It's so lovely to be back again in London ...

Panic on the streets of London ...

Easter Saturday in England and we decided to play tourist. The weather was quite cooperative yet again so we took the bus to Oxford St. The crowds! William and Catherine merchandise a-plenty (no longer allowed to call her Kate) and I thought to myself "Did they really OK their picture at the bottom of an ashtray?"

Oh hi Tonia

We wandered for a bit around the shops of Mayfair, popping in and out of places I couldn't afford to shop in until my record deal comes through and resisted the urge to go to Fortnam and Mason but did run into Vivian Westwood's men's shop. There was actually one shirt I really liked but seeing how there was no price tag and a pair of men's boxer-briefs were £55 I thought it best not to ask too much. I was reeling from the famous shops and streets; time to go back to being a tourist.

Pall Mall the week before "The Wedding"

The early warmth this year had seen all flowers in bloom and leaves on the trees. The wedding was still a week away but the barricades were already up and we followed them to Buckingham. The flag was flying over the Palace indicating the Queen was home but as she was surely busy preparing, we didn't bother to knock. We walked for what seemed hours only to turn around and headed towards The Houses of Parliament.

Entrance to Downing St.

I really had no idea that Downing St. was now (and possibly forever) closed to pedestrian foot traffic. Again, Crowds! Knackered, we decided on a late lunch. I refused to be in England and not have Fish 'n Chips in a pub and we found a place just south of Trafalgar Square.

The Olympic countdown clock

We had no idea that we decided to go into the heart of London on St. George's day and were greeted by even more crowds, this time with extra yobs. The free concert had started (meh) and I realized we were outside the National Gallery! I was thrilled to see paintings that I'd only ever seen in books, especially Bathers at Asnieres (look it up) by George Seurat. I bought a fridge magnet replica of it, exactly as the artist intended.

The sky started looking angry and on the way back to the bus stop it started pouring rain. Nothing like a good English rain to remind you you're in the UK. Now drenched, we couldn't find out way to Marble Arch to get the bus. An hour later and I saw the bus pass us by. Nothing to do but go for a pint, but not after bumping into this lady:

In case you can't read it it very well (Blackberrys have 'ok' cameras) it says "Dear Prince William, Please put a stop to this wedding. The people are demanding a natural blonde princess. Please do not go ahead with it."  We made to the bus stop in time for the last bus back and we all slept like the dead.

It's so lovely to be back again in London
I've a glow inside
I simply can't conceal
If I seem too sentimental
It isn't accidental
It's just that that's exactly how I feel
When the tourists crowd the gates
Outside the palace
You may rest assured that I will lead the pack
And should the queen ride by me
I'd holler 'Och! Cor blimey!'
I'm so glad I'm back
Every day I'll make my way down Piccadilly
And I'll shout 'Hello!' to every Joe and Jack
Just to feel the feel of London
I always come all undone
But so glad
So glad
I'm back
Judy Garland

Oh! England, my Lionheart ...

Regent Street in preparation for the Royal Wedding

Whirlwind tour ...

I am unfamiliar with London and its environs so, in error, I chose to land in Gatwick Airport which was possibly the furthest away from my final destination of Hemel Hempstead. The only form of transport not used that day was a boat. I managed to get the express train from Gatwick to Victoria station, then the Underground (Mind The Gap! I bought myself a shot glass to remind me of this) to Euston station and waited over an hour for the train as British rail was claiming switch problems and all trains were delayed (except Virgin trains - pricey!). Finally on the final train to Hemel, I prayed I was on the correct train as there were no announcements for destinations or stops. Some very nice ladies calmed my nervousness and one of them confirmed by banging on the window from outside the train that indeed I was on the correct route.

Arriving at Hemel, I got in a taxi driven by the talented Mr. Khan. I asked about any discounted fares back to the airport on Monday, very early in the morning and we agreed upon a price I had seen on-line. He gave me his mobile number and dropped me off at my final destination at 1am.

