Inukshuk Euro Adventure

Time for a Change

2010-09-16T02:02:00.000+01:00

It is now time to bring Inukshuk Adventure to an end.

That journey is now done. Time to move on.

Onward and upward to adventures new.

You can find me here:

Click the new banner to join me in my new adventure

Be sure to sign up to follow my new blog - you don't want to miss one of my wonderful posts, now do you?

Blogaversary the Third!

2010-09-13T12:28:00.000+01:00

This here blog is 3 years old. Happy third birthday!

I know, it seems like just yesterday...well actually it was exactly yesterday that I marked this milestone in my blogging life. Much has happened in our lives since I typed those first tentative words and sent them off into the blogosphere. No really, A LOT!

If you're new here and want to know more, then you are in the right place to read all about it. All you need to do is page back 359 posts to the very beginning.

Third Blogaversary Party!

For my regular readers, friends and blog pals, I say thank you for your support, comments and friendship. It's all very well putting it out there, but if nothing comes back, it's pointless.

Since our return from Canada I have struggled to find inspiration. To know what direction to take the blog. My World Tuesday and Skywatch Friday memes have kept me blogging and given focus. My reports of National Trust properties and London sights have proved well received. I'm glad because it means I get to keep up the contact with wonderful people in interesting places. This is what has had me sitting down in front of the keyboard, selecting the right words and photos, week after week - my blogging community!

I feel that Inukshuk Adventure has perhaps reached it's use by date and it's time to bring it to a close. That particular adventure is now done. Time for something new, but what? I'm not sure, but I do know that I don't want to retire from blogging, so you ain't getting rid of me just yet!

Be happy and keep on blogging.

Rob Inukshuk.

The Mandarin and the Doorman

2010-09-09T19:01:00.001+01:00

Today I share with you a cloudy sky over The Mandarin Oriental London Hotel, situated in Knightsbridge, right opposite Harvey Nichols.

The Mandarin Oriental London Hotel against a moody sky

Owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Housed in an historic, Edwardian-style building, the hotel originally opened its doors to the public as the Hyde Park Hotel in 1902. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group purchased the hotel in 1996 and conducted a complete renovation of the 198 rooms and suites, as well as a re-design of the restaurants and bar. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London re-opened in May 2000. Today, the hotel has received numerous awards for its facilities and service, including a Michelin star for its signature restaurant Foliage.

The grand entrance and the unmistakable Doorman

Overlooking London’s finest Royal Park on one side and cosmopolitan Knightsbridge on the other, the hotel was originally built in 1889 as an exclusive ‘Gentleman’s Club’ with lavishly furnished drawing and dining rooms, a billiard room and a smoking room.

The project, originally known as Hyde Park Court, was announced in August 1887 but was delayed by endless planning disagreements, the most notable dispute being the proposed height of the development, which was to be the tallest building in London. Outraged residents feared a shadow would be cast over the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park and they threatened to force the builders to reduce the number of floors by putting up a wooden barrier which would block the light to the lower floors. An unsuccessful Bill was brought before Parliament to reduce the restriction of buildings from 100 feet to 60 feet, and so the original design of the hotel remained.

I just love the smartly dressed Doormen - seen here right in the traffic soliciting cabs for guests

Considerable skill was deployed in the creation of the dramatic skyline using red brick and Portland stone in an eclectic Franco-Flemish style. Loggias were built to provide space for a pleasant summer’s evening lounge and promenade overlooking the park. Each of the first three floors was designed with four family suites and a bachelor’s suite. The upper floors were planned as single residences of varying sizes; however, more than half the tenants occupied at least two or more suites, with a certain dowager occupying six.

The palatial interior decoration, the lavish use of marbles and gilding were years ahead of the best London hotels of the time. The hall, entered from Knightsbridge through swinging doors of carved walnut, was lined with coloured marble and had a frescoed ceiling, as well as a marble chimney-piece complete with a marble clock. Stairs of white marble flanked with balustrades led to the upper ground floor. This style of decoration continued in the principal communal rooms, including the breakfast and dining room overlooking Hyde Park. The Wikipedia article here.

This wonderful shot courtesy of Wikipedia

For a slide show of the hotel's opulence click here.

To see more skies from around the blogosphere, visit Skywatch Friday.

l'Shana Tova - Happy New Year!

2010-09-08T16:00:00.002+01:00

Wishing my Jewish friends and family all of life's rich blessings this Rosh Hashana and always.

Have a happy and sweet New Year.

Sit, relax...

2010-09-07T09:30:00.001+01:00

...and enjoy the shade in the Walled Garden at Osterley Park.

Who Knew - My World Tuesday

2010-09-06T21:02:00.000+01:00

Who knew there was such a thing as The Royal College of Organists?

I didn't until I came across this interesting building while wandering around Kensington in West London.

The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral musical education and training for organists and choral directors.

The College provides examinations in organ-playing, choral directing and organ-teaching; it runs an extensive education and outreach programme across the UK; and it maintains an internationally important library containing more than 60,000 titles concerning the organ, organ and choral music and organ playing.

The RCO was founded as the College of Organists in 1864 by Richard Limpus, the organist of St Michael, Cornhill in the City of London, and received its Royal Charter in 1893. In 1903 it was offered a 99-year lease at peppercorn rent on a remarkable building designed by the architect H. H. Cole in Kensington Gore, West London. When it became clear in the mid 1980s that an economic rent would be charged on expiry of that lease, the lease was sold and the College moved into new accommodation in 1991. More on Wikipedia here.

For more interesting posts from around the Blogosphere visit My World Tuesday.

Remembering Albert - Skywatch Friday

2010-09-03T00:01:00.001+01:00

Monday was a Bank holiday and more specifically it was the August Bank holiday. The last gasp. The end of summer weekend.

After a week of rain (the once again lush green lawn is happy) the sun came out for the last weekend of summer and we took a walk in Hyde Park under the clear blue skies.

Along the way we past The Albert Memorial. The Albert Memorial is situated in Kensington Gardens, London, England, directly to the north of the Royal Albert Hall. It was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her beloved husband, Prince Albert who died of typhoid in 1861. The memorial was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the Gothic revival style. Opened in 1872, with the statue of Albert ceremonially "seated" in 1875, the memorial consists of an ornate canopy or pavilion containing a statue of Prince Albert facing south. The memorial is 176 feet tall, took over ten years to complete. Wikipedia tells you more here.

For more skies be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

About That Rain Request - Skywatch Friday

2010-08-26T20:46:00.000+01:00

In recent posts I have made mention of the lack of rain we were experiencing through the summer, at first revelling in the clear skies and heat, then bemoaning the dry lawns and wishing for some rain to save the dying grass and plants.

Of course I knew that the good dry hot summer couldn't last for too long and that eventually the rain would return, but I had hoped that we could have both hot summer days and enough rain, just enough mind, that everything could stay green, lush and sort of tropical - as much as London can ever look tropical, but you know what I mean.

Well, it's been raining for the last week, everything is green and lush and London is once more recognisable under a grey drizzly sky. Summer's been and gone!

St. Martin in the Fields

It's too soon for me, so in the good tradition of denialism, I give you a summer view of St. Martin in the Fields under a big blue sunny sky! Obviously this Church is no longer in a field let alone fields, plural. Someone built a city around it, but trust me, it's a lovely city filled with loads of people, museums, galleries, shops and they even put in some very old buildings filled with history stuff and of course, it's where I live.

Trafalgar Square

Next door to the church-not-in-a-field you have Trafalgar Square filled with old stuff, tall stuff and wet stuff.

A busy Leicester Square


More people in Leicester Square

A bit of relaxing at lunch time

On the other side of the church, up the hill a bit, you will find Leicester Square filled with loads of people enjoying the summer and some people even drawing the smiley faces of the happy summer people for posterity, or as reminder for when the dark grey days of winter turn summer into a fast fading, just out of grasp, memory.

Pretty as a Picture

Can you tell I'm not happy about the end of summer?

Call work and tell them you won't be back in today

For more skies visit Skywatch Friday.

Who Lived Here?

2010-08-23T18:10:00.000+01:00

There's not much of this former palace left now - well it was built over 500 years ago! Part of what remains is the Gate House, now a private residence as is the rest of the area where the palace once stood.

On the outside of the Gate House one can see a doorway now bricked up and above that a blue plaque and it is this blue plaque that tells us where we are.

Indeed, this is what remains of Richmond Palace, home to Edward I (who built a manor house in 1299), Richard II, Henry V, Henry VII (replaced the Manor with a new Palace in 1501), Elisabeth I and Henry VIII, who exchanged it with Cardinal Wolsey for Hampton Court Palace. Not a fair swap you understand. Henry VIII was boiling with jealousy when Cardinal Wolsey built a bigger and better Palace a few miles up river from Richmond Palace, so on Wolsey's fall, he confiscated it and forced him to accept Richmond Palace in exchange. Wikipedia article here.

