Heatwave hits the UK...apparently.
It's 35 degrees today, England's hottest July day ever. They call it a heatwave, and I guess it is when you have no sea breeze or beautiful ocean to swim in. It was rather unpleasant in the office today with no air-con and only a small desk fan. All I could think about was being at Newport beach on those long Summer nights, hitting the ball for Mol-girl and feeling the sting of the salt water on my skin. So, I did some research and found out about some ponds in Hampstead Heath parkland where we can go and frolick in over the weekend - oh joy!
The last month has been so so busy. Lyndon left yesterday to head home and play 'Captain Clark' for a while. He got offered a great job, too good to refuse, so I'm really excited for him. Here's the run-down on what's been happening in London-town:
1. Wallet pickpocketed from my bag on bus - TICK. Luckily, it was found on the floor of a cafe on my local high street that night, with everything still intact. There was no cash in it, so they dumped it kindly away from the gutter - how nice.
2. Shooting in Islington - TICK. Not me of course, but someone was shot on Upper Street, my local high street renowned for great shopping, restaurants and bars - wonderful.
3. Tube Murder at my local underground station - TICK. Two weeks ago a 20 year old guy randomly pushed a 50 year old man under the train in front of everyone. Apparently this happens regularly over here - perfect.
Even living in a great area in central London, you still get exposed to this sort of madness. I'm not worried, but I know this city life is not for me, not for long anyway.
Now for sight seeing and fun stuff.
We had a day out of Greenwich, the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridan line (zero degrees longitude). It was really interesting learning how world Time and Longitude came about, however Lyndon was way more into it than me being the sailor boy. There are beautiful views across the Thames and city from the Observatory hill, and I just hung in the park while Lyndon was playing in the National Maritime Museum. We got the ferry back up the river to the city and managed to get to a pub to see the last 10 minutes of England lose their place in the World Cup Final. It was a very interesting night in London cause the EuroPride Festival (like our Mardi Gras) was on in Trafalgar Square and Soho, so there was a whole bunch of gay people cruising the streets amongst very angry english soccer fans - a lot of messy abuse was been exchanged.
Sunday we took the train down to Brighton Beach, about 1 & 1/2 hours away. That's our closest beach and it's not the prettiest site I've ever seen. I expected a small town I guess, but there were huge buildings along an endless esplanade, it was just ugly. The old part of the town and The Lanes area was sweet and nice to walk around, but that's it. I think I'm just too spoilt back on the Northern Beaches. We had a great day though, the water was pretty cold but loved every minute, and we just hung out on the rocks like all the other desperate beach goers for an afternoon in the sun.
Two weeks ago there was a free music Festival in Finsbury Park called RISE. I got to see The Wailers, so that totally made my day. The following day we went to the Natural History Museum, the most spectular building I think I've seen in London so far.
Last Tuesday night Lyndon took me on a surprise date to see Shakespeares 'Midsummer Night's Dream' in the open air theatre in Regent's Park. It was a perfect warm summer evening and the best play I've ever seen! Talk about laugh, and the acting was brilliant. We both said it was the first play we'd been to that we didn't actually want it to end, I usually get bored, especially if the acting is average. It's a 'must see' if you ever get the chance.
Thursday night a group of us went to see Fuerzabruta at The Roundhouse. If any of you saw De La Guarda when it was out in OZ, no doubt you would have loved it. Fuerzabruta is by the same directors, the sequel I guess. Visually spectacular like the first, we had an awesome night.
Nina came over last weekend, so I had the Friday off to be a tourist around town with her. The 3 of us had a great time cruising around town in the warm weather. I took them to dinner at a place that was probably too cool for school cause the service was disappointing, but we ended up at Long Bar (a Philippe Starck bar) in the Sanderson Hotel for a night cap which topped the evening off perfectly.
Sunday was the annual Toast Festival, basically an Australian day out in Regent's Park, which was ok, but not rushing back to it next year. The only music entertainment they could get together was Paul Kelly, and I'm not a huge fan I suppose you'd say. Roy and HG were there, and I did get to meet Bill Granger who signed a copy of his new cookbook for me. I told him I missed my brekkies at Darlinghurst, he was very sweet.
So now I have a new flatmate for a few weeks which has been good timing with Lyndon leaving. Ginny, my friend Nan's little sister, has arrived in London for a while. She'll be here for about 6 months, so I have another friend! And someone I've known for years which is so nice.
I think I'll be just laying low now until September when Mum arrives, doing some free touristy things with Bindles and Ginny mostly. Lyndon bought me an old vintage Dawes Kingpin bike when he was here, her name in Veronica, and I ride her to work everyday which is fun. I have a basket on the front too which my bag sits in, it's very European and funny, especially when I've got a dress and high heels on! I will take a photo and put it on my next blog for you all to laugh at.
