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Showing posts from January, 2012

Four more sleeps

Yes! Four more sleeps and it's off to the next adventure - Orange County, California and Austin, Texas for 12 days. I am getting pumped - it will be nice (once again) to walk without fear of slipping on ice. While we are having an awesome winter here (relatively speaking..) it will still be good to see palm trees and the ocean. Why am I going to Austin? I am on a walking program to walk all the state capitals (and states) of the U.S. I am over half done for both...I still have to go back to Texas to visit San Antonio and Galveston but that will be another time....perhaps in early Spring some year before it gets too warm. My trip will take me to Laguna Beach for three nights, Huntington Beach for two nights, Newport Beach for four nights and then over to Austin Texas for three more nights. It will involve lots of walking and who knows what else. I have booked into motels/hotels that are close to the beach but economical...well except for Huntington Beach. I am registere

Back in the frozen north

Whoa baby it's cold outside! So if I close my eyes and click my heels three times can I go back? Ha ha. I wish! The flight back was pretty good considering. The chicken and rice was much better on the way back....my seat mate went 7 hours without using the loo. I was impressed and said "I want your bladder". Although slightly on the weird side as instead of saying excuse me I need to get out she just smiled at me and I said "do you need to get out to use the toilet" and she said yes. So not sure if she was shy or what as she could talk. (and I don't mean that in an ignorant way) And I kept thinking when she turned to look at me and I smiled back did she mean let me out I want to use the toilet? Oh well not the strangest seat mate I've had and certainly I will have worse I am sure. It was good to fly through Calgary and only have that one hour flight although it was late leaving due to no ground crew. Then my backback was so fat it would not fi

Getting ready to say goodbye

Well am at an internet cafe just off Piccadilly Circus - it's nuts out there. ~TONS of people and you can barely move. Putting in time until it's time to go for an early dinner as the show starts at 7:30. I will be finishing up my packing when I get back tonight. This morning I took the tube to Canary Wharf and saw all four ice sculptures in the ice sculpture festival... - luckily I did not go all that way for that. I carried on to the Museum of the Docklands which was fantastic....the history of the docks/Thames from Roman times until the present day. I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended and it's free. They have developed the old dockland area- leaving some old buildings in place (like the musuem) but mostly new buildings....lots of skyscrapers out there! I then took the tube back to the west end and have been rambling around Covent Garden, along the Thames, Trafalgar Square, etc. There are places I didn't get to this trip but I discovered new ones. I took

Sunny day by the Thames

It was clear and cold today. After toast and coffee for breakfast I headed off on the bus and tube to London Bridge. I walked along the Thames past Tower Bridge and down Shad Thames which is a street in the old Docklands area that has been revitalized but still looks like it did back in the heady days of the dockyards. I wanted to check out a pub I had seen last time.(maybe next time.....) I wandered into a square and what do I see but a large bird flying around. A falcon or hawk maybe? Well turns out it was a Harris Hawk - I talked to his handler and this hawk is a working hawk (wonder how much he gets paid. :) ) used to scare off the pigeons. The handler releases it and off it flies around to different areas of the square. I was able to get some close up shots of it. Really a thrill to see something like that. Amazing!!! This is a posh area - the docklands are no longer in use and now are very posh real estate. Either office buildings or luxury apartments. So guess they don't wan

By the sea, the wonderful sea

Well yesterday (Thursday) I went down to Brighton for the day to see my friend Judi. I got the cheap day return (after 9 a.m.) so it was less than 16 pounds which I felt was reasonable. Judi was there to meet me so we headed for a cafe and both had eggy bread (bread dipped in egg and fried) with cheese on top. Delish. And a coffee of course. Late breakfast sorted we then headed off to look in the shops. Judi did more damage then I did. From there we worked our way to the seafront and the sun had come out by then. I was so excited as I have said many a time I am a misplaced ocean child. I do love the ocean. And here was the English Channel - Atlantic ocean basically and less than three weeks from now I will be seeing the Pacific ocean. Gotta love it!! We walked along the seafront and onto the pier. By then we needed to sit down (my foot gave me a bit of grief yesterday despite having a 'rest day') so we went to a cafe and shared a plate of chips and I had a cup of tea. A cuppa t

