Sunday, August 16, 2015
Tate Britain
Friday 14 August
First off - Happy Birthday Dad. I was so worried about missing it due to the time shift that I sent my greetings to Dad and my sister and my niece ( they all share the same birthday) one day early! They coped.
With Isobel still fighting a cold I set off on my own for the first time to the Tate on Millbank. It wasn't all that brave. It's a five minute walk.
The National Gallery in Trafalgar concentrates on art from all over Europe, especially the masters. The Tate has the British art.
First off - Happy Birthday Dad. I was so worried about missing it due to the time shift that I sent my greetings to Dad and my sister and my niece ( they all share the same birthday) one day early! They coped.
With Isobel still fighting a cold I set off on my own for the first time to the Tate on Millbank. It wasn't all that brave. It's a five minute walk.
The National Gallery in Trafalgar concentrates on art from all over Europe, especially the masters. The Tate has the British art.
A little stroll...
Thursday 13 August
Toby went to work. Isobel had more plans. She had mapped out a route that showed me around and also took us where she needed to go.
We walked of course. Across Vauxhall Bridge and along the embankment towards the city, past the fabulous views of Westminster and alongside the London eye, along our old stamping ground of '86 near the Southbank Centre and across Waterloo Bridge to the city.
I enjoyed seeing familiar views. I have only been in this part of the world once before. In '86 Paul and I came with the boys for around four months. Ben was 10, Toby 8 and Luke 5. We bought a VW Kombi ( of course) and it was our accommodation and transport around England and Western Europe from mid August to Mid November. We spend the last week or so on Belvedere Road outside the Southbank Centre along with lots of other Antipodeans, selling our van and preparing to fly out. So intrepid!
Isobel and I did not go to the Centre to use the loos! as in times gone by. We headed for Convent Garden Market where Isobel had an errand to do. Job done, we got to some serious wandering.
We visited Fortnum & Mason - the men at the tea counter in full morning dress. So many fabulous teas, caddies, biscuits etc. I bought a box of the 1/2 priced mini cupcakes (day before's) that we have enjoyed, but they actually weren't a patch on the ones from 10cc in Masterton ;)
We had a bite then walked up Piccadilly alongside Green Park to see the New Zealand and Australian War Memorials at Hyde Park Corner. I was impressed and moved by both. The New Zealand one is very evocative - the inscriptions and little sculptures added to the columns convey a great deal. The Australian memorial uses a clever device. It has Australian place names inscribed all over but the font is bolded in places so that when you stand back the names of the battlefields are seen. It works brilliantly.
From there we moved across to Buckingham Palace via Constitution Hill. The guards were at their posts, as were the machine gun armed police but the Queen did not put in an appearance.
We headed past the Royal Mews towards Belgrave House, one of the homes of Google London where we scooped up Toby and then took his usual route home - about a 10 - 12 minute walk.
Isobel's wrist device indicated we had traversed more than 12 kilometres. When I sat down it felt like it. Shamefully I hit the wall and my eyes dropped shut before dinner. I thought I'd done pretty well though for one day off that journey. Adjustment has been pretty straightforward. And I woke up to eat!
Thanks again to my wonderful and very knowledgeable guide. I recommend the service.
An night on the town.
Isobel had plans! Great plans!
About and hour and half after arriving we set off for the city on foot from Pimlico.
On the way we passed New Scotland Yard and skirted Whitehall, going via the edge of St James Park and arriving directly into Trafalgar Square. We briefly joined the many enjoying the pleasant summer evening, watching kids climb and slide on the lions. But it was dinner time and we headed for a favourite Chinese nearby.
After dinner we wandered about a little enjoying the city lights before boarding a bus at Charing Cross Road and then deciding quite soon after, that we would walk instead. This time we came back through Whitehall, past the Westminster Palace (Parliament) & Big Ben and along Millbank . We strolled out onto Lambeth Bridge to admire the lights on the Thames and then home for a well earned rest. I think their aim was to keep me awake as long as possible and wear me out so I would sleep at the right time and adjust. It worked darn well and was a wonderful introduction to London. Thanks kids!
About and hour and half after arriving we set off for the city on foot from Pimlico.
