When I first setup this site, I pre-entered categories for every region we planned to visit on our now defunct round the world trip; Thailand, UK, Europe, South America. Thailand, done it. UK, doing it. Europe and South America, wish I were there! The weather in England is not the greatest at the moment, rain, sub 20 degree temperatures, summer had started so promisingly and it turns into this! No way summer can be over yet, the papers said back in May that August was going to be 30-40 degrees, a heatwave, now I find it hard to believe. Summer has gone unbelievably quick and I am dreading another winter. It’s funny how peoples moods swing violently with the changing weather patterns.
So it looks like the Aussies are struggling in the cricket, I made the stupid call after the last test that if something were to happen to McGrath we were stuffed, of course it came true. The Cats are apparently showing some heart, not getting totally destroyed by St Kilda. Maybe its my sports teams more so than the weather that is affecting my mood.
We checked out a cool exhibition at London Bridge last weekend called Earth from the Air in which a French bloke has spent decades taking some amazing aerial photography of both remote and intriguing areas all across the world. Almost brought a tear to the eye seeing Fraser Island, ah the memories. I cry too much these days.
After the exhibition we caught the rail to Greenwich. This is a very old village town that is of course home to the Greenwich mean line where time starts (GMT) or something, the Cutty Sark which is this huge boat and stuff and some other boat Dad told me to check out in which some 60 year old guy sailed around the world in (Phoenix something) which I found a pub of the same name, but not the boat, apparently its really small. Basically we meandered around some cool markets, bought some retro gear and sortv’e bypassed all of the major attractions. From Greenwich we took a river cruise down the Thames to make our way back to Waterloo, which was heaps of fun, the riverside down that way is actually very beatuiful, lots of trendy apartments, cool riverside pubs and the amazing banking district in Canary Wharf. It was really interesting to hear the history of the Thames and surrounding architecture, unfortunately my mind is a sieve and I can’t recite any of these amazing facts for you, so come and do the cruise yourself and stop being selfish.
Last night I went out for celebratory drinks with Chris and his housemates, having secured his first job, nice work mate, almost beat my record of two months without a job. Of course Chris took getting a job as a sign that he should instantly become a spendthrift, not the best idea in London. Chris bought the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds, the 6th round, 4 shots and I don’t remember after that. We went out near where Chris lives, Limehouse, which is just East of central London. We had our first drink in the oldest pub in London, the Grapes (opened in 1538). We thought the drinks were 1538 prices until I informed Chris he had bought 5 light beers. We then skirted along the Grapes until we reached Canary Wharf. Canary Wharf is the banking district, towering buildings with every single office light on dominate the skyline. This place is amazing, heaps of restaurants, bars, manicured gardens, all very modern and exuberant. I didn’t know anything like this existed in London, usually everything is so old, more kitsch trendy than modern. We might go back tonight for an expensive dinner riverside, I am seriously impressed.
A few weekends ago I went with uni mate Verity and her friends to the Lovebox Weekender in Hackney. I almost missed the whole thing, had to catch buses because the tubes were dodgy and the cricket was on, which of course was more important than watching a live DJ. Had a great time though, saw Groove Armada and Mylo live which was brilliant. Sounds so surreal saying I saw Groove Armada in London, hope your jealous (the point of this story). Verity actually got a job working with me at Spring, it’s just like old uni days, we have our own office together and its lots of fun, except now I actually contribute some work.
This weekend is pretty hectic, we are trying to catch up with all the friends we have neglected across the last month. We have also made a pact to try and do something in London every weekend, imagining that this is our last weekend here (bombings motivate people). I think this weekend we will try and take a canal cruise, there are cool canals running throughout London and you can catch these very old mini-cruisers. Should be fun. Think we are hiring a car and checking out some of England on the coming August long weekend and i’m very excited for October when Mum and Dad come over to spoil me rotten. Actually with the exchange rate the way it is, i’ll be paying for them! Fi promises her Greece photos soon - yeah right! xx
Comments:
Jenni (August 6th, 2005 at 5:41 am)
Not bad for a guy with a severe hangover! Sounds fantastic all you’re doing & seeing wish I was coming over. Kate has told me to get busy saving so I can join her when she goes over next year, by the sounds of it you & Chris will still be there. Keep the posts coming we love reading them
Ross (August 7th, 2005 at 7:51 pm)
Great to get an update on how many Pimns you and Chris have downed since the last posting! Amazing end to the Test, but putting the Poms in to bat was a howler, and probably decided the game. Cats woes go from worse to worse–lucky Saints can’t kick straight, plus Enright out for season, chapman did a hammy and Steve Johnson and Mackie spend time in the clink for drunk and disorderly following Mackie’s 21st. Have to find a way to win at Skilled over next 3 weeks. Please revisit your economics books but with strong Aussie dollar Mum and Dad most likely to be paying for you but it may come at cost of visit to Scottish Relos! Keep taking lots of care. Talk soon, luv Ross
Jade (August 14th, 2005 at 5:18 am)
Hi Guys, I’ve been having a read of what you’ve been up to, sounds like you’re having fun as always. Really missing London and both of you. Hope you had an ace time in Greece Fi…. did you see the girls in the end? Ben and Tam’s housewarming was fun - if you want to have a look I put some pix on the web - http://www.geocities.com/jekmedia/bthouse.htm I finally had a look at your Glastonbury pix - I shed a tear for the chair burning! Take care, speak soon. xxx jade
Campbell (August 17th, 2005 at 4:57 am)
Hey guys, great to hear from you, hope living with the parents again is not too much of a struggle! Thanks for the pics - has made us both very homesick, added to Steele sending us voluminous emails from his amazing travels through central america, the lack of hot weather, the barrage of abuse from english co-workers because of our poor sporting display, not being able to find somewhere to live - crazy times. Love to all. x
