And what an ending it was!
We went and watched the final at the Firestation where Owen had thought he had booked us a table. But they had lost our booking... But we got a seat and stayed - and had some very mediocre food - but what did we care - we were watching the Beautiful Game!
Which sadly didn't end so beautifully for Zinedine Zidane. No one could believe what we were watching as he headbutted Marco Materazzi. Even now it still seems unbelievable. And such a shame that he ended his career on a note like that.
Everyone was convinced that Italy would lose on penalties, but they cruised through them - and as I was supporting Italy anyhow I was very pleased! No particular reason for my allegiance to Italy - except the fact that 21 years ago today the French sunk the Rainbow Warrior, and the Italians had more 'totty' in the team...
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Dragged our sorry bodies out of bed on Sunday and toddled off down the train line to go to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Its the 3rd time I've been but Kevin (and Maya's!) first time. Kevin was particularly looking for ideas for what we can do with the garden...
It was pretty good - as always. The gardens are just incredible (I've put more photos on Flickr so make sure you check them out as well as the couple below), and I always like the displays of vege! It reminds me of flower shows at school when I would spend hours making my little saucer design of flowers etc, and always hope to win. I don't think I ever did tho...
I did also get slightly perturbed by the fact that people may have thought Maya was our child - when I've been out with her in town we've already had one guy say 'Are you two sisters'. It occurred to me afterwards that he was saying that in an attempt to flatter me so I would buy something from him. Needless-to-say it didn't work!
It was pretty good - as always. The gardens are just incredible (I've put more photos on Flickr so make sure you check them out as well as the couple below), and I always like the displays of vege! It reminds me of flower shows at school when I would spend hours making my little saucer design of flowers etc, and always hope to win. I don't think I ever did tho...
I did also get slightly perturbed by the fact that people may have thought Maya was our child - when I've been out with her in town we've already had one guy say 'Are you two sisters'. It occurred to me afterwards that he was saying that in an attempt to flatter me so I would buy something from him. Needless-to-say it didn't work!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Fat Freddy's - the 3rd time
Went to see Fat Freddy's Drop at Somerset House. Its a fab venue - we've been to a few gigs there over the last couple of years and they've always been good.
Fat Freddy's still didn't live up to the first time I saw them at Koko all those months ago - they just didn't seem able to put together a great set. They'd play a couple of good songs and get the crowd going, and then disappear back into mellowness. So Kevin still hasn't been 'wowed' by them like I want him to, but I enjoyed them anyhow. They just weren't as wonderful as I was hoping for - I had very high hopes from that venue...
And Maya thought it was just like a gig in the Civic Square in Wellington!
Fat Freddy's still didn't live up to the first time I saw them at Koko all those months ago - they just didn't seem able to put together a great set. They'd play a couple of good songs and get the crowd going, and then disappear back into mellowness. So Kevin still hasn't been 'wowed' by them like I want him to, but I enjoyed them anyhow. They just weren't as wonderful as I was hoping for - I had very high hopes from that venue...
And Maya thought it was just like a gig in the Civic Square in Wellington!
Friday, July 07, 2006
One year on...
First anniversary of the July 7 bombs today - slightly weird feel to the city as there is so much about it on the news etc. We had a 2 minute silence at midday as well. Hard to believe it has been a year - London has quickly slipped back into its usual life really, but it has no choice. We need public transport to live in this town so we all just keep getting back on the trains, the tubes and the buses.
Julia found an article the other day about a woman who lost her leg in one of the blasts and who is attempting Trailwalker this year. She was meant to walk it last year, but the bombs hit one week before it. I hope she completes it - although that will be a huge endeavour with a relatively new prosthetic leg.
The Sun newspaper had a photo of a number 30 bus (the number of the one that was blown up) on its front page with the word 'Unbeaten' instead of a destination. It was quite a strong image - reminiscent of the 'We Are Not Afraid' campaign that kicked off last year.
London just keeps on being London.
