Hi all! A midweek post (of sorts) for you all.

I have been busy working away this week. A few projects are making good headway, and I even did a research seminar for the Computer Science folks which went over really well. So kicking research goals this week!

Anyway, even though I have been busy busy with work, my lovely hosts have still been finding some time to get me out and about. So on Wednesday, Jane’s husband organised a trip down to London for a walking expedition. He has spent some time following the rivers that used to flow down into the Thames and had the pans to follow the River Fleet that used to flow from Hampstead Heath, down to Blackfriars. You can actually read about the path on this detailed description here. We weren’t to see any water (it is all deep underground now) but was going to be a pleasant walk on another glorious London day. The plan was to end at the Royal Albert Hall for some BBC Proms. A very full day!

So we all met at Jane and Ian’s house, and made our way in the car to the top of the Northern Line, and hopped on the tube down to Hampstead. After arriving at Hampstead Heath and meeting up with the rest of the walking crew, it was time to walk!

The start at Hampstead Heath gave us an amazing view towards London. Unfortunately it was a bit hazy, but we could clearly make out St Pauls in the distance, which was our rough direction to head. We also saw all the locals bathing in the pond in the parkland. Sadly I forgot my Speedo, so alas, no swimming for me!

Off we went, wandering the streets. Ian would guide our path, even though for the most part it was fairly straight forward… i.e look for the lowest point and head toward it. In no time at all, we arrived at Camden, and decided to settle in at the markets for some lunch.

After hanging our feet over the canal for a bit, it was time to walk again. On our way we came across St Pancras Old Church. That was a nice place to again take a seat and just relax for a bit.

But no rest for the wicked! We were off again and before we knew it we were upon Fleet Street and then the Thames. Now for the moment of truth… would we see the outlet of the Fleet into the Thames?

Of course Ian had timed our run to perfection and we could see the small outflow drain just under Blackfriars Bridge. It may not look that impressive (if you can even see it there in the shadows) but for us it was the perfect end to a fun walk down through London. For me it was any excuse to hit the streets of London and get more familiar.

We had some time before we had to head to the Royal Albert Hall, so our posse decided to go and have an afternoon tea at the nearby Tate Modern. One of my favourite places in all of London, the Tate Modern is a great place to hang out. The views over the Thames towards St Pauls is not too shabby either.

With our rest done, it was time to bit adieu to the rest of our walking party and head towards the Royal Albert Hall. While symphony is not really my cup of tea, it was for everyone else, and I was in reality just keen to see the inside of the Royal Albert, given I knew of quite a few shows that had taken place there. The outside is incredible, but inside is something else.

Of all the venues I have been in to around the world, it would now have to be one of my favourites. First of all it is just amazingly beautiful inside, but along with that, the design means the audience almost envelops the orchestra, giving a completely different feel to it.

It looked great rather than seeing a orchestra sitting up front, it seemed they were surrounded and that the audience was really a strong part of the experience.

So how was it? It was OK. We heard pieces by Shostakovich, Bartók & Tavener, and for me the Shostakovich was much better than the other two. But ultimately I don’t know what I’m talking about when it comes to symphony… I just know what I like. And for the most part the Shostakovich was pretty good. It seemed to be the consensus amongst the four of us that it was the clear winner.

With that, it was time to head back north to Edgware, and drive back to Coventry. Kate was a trooper, doing all the driving. Nice and late, we arrived back at the flat. We were super tired but in all the best ways from another great day out in London.

I love me a good Spinal Tap reference!

Anyway, when we left you last we had witnessed the penultimate Monty Python show and were spending the weekend with Kate’s aunt and uncle. Sunday morning we were treated to a brunch with Kate’s family before we had to motor off to Heathrow. Heathrow again?! This time it was nothing to do with departures or arrivals, rather it was the most convenient place to pick up our hire car. So off we went, found our vehicle, and job done!

Well, not quite. Rather than head straight back to Coventry, since we were to the west of London, we decided to visit a classic landmark that neither of us had seen in years… one that people fall in love with, or ask “why did I bother to come and see a bunch of rocks?!”. Yep, Stonehenge.

Thanks to our trusty sat-nav, we arrived in relatively no time, although the traffic got pretty bad as we approached. We had our fingers crossed, as typically you need to pre-buy timed tickets to see the site, however since we had no idea what time we would arrive, we just had to wing it. Thankfully things were on our side (for the moment) and in we were able to go!

The new visitors centre is actually a mile or so from the site, so it was on to one of the shuttle buses to head out. Above us a few clouds looked a bit ominous, but that didn’t deter us… we just grabbed our rain jackets and went. On the bus some rain started to fall, but not enough to stop intrepid travellers like us to get out there. So once we arrived we jacketed up and went to the stones.

