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...
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
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 :-).
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'!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
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.
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!
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!
Friday, May 07, 2010
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.
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.
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...
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
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 :-)
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 :-)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
A 'Sarf East' Meantime weekend...
Saturday I headed out to Greenwich with Jackie, Nicola and Simon. It was another gorgeous April spring day so we had a wee stroll through Greenwich Market (which I love - as I'm sure I've mentioned before...) and then went up to the hill to the Royal Observatory to see the 'Secrets of the Sun' show at the Planetarium. It was a great show - although we managed to horrify Nicola by admitting that none of us knew the sun would burn out and die (although apparently humans will have left Earth by then in spaceships to find new worlds to live in, so there is no need to worry about it...).
Then it was off down to the Greenwich Union for an early meal and a couple of pints of their delish Helles Meantime beer.
Sunday was back out to Greenwich to go and visit Craig and Sarah and finally meet their youngest - Edith, aged 6 months. Absolutely gorgeous! Then while Sarah took Nola and Stanley off to a birthday party, Craig and I took Edith to The Old Brewery - this time I sampled the Pale Ale. And endured disapproving looks from many people there who assumed I was Edith's mother...
Then it was off down to the Greenwich Union for an early meal and a couple of pints of their delish Helles Meantime beer.
Sunday was back out to Greenwich to go and visit Craig and Sarah and finally meet their youngest - Edith, aged 6 months. Absolutely gorgeous! Then while Sarah took Nola and Stanley off to a birthday party, Craig and I took Edith to The Old Brewery - this time I sampled the Pale Ale. And endured disapproving looks from many people there who assumed I was Edith's mother...
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sunny walking
Headed out for a walk with the old 'London Loop' crew - minus Mhairi of course!
This time we were down in Kent - walking from Cowden to Hever. Nicola had an earlier start than all of us as she misread the times and went for the train an hour earlier than us. So I was getting panicked text messages telling me the train was cancelled while I was still at home getting ready, while she was already at London Bridge train station...
The walk was lovely and the weather was gorgeous. Lovely and sunny - very spring like. Lots and lots of stiles however (not so much fun), and Jackie and I managed to step into a bog formed of cow crap - up to our ankles both of us! Thank heavens for good goretex walking shoes is what I say!! Part of the walk went through Chiddingstone so we diverted to take a look at the 'Chiding Stone' - cue much chiding of course.
Interesting as well to see that a lot of the trees were still not very green - sign of the long, cold winter we've only just started emerging from.
We got back to the train station at the end to find there were signal problems and we were delayed for almost an hour. But it wasn't too bad sat in the sun - I was remarkably zen about it all. Had it been wet and cold it probably would have been a different matter!
This time we were down in Kent - walking from Cowden to Hever. Nicola had an earlier start than all of us as she misread the times and went for the train an hour earlier than us. So I was getting panicked text messages telling me the train was cancelled while I was still at home getting ready, while she was already at London Bridge train station...
The walk was lovely and the weather was gorgeous. Lovely and sunny - very spring like. Lots and lots of stiles however (not so much fun), and Jackie and I managed to step into a bog formed of cow crap - up to our ankles both of us! Thank heavens for good goretex walking shoes is what I say!! Part of the walk went through Chiddingstone so we diverted to take a look at the 'Chiding Stone' - cue much chiding of course.
Interesting as well to see that a lot of the trees were still not very green - sign of the long, cold winter we've only just started emerging from.
We got back to the train station at the end to find there were signal problems and we were delayed for almost an hour. But it wasn't too bad sat in the sun - I was remarkably zen about it all. Had it been wet and cold it probably would have been a different matter!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Getting the heart rate up...
I've just started exercising - don't everyone fall off their seat in shock! I've started doing a 'Boxing for Fitness' class at a park around the corner from where I live.
Its REALLY hard, cos I don't normally do any aerobic exercise at all, but once the class is over I realise I've quite enjoyed it. Can't say I enjoy it at the time tho - I am not one of those people who love exercising - I fall definitely into the lazy camp I've decided! But I know I've got to do something so I finally plucked up the courage to start! Now I just need to keep going :-).
Its REALLY hard, cos I don't normally do any aerobic exercise at all, but once the class is over I realise I've quite enjoyed it. Can't say I enjoy it at the time tho - I am not one of those people who love exercising - I fall definitely into the lazy camp I've decided! But I know I've got to do something so I finally plucked up the courage to start! Now I just need to keep going :-).
Monday, March 29, 2010
Finished with the 'F's
And my musical odyssey through my ipod continues...
Fables of the Reconstruction - REM
Falling off the Lavender Bridge - Lightspeed Champion
Fate - Dr Dog
Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Feeling Strangely Fine - Semisonic
The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers
Figure 8 - Elliott Smith
Fiji Baby - Goodshirt
Final Straw - Snow Patrol
The Fine Art of Self Destruction - Jesse Malin
Fireboy - Grant McLennan
The First Days of Spring - Noah and the Whale
Five Leaves Left - Nick Drake
Five Roses - Miracle Fortress
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Float Away with the Friday Night Gods - Marah
Flowers - Echo & the Bunnymen
The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
Foo Fighters - Foo Fighters
The Football Factory Soundtrack
For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver
For the Dead - Gene
For Today - Netherworld Dancing Toys
Forever Delayed - Manic Street Preachers
Forty Licks - The Rolling Stones
Forward March! - The Strange Death of Liberal England
Frank - Amy Winehouse
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
The Friends of Rachel Worth - The Go-Betweens
From a Basement on the Hill - Elliott Smith
Funeral - The Arcade Fire
Future Clouds & Radar - Future Clouds & Radar
Future Reference - Rhombus
The 'F's were a bit forgettable really - some old fave artists in there - Gene, Snow Patrol and The Go-Betweens. Stand out new listen for me was Future Clouds & Radar though - really enjoyed them. Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes are always good, and the Netherworlds were a bit of a blast from the past :-).
Fables of the Reconstruction - REM
Falling off the Lavender Bridge - Lightspeed Champion
Fate - Dr Dog
Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Feeling Strangely Fine - Semisonic
The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers
Figure 8 - Elliott Smith
Fiji Baby - Goodshirt
Final Straw - Snow Patrol
The Fine Art of Self Destruction - Jesse Malin
Fireboy - Grant McLennan
The First Days of Spring - Noah and the Whale
Five Leaves Left - Nick Drake
Five Roses - Miracle Fortress
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Float Away with the Friday Night Gods - Marah
Flowers - Echo & the Bunnymen
The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
Foo Fighters - Foo Fighters
The Football Factory Soundtrack
For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver
For the Dead - Gene
For Today - Netherworld Dancing Toys
Forever Delayed - Manic Street Preachers
Forty Licks - The Rolling Stones
Forward March! - The Strange Death of Liberal England
Frank - Amy Winehouse
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
The Friends of Rachel Worth - The Go-Betweens
From a Basement on the Hill - Elliott Smith
Funeral - The Arcade Fire
Future Clouds & Radar - Future Clouds & Radar
Future Reference - Rhombus
The 'F's were a bit forgettable really - some old fave artists in there - Gene, Snow Patrol and The Go-Betweens. Stand out new listen for me was Future Clouds & Radar though - really enjoyed them. Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes are always good, and the Netherworlds were a bit of a blast from the past :-).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)