Saturday was the last London Loop day - and somewhat fittingly it was just the four original walkers who were walking. Come full circle - so to speak!
We'd been worried during the week as yet again the weather was bad, then I was struck with a cold. I took a day off on Thursday, worked Friday, cancelled a Friday night out as I knew I wouldn't be able to both go out and walk on Saturday, and then we all had a crack of dawn start to get to Harold Wood to begin the final 13 miles...
It was actually a much nicer walk than we had been expecting. Aside from one unpleasant road stretch, most of it was good. A bit whiffy at times as we walked past the landfill (where most of London's rubbish ends up). And we ended up on a long stretch along the Thames - from where we could see Erith - where we had started walking back on 14 September 2008.
For our final walk we didn't see any scary dogs, or crazy horses - but did meet some racing greyhounds - include one called Ardbeg Kate who I was going to put a bet on, but was too poorly the next day. (Ardbeg is my fave whisky - it seemed like a sign!). We also walked past concrete barges that were used during the D-Day landings - just hanging around in the mud now - and the Tilda rice factory. No doubt we've all eaten rice that had been through there!
But it was cold! Winter has now turned up here, so it was definitely the coldest walk we'd done for a while. There was even an ok pub at the end so we had a bottle of bubbles to celebrate our achievement at the end :-).
Next up for Nicola, Jackie and me is the Capital Ring...
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
More loopy Loop
Another two sections completed (20 and 21). Only one more walking day left and we're done...
This walk was a bit of a worry - England has been lashed by wind and rain all week, but amazingly we had very little rain, and what we did have came at the end. Yet again we've managed to walk on a decent weather day. In fact for an hour or so before lunch it was positively lovely - very warm and sunny.
But crazy sections! The instructions did not match the map at all, and the little loop signs also seemed to bear no resemblance to either the map or the instructions at all. Needless to say we got lost, but Mhairi and Nicola managed to navigate us back to where we should be. All very odd - and somewhat frustrating. Luckily it wasn't raining - I think we probably all would have had sense of humour failures had we been trying to work it out in the rain!
But we did stumble upon a random collection of wooden sculptures which seemed to have an animal/nature theme. No explanation as to who had made them, or why they had been made, but they were really clever. And in the afternoon, to make a change from big scary dogs, we were 'chased' by a posse of horses. Who galloped (and I mean galloped!) from one side of the field to the other as soon as they saw us. All very odd, and just slightly un-nerving - I quite like horses, but not when there are lots of them bearing down on us at speed!
It will be quite odd when this is all over and done with...
This walk was a bit of a worry - England has been lashed by wind and rain all week, but amazingly we had very little rain, and what we did have came at the end. Yet again we've managed to walk on a decent weather day. In fact for an hour or so before lunch it was positively lovely - very warm and sunny.
But crazy sections! The instructions did not match the map at all, and the little loop signs also seemed to bear no resemblance to either the map or the instructions at all. Needless to say we got lost, but Mhairi and Nicola managed to navigate us back to where we should be. All very odd - and somewhat frustrating. Luckily it wasn't raining - I think we probably all would have had sense of humour failures had we been trying to work it out in the rain!
But we did stumble upon a random collection of wooden sculptures which seemed to have an animal/nature theme. No explanation as to who had made them, or why they had been made, but they were really clever. And in the afternoon, to make a change from big scary dogs, we were 'chased' by a posse of horses. Who galloped (and I mean galloped!) from one side of the field to the other as soon as they saw us. All very odd, and just slightly un-nerving - I quite like horses, but not when there are lots of them bearing down on us at speed!
It will be quite odd when this is all over and done with...
Wooden sculpture
Wooden sculpture
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.
This one had a sort of Praying Mantis theme going on - Lindsey would have loved it!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Where's my gig mojo?
Went to see The Decemberists - who I love.
And they were really good - they played their album Hazards of Love first, then the second half of the set was more like a 'best of'. Although sadly they didn't play my fave song. They were very slick, and very entertaining. Lots of audience banter and participation which normally I like. But I just couldn't love it as much as I should have done. Felt grumpy throughout, and cross at people pushing past me, and spilling beer on me all the time. Although I may have been influenced by the kids next to me who were singing along so loudly I was finding it hard to hear the actual band... But despite that - if any NZ readers are going to the Big Day Out I would definitely recommend that you make sure you catch them.