For more from around the blogosphere visit My World Tuesday.

Tea at Osterley - Skywatch Friday

2010-08-19T21:37:00.000+01:00


Moody skies over Osterley Park Stable Block

In my last post I introduced you to Osterley Park, a local National trust property. After our explore of the magnificent home it was time for a spot of tea and helpfully such a thing was readily available in the tea room housed in the old stable block, the only original buildings on the estate surviving from 1576.

A closer view of the Stable Block

The stable block would have housed the horses obviously, along with the carriages and the upper floors would have been home to the many servants who would have worked on the estate.

The Stable block as seen from the walled garden on the other side

I'm sure I'll feature further pics from our visit in the future as I took so many.

A sunny view of the Stable Block

For more wonders from around the blogosphere, visit Skywatch Friday.

Osterley Park - My World Tuesday

2010-08-16T19:51:00.001+01:00

The approach to Osterley Park

Osterley is an area of West London, the name of my nearest tube station (subway stop) and the name of a grand period house dating from 1572, though it was extensively remodelled by new owners in 1763.

The stairs up to the entrance

As regulars will know, Fabulous Other Half (FOH) and I do enjoy nothing more than an outing to a National Trust property for a little historic enlightenment and a nose at how the well to do of yesteryear lived. This Sunday past was slightly different. We started off the day with a slap-up breakfast at our local diner and then instead of a drive into the countryside it was a leisurely stroll because Osterley Park is local, a mere 5 blocks!

The view of the house from the grounds

Osterley Park is a mansion set in a large park of the same name. It is in the western suburbs of London. When the house was built it was surrounded by rural countryside. It was one of a group of large houses close to London which served as country retreats for wealthy families.

The floating staircase

The original building on this site was a manor house built for banker Sir Thomas Gresham in the 1570s. It is known that Queen Elizabeth visited twice, on one occasion suggesting that a hedge would be a good idea in a certain location, that was then built overnight! The stable block from this period remains at Osterley Park. Gresham was so wealthy he also went on and bought the neighbouring Manor of Boston in 1572. His widowed stepdaughter-in-law built the present Jacobean manor house there which still stands to this day.

The Grand Hall

Two hundred years later the manor house was falling into disrepair, when, as the result of a mortgage default, it came into the ownership of Sir Francis Child, the head of Child's Bank. In 1761 he employed Robert Adam, who was just emerging as one of the most fashionable architects in England, to remodel the house. When Sir Francis died in 1763, the project was taken up by his brother and heir Robert Child, for whom the interiors were created.

Another view of the Grand Hall

The house is of red brick with white stone details and is approximately square, with turrets in the four corners. Adam's design, which incorporates some of the earlier structure, is highly unusual, and differs greatly in style from the original construction. One side is left almost open and is spanned by an Ionic pedimented screen which is approached by a broad flight of steps and leads to a central courtyard, which is at piano nobile level.

Adam's neoclassical interiors are among his most notable sequences of rooms. Horace Walpole sarcastically described the drawing room as "worthy of Eve before the fall." The rooms are characterised by elaborate but restrained plasterwork, rich, highly varied colour schemes, and a degree of coordination between decor and furnishings unusual in English neoclassical interiors.

One of the matching alcoves in the entrance hall

Notable rooms include the entrance hall, which has large semi-circular alcoves at each end, and the Etruscan dressing room, which Adam said was inspired by the Etruscan vases in Sir William Hamilton's collection, illustrations of which had recently been published. Adam also designed some of the furniture, including the opulent domed state bed, still in the house.

Wikipedia article continues here.

Another view of the Entrance Hall

It was a great day out with much to see. I hope you enjoy some of the 240 pics I took. I'll post more shots of the house and of the grounds soon, so be sure to make a return visit.

We'll be going back again. Well why not, it's just a short walk away.

For more interesting posts from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Cloud over Chiswick - Skywatch Friday

2010-08-12T18:46:00.000+01:00

Today the skies over West London are cloudy and delivering much needed soft soaking rain - that lawn out there might yet survive the hot summer.

On Monday it was a different story as I strolled down wonderful Chiswick High Street after a lunch with FOH. Just a solitary cloud doing a bit of window shopping, perhaps.

For more skies from around the blogosphere visit Skywatch Friday.

Dizzy's Place - My World Tuesday

2010-08-09T23:55:00.000+01:00

This past Sunday, as we have done before, we took a drive out of the city into the countryside, to the Chiltern Hills and headed for Dizzy's place.

I refer of course to the country home, Hughenden Manor, of none other than former Prime Minister to Queen Victoria, Benjamin Disraeli. Hughenden Manor is a red brick Victorian mansion, located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. In the 19th century, it was the country house of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. Today, it is owned by the National Trust and fully open to the public. The manor of Hughenden is first recorded in 1086, when formerly part of Queen Edith's lands it was held by William, son of Oger the Bishop of Bayeux, and was assessed for tax at 10 hides. Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister (1868 and 1874-1880, and Earl of Beaconsfield 1876), purchased the manor in 1848.

Hughenden Manor offers a vivid insight into the charismatic personality and colourful private life of the most unlikely Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived here from 1848 to 1881. Visitors can browse among an extraordinary collection of personal memorabilia.

The house is of three floors. The reception rooms are all on the ground floor, most with large plate glass windows (a Victorian innovation) giving onto the south facing terrace overlooking a parterre with views over the Hughenden Valley (Wikipedia article here and National Trust listing here).

It was a beautiful day, sunny skies populated by a few fluffy clouds. We enjoyed the clear country air, our exploration of a beautiful manor house, we learned a bit of history and we partook of some scrummy jam scones and tea. A good day.

For more interesting Worlds around the blogoshere visit My World Tuesday.

Eye and Sky - Skywatch Friday

2010-08-05T18:18:00.000+01:00

Royal Windsor Wheel

Pictured here for your delectation is Windsor's version of the London Eye, so without further delay, I give you Windsor Eye, or Royal Windsor Wheel as it's formally known. And, right behind that is the glorious blue sky of a June day out.

Swan and ducks on the Thames at Windsor

No, I didn't go up and see the view for much the same reason as I didn't go up the London Eye - I don't do heights, but it's not like there isn't much else to see right there on Terra firma.

For more wonderful skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday.

Goodbye Old Friend

2010-08-04T13:08:00.000+01:00

After years of good loyal service it is with sadness that I have sold my 18 year old, much loved, VW Cabriolet. The only car I have ever liked so much that I kept it for so long, even taking to Canada and back! Most cars only last about a year before they get sold on.

Goodbye old friend

City living means we're a one car family and while Brumhilda (yes, that's her name) never let us down, she was old and when old cars go wrong parts can be hard to source. Plus, old cars have more ailments than newer younger models.

The reliability issue was not the lone motivating factor. Obviously older thirstier cars use more petrol/gas, and accordingly attract higher taxes. £245 road tax per year. Soft top cars are also higher risk and older cars costlier to repair so insurance is more. Factoring in all this, I found that with the savings in Petrol/Gas (new car does over double the mileage), insurance (half) and the yearly tax at a measly £30 per year (thanks to extremely low CO2 emissions) we could afford to buy a new car. Okay, not quite new if truth be told, more like ever so slightly pre-loved. So our motoring costs remain the same, including loan repayment, but now we have a shiny, newer little Fiat Panda MPV that sips diesel like a, well...frugal diesel sipping thing. Making this new car greener than the old one, even though it's blue.

Prada, our new Fiat Panda, as approved by Kitty

Our new baby has aircon, a full glass opening roof, electric everything, including hands-free and iPod dock and looks cute too. It's easy to drive and park and is very comfortable and quite roomy for a small car. It's zippy and more than holds it's own on the motorway/highway. It returns 65mpg (Imperial) / 54mpg (US) / 4.4l per 100kms. That's fuel efficient in any language!

So, it's a sad thing to say goodbye to a much loved car, but that is tempered with the excitement of a shiny new arrival. We average 600 miles/1000kms each month so there's hope that this little cutie will last for years to come!

Welcome home Prada!

Wild in the City II - My World Tuesday

2010-08-02T17:45:00.001+01:00

Previously I showed you a wild thing observed in China Town in this post. As many of you will know, in the city there are wild things and then there are wild things. And then there's this.

Gee wizz aint it cute!

This is a little electric car called a G-Wizz. There are loads of them in London, but none, shall we say, as colourful as this one. Fun though, don't you think?

For further interesting views from around the blogosphere, head over to My World Tuesday.