Sunny day in the parks

Well today I finished the walk I had started on Monday. As luck would have it the sun was shining as I got out of the tube station and walked to Trafalgar Square. What was even better is the lack of tourists....yeah yeah I know I am one too but I like to think I am "special". :) Anyway I walked down Whitehall to the Horse Guards at Whitehall and can you believe I was the only tourist. That is a first ever....wow. I then walked to St. James Park and skulked around there for a while...love that park so much. It's beautifully manicured with all sorts of waterfowl and of course squirrels. I then walked past Buckingham Palace - people were lined up but the sign said no changing of the guard until tomorrow...but I did see the horseguards go in their horsey procession down to Whitehall. Love that...one of the many things I love about London. I carried on past Hyde Park corner and into Hyde Park. The walk instructions said walk on Rotten Row..boring...I walked by the Serpentine l

Crazy Nutcracker

Yes the Nutcracker production tonight was really different - vaguely the same story line as in boy and girl get together in the end but this was set in an orphanage and featured a motorcycle gang, men dressed as can can dancers (and there was a bit of pole dancing in there too) But it was fun. Not something I'd want every time and next time I will want the traditional but it was fun for a change. However the first time I've seen Waltz of the Flowers performed and not had goose bumps. But that will happen again..Had a nice chat with the ladies beside me as they were interested in my ereader. I had problems finding a place to eat by the Angel tube stop. I'm not saying there weren't places but I didn't want to eat at McDonalds or a kebob place - I probably missed the street they were all on as there was a wagamama advertised in the tube station but never saw it. I saw a chinese veggie buffet place and went there and enjoyed it. By that point I needed something fast but

Cuppa tea and a biscuit (or two)

Back in my room to rest up before heading out tonight. Yes having a cuppa tea and a biccie or two....Marks and Spencers extremely chocolately orange biscuits. Oh my my...I had forgotten how much I love you. I have been pretty good since I've been in the UK - I think I had too much chocolate in my system (is there such a thing as too much chocolate?) from Germany - hell I still have most of the stash I was given so it may be coming back with me. (talk nice to me people and I may share!) Haven't even had a date with Mr Kipling this trip and doubt that I will but then again there are still a few days left. Had a late start this morning...told Simon no breakfast please so no alarm clock - of course woke up at the usual 7:30 but lounged a bit in bed and then had some fruit and yogurt. M & S sell these lovely packages called mango tango that have pieces of fresh mango and pineapple in. Very yummy. And pear with butterscotch yogurt - love all these different things. I walked over

Not quite the trek I had hoped for...

Well this morning I headed off on what I thought would be a 18 km walk but turned into about half that...maybe a bit more as I walked for three hours...my foot started hurting too much so I gave up. Disappointing but oh well...I did enjoy the part of the walk I did do and I will finish the rest on Wednesday. I started off at Earls Court tube station and walked through Chelsea in areas I had never been before then walked along the banks of the Thames until the Houses of Parliament then onto St. James Park. I stopped there so I will start there and go through three parks and back to Earls Court - am looking forward to it. Time is marching on and I am trying to get things done before I leave on Sunday.... Very mild today but also very dull - it was getting dark by 3 p.m. I kept trying to get London's red busses in my photos to add a bit of colour! Thursday if all works out I will be heading down to Brighton for the day to hang out with my friend Judi. We will meet at the train station

Market day

Well I am in the internet cafe for the first time - one that I've used lots in the past. So far I've crashed one computer so we will see how this goes. This morning I headed over to Brick Lane and Spitalfields markets which are in the east end of London. I got there a few minutes before the Backgarden market opened so I walked along Brick Lane and got a bagel and cream cheese from the Beigel Bake. It is just one of those things I do - they aren't to die for bagels or anything - they are good but.... so have decided that is my last one. It wasn't busy at that time- later when I wandered by the line was out the door. I then went over to the market and got a gift for the lady who is watching my apartment and got myself a funky mouse necklace. Sadly the fellow who did the coasters I loved so much has left the market - the fellow who told me that was selling coasters as well so I bought a couple of his. These were cute but the typical ones with cork on the back - I loved the

