Stadtpark, Vienna
These purple cabbages (?) provided some lovely colour to the landscape in Vienna when we visited last November.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Monday 26 April 2010
Pic of the Week: 26 Apr - 2 May
Stadtpark, Vienna
These purple cabbages (?) provided some lovely colour to the landscape in Vienna when we visited last November.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Thursday 22 April 2010
Anniversary Road Trip
By now you know that our trip to Istanbul was scuppered by the volcanic ash. We still wanted to go away for our anniversary, so we rented (hired) a car and drove to Stonehenge on Tuesday.
Our tiny Toyota Aygo, barely bigger than a Smart car - life size photo
The weather was beautiful (part of the reason why the volcanic ash has not been spreading, apparently. Incidentally, according to the weather widget, it has been raining in Turkey, so maybe we lucked out by not going?!)
If you have not been to Stonehenge, it is close and familiar yet distant and mysterious all at the same time. The stones sit mere meters away from a main road; they look just like the photos. But the path keeps tourists from getting too close (unlike the pyramids where people can sit - and write graffiti - directly on the monuments); and the only interactive experience is listening to the audio tour. At some level, they are just rocks sitting in a field. Very beautiful, mysterious rocks that look different from every angle, but not exactly entertaining.
Perhaps that is why they let sheep roam around just outside the site.
S thought of lamb chops... I thought of wooly jumpers...
In the evening, we checked into the Spire House B&B in Salisbury. On our kind hostess' recommendation, we stopped by Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral and wandered around the lovely houses in The Close.
This was followed by dinner at Anokaa. We were a bit cynical of all the accolades, but the restaurant deserves all the credit and awards it gets. Our meal was unusual, well-presented and delicious.
Goan beef starter
Modu Murg
Minced lamb filled naan bread
Narangee
On Wednesday morning, we went back to the cathedral to look around a bit further.
Altar reflected in the font
Video of the medieval clock
Walking around Salisbury, we saw local water fowl (i.e ducks, swans and moorhens).
In the afternoon, we drove to New Forest and stopped in Brockenhurst for pub lunch.
New Forest is famous for its ponies, which roam pretty much wherever they please.
pony version of the local kebab shop
Driving on, our guidebook suggested a visit to Bucklers Hard, which was, ahem, closed when we got there. So we proceeded to picturesque Beaulieu.
pony procession
We drove home in the evening and returned the car. It was a nice change from public transport (and indeed, we would have had trouble going to some of these places without a car) but I'm still happy not to drive around London on a daily basis.
Happy anniversary, S! Thank you for a nice getaway...
Our tiny Toyota Aygo, barely bigger than a Smart car - life size photo
The weather was beautiful (part of the reason why the volcanic ash has not been spreading, apparently. Incidentally, according to the weather widget, it has been raining in Turkey, so maybe we lucked out by not going?!)
If you have not been to Stonehenge, it is close and familiar yet distant and mysterious all at the same time. The stones sit mere meters away from a main road; they look just like the photos. But the path keeps tourists from getting too close (unlike the pyramids where people can sit - and write graffiti - directly on the monuments); and the only interactive experience is listening to the audio tour. At some level, they are just rocks sitting in a field. Very beautiful, mysterious rocks that look different from every angle, but not exactly entertaining.
Perhaps that is why they let sheep roam around just outside the site.
S thought of lamb chops... I thought of wooly jumpers...
In the evening, we checked into the Spire House B&B in Salisbury. On our kind hostess' recommendation, we stopped by Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral and wandered around the lovely houses in The Close.
This was followed by dinner at Anokaa. We were a bit cynical of all the accolades, but the restaurant deserves all the credit and awards it gets. Our meal was unusual, well-presented and delicious.
Goan beef starter
Modu Murg
Minced lamb filled naan bread
Narangee
On Wednesday morning, we went back to the cathedral to look around a bit further.
Altar reflected in the font
Video of the medieval clock
Walking around Salisbury, we saw local water fowl (i.e ducks, swans and moorhens).
