Our First Visitors

A LOT has happened in the past week or so.  My bad for not posting sooner.  In between trying to organize and clean for the few days we had until M&B came, I just couldn't get to the blog.  But now that they are here (yay!) and I have a free moment, I can post a few pictures from our London sightseeing days. They arrived Wednesday and after settling in, we mostly stuck close to home. 

We had a packed schedule for Thursday and Friday.  On the former, we saw Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James' Park, Westminster, Parliament, Big Ben, The London Eye (from across the Thames), strolled along Victoria Embankment, the Millennium Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, the Monument, the Tower of London, AND the Tower Bridge.  Did I mention we walked the entire route? I'm exhausted just reliving it! Somehow we even managed to squeeze in dinner at Gavin's favorite pizza place as well.

Friday flew by, especially since we spent time at both the British Museum and the National Gallery.  We also walked through Covent Garden (where we had a thoroughly British lunch of bangers, mash and pies) and Trafalgar Square.  It's been a great couple of days of being a tourist in my home city. Now, if I could only kick this horrible cough and cold I've got going on.  Currently, I'm taking a break while Gavin shows M&B Borough Market and then we're off to Glasgow for a long weekend.

The current Fourth Plinth! For S ;)

And for a little Halloween fun, a few scary gargoyles from our walks :)

Settling In

Sorry for the radio silence.  FINALLY, our US shipment came.  I really couldn't be happier: I get to wear my contacts again, sit on a couch and read all my travel books! The best part about getting our stuff was this:

Literally two minutes after taking it out of the box, Chewie sat in his bed.  So cute.  I was worried things would smell or be broken, but the fact that he took to HIS bedding right away, made me relax. 

Then I realized that I had to actually put everything away.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I love to organize!

The kitchen in progress.  All of the paper you see came from that one box!  But, no broken wine glasses. I think by next week, I'll be able to post a few pics of the interior of the home.  FINALLY!

Southampton and Portsmouth

To take a little break from the city, Gavin and I decided to head to the southern shore last Saturday.  It proved to be a short drive to see the water.  And I like to see water when I go out and about. We didn't do much research into what there was to do in the towns; it was a spur of the moment decision. Which meant we mostly just picked a place to park the car and wandered around nearby.  The next time we head out of town, I think I need more of a plan. 

Southampton is a large shipping port (where is OUR shipment from the U.S.?) and not as scenic as I would have hoped.  The city is also where the Titanic sailed from and funny enough, there was a new cruise ship set to sail from the port.  It was to be officially named Queen Elizabeth by the Queen herself on Monday.  I've never seen a cruise ship (friends who sail, help me out here): are they all THAT big?  It probably had more than 10 levels above water, not counting those we couldn't see.  My pictures can't convey how enormous it actually was.

After walking around the harbor, we strolled a bit around the medieval wall throughout the city.  Like anywhere I've been over here, the new always surrounds the old.  I'm always surprised at how closely the architecture is intertwined. But we wanted to walk along a beach, so we headed to the east, Portsmouth, to end our Saturday.

Did I mention we brought Chewie?

For E (I didn't draw it... :)

Frustrating!

As I'm still waiting to be able to post more pics, let me just complain for a moment.

For anyone thinking I'm leading a life of leisure, I can assure you, it is hardly that exciting.  London is an exciting city to be sure, but most days I'm at home. On the days I have no reason to NOT sight-see and still hang at home, well, I really have nothing to say for myself.  But on the days when I need to be home for various reasons, it is extremely frustrating when I miss those various reasons.  Take today: I had ordered dog food.  Something seemingly easy to order online and get delivered.  But no.  NOT EASY.  I know it's going to get delivered in about 48 hours, but there is no way in this country to track your package.  So, I sit around doing absolutely nothing until Chewie gets restless and demands his daily walk.  Then, we are gone for about a half hour, maybe 45 mins and in that amount of time, someone tries to deliver the package to no avail.  Let me run through this again: We get no confirmation of delivery time/date; there isn't a call to let me know the package is on it's way; they will not leave anything at the door, and; my only option is to let them try to deliver it tomorrow.  I will be held hostage in this house until this stupid dog food comes!

Another annoyance while I'm at it: Our shipment of our US home goods has yet to come. Supposed to come today.  Now they say Thursday. I will believe it when I see it.  Which will just add to the number of days I will be hanging around the house.  Adding to it all, Gavin is traveling for work tonight and will travel again next week.  I can just about handle being alone all day when I know Gavin will be home for dinner.  But I'm on my own tonight.  Ugh.  Frustrating.

p.s. I think this is what it means to "blog."

A Couple of Things

Number One: I'm so glad to hear that my friends and family enjoy reading my blog.  It is the only reason I continue to sit in front of my computer at hours at a time trying to write my thoughts.  It's still a good exercise for me, especially since I'm without a job at the moment.

Number Two: Apparently I've run out of photo space on my blog and have to pay to add more (in fact, they cut off my last post!)  Hmmm. I guess that's why a blog is supposed to be thoughts written down.  But.... I like pictures!  Anyway, bear with me while I figure out how to get more pictures up!

A Walk in the Park

We've had some beautiful weather the past few days.  I just had to take advantage of it by visiting both Kensington Park and Holland Park last Thursday.  The Serpentine Gallery, in Kensington Park, is always a favorite stop for me and every summer they invite a different artist or architect to create their outdoor pavilion.  This year's pavilion, designed by Jean Nouvel, the architect of the Guthrie Theater, is about to close so I popped in for a light lunch.  Afterwards I wandered throughout the park to view the Serpentine's outdoor sculpture installation by Anish Kapoor. The pieces were inspired by and designed to extend the surrounding environment.  I thought they were whimsical (of course, anything I can see myself in is OK in my book!)

I then visited the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park (after checking out the Kensington Whole Foods - there was a humidor, FOR CHEESE.) I love Japanese gardens - the landscape is created specifically to enjoy pretty views, no matter where you stop on the path. It was relaxing to sit and watch fish swimming in the koi pond and peacocks strutting by.  Actually, for dinner that night, Gavin and I continued the theme by eating sushi, noodle soup and sake at the nearby Japanese restaurant.  ;)