Julia found an article the other day about a woman who lost her leg in one of the blasts and who is attempting Trailwalker this year. She was meant to walk it last year, but the bombs hit one week before it. I hope she completes it - although that will be a huge endeavour with a relatively new prosthetic leg.
The Sun newspaper had a photo of a number 30 bus (the number of the one that was blown up) on its front page with the word 'Unbeaten' instead of a destination. It was quite a strong image - reminiscent of the 'We Are Not Afraid' campaign that kicked off last year.
London just keeps on being London.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Sweltering in London
When will this heat end???
We are at "Heat Level 3" - something I hadn't heard of until Tracey told me via text, but I've since seen that it is the first time we've got to it since they brought in these heat levels a couple of years ago. So yes we are sweltering... the days are bearable - its just the evenings don't cool down at all :-(.
Still I have the day off tomorrow for Maya's birthday - many plans, but they are forecasting thundery rain so who knows what we'll end up doing...
We are at "Heat Level 3" - something I hadn't heard of until Tracey told me via text, but I've since seen that it is the first time we've got to it since they brought in these heat levels a couple of years ago. So yes we are sweltering... the days are bearable - its just the evenings don't cool down at all :-(.
Still I have the day off tomorrow for Maya's birthday - many plans, but they are forecasting thundery rain so who knows what we'll end up doing...
Sunday, July 02, 2006
And so it ends...
Ah yes - yet again the England dream is over. Again to penalties to Portugal. Fortunately we were watching it at friend's of Kevin's as opposed to being in a pub. That would have been too much I think.
General consensus seems to be that England hadn't really deserved to go much further - and how they would have proceeded without Rooney available in the next round... But as for Ronaldo - considering him and Rooney are team mates I think their first few training sessions will be tense to say the least!
Ah well - at least Portugal is my sweepstake team so my hopes of getting some money back are still alive!
General consensus seems to be that England hadn't really deserved to go much further - and how they would have proceeded without Rooney available in the next round... But as for Ronaldo - considering him and Rooney are team mates I think their first few training sessions will be tense to say the least!
Ah well - at least Portugal is my sweepstake team so my hopes of getting some money back are still alive!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Divided loyalties... well sort of
England face Portugal in the quarter finals on Saturday... if England win, then my sweepstake win hopes are out the window.... but if Portugal win the country will plunge into mourning and despair. Caught between a rock and a hard place am I!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
O2 Wireless Festival
Went to the O2 Wireless Festival last night in Hyde Park. Headliners were The Strokes who were pretty damn good. But the highlight for me was The Raconteurs - they were really good. I missed the Super Furry Animals - Maya and I went off to the loo and then they wouldn't let us back in cos the tent was too full. I'm fated not to see them I think - I was meant to go and see them after the July 7 bombs last year but didn't fancy it, and this time I couldn't get in! Check out the line-ups here.
The arrival of the prodigal niece
So M day arrived on Saturday with the arrival of Maya at 15.15...
I've never had to wait so long for someone to clear customs as had to wait for her - she didn't come out until just before 5. I was just convincing myself that they had her a room somewhere grilling her about why she was here when she finally emerged into the arrivals hall... Landing at the same time as flights from the Middle East and India isn't such a good idea.
The waiting in queues continued on Monday when we spent almost two hours in the bank so Maya could get her bank card...
So Maya's having a quintessential British experience for now! Just need that footie game in the pub on Sunday and we'll be set...
I've never had to wait so long for someone to clear customs as had to wait for her - she didn't come out until just before 5. I was just convincing myself that they had her a room somewhere grilling her about why she was here when she finally emerged into the arrivals hall... Landing at the same time as flights from the Middle East and India isn't such a good idea.
The waiting in queues continued on Monday when we spent almost two hours in the bank so Maya could get her bank card...
So Maya's having a quintessential British experience for now! Just need that footie game in the pub on Sunday and we'll be set...
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Game number 2 for England...
Trinidad & Tobago vs England kicks off at 5pm today - not a great time so probably won't end up watching it - or not much of it anyhow.
