Monday 31 May 2010

Pic of the Week: 31 May - 6 June

Berthillon Ice Cream, Paris

Berthillon ice cream


Eiffel Tower, Paris

Eiffel Tower


Continuing with the Paris theme (pure coincidence, by the way), this week's pix come from our trip in 2006.


Click on the photos to see larger versions on flickr.

Saturday 29 May 2010

sunny paris

S and I spent a sunny weekend in Paris last week. We started in Montmartre at Sacré Coeur.


IMG_0895


IMG_0900


Then made our way to the top of the Eiffel Tower.


IMG_0924


IMG_0914


IMG_0916


Dinner with V, who was my au pair when I was 11. The last time we saw each other, I was 14 - 23 years ago! It was lovely to catch up with her (and stay in her flat near the Champs-Elysées. Merci, V!)


IMG_0944


IMG_0946


On Sunday, they turned the Champs-Elysées into a farm...


IMG_0955


Just for comparison, the last time we were there it looked like this:


IMG_0701


Finally, lunch al fresco in the Tuileries.


IMG_0962


C'etait si bon!

Monday 24 May 2010

Pic of the Week: 24-30 May

Two pics from France this week:


Bird Sculpture in Lille, France

Bird sculpture in Lille



Metro Sign, Paris

Paris Metro


Speaking of Paris, S and I spent a lovely, sunny weekend there so stay tuned for more pix soon...

Monday 17 May 2010

Pic of the Week: 17-23 May

Granada, Spain


View of the Alhambra from the Generalife in Spain. Click on the photo to see a larger version on fickr.

Sunday 16 May 2010

canal walk

IMG_0884


S's sister came to spend the weekend with us. Annoyingly I had to work yesterday but we wandered around Wimbledon Common and Cannizaro Park in the late afternoon.


Today we strolled along Regent's Canal until it started to rain. Luckily we had just stopped for lunch so we missed the downpour.


IMG_0890


IMG_0892


Shame that our walk was cut short - more to explore next time!

Monday 10 May 2010

Pic of the Week: 10-16 May

Bob Swimming


Today's Pic of the Week features Bob the goldfish. Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Thursday 6 May 2010

Voted.

I exercised my right to vote in the UK for the first time today - in the general election, no less. I have found the campaign quite fascinating.

It's short - it was only announced a few weeks ago. Compare that to the American presidential campaigns which now last over one year.

There are three viable parties this time, not only two. The Lib Dems have gained traction and credibility, and the polls are fairly evenly split between Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem.

All three parties pledge 'fairness'. You rarely hear the word 'fair' in American elections.

There are not as many emotive issues in British politics as you see in the States. Immigration and Europe are probably the most sensitive ideological issues. Abortion and religion are barely mentioned. Socialised health care is a given - even the Conservatives want to protect the National Health Service.

Votes are for your local Member of Parliament, not for the Prime Minister, but the party leaders are the ones in the spotlight.

The 'American-style' debates were fascinating to watch, but it was not the first time they had faced each other. They spar every week during Prime Minister's Questions.

The result this time is not a foregone conclusion. We are all biting our nails waiting for the results to start pouring in a few hours from now. How will it turn out? I'm excited/nervous to find out.

Tuesday 4 May 2010

tourists at home

BSDAwimbledon
Wimbledon


My sister and brother-in-law came to spend a few days with us in London over the first May bank holiday weekend. Although they have been here before, it gave us an excuse to explore some favorite (and some new) tourist spots. We began at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.


IMG_0806
London has a long history of double-decker vehicles


IMG_0810
70s styles on the Metropolitan Line


IMG_0820


IMG_0828
Southern extension of the Northern Line


IMG_0822
Colliers Wood? Collier's Wood? Colliers' Wood?


IMG_0801
Camera games on the real Northern Line - having topped up our Oyster cards for the week, we spent lots of time on the Tube


IMG_0802


On Saturday, we headed to London's foodie heaven: Borough Market.


IMG_0840


IMG_0838
Brindisa


IMG_0837
Utobeer


IMG_0843
Konditor & Cook


sausage rolls • burger • smoked toulouse • chips • cider • pressed apple juice • lattespiced chocolate tea


We strolled around the Tate Modern; enjoyed the maps at the British Library; and visited the mummies at the British Museum.


IMG_0846
Andy Warhol room at the Tate Modern


We also walked around the gorgeous homes in Wimbledon Village and hopped on the District Line to Brompton Cemetery.


IMG_0861


IMG_0862


IMG_0860


The weather was predictably unpredictable - 'changeable,' as they call it here - some sun, some rain, and colder temperatures than any of us wanted to accept for May.


IMG_0850
Saturday, 4:15 PM, South Bank near Shakespeare's Globe


IMG_0867
Monday, 5:25 PM, South Bank outside Royal Festival Hall


It was good fun to spend a few days together. Thanks for coming! Miss you already...

Monday 3 May 2010

Pic of the Week: 3-9 May

Stockholm Plaza


Viking Hat in Stockholm


This week's pics come from our trip to Stockholm last year.


Click on the photos to see larger versions on flickr.