In the afternoon, we drove to New Forest and stopped in Brockenhurst for pub lunch.
New Forest is famous for its ponies, which roam pretty much wherever they please.
pony version of the local kebab shop
Driving on, our guidebook suggested a visit to Bucklers Hard, which was, ahem, closed when we got there. So we proceeded to picturesque Beaulieu.
pony procession
We drove home in the evening and returned the car. It was a nice change from public transport (and indeed, we would have had trouble going to some of these places without a car) but I'm still happy not to drive around London on a daily basis.
Happy anniversary, S! Thank you for a nice getaway...
bathroom :: paint
Remember how I said the bathroom was 'done'? I might have exaggerated slightly...
We took advantage of our staycation to do some painting. As you can see, the colo(u)r is similar to what we had previously. The downside is that it is hard to see where we have missed spots. But the upside is that it is hard to see where we have missed spots!
We took advantage of our staycation to do some painting. As you can see, the colo(u)r is similar to what we had previously. The downside is that it is hard to see where we have missed spots. But the upside is that it is hard to see where we have missed spots!
Monday 19 April 2010
Pic of the Week: 19-25 April
Wednesday is our 4th anniversary so I colorsplashed our wedding photo for this week's Pic of the Week. We got married in New York City Hall and lucked out with beautiful weather to mark the occasion.
Looking back at my blog, I never wrote much about the experience. There was an article in the New York Times around a year after our wedding about eloping at City Hall - read the comments to see mine (signed BDton).
Happy anniversary, S! Here's to many more to come... xo
Saturday 17 April 2010
Not Istanbul (or Constantinople)
Istanbul was our destination
Now our holiday has become a staycation
Our flight's been cancelled; much consternation
Why can't we go to Istanbul as planned?
'Cuz a volcano erupted in Iceland...
By this time today, we were supposed to be in Turkey at the beginning of a week long trip that would take us around Istanbul and Cappadocia. Unfortunately, Eyjafjallajökull had other plans for us.
So we're now in the process of cancelling hotels, flights, and tours and deciding how to spend our days instead. At least we are in the comfort of our home with a shiny new bathroom... Still disappointing!
Now our holiday has become a staycation
Our flight's been cancelled; much consternation
Why can't we go to Istanbul as planned?
'Cuz a volcano erupted in Iceland...
By this time today, we were supposed to be in Turkey at the beginning of a week long trip that would take us around Istanbul and Cappadocia. Unfortunately, Eyjafjallajökull had other plans for us.
So we're now in the process of cancelling hotels, flights, and tours and deciding how to spend our days instead. At least we are in the comfort of our home with a shiny new bathroom... Still disappointing!
Monday 12 April 2010
Pic of the Week: 12-18 April
This photo is from Keukenhof Gardens in Holland. I went there in April 2005 to see the tulips and it was amazing: a living patchwork quilt of flowers, trees and grass. And among it all, this orange cow.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Wednesday 7 April 2010
bathroom :: done
We haz a shower!
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
The builders are done and I love it! The best part is: no more showering at the gym! It is the most beautiful bathroom in the world.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
The builders are done and I love it! The best part is: no more showering at the gym! It is the most beautiful bathroom in the world.
Tuesday 6 April 2010
bathroom :: nearly there
They finished the tiles...
...and put in the sink!
Smile!
They plan to finish tomorrow: the shower (finally!), shower screen, final sealant and last touches. There's still more to do: painting, towel racks, various accessories, but as of tomorrow, we should have a fully working bathroom again!
...and put in the sink!
Smile!
They plan to finish tomorrow: the shower (finally!), shower screen, final sealant and last touches. There's still more to do: painting, towel racks, various accessories, but as of tomorrow, we should have a fully working bathroom again!
Monday 5 April 2010
Sunday 4 April 2010
oxford blues(ky)
We decided to escape the bathroom remodel by spending the night in Oxford. It was cold, rainy and dark when we arrived. This morning was sunny (mostly) and warm (relatively) so we wandered around and took pictures.
A very pleasant getaway...
A very pleasant getaway...
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