped our meals as Cass didn't reall'y like the look of her fish. However it and the beer tasted great.
After dinner I grabbed my camera and headed out for some night shots, as we walked back from the Branderberg gate the streets were rather qutie and empty and a few people kept asking us fro directions, which we had no idea. A car even tooted and a group of girls asked how to get to one of the S-Bahn, but we couldn't help them. Anyway , after a long day we are now back at the hotel and ready for bed.
16/08: Hello Berlin
Well we arrived in Berlin safe and sound to overcast and rainy conditions. Made our way through customs and to our bags relatively quickly, My bag was actually right in front of me as I walked out of the passport check, much faster then heathrow or most other airports.
Once out of the terminal we headed to the trains, which we had checked iut earlier so roughly new which way to go. Buying a ticket from the machine we were soon on our way. We did see some signs about track work but couldn't really understand them but soon found out.
The first train we were on suddenly stoppde at a station and everyone got off. We were not to sure what was going on , but the German people seem really friendly towards tourists and they advised us we had to change trains. Still don't know why this train terminted, however another train came on the other platform and we continued.
Further along again the train stopped at another station , and again terminated. This time there was an anouncement in English saying that the train was terminating, So again we had to get off, but this time was due to track work. We transferred to a bus, which took us to where the line started again, which happened to be one stop away from the stop near our hotel. So when we got off the bus we decided to walk. It was only a short walk to the Holiday Express By Holiday Inn.
The hotel is very nice and similar to the hotel at North Acton. It was almost an exact copy of the room that Cass's parents stayed in London.
From the hotel we walked up the road towards Checkpoint Charlie, which was the location of one of the most significant Border crossings from west to East Berlin. The wall itself no longer stands except in a small section left preserved near the old Gastapo headquarters. There is however lined bricks paved into the road which mark where the wall once stood. Its amazing to see the area and know the history that is around the varoious locations. There is a few museums and memorials with large photo's of what checkpoint charlie used to look like before it became a tourist attraction.
We walked around a fairbit of Berlin onn our first day but it was rather wet so we ended up having a beer at the Lowenbrau and returned to the hotel for an early night.
Once out of the terminal we headed to the trains, which we had checked iut earlier so roughly new which way to go. Buying a ticket from the machine we were soon on our way. We did see some signs about track work but couldn't really understand them but soon found out.
The first train we were on suddenly stoppde at a station and everyone got off. We were not to sure what was going on , but the German people seem really friendly towards tourists and they advised us we had to change trains. Still don't know why this train terminted, however another train came on the other platform and we continued.
Further along again the train stopped at another station , and again terminated. This time there was an anouncement in English saying that the train was terminating, So again we had to get off, but this time was due to track work. We transferred to a bus, which took us to where the line started again, which happened to be one stop away from the stop near our hotel. So when we got off the bus we decided to walk. It was only a short walk to the Holiday Express By Holiday Inn.
The hotel is very nice and similar to the hotel at North Acton. It was almost an exact copy of the room that Cass's parents stayed in London.
From the hotel we walked up the road towards Checkpoint Charlie, which was the location of one of the most significant Border crossings from west to East Berlin. The wall itself no longer stands except in a small section left preserved near the old Gastapo headquarters. There is however lined bricks paved into the road which mark where the wall once stood. Its amazing to see the area and know the history that is around the varoious locations. There is a few museums and memorials with large photo's of what checkpoint charlie used to look like before it became a tourist attraction.
We walked around a fairbit of Berlin onn our first day but it was rather wet so we ended up having a beer at the Lowenbrau and returned to the hotel for an early night.
15/08: Berlin here we come
After finishing up work on Thursday Cass and I decided last minute that we were going to stay in a hotel closer to Luton airpor. It was going to be a 3am taxi ride to the airport otherwise. So we left home about 9pm and headed to Easy hotel in Luton. They are cheap as chips , formula opne style hotels, were get basicly get a room, bed, and a bathroom and not much else. It was all we needed for a good nights rest and a few extra hours sleep. It was sop much nicer having to only get up just over an hour before the flight as the airport was just a 10 min taxi ride away.