Sit a while

2010-07-31T14:54:00.001+01:00

An old bench, as seen at Ham House

Skylines - Skywatch Friday

2010-07-29T20:47:00.000+01:00

I took this from my patio last month on a brilliant sunny day. This is exactly as the camera saw it , no photo shop involved, just a picture perfect moment.

For more skies check out Skywatch Friday.

More Ham Anyone?

2010-07-15T19:47:00.000+01:00

Look at that moody sky over Ham House when we arrived

I thought you might enjoy a second helping of Ham House.Well why wouldn't you. There are always so many wonderful photo ops to be had when visiting these interesting National Trust properties that I'm afraid I get a bit snap happy getting carried away working the camera till it steams. Figuratively of course.

After viewing the interior we toured the grounds, now under sunnier skies

Fortunately for you dear reader, in the quiet of my home, my manic enthusiasm is tempered and I choose just a few of the better shots to share with you. Well, that and the fact that not all of the pics turn out that great. Who am I kidding, some of them are just plain awful.

The house and gardens bathed in sun

In this pic you can clearly see the original 1610 house and different additions to the house in the 1700s and 1800s.

Interestingly, the week before we visited was the 400th Anniversary of Ham House. Built in 1610 and owned and little changed by the same family from 1626 to 1948 when it was given to the National Trust.

For more skies from around the blogosphere, check out Skywatch Friday.

Anyone for Ham?

2010-07-12T21:38:00.001+01:00

If you go down to the river, the Thames of course, travel a little way up stream, past Richmond and be sure to stop when you get to these flowers.

Now walk away from the river along this tree lined avenue. That's right, walk on.

And through the gardens you see in the distance a magnificent house.

Welcome to Ham House. Situated beside the River Thames in Ham, London, just to the south of Richmond, in the United Kingdom, is claimed by its present owners, the National Trust, to be "unique in Europe as the most complete survival of 17th century fashion and power". It was built in 1610 for Sir Thomas Vavasour, Knight Marshal to James I and in 1626 passed into the hands of William Murray who had been the "whipping boy" for the future Charles I.

Wikipedia article continues here and National Trust info can be found here.

Oh and the lawn in front of the wonderful Ham House is indeed all brown and dead looking, like most lawns around here. Weeks of glorious hot cloudless weather does have a down side. Water restrictions have been implemented in some places up North. This might be a long dry summer.

For more interesting posts from around the Blogosphere, be sure to check out My World Tuesday.

Summer in the Square - Skywatch Friday

2010-07-08T20:20:00.002+01:00

A glorious sunny summers day in London town at Trafalgar Square. Anyone for a cooling splash?

And that be Nelson atop his column

For more skies from around the blogosphere, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

The Latest Must Have

2010-07-08T11:39:00.000+01:00

Tinnitus anyone?

Not long to go now and it'll all be over, bar the ringing, parping, tooting and buzzzzzzzzzing in our ears!

Wild in the City - My World Tuesday

2010-07-05T19:01:00.024+01:00

A recent walk from Leicester Square to Soho took me through London's Chinatown, where there be Monsters.

For more sights from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Vuvuzela's - Annoying people since 1660!

2010-07-05T11:53:00.000+01:00

Enough said!

Beyond the Stones - Skywatch Friday

2010-07-01T20:21:00.001+01:00

More drive by pics of our day trip to Devon - FOH had great fun taking these as we made our way through the beautiful countryside to the soundtrack of "Ooh, that will make a good Skywatch pic!" and "I'm getting you some good blogfodder", which is much appreciated by myself and my readers I'm sure.

A field of what looked like Carnations

So there you have it, proof that blogging is indeed a family activity!

For more skies, check out Skywatch Friday.

Stoned!

2010-06-28T18:00:00.001+01:00

For My World this week we're on the road again. This past weekend Fabulous Other Half and I had a lunch date with a Grand Aunt, so we made the 3 hour journey from London to the wonderfully named village of Newton St. Cyres, being just outside Exeter in Devon. It was a fabulous sunny day and hot - 30C / 86F!

We travelled through wonderful countryside, though we weren't alone as the roads were busy with others heading to places far and wide, oh and of course the crowds heading to Glastonbury Music Festival. I've never seen so many Camper Vans!

Along the way we came across this sight!

Not sure what you're looking at - take a closer look.

Yes, it's Stonehenge. It just appears as you're tootling along the A303. For those who don't know what Stonehenge is - Welcome to our planet.

Our travel endeavours were rewarded with a much appreciated feast laid out for us and enjoyed along with a good catch up of family news and a few laughs - some even about a few bits of family news.

Be sure to come back and see more of our road trip as there were many good photo moments along the way and FOH managed to get a whole bunch of great sky shots!

For more sights from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Wave at the Castle - Skywatch Friday

2010-06-24T19:20:00.000+01:00

My FOH and I were in Windsor yesterday, a gloriously hot and sunny day.

With thanks to FOH for the pic

While you never know who might wave back at you from the Castle, I refer in my natty blog title to the wisps of wavy clouds passing over the Sovereigns home.

For more skies be sure to treat your self with a visit to Skywatch Friday.

It Just Popped Up

2010-06-22T23:17:00.000+01:00

The communal grounds outside of our new apartment are still being landscaped. There's a bit, just beyond the new thriving lawn, that resembles scrub land - a few little green shoots that may be grass and then out of nowhere this single poppy - it just popped up and brightened, coloured and focused my summer view.

Out on a Whim - My World Tuesday

2010-06-21T20:49:00.001+01:00

I'm playing on words with the title, but you'll get the idea as you read on. Sunday was a cloudy day in London town, so on a whim, we headed for the clear skies of Dorset and en route called friends who live there to let them know we would be in their neighbourhood and would they care to join us for a pub lunch. They cared so much they insisted we join them at their place for a good old Sunday roast. Well, it is a 2 hour drive so enough time I guess to whip up a scrummy meal - which it was and it was really great to see our friends again. It's been a while.

Before arriving at our friends home we stopped in the town to purchase a few bits - one doesn't want to arrive empty handed after all. While in the town I managed to snap a few pics of the high street and the towns Church, known as Wimborne Minster. See what I did there? An outing on a whim to Wimborne!

Known locally as the Minster, it is the parish church of Wimborne, Dorset, England. The Minster has existed for over 1300 years and is recognised for its unusual chained library (one of only four surviving chained libraries in the world). The Minster, a former monastery and Benedictine nunnery, is the resting place of King Ethelred of Wessex. Read more from Wikipedia here.

While this will all be new to pretty much all of you dear readers, there's one fellow blogger out there who will I'm sure recognise the sights. Hi Dave!

I had to include this pub. The sign tells us it's been there since 1777!

For more pics from around the blogosphere check out My World Tuesday.

EDIT: A chained library is a library where the books are attached to their bookcase by a chain, which is sufficiently long to allow the books to be taken from their shelves and read, but not removed from the library itself. This practice was usual for reference libraries (that is, the vast majority of libraries) from the Middle Ages to approximately the 18th century, as books were extremely valuable during this period. The chains were used to provide sufficient security. Wiki article continues here.

Recycled Homes - Skywatch Friday

2010-06-17T23:14:00.000+01:00

This wonderful old building was part of the Brunel University, later West London University. The needs of the University were no longer able to be met by the old facilities and so a move to a new campus was in order.

The old building was sympathetically renovated and converted into gorgeous ~~apartments~~ flats and on a sunny day punctuated with a few playful clouds it looks like a great place to call home.

For more skies from around the blogosphere, check out Skywatch Friday.

It's a Summer Thing - My World Tuesday

2010-06-14T21:10:00.000+01:00

It's been a summer event now for the past 242 years! Since 1768 to be precise. Yes it has. What's more, it's at the same venue too. So it was to this place that I took myself last Friday. The more awake regulars will be sure to recognise that this is the Royal Academy of Art on Piccadilly in central London. Of course you knew that.

One of Barry Flanagan's Hare sculptures.

So what you may ask is, for the 242nd summer, taking place at this prestigious British Institution? It is no less than The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. A veritable feast of new art works by names established and unknown. The latter hoping the exposure might assist their career and no doubt their bank accounts.

In excess of 11000 works - paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, architectural designs and models are received from 5000 artists (being permitted 2 submissions each), which are then whittled down by the The Summer Exhibition Selection and Hanging Committee, to about 1000 works which are then put on display for the public to admire, critique, ridicule and indeed purchase.

Some of the prices will leave you pale and in a state of shock. Those will be the more well known artists, the more accomplished artists, not necessarily the same thing you understand. The rest of the works are reasonably priced and I was impressed to note that most of the entries from non-household names were pretty much all sold.

What was to be seen? An incredible and varied display of art works, from the sublime to the ridiculous to the down right insane. Such talent, imagination and skill - I loved it.