St. Albans

Hemel Hempstead is a perfectly fine suburb of London but for a real Olde Englyshe feel, make sure you take a trip to neighboring St. Albans and St Michael's Village. The location has been settled since before 20 BC and was invaded by Romans around 43 AD and named Verulamium. I know this because I went to the museum there and bought a fridge magnet. There was a Roman wall (in ruins of course), a beautiful park and of course ...

St. Alban's Cathedral from the back

This is a cathedral with a LOT of history. It seemed appropriate that we were there on Good Friday but felt that it was better if the heathens waited until mass was over before entering (besides, it's an Anglican church). Walking around the grounds (even in that photo if you look closely) we see that construction was a process over many centuries with different types of construction materials and architectural styles.

Huge. I'm standing quite a distance away and still couldn't fit it in the frame. Just before I took this shot, the choir hit a particularly haunting note, so I guess it's a "you had to be there" kind of moment. Once mass was finished we went inside to see some of the most intricate woodwork and detail as well as some of the original wall paintings ...

I don't think it was very kosher of me to take a picture inside but c'mon, someone has to preserve this kind of thing right? Back outside, the sun was still beaming and so we went-a-huntin' down the pub.

Didn't stop there but it's purported to be the oldest pub in Britain. The historical plaque told us that Cromwell stabled his horses here and spent the night. See how I say nothing about the name? See how I don't compare this to some sketchier bars in Toronto? Oh, wait ...

Then back to Hemel; my cousin Liz was coming down from the Cotswolds (sounds infectious, but it's a region) to take us out for Greek food (delicious!) and some late night catching up.

I'll stop boring you now ... next stop, London!

Oh! England, my Lionheart,
I'm in your garden, fading fast in your arms.
The soldiers soften, the war is over.
The air raid shelters are blooming clover.
Flapping umbrellas fill the lanes--
My London Bridge in rain again.

Oh! England, my Lionheart!
Peter Pan steals the kids in Kensington Park.
You read me Shakespeare on the rolling Thames--
That old river poet that never, ever ends.
Our thumping hearts hold the ravens in,
And keep the tower from tumbling. 
Kate Bush, from the album 'Lionheart' (1978)

Happy Easter!

Five day weekend!

I've been trying to find out if there are any unusual traditions here for Påske but have found nothing different really. Eggs abound (and nicely decorated porcelain or silver ones are hung in windows), chocolate is the norm and I'm sure someone, somewhere is going to church.

Not me. I fly to England tomorrow to see family that in some cases I've not seen for years! I've always loved being in other countries but travelling to them is quite another story. I don't much care for airports and have never been a fan of buses but sadly my budget does not allow for a Chunnel trip at this juncture. I fly into Gatwick, an airport I've never experienced, and from the train/bus schedule at their side, another 2 hour ride awaits me there.

It will be well worth it though; Friday is a trip to St Albans, Saturday is for London (sounds like the title of a romance novel) and Sunday is up in the air (do NOT insert crucifixtion joke here). The money I've saved on this trip just might be eaten up on Monday when I have to be at the airport between 6:30 and 7 (AM, they do that now) so a taxi (£££!) might be the only way to get there in time.

Oh well.

Tomorrow is bag-packing and flying nerves ...

Jeg vil sende billeder snart.

Politically Incorrect

Thanks to Ron L. for showing me this image.

Don't get me started ...

The Canadian government is based on the British Parliamentary system, but with longer lunches and vacations. Canadians are about to cast their vote (again) for a government that will (again) ignore the wishes of the populace and (again) end up with a minority that barely holds on to power. One of the bigger issues will be (I don't want to say again, again) spending. The Harper Government (as they have chosen to call themselves, ignoring the traditional moniker The Canadian Government) is currently under fire for ridiculous spending on the G8 summit and it's more expensive cousin, the G20. The excuse has been to "make Canada look like a player on the world stage" but sadly to its people it seems more like a crooked producer.