Friday morning we were in the cab and soon checked in at the airport where we had a quick breakfast and headed for the departure gate. Standard easy jet flights don't allocate seats so its first in best dressed. We had to board a bus which allowed took us to the plane, I don't know if the people who paid for speedy boarding got any advantage as everyone seemed to get on the same bus.
Once on board we managed to find a couple of seats next to each other about half way up the plane and before we new it we were in the air and on our way. For a budget airline easy jet is fairly comfortable, though they don't provide food for free you can buy it if you wish.
Friday morning we were in the cab and soon checked in at the airport where we had a quick breakfast and headed for the departure gate. Standard easy jet flights don't allocate seats so its first in best dressed. We had to board a bus which allowed took us to the plane, I don't know if the people who paid for speedy boarding got any advantage as everyone seemed to get on the same bus.
Once on board we managed to find a couple of seats next to each other about half way up the plane and before we new it we were in the air and on our way. For a budget airline easy jet is fairly comfortable, though they don't provide food for free you can buy it if you wish.
12/08: Weekend options
With the weather not making up its mind Cass and I decided to postpone a trip to cornwall. The forecast for Saturday was for some wet wild weather, which would not have been good for the beach at all. So we decided to have a nice big sleepin on Saturday morning before getting up for a nice brunch.
Later that evening as the weather was starting to improve we headed to Queensway. First had a quick pint at the nearby pub, before finding a place for dinner. When we were walking around we spotted Belle Italia inside the whitley shopping mall. At first glance I shyed away from the place as there were a lot of empty plates on the tables but after checking out tehe other options we decided on Belle Italia anyway. However after sitting down and getting no service what so ever we decided to leave and go next door to a place called Oscars.
Oscars was a fantastic mexican restaurant with the friendliest of staff. They even had little candles on the tables. We both decided to have fajitas with a bottle of red which was fantastic.
After dinner we headed off to the movies to watch the new batman movie the dark night. I though it was ok , but not the bext batman movie ever. I think Cass didn't like it at all, but she still enjoyed the night out.
On Sunday we awok early and headed to the markes. first we went to Petticoat Lane markets which ended up being just clothes. Cass bought some new shoes and was wanting to buy a dress but didn't in the end. After some more exploring of the markets we headed to spitafields markets which were more arts and crafts and much better then the Peticoat Lane markets.
For lunch we met Leigh and my friend Mat from SES and his girlfriend Kylie. We all headed to China Town for some Yum Cha. After lunch we had a quick pint before exploring the british museum. Matt, Leigh and Kylie were planning on doing a tour but Cass and I didn't think it would be worth it and explore the museum on our own accord. In the end we saw more then the others did and probably enjoyed it more too.
After the museum we had a few more pints at the local pub before heading home for some Thai nice.
Later that evening as the weather was starting to improve we headed to Queensway. First had a quick pint at the nearby pub, before finding a place for dinner. When we were walking around we spotted Belle Italia inside the whitley shopping mall. At first glance I shyed away from the place as there were a lot of empty plates on the tables but after checking out tehe other options we decided on Belle Italia anyway. However after sitting down and getting no service what so ever we decided to leave and go next door to a place called Oscars.
Oscars was a fantastic mexican restaurant with the friendliest of staff. They even had little candles on the tables. We both decided to have fajitas with a bottle of red which was fantastic.
After dinner we headed off to the movies to watch the new batman movie the dark night. I though it was ok , but not the bext batman movie ever. I think Cass didn't like it at all, but she still enjoyed the night out.
On Sunday we awok early and headed to the markes. first we went to Petticoat Lane markets which ended up being just clothes. Cass bought some new shoes and was wanting to buy a dress but didn't in the end. After some more exploring of the markets we headed to spitafields markets which were more arts and crafts and much better then the Peticoat Lane markets.
For lunch we met Leigh and my friend Mat from SES and his girlfriend Kylie. We all headed to China Town for some Yum Cha. After lunch we had a quick pint before exploring the british museum. Matt, Leigh and Kylie were planning on doing a tour but Cass and I didn't think it would be worth it and explore the museum on our own accord. In the end we saw more then the others did and probably enjoyed it more too.
After the museum we had a few more pints at the local pub before heading home for some Thai nice.
