May 1-3, 2011 ... London Bound...

Sunday May 1, 2011

It is weird waking up without the cats - we moved them to the kittysitters on Friday night, and stayed over to ensure they were settled. Spud was pretty freaked out by the new environment; BC, he was exploring EVERYWHERE! Thanks C & I & N!!

Puttered about the house - still editing what is to be packed, and in which bag. Lunch with the ladies (mmmm... gomae - although, may have had my fill for a little while - there was even some left!). A short shoe acquisition excursion (we'll call it part of my birthday present). Gotta love Geox! Photos to be added later.

Back home, finish packing, move photos to (and sync) iTouch. Uh, took longer than anticipated... TAXI (glad Constantin drives on Sundays). Off to the airport, well, after I run back up and find my cell phone... Get in line to check bags - realize 1/2 way through the line that I needed to print my boarding pass first (argh! & THANKS to the nice ladies who watched my bags while I ducked over to do that). Check bags (coulda packed another 9kg!!). Go wait to clear security (realize had forgotten to call folks - send e-mail from line - gotta love open wi-fi at the airport!!). Check out 'Duty Free'. Nothing I can't live without. Go wait for the plane. Surf e-mail and Facebook - WOW! They got Bin Laden (hoping this doesn't just escalate things from here...). Happy that BA loads planes by row - so, after the babies, families, and people with mobility issues of various ilks, am on first (well, guess second, 'cause my seat mate was already there when I arrived - I got hung up behind people in the aisle).

May 2, 2011

Flight mostly uneventful. Bit turbulent in parts - but that helps me actually sleep, sooooo. Wake up in time for a bathroom break (before the rush) and some breakfast. Nice aerial view of Windsor Castle (but camera was buried in my bag). Land, short train to main terminal, clear customs, pick up bags, get Oyster card... And, we're off. Realize part way INTO London that SueAnna has told me to catch a cab from Paddington Station (and I am on the tube heading to Piccadily Circus, not on the direct fast rail to Paddington... Oh well. Manage to read the map, and make the changes (none of which involved dragging my bags up and down stairs) to get there. Wend my way out, line up for a taxi, and FINALLY arrive at my destination!

Tonight will be a pretty laid back evening. Meet the kids, get settled in my room, have dinner and some vino - BED!

May 3, 2011

Awake at 0400 (but, roll over and go back to sleep). Awake again at 0630 - have a brief chat with SueAnna before she heads off to work, and plan to keep out of the way until the rest of the family has a chance to get up and on their way (first day back at school in almost a month!). Oh, and catch up on the election results! boo hiss...

Once everyone has headed on their merry ways, up, breakfast, charge iPod, putter about - finally head out the door around 1030. No particular place to go. Hop on the Underground at St. Johns Woods, and head to Westminster Station. Apparently, we're taking pictures today. Wander around 3 sides of the Houses of Parliament, and the exterior of Westminster Abbey, and some old ruins (well, partly ruined). Mostly, just wander up and down streets as they take my fancy.

In the course of the day will:
- buy day of tickets to see "In A Forest Dark and Deep" at the Vaudeville Theatre - www.vaudeville-theatre.co.uk/index.htm

Since I suspect this text will disappear, here is the 'blurb' from the site:

Lost heartthrob Matthew Fox will make his West End debut in the world premiere of In a Forest, Dark and Deep, written and directed by Neil LaBute. The new psychological thriller about sibling rivalry, in which British stage and screen star Olivia Williams will play his sister, will have a limited 12-week season at the Vaudeville Theatre from 14 March to 4 June 2011 (previews from 3 March).

On a dark and stormy night, all Bobby thought he was doing was helping his sister Betty clear out her cottage in the forest. But in this cabin of lies nothing is as it seems and the truth refuses to be packed away. What is she hiding? Does he really want to find out?

It was both dark & deep (and very well acted - which is good, 'cause nodding off in the front row would NOT be).

- went for curry for lunch
- visited Covent Garden
- toodled along Carnaby & Regents Streets (among SEVERAL others)
- poked through Liberty of London (and various high street shops).
- bought a new dress (bright orange)- www.coast-stores.com/CARLTON-JERSEY-DRESS/Dresses/coast/fcp-product/2334348658
- bought some bread, wine & cheese at the local grocer (Tesco)
- saw a play
- came home and watched part of a movie, and consumed much of the earlier purchases (wore the dress to the play)
- 22,255 steps (16+km)

Now I realize is pushing 0100 local time.

BED!

Off to Oz… And back again.! October 7-8, 2007

Off to Oz… And back again.! October 7-8, 2007

The ongoing project of moving travel stories to my blog continues...