As has been noted England do need to step their game up a bit, but a win is a win, 3 points is 3 points, and if they win their group, and Germany win their group (which is looking likely) then they won't have to play each other in the next round - a good thing! Let's hope that England don't fall apart in this afternoon's game....
I've been enjoying reading the Guardian's minute by minute reports of the games - definitely worth checking out, even after the fact. You can access them via their World Cup site here. Make sure you look for the minute by minute coverage not just the article on the game.
And Portugal have won their first game so my sweepstake hopes are still alive :-)
As has been noted England do need to step their game up a bit, but a win is a win, 3 points is 3 points, and if they win their group, and Germany win their group (which is looking likely) then they won't have to play each other in the next round - a good thing! Let's hope that England don't fall apart in this afternoon's game....
I've been enjoying reading the Guardian's minute by minute reports of the games - definitely worth checking out, even after the fact. You can access them via their World Cup site here. Make sure you look for the minute by minute coverage not just the article on the game.
And Portugal have won their first game so my sweepstake hopes are still alive :-)
It just gets better and better!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Book musings
Wandered out at lunch-time and bought Casting Off - the 4th book in the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard. I've been reading them for about a month or so now and am finally on the 3rd book. I've really enjoyed them - a very 'solid' sort of read, with so much detail about English life during the war, but really great characterisation as well. It was filmed in the UK a few years ago - I've wanted to read them ever since watching the series on tele.
As I was admiring my new book it made me think about how exciting it is to have a new book, which looks pristine, just drawing you into it - I love new books! But then I also love my books to look well read - something very comfortable and familiar about a well-read book :-).
I bought this one from Crockatt and Powell - a fab independent bookshop close to work. And I've just realised they also have a blog which you can check out here. I do try and buy from them, as there are so few independent bookshops left, but when you can get 3 for 2 from the big chains it does make it much harder. But I so admire what they are doing that everytime I go in I recommit to shopping there, but then forget when I go into a big Waterstones or Borders... but I am trying!
As I was admiring my new book it made me think about how exciting it is to have a new book, which looks pristine, just drawing you into it - I love new books! But then I also love my books to look well read - something very comfortable and familiar about a well-read book :-).
I bought this one from Crockatt and Powell - a fab independent bookshop close to work. And I've just realised they also have a blog which you can check out here. I do try and buy from them, as there are so few independent bookshops left, but when you can get 3 for 2 from the big chains it does make it much harder. But I so admire what they are doing that everytime I go in I recommit to shopping there, but then forget when I go into a big Waterstones or Borders... but I am trying!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Oh the woe of travel....
Well it hasn't happened for a while, but on the day when I felt incredibly hot and uncomfortable all day at work, the trains packed up...
So I left work on Monday just after 5.30pm and got home just before 8pm - not a bad effort I thought. Two trains and two very hot sweaty buses later I was very pleased to finally get home.
So I couldn't get home and Kevin couldn't get in to town to play footie so neither of us won last night!
So I left work on Monday just after 5.30pm and got home just before 8pm - not a bad effort I thought. Two trains and two very hot sweaty buses later I was very pleased to finally get home.
So I couldn't get home and Kevin couldn't get in to town to play footie so neither of us won last night!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
And so it's begun...!
The World Cup is finally upon us! It kicked off on Friday and England's first game was on Saturday. They won but it was through Paraguay's own goal. But 3 points are 3 points!
Our World Cup started off on Friday night going to an Embrace gig - another one of our fave live bands, and also the one who have recorded the official England World Cup song - 'World At Your Feet'. And they played a two hour gig so it was fab!! Great start to the tournament. Just need England to win now - I've heard a rumour that if they do we get a day off so thats another reason to keep our fingers crossed for an England victory!!
Next game is Thursday night and if they win that they'll top the group...
Keep an eye out forPortugal as well - thats who I've got in the sweepstake at work!
