Monday 24 December 2007
staying on your feet...
Ice skating is not really the most natural of things for the average Australian...
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Somerset House on the Strand is currently home to one of a number of temporary rinks across the city, and it provides a most picturesque backdrop...
but... I managed to stay on my feet!
That ice is cold and rather hard upon the back side when one falls upon it!
Somerset House on the Strand is currently home to one of a number of temporary rinks across the city, and it provides a most picturesque backdrop...A couple of weeks ago I spent a delightful hour or so with my new work colleagues on the ice as part of our Christmas party. Thankfully I maintained my dignity and stayed on my feet... despite a couple of very close calls... none of which were caught on film...
Ice skating seems to be a very popular Christmas pastime, and there are rinks at the Natural History Museum, The Tower and various other landmarks.
The Somerset House rink (pictured) sits in a neoclassical courtyard a few feet from the busy Strand. However, stepping through the arches into the court you move away from the bustle of the West End and into a serene space with piped classical music, the rink and most importantly a bar!
Friday 21 December 2007
school's out
Today was the last day of work for me for the year... and it dawned on me when I got home that it's been a while since I wrote here... almost 2 weeks...
I guess that shows that life has gotten busy... or at least that my days are taken up with work now, which gives me a lot less time to write (and things to write about)
Although I have managed to get out and about a little bit over the last fortnight and will endeavour to complete a new post or two this weekend... since I am on holidays for a few days!
I guess that shows that life has gotten busy... or at least that my days are taken up with work now, which gives me a lot less time to write (and things to write about)
Although I have managed to get out and about a little bit over the last fortnight and will endeavour to complete a new post or two this weekend... since I am on holidays for a few days!
Sunday 9 December 2007
3 or 59???
Ramblings from Friday 7th December…
The last few days, and Tuesday in particular I have felt a tad homesick...
Up until now I guess I have been busy travelling, seeing sights and generally just taking everything around me.
But this week I have been at work (which in itself is fine) but it has given me more time to think about home, warm weather, beaches and family.
Thankfully there are mornings like today. I got up, had breakfast and shuffled down the stairs to go to the bus stop...
Outside though, the sun was shining, the strong breeze that had been blowing all night had gone and even Waterloo looked a lovely place.
My first big decision loomed...
The No. 3 or the No. 59 bus?
The 59 heads past Waterloo Station and over Waterloo bridge (with its sensational views of the City to the right and the Houses of Parliament to the left) and drops me on the Strand next to Somerset House; I then have a pleasant 3 block stroll to the office. It is probably the quicker of the 2 options.... but as fate would have it... the number 3 came first.
The Number 3 crosses Lambeth Bridge which, I think, gets a bum steer to the favour of Waterloo. True, you look to the left down to Vauxhall - which is nothing spectacular, but to the right you have the Houses of Parliament from the west - which is apparently not the purists preferred view, but for my money is infinitely better ...and, it is a nicer bridge!
The view in not dominated by Big Ben - don't get me wrong Big Ben is very impressive, but it seems that everyone looks at it and forgets the rest of the building... The view from the west puts Victoria Tower (the Sovereigns Entrance to the Parliament) into the foreground - if you look at your standard pic of Parliament, it is the tall bit in the background with the union Jack flying on top; and even gives you a little bit of green in the form of a park along Millbank (the name of which alludes me right now) and the joy of a Rodan's sculpture 'The Burghers of Calais' a copy of which resides in Canberra.
But that is not the real reason the No. 3 cheered me up this morning as I was on the bus as I passed these things and didn't get to stop and look... it was when I got off that I was glad it had come first. After rattling up Whitehall the No.3 drops me off at Trafalgar Square. This morning the sun was shining on Nelson, casting shadows on the enormous Lions at his feet and glinting off the freshly applied gilt on the weather vein on the steeply of St Martin's in the Field (most of which is still hidden under plastic as it undergoes restoration) Everything seemed right with world.
The Square was deserted except for some cleaners - London at 8:15 am is a rather quiet place!. I had the place to myself as I walk across it toward the Charing Cross Station and the Strand. To have Trafalgar Square surrounded by its grand buildings, pretty much to yourself at anytime, let alone in broad daylight on is a rare thing indeed!
...and with the weather forecast for the weekend showing rain wind and cold sunny mornings are to be savoured.
The last few days, and Tuesday in particular I have felt a tad homesick...
Up until now I guess I have been busy travelling, seeing sights and generally just taking everything around me.
But this week I have been at work (which in itself is fine) but it has given me more time to think about home, warm weather, beaches and family.
Thankfully there are mornings like today. I got up, had breakfast and shuffled down the stairs to go to the bus stop...
Outside though, the sun was shining, the strong breeze that had been blowing all night had gone and even Waterloo looked a lovely place.
My first big decision loomed...
The No. 3 or the No. 59 bus?
The 59 heads past Waterloo Station and over Waterloo bridge (with its sensational views of the City to the right and the Houses of Parliament to the left) and drops me on the Strand next to Somerset House; I then have a pleasant 3 block stroll to the office. It is probably the quicker of the 2 options.... but as fate would have it... the number 3 came first.
The Number 3 crosses Lambeth Bridge which, I think, gets a bum steer to the favour of Waterloo. True, you look to the left down to Vauxhall - which is nothing spectacular, but to the right you have the Houses of Parliament from the west - which is apparently not the purists preferred view, but for my money is infinitely better ...and, it is a nicer bridge!
The view in not dominated by Big Ben - don't get me wrong Big Ben is very impressive, but it seems that everyone looks at it and forgets the rest of the building... The view from the west puts Victoria Tower (the Sovereigns Entrance to the Parliament) into the foreground - if you look at your standard pic of Parliament, it is the tall bit in the background with the union Jack flying on top; and even gives you a little bit of green in the form of a park along Millbank (the name of which alludes me right now) and the joy of a Rodan's sculpture 'The Burghers of Calais' a copy of which resides in Canberra.
But that is not the real reason the No. 3 cheered me up this morning as I was on the bus as I passed these things and didn't get to stop and look... it was when I got off that I was glad it had come first. After rattling up Whitehall the No.3 drops me off at Trafalgar Square. This morning the sun was shining on Nelson, casting shadows on the enormous Lions at his feet and glinting off the freshly applied gilt on the weather vein on the steeply of St Martin's in the Field (most of which is still hidden under plastic as it undergoes restoration) Everything seemed right with world.
The Square was deserted except for some cleaners - London at 8:15 am is a rather quiet place!. I had the place to myself as I walk across it toward the Charing Cross Station and the Strand. To have Trafalgar Square surrounded by its grand buildings, pretty much to yourself at anytime, let alone in broad daylight on is a rare thing indeed!
...and with the weather forecast for the weekend showing rain wind and cold sunny mornings are to be savoured.
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