Missing you all loads. And please, if anyone is near Newport, can they call into Mum's and remind Olly that I am his mother, not Mum! She tells me I'm not having him back when I come home. Hmm....
Lots of love to you all, Carly. xxx
The last month has been so so busy. Lyndon left yesterday to head home and play 'Captain Clark' for a while. He got offered a great job, too good to refuse, so I'm really excited for him. Here's the run-down on what's been happening in London-town:
1. Wallet pickpocketed from my bag on bus - TICK. Luckily, it was found on the floor of a cafe on my local high street that night, with everything still intact. There was no cash in it, so they dumped it kindly away from the gutter - how nice.
2. Shooting in Islington - TICK. Not me of course, but someone was shot on Upper Street, my local high street renowned for great shopping, restaurants and bars - wonderful.
3. Tube Murder at my local underground station - TICK. Two weeks ago a 20 year old guy randomly pushed a 50 year old man under the train in front of everyone. Apparently this happens regularly over here - perfect.
Even living in a great area in central London, you still get exposed to this sort of madness. I'm not worried, but I know this city life is not for me, not for long anyway.
Now for sight seeing and fun stuff.
We had a day out of Greenwich, the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridan line (zero degrees longitude). It was really interesting learning how world Time and Longitude came about, however Lyndon was way more into it than me being the sailor boy. There are beautiful views across the Thames and city from the Observatory hill, and I just hung in the park while Lyndon was playing in the National Maritime Museum. We got the ferry back up the river to the city and managed to get to a pub to see the last 10 minutes of England lose their place in the World Cup Final. It was a very interesting night in London cause the EuroPride Festival (like our Mardi Gras) was on in Trafalgar Square and Soho, so there was a whole bunch of gay people cruising the streets amongst very angry english soccer fans - a lot of messy abuse was been exchanged.
Sunday we took the train down to Brighton Beach, about 1 & 1/2 hours away. That's our closest beach and it's not the prettiest site I've ever seen. I expected a small town I guess, but there were huge buildings along an endless esplanade, it was just ugly. The old part of the town and The Lanes area was sweet and nice to walk around, but that's it. I think I'm just too spoilt back on the Northern Beaches. We had a great day though, the water was pretty cold but loved every minute, and we just hung out on the rocks like all the other desperate beach goers for an afternoon in the sun.
Two weeks ago there was a free music Festival in Finsbury Park called RISE. I got to see The Wailers, so that totally made my day. The following day we went to the Natural History Museum, the most spectular building I think I've seen in London so far.
Last Tuesday night Lyndon took me on a surprise date to see Shakespeares 'Midsummer Night's Dream' in the open air theatre in Regent's Park. It was a perfect warm summer evening and the best play I've ever seen! Talk about laugh, and the acting was brilliant. We both said it was the first play we'd been to that we didn't actually want it to end, I usually get bored, especially if the acting is average. It's a 'must see' if you ever get the chance.
Thursday night a group of us went to see Fuerzabruta at The Roundhouse. If any of you saw De La Guarda when it was out in OZ, no doubt you would have loved it. Fuerzabruta is by the same directors, the sequel I guess. Visually spectacular like the first, we had an awesome night.
Nina came over last weekend, so I had the Friday off to be a tourist around town with her. The 3 of us had a great time cruising around town in the warm weather. I took them to dinner at a place that was probably too cool for school cause the service was disappointing, but we ended up at Long Bar (a Philippe Starck bar) in the Sanderson Hotel for a night cap which topped the evening off perfectly.
Sunday was the annual Toast Festival, basically an Australian day out in Regent's Park, which was ok, but not rushing back to it next year. The only music entertainment they could get together was Paul Kelly, and I'm not a huge fan I suppose you'd say. Roy and HG were there, and I did get to meet Bill Granger who signed a copy of his new cookbook for me. I told him I missed my brekkies at Darlinghurst, he was very sweet.
So now I have a new flatmate for a few weeks which has been good timing with Lyndon leaving. Ginny, my friend Nan's little sister, has arrived in London for a while. She'll be here for about 6 months, so I have another friend! And someone I've known for years which is so nice.
I think I'll be just laying low now until September when Mum arrives, doing some free touristy things with Bindles and Ginny mostly. Lyndon bought me an old vintage Dawes Kingpin bike when he was here, her name in Veronica, and I ride her to work everyday which is fun. I have a basket on the front too which my bag sits in, it's very European and funny, especially when I've got a dress and high heels on! I will take a photo and put it on my next blog for you all to laugh at.
Missing you all loads. And please, if anyone is near Newport, can they call into Mum's and remind Olly that I am his mother, not Mum! She tells me I'm not having him back when I come home. Hmm....
Lots of love to you all, Carly. xxx
posted by carly mcdowell at 10:00 pm