It was at that precise moment that somewhere some druids took umbrage with our arrival and called on the rain gods, as the clouds went black and the rain bucketed down. Hard. Within a minute we were soaked! But that didn’t worry us too much, as laying eyes on Stonehenge, we were actually pretty excited.

We both remembered being further away, so to get within a few metres was very cool. We made our way around, in the driving rain. Trying to take pics actually became pretty comical as clothes were soaked, cameras drenched, and umbrellas turned inside-out. Crazy! But like the handful of others still out at the site, we figured we were already soaked and had no idea when we would be back, so took it all in.

Getting the selfie was quite tough… keeping a camera relatively dry was hard work in those conditions! But as you can see, we thought it was quite hysterical that to this point in the day it was balmy and warm and sunny, and that the second we arrived it was torrential. That’s England for you I guess.

So with Stonehenge visited, we thought it was best to get back to the Visitors Centre and dry out a little. As things would have it, we were back for all of 5 minutes when the rain stopped and sun started to peek through the clouds. Aaarrrgghh! But we just thought it was pretty funny. Kate suggested heading back to the site to see it properly and take our time. After a little deliberation, it was back on the bus out to the stones.

It ended up being a great decision. There was not another drop of rain and it gave us a chance to dry out a little. We had time to be casual, and listen to the audio guide to hear all about the druids, the astronomy, and all the history. Sadly Spinal Tap were not mentioned at all (not even in the gift shop either!). What a wasted opportunity.

 

We ended up spending quite a bit of time. Given the rain, and that it was getting late (7pm), there was hardly anyone about, meaning photos with no people were a possibility. We snapped away, and looking at the pics it seemed we had a lot of the same pictures of a bunch of rocks, but it was very cool nonetheless.

But by this time they were getting ready to shut up the site. So back on the bus yet again and we were at the visitors centre. We poked around the exhibition, but by this point we were done and it was time for the longish drive back. In the end those druids were looking out for us after all.

 

Another weekend, another trip to London! This was the big one, but we’ll get to that.

This weekend we were lucky enough to be able to catch up with Kate’s other aunt and uncle for the weekend. Straight after work on Friday, it was back on the train and down to London to catch up with them for a late supper and catch up. Like the other night, it was great to relax with Kate’s family and feel welcomed on the other side of the world.

After a warm nights sleep (England is in a heatwave, which while not a heat wave like we have, still pretty warm and humid), Kate and I hit the streets of London to wander and do some shopping. When on Regent St, it is always worth a pop in to Hamley’s to see what toys are on offer.

As you can see we got a chance to catch up with some of the Lego locals. Alas, little Prince George was not around. I did spy a Corgi though.

When trying to think of things to get up to, we thought we might pop in to Westminster Abbey, as it was something neither of us had done is quite a while. Alas, when we arrived there was a VERY long queue and we quickly decided against it. But as luck would have it, we wandered around the corner and realised there was something neither of us had ever done, and that it looked like we might have an opportunity. It seemed the Houses of Parliament were open for visiting!

We didn’t have tickets but chanced upon a couple that were just released, so after a little waiting, it was inside the hallowed halls!

Needless to say they were just a little bit more impressive than the ones in Canberra. Like many buildings here, artwork centuries old just casually hangs in the halls. If I worked there I would be scared I would break something that was a few centuries old. As it was I got told off for touching something I shouldn’t have!

Sadly photos were not allowed in most of the building. But it was a great way to spend a couple of hours, and we were glad we had the chance to see a lot of what the Parliament had to offer.

With that it was getting close to evening, and we had to make our way to the O2 Arena in Greenwich for the big one. MONTY PYTHON! We actually secured tickets for the show before I had my study leave approved. We were super lucky to score tickets one night they went on sale, and figured “ah, why not!”. In the end it turned out to be the second last time Python would perform together (so they tell us, although as the name of the show suggests “1 Down 5 to Go” is sadly probably pretty accurate).

The O2 had quite the buzz when we arrived. We were surprised to see so many restaurants and night spots there. But no doubt most were there to see the Python lads, given the amount of costumes and t-shirts wandering the arena.

We even came across a very large parrot. Clearly he was pining for the fjords.

In we went into the cavernous arena. It is a little bigger than Rod Laver, but with much steeper sides. As it turned out, our tickets were fantastic, given we elected to get tickets on the (relatively) cheaper side. Up on the top level, but at the front, and just side enough to be close but have good view. Kate’s mad ticket skills to thank for that!

And without further ado, the show was on! I won’t give a blow by blow summary, but what we got was 2.5 hours of classic sketches performed live, plenty of songs, some choreography between skits as well as some video to keep us laughing while the boys changed.

So was it funny? It was hilarious! Was it perfect? Far from it. Some skits didn’t translate as well, and there were some odd choices (the weird Ministry of Silly Walks dance remix thing was just horrible). There was also the strong nostalgia that went from very sweet to a little sad at times.

