That Sunday walking thing again...

Sunday walking for me just never works out... It just doesn't. Something always goes a bit wrong - I should know by now!

On Sunday I went out walking with Nicola and Sarah - Gomshall to Guildford. Just over 9 miles, and the weather was nicer than it had been the day before (ie it wasn't raining!). The walk itself was lovely - very picturesque - very Surrey.

Lunch however was another story... We were all looking forward to it as Sarah had been to the pub on a walk about 18 months ago and had had a lovely meal. Obviously the chef has left... or something... It started with my lime and soda actually turning out to be lime and lemonade... After waiting about 40 minutes for our food, Nicola asked where it was, to be told that the sea bass takes a long time to cook. My roast beef was obviously pre-sliced (so pleased I hadn't gone for the lamb), Sarah's vege lasagne was dry, and the fish was overdone! Sarah sent hers back and got a ploughman's as a replacement. Then we noticed the salads came with the free addition of soil... It was truly one of the worst lunch experiences I've ever had while walking. NEVER going back to that pub again.

I really should stick to Saturday walking...

Water reflections

Water reflections
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

So much nicer than the lunch...

Kew in the spring

Friday I met Divya and Tarun and we went for a stroll around Kew. We'd missed a lot of the lovely spring flowers, including the bluebells, but as always, the treetop walkway didn't disappoint :-). No matter how many times I go to Kew I still always enjoy it, and see and learn more.

Tarun was particularly interested in the ducks - fortunately a couple feeding the ducks gave Divya some bread to give him - I think we may have had a problem on our hands otherwise!!

Lovely day in the sun :-).

You looking at me??

You looking at me??
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

I think this is the first time I've seen a peacock do this 'live'!

Green green trees of Kew

Green green trees of Kew
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

Bit of history (and Winnie)

Took myself off to the Cabinet War Rooms on Wednesday afternoon - somewhere I'd always wanted to go.

Really good - I didn't realise there was a whole part of the museum devoted to Winston Churchill and that was great. Been open for five years, but all the interactive stuff still worked and it was put together really well. I ended up running out of time as I had to be somewhere by just after 5. Could have spent ages more in there - suspect I'll probably end up going again at some time.

Still - at £15 its not cheap - although it was worth it.

Some more elephants...

I'm currently on 'staycation' - ie. having a week off work, but not going away. I've timed it perfectly as the weather is really nice - bit cooler today, but we've had some gorgeous days recently.

On Monday I met David and we went for a stroll around St James Park and into Green Park - lots of elephants there! More piccies on my Flickr page, but a couple of my faves here as well.

I'm loving this not having to work lark!

Meerkat Elephant

Meerkat Elephant
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

Fish'n'chips!

Fish'n'chips!
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

I loved this!

Elephants on parade...

The latest 'parade' to hit London is the Elephant Parade - which I'm really enjoying. There are loads around my office so I took a few snaps the other day. And for those on facebook you'll see a new profile pic as well :-).

I'll add more as I spot them - but these were some of my faves.

There was a great one called 'City in an Elephant' which had little windows, and inside was a mock up of a city space, with models of iconic London buildings and tiny wee elephants around them. Seriously cool! Didn't translate to a photo unfortunately.

Roses elephant

Roses elephant
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

Not really roses, but makes me think of them for some reason.

Sunny yellow elephant

Sunny yellow elephant
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

I love this one!

Three in a row!

Three in a row!
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.

With the Scoop to the right, and Boris's office in the background...

Galloping through the Gs

Yep - another letter done... Some highlights, some real lowlights as well...

Gershwin's World - Herbie Hancock
A Ghost is Born - Wilco
Ghost Notes - Everest
Giant Steps - The Boo Radleys
Gilles Petersen in the House Disc 1 & 2 - Various
A Girl Called Dusty - Dusty Springfield
Glassworks - Philip Glass
Glasvegas - Glasvegas
Glitter in the Gutter - Jesse Malin
Global A Go-Go - Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros
Global Underground Reykjavik Disc 1 & 2 - Various
The Golden Archipelago - Shearwater
The Golden Mile - My Life Story
Good - Goodshirt
The Good Life - Justin Townes Earle
The Good Will Out - Embrace
Goodbye - The Czars
Gossip - Paul Kelly & the Coloured Girls
Grace - Jeff Buckley
Graceland - Paul Simon
Grand Prix - Teenage Fanclub
The Greatest - Cat Power
Greatest Hits - Simon & Garfunkel
Greatest Hits - Bruce Springsteen
Greatest Palace Music - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Green - R.E.M
The Green Hour - The Autumn Defense
Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State - Sufjan Stevens
Growing Pains - Mary J. Blige
Guerrilla - Super Furry Animals
Gulag Orkestar - Beirut

A few old faves on this one - Gossip is still an outstanding album for me, as is Green. Can't go past a bit of 'The Boss' or Dusty for when you want a good old sing-a-long. Mary J. Blige falls into the 'where on earth did I get that from' category. Not my type of music at all... Embrace will always hold a place in my heart, and I enjoyed the dancey stuff as well...

My odyssey continues :-)