Our World Cup started off on Friday night going to an Embrace gig - another one of our fave live bands, and also the one who have recorded the official England World Cup song - 'World At Your Feet'. And they played a two hour gig so it was fab!! Great start to the tournament. Just need England to win now - I've heard a rumour that if they do we get a day off so thats another reason to keep our fingers crossed for an England victory!!
Next game is Thursday night and if they win that they'll top the group...
Keep an eye out forPortugal as well - thats who I've got in the sweepstake at work!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Happy birthday week!
So I had a lovely birthday week - the summer hung around all week and the sun continued to shine.
I took the day off on Wednesday and had a lovely low key day. Started with Eryn ringing me first thing - as he always does :-). Don't think my birthday would be the same without him calling me!
In the evening Kevin and I went to Kempton Park to the races. After the races Starsailor were playing - one of our fave live bands at the mo, and also the band that gave me the name for this blog last year! And it was a beautiful lovely warm evening - all very nice. I had a betting strategy of placing bets on every horse that was number 7 but that wasn't so successful! But on the last race my horses came in - one which had 'birthday' in its name and then another one which I liked the sound of and they came in first and second! So I came out about even in the end. Kevin came out way on top - he studies the form rather than going for the names like I do!!
On Thursday evening there were joint birthday drinks with me, Mhairi, Allison and Patrick from work who are all June babies - in fact Pat's birthday is also the 7th!
I took the day off on Wednesday and had a lovely low key day. Started with Eryn ringing me first thing - as he always does :-). Don't think my birthday would be the same without him calling me!
In the evening Kevin and I went to Kempton Park to the races. After the races Starsailor were playing - one of our fave live bands at the mo, and also the band that gave me the name for this blog last year! And it was a beautiful lovely warm evening - all very nice. I had a betting strategy of placing bets on every horse that was number 7 but that wasn't so successful! But on the last race my horses came in - one which had 'birthday' in its name and then another one which I liked the sound of and they came in first and second! So I came out about even in the end. Kevin came out way on top - he studies the form rather than going for the names like I do!!
On Thursday evening there were joint birthday drinks with me, Mhairi, Allison and Patrick from work who are all June babies - in fact Pat's birthday is also the 7th!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Standing up and being counted...
I took part in this census recently and they've just published the results. I am definitely in the older age group for NZers living away from NZ - perhaps I've passed my prime!! Check out Every One Counts here.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Summer sunny weekend
London is lovely in the sun... :-)
After lots of crappy weather the sun came out this weekend - heaven!
Yesterday I went to my first bar-b-q of the season at Daphne and Pete's place. A joint celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary and their daughter Olivia's 1st birthday. So it was a lovely afternoon sat outside eating lots of delish food, and meeting new people and catching up with others I hadn't seen for a long time. And in honour of the sun I wore a summery skirt and a pair of jandals...
Nine years ago, me, Kevin, Chris and Anita helped Daph & Pete celebrate their first wedding anniversary with a picnic in Kew gardens and it was a gorgeous day that day as well - they certainly know how to pick them!
Waking up on Sunday the sun was still shining! So we walked off to Kingston, did some chores and then walked back along the river, stopping for a 99 (snow freeze with a flake) on the way back. Lovely! I do love London in the sun!
After lots of crappy weather the sun came out this weekend - heaven!
Yesterday I went to my first bar-b-q of the season at Daphne and Pete's place. A joint celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary and their daughter Olivia's 1st birthday. So it was a lovely afternoon sat outside eating lots of delish food, and meeting new people and catching up with others I hadn't seen for a long time. And in honour of the sun I wore a summery skirt and a pair of jandals...
Nine years ago, me, Kevin, Chris and Anita helped Daph & Pete celebrate their first wedding anniversary with a picnic in Kew gardens and it was a gorgeous day that day as well - they certainly know how to pick them!
Waking up on Sunday the sun was still shining! So we walked off to Kingston, did some chores and then walked back along the river, stopping for a 99 (snow freeze with a flake) on the way back. Lovely! I do love London in the sun!
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