We're nearly there. We are about to have almost three weeks off work to enjoy the summer (hopefully the weather will remain good!). Our good friend Tim is arriving in London this coming Friday evening, and we will be spending nearly three weeks with him. On the itinerary is a four-day trip to the North Yorkshire coast (Whitby, Scarborough, Filey), a visit to Dublin and a trip to Stuttgart (to visit their car museums and enjoy their annual summer beer and music festival).
Besides that, we are planning quite a few day trips from London, such as to Chichester, the Dorset coast, Oxford, Dover (the white cliffs), inter alia. We will try to keep you posted on this blog with photos of our adventures.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
New neighbours
A couple of weekends ago we had some new people move into the neighbourhood. Our flat is contained within a four-flat block. We occupy the top right-hand corner flat; our new neighbours have the flat diagonal two us (bottom left-hand flat). With no common walls, one wouldn't think we would hear the noise from our new neighbours.... but... they have a small child. I certainly knew about this child early this morning, when I was woken by his/her screams. Talk about putting you off having kids.... !!!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Feel the heat
When Natalie and I were looking for a replacement car for our Megane, we considered whether airconditioning was an important accessory to have or not. We decided it wasn't. England doesn't get that hot. Right?
Well, almost.
We had some very warm weather around Wimbledon time, with days in the high 20s celcius. However, nothing compared to what we have coming up. Today was about 30 degrees, tomorrow is going to be about 32 and by Wednesday we will be getting mid to high 30s here in London.
While I am lucky in that I can wind down the windows in the car and keep cool (ish) that way, poor Natalie has to survive on the crowded Tube, where even on days where the weather is just warm, the carriages can get quite stuffy and hot.
The other problem we have with the hot weather is getting to sleep at night as the British houses aren't designed to cool down quickly.
But it is nice to have the great weather. Makes me think that Christmas is just around the corner.
Well, almost.
We had some very warm weather around Wimbledon time, with days in the high 20s celcius. However, nothing compared to what we have coming up. Today was about 30 degrees, tomorrow is going to be about 32 and by Wednesday we will be getting mid to high 30s here in London.
While I am lucky in that I can wind down the windows in the car and keep cool (ish) that way, poor Natalie has to survive on the crowded Tube, where even on days where the weather is just warm, the carriages can get quite stuffy and hot.
The other problem we have with the hot weather is getting to sleep at night as the British houses aren't designed to cool down quickly.
But it is nice to have the great weather. Makes me think that Christmas is just around the corner.
Back to Cricket
It was great to be playing cricket last Saturday afternoon. It was the first time since I injured my finger, so there was some apprehension on my part as to how my finger would hold up, especially to any firmly struck balls in my direction when I was fielding.
However, I needn't have worried. I didn't have too many hard chances to field and the bowling wasn't strong enough to seriously worry me. It allowed me to get my eye back in and I scored 33 before I was run out trying to take a quick single that wasn't quite there.
I am looking forward to the coming matches and maybe even getting a bowl.
For the record our team scored 256 for 7 declared and drew the match as we failed to bowl the opposition out. They hung on to record 102 for 8, after being about 18 for 5. Maybe next time!
However, I needn't have worried. I didn't have too many hard chances to field and the bowling wasn't strong enough to seriously worry me. It allowed me to get my eye back in and I scored 33 before I was run out trying to take a quick single that wasn't quite there.
I am looking forward to the coming matches and maybe even getting a bowl.
For the record our team scored 256 for 7 declared and drew the match as we failed to bowl the opposition out. They hung on to record 102 for 8, after being about 18 for 5. Maybe next time!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Wimbledon
The bounce of the ball fell our way about a week ago.
I was very lucky to score two tickets for centre court at Wimbledon for last Monday. Originally the tickets had been designated for one of my colleagues to take a client along. When that fell through, I was fortunate enough to receive them.
Now I have been to a tennis tournament - the NSW Open, when it was played at White City in Sydney - but Natalie had never been so it was especially fun for her.
Natalie and I enjoyed seeing Justine Henin-Hardine, Andy Murray and Roger Federer play in the afternoon.
Late in the day there was also a mens over-35s invitational doubles match played, featuring Henri Leconte and Goran Ivanisevic. What a fantastic treat it was to see these two former champs play. And the best part was the fun they had playing up to the crowd.
It was a long and enjoyable day for the both of us.
I was very lucky to score two tickets for centre court at Wimbledon for last Monday. Originally the tickets had been designated for one of my colleagues to take a client along. When that fell through, I was fortunate enough to receive them.
Now I have been to a tennis tournament - the NSW Open, when it was played at White City in Sydney - but Natalie had never been so it was especially fun for her.
Natalie and I enjoyed seeing Justine Henin-Hardine, Andy Murray and Roger Federer play in the afternoon.
Late in the day there was also a mens over-35s invitational doubles match played, featuring Henri Leconte and Goran Ivanisevic. What a fantastic treat it was to see these two former champs play. And the best part was the fun they had playing up to the crowd.
It was a long and enjoyable day for the both of us.
Running out of puff
I have been feeling run down of late. And I think I know what is causing it.
Since I injured my finger in early May I have done very little exercise. So I think I am unfit. Secondly, I think I am overdue for a big holiday. While Natalie and I have enjoyed some long weekends away visiting new and interesting places, we have never sat still for very long. I think I am running out of puff on that front. Thankfully, I have organised almost three weeks off in August to spend with Natalie and my good friend Tim, who is coming from Australia to visit. It should be a blast.
We have some trips planned while Tim is here, so that will be nice. But I think there will be some relaxing going on. But first, I think some fitness is in order and the cricket team would seem to be ready to have me back after my last outing. And I think I am ready, though it will be interesting to see how I react when a firmly struck ball heads my way the first couple of times.
Since I injured my finger in early May I have done very little exercise. So I think I am unfit. Secondly, I think I am overdue for a big holiday. While Natalie and I have enjoyed some long weekends away visiting new and interesting places, we have never sat still for very long. I think I am running out of puff on that front. Thankfully, I have organised almost three weeks off in August to spend with Natalie and my good friend Tim, who is coming from Australia to visit. It should be a blast.
We have some trips planned while Tim is here, so that will be nice. But I think there will be some relaxing going on. But first, I think some fitness is in order and the cricket team would seem to be ready to have me back after my last outing. And I think I am ready, though it will be interesting to see how I react when a firmly struck ball heads my way the first couple of times.
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