03/08: The Wizard of Oz
Met up with Cass's friend Pat and her boyfriend Colin and Pat's two kids who were over from Thailand and headed into the Southbank centre to see the Wizard of Oz. Arriving just in the nick of time we quickly took our seats but the start of the show was delayed due to some technical problem. This gave me time to grab an icecream for Cass and I, which just as I sat down the show started.
The show itself was not on par with any of the west end musicals and if you expected it to be, then you would have been disapointed. However despite the poor reviews , I really enjoyed it. The cast were great and I thought they acted very well even though the stage and set were very small. The show did lack its effects and special flare and sadly got a few boo's at the end.
The show itself was not on par with any of the west end musicals and if you expected it to be, then you would have been disapointed. However despite the poor reviews , I really enjoyed it. The cast were great and I thought they acted very well even though the stage and set were very small. The show did lack its effects and special flare and sadly got a few boo's at the end.
02/08: London by night
With Cass in Edinburgh with Leigh until Saturday afternoon, I had Friday night to myself. So after coming home and keeping an eye on the weatehr which looked overcast and windy, I was tossing up the idea of going into the city to take some night photo's. Luck was on my side an by early evening the sky was clearing and the wind dropping.
Jumping on the tube I headed to Embankment and walked across the Thames. As it was low tide I was able to walk directly along the shore line almost directly under the London Eye. it made for some great shots. Heading towards Big Ben, then towards Trafalgar Square. Some shots came out better then others, and as the night sky slowly coulded over it provided a spectacular cloud cover.
I've put some of the shots in my gallery, so take a look.
Cass and I are off to see the Wizard of Oz tonight. I hope its a good musical.
Ciao
Jumping on the tube I headed to Embankment and walked across the Thames. As it was low tide I was able to walk directly along the shore line almost directly under the London Eye. it made for some great shots. Heading towards Big Ben, then towards Trafalgar Square. Some shots came out better then others, and as the night sky slowly coulded over it provided a spectacular cloud cover.
I've put some of the shots in my gallery, so take a look.
Cass and I are off to see the Wizard of Oz tonight. I hope its a good musical.
Ciao
29/07: A few days of summer
Its been really warm here in London over the last few days with tempretures into the 30's. Last Thursday it was so nice that the house decided to have a BBQ. I unfortunately had some work to do from home so didn't get to relax as much as i would have liked. But the evening was great and we had plenty of left overs. That same night I must have been bitten by something on my foot as when I work up on friday morning my right heal was numb and tingled with pins and needles when I walked on it. At first I thought something may have been stuck in it, but on close inspection I couldn't see anything. Walking to work was fine but by about lunch time it was getting worse and I could hardly put pressure on my heal. But over the weekend it began to feel better and now is completely healed itslef. Cass did mange to spot two pimple like dots on my ankle which look like bite marks but nothing like punture marks or signs of something poking me. Hmmm , what ever it was sure caused some unpleasant feelings in my foot which still even now I can't see any bite or reason why it did what it did.
Anyway, I had to work friday night, but Leigh came over and we headed up the road to a new restaurant that has opened. Its a new Lebenese place that wasn't as opened as we had hoped. Various items on the menu were not available as the cook hadn't started yet. So we ordered some mixed Mezze and a mixed meet dish. All up the food was a little dissapointing as we couldn't actually order what we really would have liked. I think they would have been better off holding back a week or two until everything was in place. For drinks they would not server tap water as they wanted you to buy it. I had a Lebenese non alcholic beer, which tasted very malty.
Watched Australia beat New Zealand in the Tri nations test before heading out to Ealing where Cass and I did a bit of shopping and I got my hair cut. They had some nice music playing in the local park with a bar serving drinks. It would have been nice if it was a little sunnier instead of ot and humid. Headed back home for some nice Taco's. Cass really out did her self cutting up all the vegs e etc for the Taco'slooked like something you would get from a Mexican restaurant.