Curses to you my foot

Yep it was not a good day for the foot. I am getting quite concerned actually - almost on to worried. I know my problem - a developing bunion and arthritis in my big toe on my right foot. As I mentioned in a previous post it bothers me now and again and I never know when and no medication (over the counter anyway) can control the pain. It has been pretty well nonstop every day since Paris - today was particularly bad. I walked with a pronounced limp and in pain - the pain would go away for about a minute and then back again. Four weeks from tomorrow I am scheduled to walk a half marathon in California.....it is my dream and has been for years. Not happy.... Anyway needless to say this was not a really productive day...I took the bus to St. Johns Wood and poked around a bit (Beatles fans will know what I mean...) and then carried on to Regents Park and walked for about ten minutes max - if that. I saw it from the bus and knew I had to stop....I walked along Baker St. for a bit - checked

A whole day of sunshine!

It was lovely today. First of all I walked over to a cafe near here I have been eyeballing for a while and had a cappucino. This was in an area here in Hampstead Garden Suburb I don't get to very much. After getting money out of the ATM I took the bus to the tube station and off I went. Got off at Leicester Square and started off on the walk. What do I see but a brand new M & M store - I am not a big M & M's fan but had to stop in and take a look. Talk about a friendly staff - well I've noticed most of the London shop assistants have been friendly this trip. It must be an alien invasion trust me...not normal...Anyway I had my photo taken in front of four M & M's walking across Abbey Road. :) All sorts of cute photo ops so I'd recommend anyone to pop in and have a look. Just take a fat wallet with you - I bought as few M & M candies as I could get away with but after all the friendliness I felt I should get something.... They had a whole wall that you

A late start

Well told Simon I wouldn't be having breakfast downstairs today - just had some yogurt and fruit and it was a nice change. A combo of mango and pineapple - yum...M & S of course as well as their lakeland honey and ginger yogurt. Very nice. The instant coffee in the room - well we won't go there but hey for twenty five pounds a night I also have a kettle and tea bags/instant coffee in my room. I will have a cup of the real stuff later. I am on a quest to buy some coffee beans over here. That is one of the things I do - buy coffee beans when I travel. I am past having "souvenirs" - my photographs are my souvenirs and anything useful I find when on the road. I bought a little egg cup in Paris and also two little rubber coasters that look like records. (I have a thing about coasters...) Just had to pay some bills online this morning and check out the moola situation - yeah even that kind of stuff follows you on the road. A shame isn't it. Speaking of the road I

Changes

Well today didn't work out quite the way I had planned but it was a good one anyway. I decided to start the walk from the 02 as the Thames Barrier is hard to get to by public transit. However getting to London Bridge tube station (where I needed to connect) was complicated due to the fact they had emergency work at that station on the Northern line which is the line I take from here. Finally I got there, got the tube and started off on the path only to find it was closed! I guess if I was really dedicated I would have walked around a bit and found a place to get back on it but by then I was fed up and thought "maybe this isn't meant to be". After some hard thinking I decided that the Thames Path is postponed maybe even cancelled. Do I really want to walk that far? (180 miles - which would take me a couple of weeks over several trips) I think I have to accept the fact that with my knees and foot I am not up to any long distance paths. That doesn't mean I won't

Walkers crisps you are too tempting

Anyone who has been to England knows about Walkers crisps - any flavour under the sun and then some....I have resisted for years but I just polished off a bag (they are small that is one good thing...) of prawn cocktail crisps. Oh my. Anyway....I am listening to the wind blow - you would almost think I was back in Saskatchewan. Rain for tomorrow morning with sun coming out in the p.m. according to the forecast. So I guess I won't be in a hurry to get to the Thames Barrier if the wind is blowing - if not well I can walk in the rain as long as it's not too heavy. It will be fun getting to the barrier - I have researched and have found several ways.... I did over half the walk today and then decided to finish it up another day. I enjoyed what I did very much - Clerkenwell is a fascinating part of London with so much history. Walked through Smithfield market where I saw the spot where William Wallace (Braveheart) was executed, saw St. Johns Priory, ancient churches - I did this wal