We head out for breakfast, and then it’s off to Manly Beach http://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/. I pick up a one week train pass (gotta love those) at the station and we head into Circular Quay to catch the ferry to Manly. The sun is shining, there is a weekend market on (get a nice souvenir plate from one of the artisans) – all in all a great day! The family plays in the water’s edge for a while – I’m not quite up to getting wet… I was fascinated by this fountain.

www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157603302533382

October 8, 2007

My first day exploring on my own… Head into town to look around and get my bearings. Chris is coming into town in a couple days and need to figure out where to connect. So I get off at Central and check out the area. Then try to walk to Circular Quay. On the way, stop at the Australian Museum http://www.austmus.gov.au/visiting/ and check things out. Then continue in what seems like the right direction – as it turns out, not quite so much. Stop in at a cool small gallery to take a look around, then continue on. Realize that I am possibly on the wrong side of the tracks – this is a pretty depressed looking area, and the groups of boys loitering around are not making me feel a whole lot better. Decide it is best to just keep moving. Eventually I get to the water (inevitable eventually in Sydney), and find
myself near The Wharf Woolloomooloo.

I’m hungry! Time to grab some lunch – which I do in a nice bistro across from the water. Then stroll along on my merry way.

On through to the Royal Botanic Gardens, then into Circular Quay (and home – it’s been a good six – seven hours!).

www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157603302445962

And then lots of pictures around the Sydney Opera House http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/the_building.aspx. Who knew that the roof was tiles?! Coming from Vancouver, it never occurred to me this would be the case – I guess I just kinda expected some material similar to the sails at Canada Place.
http://www.mcmparchitects.com/hospitality.cfm?ProjectID=61

www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157603302516612

Off to Oz… And back again.! October 6, 2007

Off to Oz… And back again.! October 6, 2007

The ongoing project of moving travel stories to my blog continues...

Off to Oz… And back again.!

October 6, 2007

It’s my last day in Melbourne – tonight I’m off to Sydney. Today, we go to the Yarra Valley http://visityarravalley.com.au/accom_result1.asp?Code=21277 – final destination is Domaine Chandon, but we stop at a couple places en route and we see a lot of great scenery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157603302453910

First stop, Tarra Warra Museum of Art www.twma.com.au the exhibits on are Guy Stuart: Bowls, Vats, Discs, and Baffles http://www.twma.com.au/exhibitions/39/ and Snap Freeze: Still Life Now http://www.twma.com.au/exhibitions/38/ - oh, and more corrugated cows (go figure!).

Next we’re off to Domaine Chandon - http://www.yarra-valley.net.au/domaine_chandon/qamin.htm, http://www.greenpointwines.com.au/. We have a very nice lunch, drink some lovely sparkling wine, and tasty reds – then off to tour the winery. I’m now heading home with a bottle of sparkling wine for my parents (we enjoyed it very much at Christmas!). More great scenery. Then time to head back to Melbourne to catch my flight to Sydney (flight number 7).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157603302539886

Here’s a link to the Picasa slideshow for the trip so far…

http://picasaweb.google.ca/pjh1967/Australia Fly into Sydney, meet up with Henry – we’re off to home. It’s the last week of the trip… Happy to be getting a chance to visit with Henry & Raelene & Caitlin (and be the first official houseguest in the new house!). We crack
open the port, and have a sip and chat. Hook up to the tv and show off the photos thus far. Check my e-mail, send some out, and head to bed.

Off to Oz… And back again.! October 1-5, 2007

The ongoing project of moving travel stories to my blog continues...

Off to Oz… And back again.!

October 1, 2007

Up in the morning, go in search of breakfast. Find http://www.theoriginalpancakekitchen.com.au/home.html# and have a yummy pancake breakfast.

Also find this little birdie and his buddy just flying around

Now off to explore! Oops – it’s Labour Day in Adelaide, and NOTHING is open! Plan B. A bit ‘toured’ out, but now off to find a tour http://www.enjoyadelaide.com.au/ once we determine that the tour is indeed being offered this afternoon, it’s good to go! Now we head off to the Barossa Valley – wine tasting.

Chateau Yaldara http://www.about-australia.com/travel-guides/south-australia/barossa/attractions/food-wine/chateau-yaldara/ for wine tasting – friendly, and one of the family sons has some great advice (pick up a 25 year old Port to take to Henry, and a lovely Muscat to take to Trenberths). Apparently, though, I am a bit tired – as despite how lovely the premises are, don’t take any pictures at all (actually, not certain I even remembered to bring my camera on this part of the trip, as I have no photos of the Barossa Valley. This location also has The Australian Opal Company (opals were discovered in The Barossa Valley before wine!), and they mine their own – I pick up a lovely pair of black opal tear drop earrings as a souvenir.

Grant Burge Winery is one of those beautiful boutique wineries that has everything right, great visual setting and superb wines. http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/ It’s busy here, but after we hover a bit, we manage to get a space at the bar and the tasting continues.