But I haven't been to a gig which has blown me away for ages - I'm scared!!
Next up is Fat Freddy's Drop - maybe they'll fix it...
And they were really good - they played their album Hazards of Love first, then the second half of the set was more like a 'best of'. Although sadly they didn't play my fave song. They were very slick, and very entertaining. Lots of audience banter and participation which normally I like. But I just couldn't love it as much as I should have done. Felt grumpy throughout, and cross at people pushing past me, and spilling beer on me all the time. Although I may have been influenced by the kids next to me who were singing along so loudly I was finding it hard to hear the actual band... But despite that - if any NZ readers are going to the Big Day Out I would definitely recommend that you make sure you catch them.
But I haven't been to a gig which has blown me away for ages - I'm scared!!
Next up is Fat Freddy's Drop - maybe they'll fix it...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Speaking in Tongues
Mhairi and I went to see Speaking in Tongues - both very excited as it had both John Simm and Kerry Fox in it.
Sadly it didn't quite live up to our expectations. He was fab (of course), but overall the story just felt a bit laboured and obvious. It was pretty easy to see what was coming, and we didn't warm to any of the characters either. But we did get 'upgraded' at the theatre and ended up in much better seats. Thats never happened to me before!
Still glad I went - first time I'd been to the theatre for a while, but a shame it wasn't as good as we were expecting.
Sadly it didn't quite live up to our expectations. He was fab (of course), but overall the story just felt a bit laboured and obvious. It was pretty easy to see what was coming, and we didn't warm to any of the characters either. But we did get 'upgraded' at the theatre and ended up in much better seats. Thats never happened to me before!
Still glad I went - first time I'd been to the theatre for a while, but a shame it wasn't as good as we were expecting.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Bird man...
Went to see Andrew Bird at the Union Chapel with Mhairi. Its a fantastic venue - this time I learnt there is an upstairs! And once again I had ice-cream at a gig :-).
He was good - but didn't blow me away so much. Think Mhairi enjoyed him a bit more than me. His music is great, but I think I'd prefer him with his band. He was solo this time, and was using a lot of backing tracks and I think that just doesn't really do it for me. I also thought he was tripping on something for the first couple of songs, but I think that was him just settling into his groove...
Not sure I'd go see him again - still love his CDs tho.
He was good - but didn't blow me away so much. Think Mhairi enjoyed him a bit more than me. His music is great, but I think I'd prefer him with his band. He was solo this time, and was using a lot of backing tracks and I think that just doesn't really do it for me. I also thought he was tripping on something for the first couple of songs, but I think that was him just settling into his groove...
Not sure I'd go see him again - still love his CDs tho.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Chilling over a Sunday lunch...
Simon had us round for Sunday lunch while he was hosting the currently homeless Mhairi. Again, another fantastic meal. Brie (or camembert) for starters, with slow roasted pork for the main, followed by chocolate mousse (made by Mhairi) for pudding - with some lovely dessert wine as well.
A wonderful afternoon of eating, drinking and putting the world to rights - what its all about!
A wonderful afternoon of eating, drinking and putting the world to rights - what its all about!
Sunday lunch @ Simon's
Sunday lunch @ Simon's
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.
About to tuck in to the starter...
L to R: Sylvia, Jackie, Nicola, Mhairi, Owen and Simon
Saturday, November 07, 2009
View out over Lea Valley Reservoirs
View out over Lea Valley Reservoirs
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.
London Loop, Section 18 Enfield Lock to Chingford
The Loop is almost complete....
Another two sections (18 and 19) of the London Loop completed today - after this there are only two more Loop days left (although five sections) as we rush to get it completed before Mhairi's exit from the UK.
Some lovely views on these sections - which was nice as the start at Enfield Lock was pretty horrible. We've been through some beautiful parts of London doing this, but some of them don't half start at dodgy places!
Some lovely views on these sections - which was nice as the start at Enfield Lock was pretty horrible. We've been through some beautiful parts of London doing this, but some of them don't half start at dodgy places!
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