But overall, it was quite the thing to see Messrs Cleese, Gilliam, Idle, Jones, and Palin in the flesh (for me, especially Michael Palin). It was worth it just to witness Spam, Dead Parrot, and Nudge Nudge Wink Wink done by Monty Python live… something I never dreamed I would ever see.

Of course we got all the other classics… Spanish Inquisition, Australian Philosophers, and awesomely, the Lumberjack Song and Galaxy Song. It was all wrapped up with a big, emotional sing-a-long of Always Look On The Bright Side of Life (of course).

So was it just a big cash in? Quite probably. But did it matter in the end? Not at all. It was Monty Python.

Hello again!

Thought I should provide a sporadic Warwick update. Mostly it has been work (very fruitful I must say… it would be awesome to be able to focus on research this much all the time), but there has been some time for minor shenanigans now Kate has arrived.

Oh, I don’t think I have mentioned my flat on campus. It is owned by the Maths Research Centre. It sure it distinctive! Nice and comfy though which is important.

Anyway, first up, my Warwick host Jane and her husband treated Kate and I to an evening trip on their canal boat. The canal system in the UK is quite extensive, and with a long canal boat you can travel much of the country (in a very leisurely fashion). So after work one evening, we headed for Stoke Bruerne were her husband Ian and daughter Helen were waiting. With that it was a couple of hours of leisurely boating along the Grand union canal. I say leisurely but I was put to work helping out with some of the lochs. By the end I was quite the expert (well, maybe not).

Part of the trip involved a 3km trip through a very dark tunnel. It was quite eerie in a way, especially when another boat would be coming at you in canal just wide enough to fit the two boats. Thankfully Ian is quite the experienced skipper so all was fine.

The end rewards for our boating was some good pub food. Not a bad life.

The next night we had the opportunity to catch up with Kate’s uncle and aunt. Awesomely, they live only 20 minutes from the Uni of Warwick, so it means that we have the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with them. Kate spent the day while I was at work, and after job done I was picked up for a good catch up dinner. It was great to catch up with a side of the family we don’t often get to see.

Canal boats… pubs… catching up with family… not a bad side benefit to this trip to Warwick.

Hi all!

Apologies for the lack of updates. I am being told off by a few people now that they are expecting more stories here on the blog and I am not delivering. So I best fix that!

Part of the reason is that my main activity here is just work, so I didn’t think I would bore you with the details there. But in the last week and a half there has been a bit to report. So let’s start the first of a handful of new posts…

Weekend before last I was back off down to London. No major activity planned, but rather to head out to Heathrow bright and early on the Sunday morning to pick up my lovely lassy from the airport. Woo! But rather than head down super early on the Sunday morning (a 6am arrival), I decided to wander down the day before and catch up with a London based Aussie friend of mine that I hadn’t seen in a while. So back on the train it was to central London. Sadly, our plans fell through at the last minute, so I was left to my own devices for the day.

I didn’t have anything particular in mind, so I just decided to wander, visit some record and comic stores, and just soak up the hot, steamy, London. In my wandering I was happy to come across an Invader perched high on a wall. I was hopeful that I would come across more in the area, but alas no.

A few hours of wandering and I was tiring out from the humid weather. As luck would have it, I passed a cinema that had a screening of the new Richard Linklater film “Boyhood” in only 10 minutes time. Score! So rather than keep wandering, I decided it was time for a relax and movie. I was super keen to see it, and knew I would probably miss it back home, so was pumped (I won’t go into my review here, feel free to check me out on letterboxd if you want some thoughts).

3 hours later it was back into the glorious balmy London early evening. Since I was staying out at Heathrow for the evening due to Kate’s super early arrival, I decided to head out in time to watch the World Cup 3rd place game. I arrived easy enough, with plenty of time to settle into the bar for some World Cup. An average game later and it was bed time.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ! Holy moly, it’s 5am. So a quick check out and I was in Terminal 3 arrivals, anxiously waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Sadly, the plane was delayed almost an hour and a half. Boo. But in the end a surprisingly sprightly Kate popped out into the arrivals hall and all was good in the world.

So did we head back to Warwick for Kate to settle down and get some rest? Of course not! A day of wandering London was in order! The plan was to keep her awake as long as possible to get into the local time zone. So after dropping off some bags, we decided to grab some brunch and wander one of my favourite places, the National Gallery. I still get a buzz seeing the Botticelli’s and Van Gogh’s.

With that it was some more wandering, slowly making our way back to Euston station. We had some time to a quick pop into the British Museum (another favourite) but the crazy crowds meant it was fleeting. With that, it was on a train back to Coventry, and with it, finally some rest for Kate.