Visit Chateau Dorrien http://www.chateaudorrien.com.au/main.html for more wine tasting, mead tasting and port tasting before we happily return to Adelaide. We also have a yummy cheese plate snack here. Tempted to buy more wine, but since I have to pack it inside my checked luggage, I resist.

Back in Adelaide, decide just to pick up some fruit, bread, and cheese for dinner. Camp out in my room for the night – I’m beat!

October 2, 2007

Today, I explore Adelaide (at a very casual pace – this flat out thing for the last couple days is taking its toll, and I’m flying out tonight). First order of the day – pack. It’s warm out there today. Head out, find a place that does massage – all the busses and airplanes have taken a toll on my back; I feel much better after! Have enough time to visit the Art Gallery of South Australia www.artgallery.sa.gov.au and the South Australian Museum www.samuseum.sa.gov.au

Head back to the hotel, finish checking out. Wait for the bus to the airport – flight number 6, off to Melbourne! Going to be staying with Rob & Judy (who I haven’t seen since I was about 4!). The flight is uneventful, and Rob & Judy meet me at the airport (THANKS AGAIN!). No problem for anyone picking each other out, and we head to their lovely apartment in town for sparkling wine and cheese (this beats the heck out of the airplane food!). It is so lovely to see them, and so nice to be out of hotels. I couldn’t have wished for more charming hosts, and the next few days are full of fun.

Good night’s sleep…

October 3, 2007

Pretty laid back day today… Have breakfast, read a bit, do some laundry (thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!), and head out with Judy to run errands and meet Rob for lunch. We have a lovely lunch at a little Italian place. Later we drop by and meet part of the family.

October 4, 2007

Venture out on my own… Catch a tram into downtown and just merrily bumble my way along.

Poke in a few book stores; happen, serendipitously, across Queen Victoria Market http://www.qvm.com.au/home.php
(yippee! I love public markets – and this one makes Granville Island Market look small!). Stroll through the enclosed market, and out to the open market – lots of fruit, veggies, souvenirs. There are hawkers everywhere – trying to out holler each other. It’s lively and colourful and a great place to pick up souvenirs. So I get some soaps, and wooden items Christmas ornaments, stuff for the dollhouse, and some cool magnets from an aboriginal store – http://birubiart.com/index.html

Next find myself at the Royal Exhibition Building http://museumvictoria.com.au/REB/ (don’t go in for a tour – think was too late in the day anyway), and the Melbourne Museum http://museumvictoria.com.au/MelbourneMuseum/ (which I do go into
until they kick me out at closing).

Whew! It’s been a busy day. Time to head home – which, thanks to my aimless wandering, and failure to consult a map, takes 2 tries!

Another lovely evening with my hosts… Throughout this visit, we do a fine job of maintaining the long standing wine consumption level set in the 70s. However, significantly better quality wine than Rob & Judy & my parents. Some dinner, some wine, some much needed sleep!

October 5, 2007

Today Judy & I are off to the Heide Museum http://www.heide.com.au/index.php., this was the exhibit at the time (right up my alley) http://www.heide.com.au/exhibitions/savage_luxury?exhib=18 A modern art museum – enjoyed the show that was
on, we wandered around the grounds, and we had a nice lunch in the restaurant on site. There is a great deal of sculpture on the property – most notably, the corrugated cows.

The pink salt in the dish above is Murray River salt – it is fine and flaky (brought some home …). http://www.sunsalt.com.au/

On the way back home, I get dropped off at Federation Square to go see http://www.acmi.net.au/pixar.aspx at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image – turns out, I’ve seen almost everything they have ever put out (including almost all the shorts). But, the coolest part was the zoetrope (found a link for it on youtube http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=hMBoJq6IgFE). The Pixar site itself is pretty cool too… http://www.pixar.com/.

After that, wandered around Federation Square (the glass and the angles were fun to photograph – so was the juxtaposition with the Victorian architecture), then went to the National Gallery of Victoria (this is a picture looking at the ferris wheel in Luna Park from within the gallery) http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/. Another long busy day, but do a better job of getting home!

Melbourne - http://www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157602996893166 (more pictures)

Off to Oz… And back again.! September 29-30, 2007

The ongoing project of moving travel stories to my blog continues...

Off to Oz… And back again.!

September 29, 2007

Argh! 5am. Ick! Store my luggage – all except camera, toiletries, and a change of undies. Check out of the hotel – Kangaroo Island is going to be a two day tour. Bus to the ferry – lots of countryside, naked (and not so naked) sheep, kangaroos, cockatiels, other colourful birds.

Off the bus. Onto the ferry – cross to Penneshaw, and onto another bus. This is a busy couple of days!
http://bestofkangarooisland.com.au/penneshaw.html ; http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/
- here’s a link to a map:
http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/lib/docs/mf674.pdf

Below are photos from Pennington Bay.