On Sunday Cass and I caught the train to Cambridge to explore the universty town. It was spectacular with the very old sand stone colleges and churches. We manged to grab a few goodies from the supermarket and set up a picnic on the river. It was so nice. Later we walked along the river past the Jazz band and watched as various people were swimming in the water. We later came down and went on a punt tour which took you on the water past, Tritnity College, St Johns college and the Kings College etc. We even went under the bridge og sighs, which is a copy of the famous bridge in Venice Italy. We had a great day in the end and we just managed to make it to the station before a storm blew in with heavy rain. Cambridge station seemed to have no electricity while we were there. This caused great confusion as we were told to wait on platform 4 but our train changed platforms and nobody told us asbout it. so we had to run and find a seat on a already packed train. Still it was only a short trip into London and a tube ride home.
Anyway, I had to work friday night, but Leigh came over and we headed up the road to a new restaurant that has opened. Its a new Lebenese place that wasn't as opened as we had hoped. Various items on the menu were not available as the cook hadn't started yet. So we ordered some mixed Mezze and a mixed meet dish. All up the food was a little dissapointing as we couldn't actually order what we really would have liked. I think they would have been better off holding back a week or two until everything was in place. For drinks they would not server tap water as they wanted you to buy it. I had a Lebenese non alcholic beer, which tasted very malty.
Watched Australia beat New Zealand in the Tri nations test before heading out to Ealing where Cass and I did a bit of shopping and I got my hair cut. They had some nice music playing in the local park with a bar serving drinks. It would have been nice if it was a little sunnier instead of ot and humid. Headed back home for some nice Taco's. Cass really out did her self cutting up all the vegs e etc for the Taco'slooked like something you would get from a Mexican restaurant.
On Sunday Cass and I caught the train to Cambridge to explore the universty town. It was spectacular with the very old sand stone colleges and churches. We manged to grab a few goodies from the supermarket and set up a picnic on the river. It was so nice. Later we walked along the river past the Jazz band and watched as various people were swimming in the water. We later came down and went on a punt tour which took you on the water past, Tritnity College, St Johns college and the Kings College etc. We even went under the bridge og sighs, which is a copy of the famous bridge in Venice Italy. We had a great day in the end and we just managed to make it to the station before a storm blew in with heavy rain. Cambridge station seemed to have no electricity while we were there. This caused great confusion as we were told to wait on platform 4 but our train changed platforms and nobody told us asbout it. so we had to run and find a seat on a already packed train. Still it was only a short trip into London and a tube ride home.
20/07: Day 2 of Prague
Woke much later on Sunday morning and headed down for a much busier breakfast buffet. As we had seen most things we just took our time and by the time we headed out it was about 10am We just strolled though some of the souvenir and other shops and explore some more of thr narrow streets.
We stopped for lunch in a nic pub on the prague castle side of St Charles bridge. Some nice pilsner beer with pretzels follwed by a cheese and meet platte with olives and bread.
We also took a canal river cruise just near the Charles bridge which was fantastic. As your very low to the water you get a great atmosphere as the guide tells you some of the history of Prague. The cruise takes you along the river and into the small canal and back again to where you got on. About 45mins all up , but a rather nice cruise.
After some more shopping and grabbing a quick bite to eat we sat at the hotel waiting for our driver to take us to the airport. We were soon in our nice chaufer driven car heading out to the airport. We got there nice and early in time to spend the last of our Czech savings on some duty free, cup of tea and a pepsi.
Flew into Heathrow at 10pm but didn't get through customs and imigration until after 11pm. Just another queue to waste your time. The trip home was rather easy an we were soon bak at home unpacking.
We stopped for lunch in a nic pub on the prague castle side of St Charles bridge. Some nice pilsner beer with pretzels follwed by a cheese and meet platte with olives and bread.
We also took a canal river cruise just near the Charles bridge which was fantastic. As your very low to the water you get a great atmosphere as the guide tells you some of the history of Prague. The cruise takes you along the river and into the small canal and back again to where you got on. About 45mins all up , but a rather nice cruise.
After some more shopping and grabbing a quick bite to eat we sat at the hotel waiting for our driver to take us to the airport. We were soon in our nice chaufer driven car heading out to the airport. We got there nice and early in time to spend the last of our Czech savings on some duty free, cup of tea and a pepsi.
Flew into Heathrow at 10pm but didn't get through customs and imigration until after 11pm. Just another queue to waste your time. The trip home was rather easy an we were soon bak at home unpacking.