Of course, photography was not permitted so I didn't take any pics to share with you, but if my camera had accidentally taken some pics all by it's self, they might have looked like these!

For more entries from around the blogosphere do check out My world Tuesday.

Peer at the Beach - Skywatch Friday

2010-06-10T18:39:00.000+01:00

Today's post is a follow on from the last and a continuation of our day out in Brighton. So I showed you The Lanes and today I share with you another of this seaside town's famous attractions - The Brighton Pier.

It wasn't the sunniest of days, but it was warm and the clouds were just wonderful. I took loads of pics and I'd love to share them all with you, but best I just choose a few for today's post. I'll put some more up soon.

For more skies from around the blogospere, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

Walking The Lanes - My World

2010-06-07T21:58:00.002+01:00

Today my FOH and I took a little trip to the seaside. To Brighton in fact. We started off with a little walk through The Lanes - one of a number of Brighton's well known and recommended visitor destinations.

The Lanes are a collection of narrow lanes in Brighton, in the city of Brighton and Hove famous for their small shops (including several antique shops) and narrow alleyways. The area that is now the Lanes was part of the original settlement of Brighthelmston, but they were built up during the late 18th century and were fully laid out by 1792. Wiki article here.

We wandered the lanes enjoying the shops selling all sorts of interesting stuff. Including some interesting street art.

For those unfamiliar, Little Chef is a chain of British roadside restaurants and the term Chav can be better explained here.

After just short of an hour I had reached shopping saturation point and it was time for lunch anyway. After a gorgeous salad it was time to finish off our little visit with a walk on the beach.

Yes, it's a pebble beach.

For more from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

What if it were your home?

2010-06-04T17:03:00.001+01:00

In the light of the terrible BP Oil disaster I thought it might be interesting for my readers to have a look at the sheer magnitude of this disaster and how it might look if it affected their home.

Simply click the link below and put your town and or city name, plus the country where you live in the location tab at the top of the web page,then you’ll see how big the oil spill is as it relates to your home.

www.ifitwasmyhome.com

Somewhere in all of that is where I live!

Frightening, yes?

Tower Time, again - Skywatch Friday

2010-06-03T22:01:00.002+01:00

Exciting news for all you regulars who so enjoyed my previous displays of Towers, as seen from where I live - here's another for you! Why? Because towers make wonderful subjects for Skywatch Friday shots - all that looking up with the sky as background.

Previously you will have seen the CN Tower from when we lived in Toronto and then the Steam Museum Tower from when we lived on the Thames.

This Tower, not far from where I live, is part of Lancaster House which was once The Brunel University in the late 1800s, now renovated and reconstituted into lovely apartments.

And to be honest, with awesome big blue cloudless skies like that, one just has to find something of interest to photograph, because sky only shots would be a tad boring.

It is a good colour though isn't it?

For more skies, check out Skywatch Friday.

A New Fad?

2010-05-31T20:34:00.001+01:00

You may think this is just another suburban dry cleaners, but you would be wrong.

This particular place offers a very specialised service. Oh yes it does. Not sure it's going to be particularly popular with most parents, but perhaps for those who find they just don't have enough time in their day.

Junior, washed, dried and ready to go!

For more from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Pinus Sylvestris - Skywatch Friday

2010-05-27T18:44:00.000+01:00

That's Scots Pine to you and it's one more pic I just had to share with you from my Ightham Mote visit this past sunny weekend. When I took it, I knew it was a perfect Skywatch shot.

I just loved this great old tree, the only pine tree that survived the Great Storm of 1987, which killed 18 people. It was the worst storm to hit Southern England since 1703.

For more skies from around the blogoshere, go right now and visit Skywatch Friday.

Ightham Mote - My World Tuesday

2010-05-24T22:52:00.003+01:00

Ightham Mote in Kent

Sunday was a most beautiful, hot, sunshine filled day, with big clear blue skies seemingly stretching to the heavens and beyond, the likes of which we seldom enjoy here. In celebration of the arrival of the much awaited warmer weather we jumped into the car and took our place in the traditional first hot weekend traffic jam that all but brings London to a grinding halt with car owners of all shapes and sizes joining in the fun.

Glares, shaking fists, huffing and puffing along with frantic lane change attempts add to the fun had by all. Helpfully a few thoughtful souls added to the days delights with skilful execution of bumper bashing and fender bending to entertain the rubber necking public. We remained calm and worked on our tans and we were soon free of the city and making progress toward our destination. Aah summer time!

Ightham Mote (pronounced "item moat") is a medieval moated manor house close to the village of Ightham, near Sevenoaks in Kent. The name "mote" derives from "moot", "meeting [place]", rather than referring to the body of water. Wikipedia entry here and the National Trust page here.

The first view of Ightham Mote as one approaches

Nestling in a sunken valley, Ightham Mote, dating from 1320 with important later additions and alterations, is a rare example of a moated medieval manor house. An exhibition depicts the largest conservation project undertaken by the Trust, which was completed in 2004. Ightham Mote has many special features, including a Great Hall, crypt, Tudor chapel with a hand-painted ceiling and the apartments of the American donor Charles Henry Robinson. An enchanting feature is the Grade I-listed dog kennel, situated in the picturesque courtyard.

Facing South, looking down the valley at the house over the top pond

Ightham Mote also offers lovely gardens and water features, with lakeside and woodland walks

The South Facing Wing

In 1989 the National Trust began an ambitious restoration project which involved dismantling much of the building and recording its construction methods before rebuilding it. The project ended in 2004 after uncovering numerous examples of structural and ornamental features which had been covered up by later additions. It is estimated to have cost in excess of £10million.

The Main entrance to the courtyard and the house

Ightham Mote is called "the most complete small medieval manor house in the country". It was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1985 by an American businessman, Charles Henry Robinson, who had bought it in 1953. The house is now a Grade I listed building, and parts of it are a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Inside the courtyard

The house and the moat

The Moat was teaming with fish of various sizes.

It was a fab day out and I can thoroughly recommend a visit.

For more interesting pics and tales from around the blogosphere, take a look at My World Tuesday.

Hot, hot, hot!

2010-05-22T13:05:00.002+01:00

Glorious big blue sunny skies and it's going to be hot. Summer's here - woo hoo!

Dig It - Skywatch Friday

2010-05-20T22:21:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was a funny old day for a few reasons. I was in a strange mood brought on by who knows what, though being treated to a wonderful Sushi dinner meant the day ended well. I have no pics to illustrate this part of the day, but I can offer you a view of the odd cloud formations that flitted across the sky for most of the day delivering nowt but threats of rain, from which the newly laid lawn could most certainly benefit.

I say most of the day because due to ongoing landscaping works, my view became interrupted and consumed by this JCB digger, which, at the end of a noisy and only mildly productive day, was abandoned right in my line of sight.

For those of you who are still sitting on tenterhooks wondering what pots and plants I have chosen to grace and beautify my patio - I'm still considering my options, but when I decide, rest assured you will be the first to know, other than the folks at the Garden Centre, of course. Oh and FOH. And Simon who lives next door. And that old lady who lives upstairs at the end who sees everything....Okay, so I'll get the post up as soon as I can.

For more skies from around the blogosphere, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

What Pot - My World Tuesday

2010-05-17T22:34:00.001+01:00

Join me in my World this week on a visit to my local garden centre to peruse their potted offerings. It's Spring and I'm feeling like our new patio could do with a pot or two filled with colourful flowers. So step one was to go and have a look at the offerings and then have a think which I like best. What do you think?

There were all manner of the usual terracotta pots - nice but perhaps a bit ordinary?

I loved these slate pots. Pricey, but real pretty.

These are interesting, but won't the plants fall out of that one?

Interesting colour glaze on these

Pretty in blue - I really like these!

Tempted by this beauty, but perhaps a tad too big for my little patio

Gorgeous wooden half barrels, but again, perhaps a little too big

Now I really fell for this chap

And I was careful not to wake his friend...shhh!

For more pics from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Fly by - Skywatch Friday

2010-05-14T00:56:00.002+01:00

Living in West London means we enjoy the many pleasures offered by our location, but there's a downside too - or should that be an upside?

We live under the flight path of Heathrow Airport. Yes, when you fly into London, chances are you're looking down on my World from up there in the sky. So the noise can be a downside, but it depends on the wind. The direction of the wind influences the line of the descent and indeed the hight of the planes as they pass overhead.

We are far away enough from the airport that the noise isn't really a factor, but we are in good company, as Windsor castle is also under the flight path.

And the upside is it doesn't take too long to get to the airport to catch a plane and when friends come to visit we get to see them that much sooner as it doesn't take too long for them to get to our place.