Parndana Wildlife Park http://www.parndanawildlifepark.com/
This is where the following pictures of local fauna are taken…

This is a kookaburra http://www.australian-wildlife.com/Kookaburra-information.html

More of my pictures from this part of the trip can be found here:
Kangaroo Island & Adelaide http://www.flickr.com/photos/36013650@N00/sets/72157603001370261

These are Kangaroo Island kangaroos…

Cheeky little buggers – eat and then stick their tongues out at me!

This guy posed for the picture… So, had to oblige.

Also got to see some wombats while at the park (but they were in a dark enclosure, so… pictures on the web:
http://www.australian-wildlife.com/Wombat-information.html http://images.google.ca/images?q=wombat&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-
8&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title , http://www.australian-wildlife.com/Wombat-information.html , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wombat
as well as
http://www.australian-wildlife.com/Emu-information.html
cassowaries. While driving around Kangaroo Island, we also saw an echidnae (odd little critters) http://www.australian-wildlife.com/Echidna-information.html
And

And in the gift shop, got to hold a joey… He was surprisingly light!

http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/sealbay/index.htm?ssSourceSiteId=Parks
Seal Bay Conservation Park – lots of photos of the seals, the water did not look inviting in the least! The next landmass south is Antarctica – about 4000 or so miles away. The seals hunting grounds are a three day round trip away, so they sleep lots on when on shore. The young are essentially left to fend for themselves when their mothers are off hunting.

We also visited Clifford’s Honey Farm – bought some honey, and some honey ice-cream, and some honey beverage, and lip balm, and a solar etching of a little penguin. All in all, a good visit! http://www.southaustralia.com/9006816.aspx ,
http://www.goodfoodkangarooisland.com/midsoutheast/cliffords/index.asp , http://www.kangarooislandshop.com.au/html/honey_products.html

Our next stop is off to watch the pelican feeding in Kingscote. Unlike western brown pelicans (that you would find on the southwestern coast of North America) who dive bomb in to catch food, the Australian pelicans have porous bones and are unable to sink below the surface of the water. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Pelican

http://www.seafront.com.au/accommodation/oceanview.aspx Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort. This is where I stayed on my one night on Kangaroo Island. Such a nice big bed… Was kinda like sleeping on a football field! Nice shower, good breakfast – just strolled down the street to grab a bite for dinner – then off (in the cold rain) to see the fairy penguins (couldn’t get any photos – as flash scares them), so found some online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Penguin

but, big surprise, here is a link - Penneshaw Penguin Centre
http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/search/results.aspx?dw_op=gp&dw_pid=9005545&dw_tid. Was a long day, not up for much
other than a quiet night, head back to the hotel with one of the other passengers from the bus (we almost got lost, but not quite), then head up to bed. Another busy day tomorrow…

September 30, 2007

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery – http://www.emuridge.com.au/; http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/search/results.aspx?dw_op=gp&dw_pid=9003391&dw_tid
Saw how they make eucalyptus oil, found out what it can be used for, and bought some to bring home. Also, got a lesson in why you shouldn’t let a joey suck your finger too far into its mouth – especially if your fingers taste like eucalyptus leaves (which are apparently tastier than pellets if you’re a kangaroo!). OUCH! The grinding teeth at the back are sharp (when I later relay this story, I get little sympathy – thanks Chris!, have to admit, felt a bit dumb when got bitten). Oh, yeah, there were Emus too…

Kelly Hill Caves – These were cool! My pictures are below (and link to sites)
http://www.showcaves.com/english/au/showcaves/KellyHill.html
http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/search/results.aspx?dw_op=gp&dw_pid=9000958&dw_tid ,

Next we’re off lunch at Beckwith’s Farm for a BB-Q and a bushwalk – pictures of wildlife in the wild – koala & a Tamar Wallaby http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/tammar.html

Now we’re off to Flinders Chase National Park http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinders_Chase_National_Park including Remarkable Rocks– there was an attempt at a controlled burn a few months earlier (they lost control in the high
winds off Remarkable Rocks).

Admiral’s Arch http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/search/results.aspx?dw_op=gp&dw_pid=9000967&dw_tid
Admirals Arch and Cape du Couedic lighthouse.

Adelaide again – it’s about 1130pm by the time I get back to the hotel. Head off to grab a snack, and check my email. Then to bed – actually, first there is a change of rooms. The Australian Rules Football Championships are on – not sure the exact dates, but I think the herds of fans in the hotel the prior weekend are why I am now changing rooms. Not to be picky, but … There are ants swarming all over one of the walls (looks like someone sprayed coke on the wall – happy ants=unhappy Penny). Oh, and the tv doesn’t work – I’ve got a couple days here and I’m a bit ‘toured
out’ so I’d like the option of hanging out in my room (in the evenings if nothing else) – the number of hotel rooms is almost catching up to the number of airplanes.