On the way we passed New Scotland Yard and skirted Whitehall, going via the edge of St James Park and arriving directly into Trafalgar Square. We briefly joined the many enjoying the pleasant summer evening, watching kids climb and slide on the lions. But it was dinner time and we headed for a favourite Chinese nearby.
After dinner we wandered about a little enjoying the city lights before boarding a bus at Charing Cross Road and then deciding quite soon after, that we would walk instead. This time we came back through Whitehall, past the Westminster Palace (Parliament) & Big Ben and along Millbank . We strolled out onto Lambeth Bridge to admire the lights on the Thames and then home for a well earned rest. I think their aim was to keep me awake as long as possible and wear me out so I would sleep at the right time and adjust. It worked darn well and was a wonderful introduction to London. Thanks kids!
Departing and travelling hopefully.
I was accompanied out of Auckland by a special friend through texts. Ain't technology grand!
It's a looooong way to Hong Kong - and from there to London! But it was great to be in the "East" for the first time and to get glimpses of Hong Kong from the airport. See you in a couple of months HK.
I was excited about flying over China and Russia - we were over land most of the way to London from HK. Sadly, the regime was to keep the blinds and lights down even though it was a daytime flight. I imagine it makes keeping that many people in a sardine tin happy, a little bit easier if lots of them are encouraged to sleep.
I did get good views at the start over the coast and hinterland of China. I marvelled at the controversial artificial islands the Chinese are building and saw winding rivers and dirt roads inland. Also saw a good deal of industrial activity before a meal came and the clouds closed in.
I snuck some looks through the blind a few times, lots of cloud and few snatches of countryside but got a great view as we flew over St Petersburg, where I am heading to in 2 weeks!
Arrival was the usual hurry up and wait, bio control was non-existent and there was Toby! YAY !
A relatively quick ride on the tube (noticed lots of blackberries growing on the above ground sidings), only one change and here we are in Pimlico. The station is at the end of the street. Finally here - about 33 hours after I left Wellington.
And Hi Isobel. Yay again!
It's a looooong way to Hong Kong - and from there to London! But it was great to be in the "East" for the first time and to get glimpses of Hong Kong from the airport. See you in a couple of months HK.
I was excited about flying over China and Russia - we were over land most of the way to London from HK. Sadly, the regime was to keep the blinds and lights down even though it was a daytime flight. I imagine it makes keeping that many people in a sardine tin happy, a little bit easier if lots of them are encouraged to sleep.
I did get good views at the start over the coast and hinterland of China. I marvelled at the controversial artificial islands the Chinese are building and saw winding rivers and dirt roads inland. Also saw a good deal of industrial activity before a meal came and the clouds closed in.
I snuck some looks through the blind a few times, lots of cloud and few snatches of countryside but got a great view as we flew over St Petersburg, where I am heading to in 2 weeks!
Arrival was the usual hurry up and wait, bio control was non-existent and there was Toby! YAY !
A relatively quick ride on the tube (noticed lots of blackberries growing on the above ground sidings), only one change and here we are in Pimlico. The station is at the end of the street. Finally here - about 33 hours after I left Wellington.
And Hi Isobel. Yay again!
Monday, August 10, 2015
A farewell walk round
As I make a final check of electric fences and such before departing, my dear Bella pants along for the walk. A tui shouts out from the winter flowering gums and a fantail flutters around too. Long before I can find them in the sky I hear a skein of geese calling to each other as they approach. It's a big group and I watch as they circulate their position in the formation to share the workload and continue to call to each as they fly. The call is still heard when they are tiny dots a long way off and then, as before, heard but not seen. It seems appropriate and comforting when I am about to fly to the other side of the world.
Driving to Wellington I saw a lot of new lambs, a calf a few minutes old being licked clean and lots of patches of sunshine as well as the snow on the edges of the road on the hill. It's a great feeling to know that when I come back the world will have been made new.
Lovely too, to have the chance to see Luke & Frankie, Sophia & Ayden and Ben on my way through. Sorry I missed you Diana.
Driving to Wellington I saw a lot of new lambs, a calf a few minutes old being licked clean and lots of patches of sunshine as well as the snow on the edges of the road on the hill. It's a great feeling to know that when I come back the world will have been made new.
Lovely too, to have the chance to see Luke & Frankie, Sophia & Ayden and Ben on my way through. Sorry I missed you Diana.
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