So next time you fly into Heathrow and your plane is making its final descent, wave hello!

For more skies, check out Skywatch Friday.

Johnsons Island - My World Tuesday

2010-05-10T21:41:00.001+01:00

This last week I had some time to kill between appointments and as I had paid for an hours parking, I had a stroll down to the Grand Union Canal and took some pics of Johnsons Island.

It's a small island on the canal behind the Brentford High Street. A little known spot, except of course to those who live nearby and who work in one of the workshops on the little island. It is also home to the Brentford Gallery.

Brentford Gallery

I was pleased to meet one of the locals, though he seemed a little weary of me.

One of the locals

A close up of the Heron

And then I met another of the wonderful Locals.

For more from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

The Smart Way to Kiss

2010-05-09T14:13:00.000+01:00

While driving through our neighbourhood I came upon a pair of kissing Smart Cars.

Not a mirror image

Both were the convertible model, one a local and the other with Spanish plates. I named them Nick and Miriam.*

Nick and Miriam

* For those not familiar with current UK politics - Named after Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his Spanish wife Miriam González Durántez.

Spring Sunset - Skywatch Friday

2010-05-06T19:00:00.012+01:00

We might have moved away from our Thames river view, but this is not too shabby a sight with which to end each day.

Spring Sunset

For more wonderful skies, check out Skywatch Friday.

Getting Laid...

2010-05-05T14:42:00.001+01:00

I talk of course of the lawn in front of our new ~~apartment~~ flat (What were you thinking?).

We've been wondering when we would see the arrival of the landscapers to complete the laying of the lawns and planting of the, er...plants. So no more the distinctly agricultural look to our outside area.

No, we have wonderful green grass and not just any old grass I might add - we have stripy grass!

An update soon on the planting. I just need to find my magnifying glass so I can find the teeny tiny plants. No budgets were broken in the purchase of foliage that's for sure. Still, summer is promised and that no doubt is what little plants need to grow into... slightly bigger plants.

What a pretty mess - My World Tuesday

2010-05-03T22:33:00.000+01:00

Wind and rain came to visit this weekend. Well it would, it was a long weekend, a Bank Holiday, as it's known here. So the beautiful blossoms took a bit of a pounding and are now carpeting the ~~sidewalks~~ pavements of my World.

Now that's what I call a pretty mess.

For more blogger pics from around the World, check out My World Tuesday.

In The Pink - Skywatch Friday

2010-04-29T21:39:00.000+01:00

The streets of my new neighbourhood are awash with beautiful pink blossoms under blue skies.

And then there's this confused offering!

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday.

La Coupole Visit

2010-04-26T23:00:00.001+01:00

Further to my previous post promising to tell all about our recent day trip to France, I give you la Coupole, or The Dome, in English.

An entrance tunnel and the huge dome

Situated in the Pas-de-Calais, 5 km from the town of Saint-Omer, LA COUPOLE is a gigantic underground bunker designed by the Nazis, in 1943-1944, to store, prepare and launch the V2 rockets (first missiles to reach the stratosphere), the secret weapon that Hitler was counting on to destroy London and reverse the course of the war.

One of the many tunnels

Rehabilitated as a History and Remembrance Centre, LA COUPOLE reveals, in an impressive setting, the challenges of total war and the stages in the conquest of space, which paradoxically resulted from the V2 technology. The Centre also expands on the theme of the German occupation from 1940 to 1945 in the Nord—Pas-de-Calais, one of the hardest hit regions during the "dark years".

You can find the Museums website here and good old Wikipedia entry here.

Another tunnel

We walked the many tunnels, listened to the tour on the headsets provided and learned not only about the enormous structure, it's labyrinth of tunnels and it's purpose, but also about the effects of the war on the region. It was very interesting for me to see the war from a different perspective, from the other side of the channel. A rather heavy day emotionally, but it was somewhere I had wanted to visit for a while and I'm glad I did and here are some of the pics I took.

The V2 Rocket

It's huge and here you get an idea just how big

One of the flying bombs

Yet another type of bomb

Visitors looking at the displays right under the dome

This was a welcome sight upon leaving the bunker

For more pics from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Nord Pas de Calais - Skywatch Friday

2010-04-22T23:22:00.001+01:00

Our day trip to France today took us to Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Come back soon to find out where we went. It's been a fun, but long day, so I'm off to bed. For now, enjoy this drive-by shot.

A country road somewhere in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

For more wonderful skies, be sure to check out Skywatch Friday.

The Ash Cloud

2010-04-21T22:53:00.000+01:00

The Ash Cloud debacle seems to be all but hot air as the planes take to the skies again and the finger pointing and blame games start. Overreaction or necessary caution? I think a little of both and as it was a first, probably just a big lesson - albeit a costly and inconvenient one. Though for us in the West of the city and under the Heathrow flight path, the quiet skies were a treat - even if it felt a bit odd at first. Another plus were the empty roads as the usual traffic (taxis) going to and from Heathrow were conspicuous by their absence.

The new view and those briefly quiet skies

Anyway, you will all be most pleased to know that our move was unaffected by said Ash Cloud. Well, this move was a little more local - 2 miles away in fact. And what's more, we're done.Well, all our stuff (and there's sooo much!) is out of the old place and into the new and every last stitch and stick moved by FOH and myself! Yes, chairs, tables, couches, beds and boxes and boxes and yet more boxes!

We are completely exhaustepated! Done in. We have aching joints, tender muscles and pain in places we didn't know we had places, but we are rightly proud of ourselves for our efforts. We've spent so much on movers in the recent past that we felt we ought to try and save some money this time by renting a van and getting a bit of a workout. Not sure I'll be too keen DIY it again though. Still, we're almost all sorted - well, we're half way unpacked and most importantly we're so very happy with the new place. It's brand spanking new with nice shiny new appliances including a dishwasher! Oh yes, we managed the past 9 months without one! Okay, I know we're spoilt, but it is oh so nice.

Stuff awaiting unpacking

In celebration of our successful move we're off on a day trip to France. There was a great offer of a return trip on Euro Tunnel that was too good not to take up. So an early start and we should be in Calais in time for a petit dejeuner of croissants, pain au chocolat and coffee. We have some ideas for the rest of the day, but you'll have top come back to find out more.

Moving Weekend

2010-04-17T21:09:00.000+01:00

Dear bloggy pals, think good thoughts that my back, knees and humour will hold up to all the boxes and furniture that need lifting, transporting, unpacking and arranging during the course of the next few days.

I'll be back soon with some more pics of the new place. Until then, enjoy the view from our new flat. I know we will. Oh, and do take note of that sky - just a tad awesome!

The Mighty Oak and the Cherubs

2010-04-15T19:20:00.025+01:00

Because I'm so very fond of you, dear reader, I have decided to share more pics of our recent outing to Polesden Lacey. How lucky are you? Well, moderately. They're not the best pics ever, but I like them and besides, you should see the ones I'm not sharing with you - well, actually you shouldn't. They're not good and that's why you're not seeing them.

No, begging will do you no good. They've been deleted already, so bad were they. See, it's all to do with my new camera/mobile/cell phone. It's a long story, of boring quality, which will wait for another day. Suffice to say, I'm still getting to grips with the thing and for now I'm reserving judgement.

So here we have that Mighty Oak, as promised. No signs of Spring growth just yet, but I'm sure emergence of green shoots is not too far off now.

These two little Cherubs add a touch of fun and humour to the grounds.

Is it just me, or does he look like he's ready for a fight?

For more offerings from around the blogosphere, check out Skywatch Friday.

Spring is play time

2010-04-13T11:14:00.003+01:00

Spring is filled with all manner of joys, one of which is lambing season and on our recent visit to Polesden Lacey (previous post) we were delighted to watch the frolicking of some little lambs in the field next to the parking lot.

I thought you might enjoy a little video of what we enjoyed.I know it's not the best camera work you've ever seen, I need to learn where the zoom button is and use it - so I'm told. Hey ho, we live and learn.

Polesden Lacey - My World Tuesday

2010-04-12T20:51:00.001+01:00

This past week has been a wonderful springtime treat with glorious, ever longer sunny days - candy for the soul after the dull, grey winter drudge. No, I don't enjoy grey, dull, stultifying winter much, but in contrast I adore the awakening of spring. Joyously I can once again breath, after long months of feeling like I'm trapped under the covers, no light, no fresh air and all the while feeling my very soul wilt. With the arrival of bright, colour filled Spring I can breath again - great big lungfuls of life affirming happiness.

In celebration we headed out of the city into the green and sprouting countryside to visit one of the great country houses now cared for by the National Trust. A favourite outing for us.You know, see how the other half lived while also learning about a bit of history, all the while feasting on the eye candy of history, architecture, art, culture and horticulture. Yes, those beautiful gardens.