Birdies singing

I love it. Love hearing the birdies sing...I love seeing green grass and leaves on the trees. (not all of course but some...) Am up extra early this morning - I will regret this later. I guess the down side of this small room is that there is no where else to sit but the bed. My back is sore! Ah well the price is right and when you travel as much as I do you economize when you can. It's not like I am here a lot. I love this little room and looking out and seeing the doggies play on Hampsted Heath extension in the morning. Tomorrow I start my trek of the Thames Path. I won't cover much this trip as it's 180 miles - I am aiming for 32 miles of it (over four days max) but with the current problems with my foot and also January weather it may not be doable. But that's okay... I will go to the Thames Barrier to begin which is actually the end of the walk if you are doing it the correct way - but either way is acceptable. I was going to start it today but wanted to do the pat

London in the rain

Had a great day today. The day started with heavy wind and rain so didn't rush out but sat and enjoyed my breakfast and Simon and I had a good yak about the Olympics here, his B & B, etc. Headed out about 9:15 and took the bus to the Strand - when I got off I was the only one on the bus which was a first I think. I topped up my mobile phone at Orange - yikes it is expensive. 20p a minute for calls within the UK so it will be for calls and messages that need to be passed on. A pound a minute to call North America but no plans for that... However it's more convenient that trying to use a pay phone here. Then on to Covent Garden in the pouring rain. I stopped in at the Royal Opera House to inquire about Romeo and Juliet for Friday Jan. 13th but sold out..I may see what the day before has but if nothing oh well I will live. I then stopped at Marks and Spencers to get some new undies...I wear nothing but M & S knickers these days and stock up every time I come over here. And

Tales from the launderette

Well I took the little H2 bus to Golders Green and went to the launderette as I did not have a clean piece of clothing. I was a bit concerned as today is a holiday here being as New Years was on a Sunday. No fear they were open. There was a pretty cool old fellow in there - let's just call him a bloke...anyway this bloke told me to use the next machine to the one I was starting to load up as it was five pounds not six pounds. That was nice of him. I was able to cram everything into one big machine. Plus he didn't charge me for the soap - a rare occurence believe me. I took off to get some money out of the ATM and to grab my first coffee from Costa coffee. Back to dry the clothes and the bloke and I had a good chat. He asked if I was from Canada and said he had been there for a few hours. A few hours? Well what a story. He said way back about 50 years ago he and this woman broke up - he did the breaking up and she was none too pleased. They were both ball room dance instructors

Here comes the sun...

Doo doo doo doo....to quote the late great George Harrison. Yep the sun finally came out in north France and has followed me to England. First time I've seen it on the trip for any length of time. The journey over here was good. I had my last pain au chocolate and cafe au lait at my favourite little boulangerie on the corner this morning. Sadie slept with me last night until Simon came home and then she disappeared into his room for the night. She was scratching on the door so how could I resist - poor little thing. Anyway got the metro to Gare du Nord and checked in and everything went smoothly. The journey through the tunnel under the English channel takes about 25 minutes - it always kind of freaks me out that there is a huge body of water above me so I listened to my MP3 player and tried not to think about it. I closed my eyes and thought of England. :) Arrival went smoothly and I knew there was a M & S food store at St. Pancras station so after I checked out the Xmas tree

Au Revoir Paris

Last day in Paris today. And I'm not sad....not that I haven't enjoyed it but time to move on...to my favourite place in the world. My body is here in Paris still but my heart and mind are in London already....I slept in this morning. I did not go to the celebrations for New Years last night for quite a few reasons - the biggies being lots of stairs with my bad knees, my foot was bothering me and the crowds. Oh man do I sound old...well guess I am....and I don't regret it at all. If I want to see what it looked like I am sure I can find out on the Internet! Next year I will do the same - wherever I will be I will celebrate with a quiet glass of wine. In fact last year in Kathmandu I was in bed at midnight as we had our early morning flight to Everest... I had breakfast here and then headed off to the metro station. It would not take my ticket - well it did but it got stuck and that's when I realized they hadn't fixed the free entry from last night. After I had bough