I could go on about every expense laid out for these events (example: The Olympic-size Hockey Arena in Huntsville that was never used for the summit, and never intended to be used but was paid for with summit money) but little seems more incredible than the man-made lake.

At a cost of almost $2 million dollars, this artificial lake was created for the media to showcase Canada's natural beauty while the world leaders were hundreds of miles away, by a lake. Canada has lots and lots of lakes, several of them are even considered Great. After this weekend was over, the plug was pulled and the water, along with Canadian tax money, went right down the drain. Another headline that year? Heathcare, education and public service cuts. We looked quite good, but were seriously ailing inside.

Guess who's NOT coming to dinner ...

Tonight in Canada is a debate amongst some of the party leaders. Not invited to the national debate is the Green Party of Canada. This decision was made by the broadcaster of the debate, the once renowned CBC. Is this because, in our heart of hearts, we know that the Green Party will never be elected to run the country in my lifetime? Then why is Gilles Duceppe invited? The Green Party has far more voters in Alberta than the Bloc Québecois, a party that in principle and practice cannot attain the position of Canadian government. Ontario once learned of the anguish of an NDP government, so they're out but Jack Layton will be there ...

The other two are the Devil you know and the Devil you've seen before. Their principle concern is the attainment and retention of power; little is achieved.

I promise I'll be wittier (read sillier and more irreverent) next time. I had to get it out of my system now.

P.S. My team won the bowling tournament!

Godt lykke Canada!

Fredag!!!

So I did it ...

Easter break here is from the Thursday until Monday - no work until that Tuesday. That gave me 5 days off and I wondered how to make the most of it. I decided that the fanciful idea of jetting of to another European destination sounded pretty enticing and went on-line to see what kind of deals where available. Anywhere on the continent would require a hotel stay and added thousands of Kroner to the idea so my sights turned to the UK. I managed to get a flight to London, return, for €265 all taxes included. Barry says this is about the same as Porter from Toronto to Sudbury and London has a lot more to offer!

The only downside is I'm arriving and leaving at Gatwick airport which is to the south; everyone I know in the UK is north so it may be a case of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" (John Candy, we miss you). I've contacted my mother's sister and she said she would be happy to put me up but I don't want to trouble her too much so I'm trying to contact cousins in the area as well.

I haven't come across ANY Ben Sherman™ retailers so I'll have to make sure the Visa is at the ready!

Team building!!!

For months now the office has been planning a bowling night. Tonight actually so again this entry will be brief because I am completely interested in having a beer and a laugh with the team. There is an Italian buffet before the event but I think I'll skip that and get right to the cocktails. We've met right?

Ønsker mig held og lykke! 

Oops ...

I can be really thick sometimes ...

Why bother looking at the schedule? I start at nine everyday except later on in the week when I start at ten-thirty. Imagine everyone's surprise when me, a traditional and proud late-bird, showed up at nine to find that I was an hour and a half early. Monday. That's how they getcha. All I could do was take the world's longest coffee break, walking home and back seemed an exercise in futility.

Good news though; Melanie has returned from London so Sarah will be getting a card soon - I owe Melanie 10p. I may babysit her cat ... more on that later (if it pans out).

I can be really thick sometimes (part deux) ...

I bought it. I love it. It is shiny and practical (I will never use it). But this is not where my thickness lies. When I purchased this treat to myself (and note, beer before shopping in the pricey end of town should be avoided) the lovely young lady handed it to me in this tiny chi-chi bag. Walking out the door, I realised I looked rather foolish with this dainty, albeit elegant, shopping bag. No time to waste! I went into Illums Bolighus searching for ... what ... a bowl? Candle sticks? Glasses! The only glasses in the flat are too small; I need manly glasses for my manly Vanilla Vodka and Diet Coke. iittala-kartio seemed the trick (look iittala up, you've seen it before) and the bag they would give me would surely be large enough to carry the weeny baby bag.

The set of 2 glasses only cost just under 160dkk. Thick.

Tyk.