This Sunday past we visited Polesden Lacey.

The front elevation of Polesden Lacey.

The national Trust website tells us:

Polesden Lacey, a 1400 acre estate, is situated on the North Downs and commands some of the finest views in Surrey. The Edwardian Garden extends to 30 acres with 10 acres of lawns and elegant grass terraces, including a walled rose garden, summer border and winter displays.

The rather grand drawing room.

There has been a house on this site since at least 1336. The name 'Polesden' is Saxon and belonged to the earliest recorded owner Herbert de Polesden, who was selling land here in 1198. The 'Lacey' suffix probably derives from the family of John Lacy, who owned Polesden in 1387-93, but it is first described as 'Pollisdon Lacy' only in 1562. In 1630 Anthony Rous acquired the estate and shortly afterwards completely rebuilt the medieval house

One of the hallways lined with such interesting art and furniture.

Polesden has been owned by a number of people, who made many alterations and additions to the property. The most famous owner was the poet and playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who purchased the house in 1804. Polesden Lacey was then lived in by two further owners until purchased by Mrs Greville, a legendary Edwardian hostess, and her husband in 1906.

One of the wonderful works of art in the collection.

Mrs Greville bequeathed Polesden Lacey to the National Trust in 1942 in memory of her father, William McEwan, an Edinburgh brewing millionaire and philanthropist.

You can read more on the National Trust Website here.

A side view of the house and some of the 1400 acres of land.

The view from the front of the home over it's lands.

For more pics from around the blogoshere, check out My World Tuesday.

A Good Day for Reflecting

2010-04-08T18:25:00.000+01:00

Today was yet another sunny warm day (for Spring at least) - a light filled fix for the soul! More, more please.

See, light and bright enough for reflections.

Unreflected view

Just look at that beautiful blue sky.

Closer to earth more evidence of Spring.

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday.

Moving - my World Tuesday

2010-03-30T01:17:00.000+01:00

This week we've signed a lease on a new apartment/flat. So in just over 2 weeks we will be moving into a brand new shiny flat. It's only a couple of miles away from where we are now and we are excited for the move.

Why are we going? Well above is the view from our kitchen window. Not too bad. I don't mind looking at the deck of the pub across the way and the river Thames beyond is great. Below is the view from the living room of the same lane between us and the pub. You'll see the two big bins...well they don't look too offensive do they?

But they can be....

See what I mean? Now you understand why we're moving. We didn't have much time to find an empty place when we arrived back in London, so we took that best available flat. We saw the bins when we viewed the flat, but had no idea that it was just after collection day and quite how much trash/rubbish would be dumped by the residents of the boats moored along the river. We have tried to turn a blind eye, but when we saw rats, that was it. We have complained to the authorities, but to no avail. I don't care to be here watching (smelling) that pile festering outside my window in the heat of summer! Adios.

So watch this space for some pics of the new place and some exploring of the new neighbourhood. See, lots to look forward to.

For more views of the world from bloggers everywhere, check out My World Tuesday .

It's a Vandal Ting - Skywatch Friday

2010-03-25T19:54:00.001Z

It's a Vandal Ting, apparently. Well so says the graffitti on the wall.

You might notice in the background, an old friend featured in a previous post, here.

You will of course also notice how I skilfully managed to photoshop out the brilliant blue skies, replacing them with grey clouds. Sorry, my bad. I don't have photoshop and so couldn't substitute blue for grey - sometimes I get confused.

Ah, but the sun will come out tomorrow...

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday.

More different - My World Tuesday

2010-03-22T20:42:00.001Z

Last week I shared with you some lets-try-something-different pics here.

How about a few more. It'll have to do, as my camera/mobile/cell phone is in the shop, so I'm restricted to the archives this week.

So once again here are some pics from my local, Waterman's Park. Enjoy!

Palm Sunday?

Old wall

Old door

Green tree

Ships passing in the, erm....day.

For more interesting posts from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Big Blue Back There - Skywatch Friday

2010-03-18T23:53:00.001Z

Here's a blast from the past, yet fresh off the press.

St. Claire Avenue West and Spadina Road

A dear and much missed friend and sometime blog post commenter, ITG, sent me this pic of the big blue skies over Toronto yesterday, St. Patrick's Day. Beautiful. I miss those big skies. Thanks for the view of your skies friend.

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday.

Spring Walkies - My World Tuesday

2010-03-15T20:42:00.001Z

This week my World is a happy one. Spring is here!

My regular readers (both of you) will know that I have of late been whining about the never ending winter. Well, it's over. This last week has been more sunny blue skies than grey ones and on my walk I found the first colourful evidence that made me smile and feel energised, optimistic and yes, full of the joys of spring!

Remember this pathway, recently flooded? Well, that's where we went for our walk. We, I hear you ask? That would be myself and my kitties, of course. Yes, they like nothing better than going for a walk with me.

Come along Sylvester, do keep up.

Wait for us Kitty.

Isn't this fun boys?

Look at the first colour of Spring

Are those Snow Drops - of the good kind?

Spring colour to make me smile.

Bright happy yellow.

You have no idea how these little flowers make my heart sing!

Have you enjoyed your walkies?

Come along, time to go home boys!

For more views and stories from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Moss View - Skywatch Friday

2010-03-11T21:16:00.000Z

I've featured the view of the Steam Museum Tower from Waterman's park before, as well as from some other vantage points.

This time I thought I'd share with you the results from a "lets-try-something-different" weekend photo-stroll through Waterman's Park.

It was this past Saturday, a bright sunny day and a treat to be out enjoying the much missed bright sunlight, the blue skies featured so wonderfully between the moody clouds. Of course it's not quite spring yet, so this merely a tantalising glimpse of what is yet to come. A little taste, offering hope, to sustain me for a few more weeks before the reward of the long awaited arrival of spring.

I'm looking forward to that, you might have gathered and think of all the wonderful photo opportunities. After all, spring in the UK is a very special time. Until then, enjoy some more lets-try-something-different pics.

For more skies and views from around the blogosphere, check out Skywatch Friday.

A Little History and Culture - My World Tuesday

2010-03-09T00:24:00.001Z

My World was today an outing to the Victoria and ~~Alfred~~ Albert Museum. I haven't visited for years, so it was good go back again.

The V&A South Kensington is the world's greatest museum of art and design, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Discover 3000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.

Find the V&A website here.

There is so much to see from everywhere that the mind boggles. It is the sort of place that requires many visits to appreciate the wealth of what's on offer. The building its self is also something to behold.

Here are some more pics from today's visit.

For more from around the blogosphere check out My World Tuesday.

Extreme Dampness - My World Tuesday

2010-03-01T22:52:00.000Z

The result of seemingly never ending grey skies and the rain that usually accompanies said cloud cover, is dampness, sometimes in the extreme.

This past weekend there was indeed extreme dampness in my World. The Thames carrying all that rain away met the incoming tide and the two watery forces were more than the banks could hold, so a little flooding occurred. There was once a pathway there!

Here's a view from summer showing where there used to be a pathway along the side of the river. Not to worry though, this is a seasonal thing and not an unheard of occurrence. Once the tide goes out, it takes all that excess water with it and life returns to normal.

For more interesting posts from around the World, check out My World Tuesday.

Pickle or Gherkin - Skywatch Friday

2010-02-25T17:53:00.001Z

Pickle or Gherkin?

Well, it's commonly known as the Gherkin and I've blogged about it before here. The building is in fact the home of Swiss Re, who are the Worlds second largest re-insurer. Founded in 1863, Swiss Re operates through offices in more than 25 countries.

30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin and the Swiss Re Building, is a skyscraper in London's, completed in December 2003 and opened on 28 April 2004. It is 180 metres (591 ft) tall, with 40 floors. Its construction symbolised the start of a new high-rise construction boom in London.The building was designed by Lord Foster, his then business partner Ken Shuttleworth and Arup engineers, and was constructed by Skanska of Sweden in 2001–2004.

The gherkin name dates back to at least 1999, referring to that plan's highly unorthodox layout and appearance. Due to the current building's somewhat phallic appearance, other inventive names have also been used for the building, including the Erotic gherkin, the Towering Innuendo, and the Crystal Phallus (also a pun on Crystal Palace).

Read more of the Wikipedia article here.

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday.

There are no words...

2010-02-23T12:48:00.000Z

Really, there aren't any words, so go over to The Unbearable Oddness of Stevyn Colgen blog and have yourself a good laugh. It cheered me up no end.

Blue on Blue - My World Tuesday

2010-02-22T19:16:00.000Z

One of the landmarks, as seen in my neighbourhood, certainly adds a bit of bright colour don't you think?

It's the Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church (abroad) in Chiswick.

This small but beautiful cathedral has been built by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA), which is independent of the Russian Orthodox and the Patriarch of Moscow. Unlike the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia, ROCA never compromised with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or with the Communist Party and did not enter into communion with the Patriarch of Moscow and the Church in Russia following the fall of Communism and the limited freedom granted by the post-Communist Governments of Gorbachov and Yeltsin to the Orthodox Church in Russia. ROCA is however in communion with the Serbian Orthodox Church whose Patriarch Pavle is now living in Kosovo trying to protect the Christian Orthodox holy places, churches, monasteries.

You can read more from the above article here and see their own website here.

For more interesting posts from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Guess What?

2010-02-18T21:23:00.001Z

The skies are grey again. Yes, no surprise there, but we live in hope, or more accurately, London where it's winter. Uughh.

Dull London skies behind bright Piccadilly Circus lights. Yay!

Enough of that sky, lets go home.

Not long to wait now...

Ah, no seats...still, at least there's no nutter on this carriage...

well, apart from the eedjit with the camera...

For more skies from around the blogosphere, some with sunshine, check out Skywatch Friday.

Premiums 2010 - part 2

2010-02-16T13:01:00.013Z

Continuing on from yesterday's post on Premiums 2010.

The Premiums is an annual exhibition of contemporary work by second year students studying at the Royal Academy Schools. Premiums is an excellent opportunity to view new work by emerging artists at the interim point of their 3 year course. Works in the exhibition include painting, sculpture, video and photography. Read more from the Premiums page here.

Loz Chalk - Vest, emulsion paint, glue and metal, 80 x 40 x 21 cm

Loz Chalk - Cage, welded steel and colour photocopies, 81 x 61 x 15 cm

Loz Chalk - Black Pillow, feather pillow, concrete and gloss paint,

85 x 63 x 24 cm

Marco Palmieri - Binari Motif, oil on linen on panel, (2x) 107 x 77 cm

Sara Knowland - The Perfect Man, The First Revelation, The Truth

oil and acrylic on canvas, 195 x 205 cm

Sara Knowland - Modern Problems, oil on canvas, 195 x 205 cm

Katy Kirback - Dazzler, acrylic and paper on canvas, 240 x 200 cm

Premuims 2010 at the RA - Part 1

2010-02-15T20:33:00.006Z

My World is currently a mostly grey, too infrequently sunny and very much gripped in winter cold. From time to time this gloomy existence is once in a while in need of a little cheering up, a little distraction. This Saturday past my Fabulous Other Half (FOH*) and I, in search of said distraction, went to check out Premiums 2010 at the Royal Academy.

*Thanks to Brit Gal for pointing out my TLA (three letter acronym) mistake - not FAH, but FOH..oops.

Here are some pics of of the offerings for your perusal.

Click on the images to see them in a larger format.

The main Gallery space. There were 2 more rooms.

Oliver Osborne - Partners, Acrylic on Canvas, 162 x 245 cm

Oliver Osborne - Growing Right, Acrylic on Canvas, 150 x 210 cm

Katy Kirbach - Heartbeats, paper and acrylic on canvas, 200 x 230cm

John Vickers - Commander, mixed media, 154 x 80 x 80cm

Nicholas Hatfull - The Busy Life (Theme and Variation Spumante),

oil, acrylic and marker pen on canvas, 140 x 390 cm

John Vickers - Envoy, mixed media, 160 x 25 x 25

Nicholas Hatfull - (oops, can't remember what this one is called)

And that's it for part 1. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see part 2.

But only if you enjoyed the little look into Premiums 2010 of course.

For more looks at bloggers Worlds, check out My World Tuesday.

It's Another Sunshiny Day - Skywatch Friday

2010-02-12T00:51:00.001Z

Yes, can you believe it? I know, how brilliant is that? Imagine my joy at a blue sky, populated with only a few fluffy clouds and all below bathed in bright smile inducing sunshine! Wonderful stuff.

Of course this time of year the sun may well bring brightness, but warmth is not on offer. Oh no, it was a mere 3 degrees Celsius (38F) out today, but all the same it was perfect for a walk. Here are a few shots taken on my wandering around my neighbourhood.

One of 5 ugly Tower Blocks that, well.... tower above the area, but look at those skies.
And imagine the views from up there!

A look over Waterman's Park, the Thames and on the far bank, Kew Gardens.

Not quite as tall at half the height, Holland Gardens apartments look out over

The River Thames, Kew Gardens and much beyond...on a clear day of course!

For more skies from around the blogosphere, check out Skywatch Friday.

Time for Sunshine - My World Tuesday

2010-02-08T21:46:00.000Z

Saturday was thankfully a glorious sunny day, a big, bright, cloudless, blue sky day and it came just in time to give me a much overdue fix of sunshine which will hopefully see me through until the next.

No prizes for guessing where I was.

Just look at that sky. And no, I couldn't wait until Friday to share it with you...it's snowing today! Oh, and you'll be pleased to know, while I was in the middle of the road to snap this pic, I was standing on a traffic island.

I wasn't alone in enjoying the sun and some of you might know this chap!

For more views from around the blogoshere, be sure to check out My World Tuesday.

Dull, drab, grey - Skywatch Friday

2010-02-04T19:01:00.000Z

Another dull, drab, grey and damp day in London. Sigh.

The Steam Museum

For today's entry I could just simply have taken a pic of the definitive winter sky we are inflicted with day after day, but no, in order to entertain my readers I made the effort to dodge traffic to take this pic from the middle of the road, just to add some interest in what would otherwise have been a mind numbingly dull offering. The things I do for you lot!

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday .

A Dream View - Not

2010-02-01T19:32:00.007Z

On the weekend I went to view an apartment in the sky and fell in love. It's a new development regenerating a once industrial area. It will be a wonderful new community with over 1000 new apartments, shops, restaurants, Hotel and offices all set around a wonderful plaza. Some of the buildings are ready for occupation, some are still taking shape and yet others are no more than foundations or plans.

Here are the views from what could be My World everyday.....

The view from the bedroom, looking North over the building site and the M4 Motorway from London westwards to Wales - a trip I've done many, many times.

Another North view and that round building taking shape will be the 4 Star hotel.

This now the view from the living room with doors to the balcony. Again facing North. On the horizon, just to the right of the centre pillar you might just make out the white Arch of the new Wembley Stadium.

This is the easterly view from the living room looking at central London, just 6 miles away.

And this the fab new kitchen, which sadly will not be ours, as no matter how hard we try, we just cannot make our budget stretch this far. But we can dream can't we?

Actually, it's probably not a bad thing....I don't do heights and the 8th floor is a bit too high for me!

For more views from around the blogosphere (not all wishful dreams), be sure to check out My World Tuesday.

Winter River View - Skywatch Fiday

2010-01-29T13:30:00.004Z

It's winter so it's cold, grey and damp mostly. We've had the the Big Freeze of 2010 with the snow that it brought. We've had a few sunny spells, depression busting enough to keep me going until the next sunny spell...well almost. The reality of winter.

The snow, a welcome change from the grey and dull, came and went, as did Mothers visit, being two highlights of this winter to date. Of course there have been others too. Our half year anniversary of our return to the UK was celebrated with the homecoming of our cats, Kitty and Sylvester! So not quite so dull after all.

The World under a grey and dull sky as seen out my window today.

In the pic you will note something else that I have enjoyed this winter and that's the much different view offered by a leafless winter world, as seen from our living room window. The Thames is so much more visible as is the island and beyond to the Southern bank, being Kew Gardens. I've enjoyed being able to see the comings and goings of the ducks, herons and the boats. Though, by this stage in the winter, I think I'd happily change it for a sunnier and greener view. I've had enough winter already.

For more skies from around the world, check out Skywatch Friday.

What o'clock?

2010-01-25T17:47:00.002Z

I had nothing planned for today's entry for My World Tuesday, so I went trawling through my files of pics saved on my laptop, as one does when looking for something to blog, in times of boredom, or even when a bout of nostalgia grips the imagination.

I found this pic of the clock as photographed by myself at Greenwich waaaay back in 2006. You will notice something a bit different about it. I did when I snapped this pic, but never did find out more....

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

...until now! So on a closer look you will notice this is in fact a 24 hour clock. This particular example built and installed by Charles Shepherd in 1852 and possibly the first clock to show Greenwich Mean Time to the public. This was also the period when time was standardised across the country and soon after, beyond. Read more here.

And, just for fun, here's a view looking the other way toward London.

For more interesting pics from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday.

Sunset silhouette - Skywatch Friday

2010-01-21T21:36:00.000Z

Sunset silhouette at my local park during our recent Big Freeze.

And this one is less silhouette and more park!

For more skies from around the blogoshere, check out Skywatch Friday!

They're back!

2010-01-18T21:03:00.001Z

Today, my World was all about the home coming of my much missed moggies, Kitty and Sylvester!

Last night I got an email telling me I could collect them a day early. Woo hoo!

So today we went shopping to get all the things we would need for their return. New beds, new bowls, new toys and of course, the same type of food they've been enjoying, just to keep something the same for them.

Then, shopping delivered back to the flat, we headed to Deal in Kent. Traffic was not too heavy, but there was fog - sometimes not too bad and at other times very thick.

Almost there, just around this last bend and we'll be there.

Here we are. This is the place where the moggies have been for the past 6 months, but today is the day they get to come home.

Here we are, all loaded into the car and ready for the last part of the journey home for these globe trotting kitties.

And here they are at home. Our home is complete. They have been exploring the new digs between cuddles. I will sleep well tonight knowing my boys are home where they belong and should I be blessed with a cuddle, even better.

For more from around the blogosphere, check out My World Tuesday!

The Ducks have landed!

2010-01-17T23:02:00.006Z

Despite my concerns, the Merry Widows have arrived home, a little bit exhausted from the very long journey, but happy to be in the sunny warmth of the African summer and the wonderful views from Mothers home. Looks rather tempting, all that sunshine.

Yes indeed, a bit different from a snowy Welsh village. Talk about from one extreme etc.....

I'm sure some of the locals are pleased with Mother's return. She does like to feed the ducks and the flotilla of geese, two of which can be seen in the far distance.

Packing, lunch and goodbye!

2010-01-16T14:49:00.000Z

One last wave and they were gone!

What a day!

I spent much of it packing and repacking to get all the stuff into their suitcases and more repacking and redistributing to make sure the weight of each case was within the generous limits. Well, the airline has to offer something to entice folk to choose them over their competitors, who's direct flights save 10 hours on the journey.

Mother arrived with one medium suitcase and left with that same suitcase and another far bigger one, both stuffed to just this side of bursting point. Plus, Aunt's suitcase, a large and alarmingly bright pink one (yes, Aunt, it's easier to spot on the carousel, but at the cost of permanent eye damage to all who see it), was half filled with stuff Mother bought in her one woman attempt to end the recession in the UK.

"I really didn't buy that much" proclaimed Mother when I asked where all this stuff had come from, her reply leaving me open mouthed, looking at the pile of goodies still on the living room floor and then looking at the already bursting suitcases...."fine, if you didn't buy much, then you stole a whole bunch of stuff!"

Of course, much time was spent looking for things that had got lost in the process. "My cigarettes were here a minute ago...." usually followed by "I'm sure I had some matches. Do you have matches?" Once the cigs had been found and Mother was reminded that she didn't have matches, but a lighter, her renewed scratching through her handbag proved successful, she'd go out onto the balcony only to return in a few minutes. "Ooh, it's cold out here, where's my coat?"

It was a long day, but I remained calm despite the confusion and chaos that follows the Merry Widows double act as they each repeatedly ask each other what's going on. You see, Aunt's eyesight is failing so she can't see what's going on and Mother has an issue with short term memory loss, so needs frequent reminding of what's going on. So you can picture the scene.

By mid-afternoon the bags were packed, the e-tickets and passports safely in Aunt's handbag/purse - things can be found in her handbag without having to tip everything out onto the floor as is the case with Mother's handbag. In celebration we went out for a late lunch where some good conversation was enjoyed and perhaps some progress in my attempts to convince Mother to return to the UK, her place of birth, to live permanently with her sister in the safety of her little Welsh village and away from the crime ridden city of Johannesburg. I think 4 armed house robberies, being tied up and beaten while your home is ransacked and looted is enough for anyone and particularly a slightly built almost Octogenarian! Let's hope Aunt's powers of persuasion are better than mine and can counter Mother's stubbornness.

Then, too soon, before we were ready for it, the time had come to go to Heathrow, time for last hugs and time for goodbye. A most kind young woman at the check-in made sure the Merry Widows were seated together on both flights, understanding perfectly when I said they needed to sit together as she and I watched the double act - Mother digging in her bag for her ticket and Passport that weren't there, "I'm sure I put them in here", while Aunt had a bunch of important things in her hand, " Is this my ticket?", I looked, " No Aunt, it's a shopping list."

The young woman gave Aunt the boarding passes for this and the connecting flight, the baggage tags and returned the passports, explaining that they will be fine, she had made a note on the system and not to worry about the connection, someone would meet them and show them where to go at Dubai Airport with Mother interupting "I'm not going to Dubai, I'm going to Johannesburg!"

Right now, as I write this, they should be on their connecting flight to Joburg - or having misread or forgotten where they were going, they could be on their way to who knows where. At least they will be together and laughing and joking all the way!

Weight Watchers floor collapses!

2010-01-15T22:06:00.000Z

I kid you not:

The floor of a Weight Watchers clinic in Sweden collapsed beneath a group of 20 members of the weight loss programme who were gathered for a meeting.
Published: 7:35PM GMT 14 Jan 2010

As the dieters queued to see how many pounds they had shed, the floor beneath them in the clinic in Växjö, in south-central Sweden, began to rumble, according to a report in The Local Sweden's English-language newspaper.

"We suddenly heard a huge thud; we almost thought it was an earthquake and everything flew up in the air.
"The floor collapsed in one corner of the room and along the walls," one Weight Watchers participant told the Smålandsposten newspaper.

Soon, the fault lines spread around the room, and other sections of the floor gave way.
Luckily, all of the dieters escaped uninjured and managed to move the scales to the corridor, which was not damaged in the accident, and were able to complete their weekly weigh in.

The cause of the floor's collapse remains under investigation.

Half way home - Skywatch Friday

2010-01-14T22:57:00.000Z

This is more or less half way home from a visit to my local store and my landmark Steam Museum Tower can clearly be seen against that glorious winter sky. I took this earlier in the week, between snow falls.

Of course, regulars will be eager to read news of the Merry Widows progress (aka Mother and Aunt). They managed to get out of their snowed in Welsh village by walking, dragging their wheeled suitcases through the snow and ice. What a sight that must have been. At the main road they got a taxi to take them to the Bus station where the buses were once again running. After a 4 hour trip they arrived safely in London. Exhausted, but happy to be half way home. Well sort of.

They have now gone to bed after enjoying a scrummy meal, made by yours truly. Tomorrow will be a relaxing day of more chat and laughs. They are, as FOH points out, quite the double act. Tomorrow evening I will deliver them to Heathrow where they will board a jet plane for Johannesburg...via Dubai...it was a cheaper fare, but is a muuuuch longer journey. Direct would be 10 hours, but their journey will take 22 hours, which includes a 5 hour stopover in Dubai. Still, they have each other and they will provide entertainment to fellow passengers. That double act again.

For more skies check out Skywatch Friday.

Fresh Snow!

2010-01-13T13:23:00.001Z

Just when the last lot melted and life was once again able to resume and folks could go about their days without the threat of slipping on the ice, we get a fresh fall of the white stuff. Pretty as it is, here in the UK it means chaos.

Flights at Heathrow have been cancelled. Not all, but the figure last quoted was 84. That's a lot of stranded people. Gatwick is closed. My Mother is due to fly back home to Johannesburg on Friday. I'm sure this lot will be gone by then, but it does make one worry about yet another snow fall. My Mother and her sister, who will fly back with her for a visit, are booked on a bus to bring them from Wales to London tomorrow to spend the night with us before they catch their flight. Right now the Bus operators have had to suspend some of their routes due to the snow. Yes, you guessed it, the route Mother and Aunt are booked on is one them.

Of course, they also have to deal with the fact that they can't get out of their village until the roads are cleared and in recent experience that means thawed as there has been no attempt to grit or clear the village roads. So we hope that the warmer weather forecast does the trick and Mother and Aunt can escape the village, catch the bus and the flight winging them away to some lovely warm sunny weather.

London Wall - My world Tuesday

2010-01-11T20:51:00.002Z

Dear readers, you are looking at The Wall of London as taken by yours truly on a wander around the City of London. Well, it's a bit of it anyway. True it has seen better days and is rather broken down, but then it is 1800 years old. Yes, I said one thousand eight hundred years old.

It was in use for 1000 years, but not so much for the last 800, so it has kind of fallen into a bit of disrepair, with some bits dismantled and plundered for building materials and so, it has just disappeared.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

What is left for us to marvel are a few quite substantial fragments, some of which can be seen in the grounds of the Museum of London, in the Barbican and around Tower Hill, which is where I took these pics. The Wikipedia article here.

Below is a video of a Walk along the route of The London Wall.

For more interesting posts from around the blogoshere check out My World Tuesday.