Our new garden

Thank you Nanna Rose and Chiefy-pops for coming down last weekend and helping us dig over, prepare and plant our garden. We have been putting this off since the end of last year. Apart from having to water it ever night, it has been great using the garden everyday.

Here are just a few photos of Tom enjoying the garden last night.

Wembley June 2009

The other week a few of us went to the New Wembley for the England, Andorra game.

The stadium was excellent, and the result was in our favour.

Here is the famour arch on the approach coming down Olympic Way.

And despite our seating being up high, we had a video game style view of the game. Here is the view from our seats.

A weekend with Uncle Paul

Last weekend Uncle Paul visited and given the sunny weather we took a trip out to Hampton Court. Our aim was to take Thomas into the maze....but first of all there were numerous benches that Tom wanted to sit on....

And then lots of Daffodils to ohh and ahh at....

And finally we got to the maze and then there were lots of bushes to poke at...

And then when we (finally) got out of the maze we found the best thing of all - a doggy!

Snowed-in in London

We woke up this morning to the heaviest snow in 18 years ! Here are just a couple of photos from my phone at 7 am this morning.

This is the view from my front door.

This is the view down my road.

I just took this picture at 8.15 am . This is the view from the back of the lounge. I think the building work will stop today and that conservatory will have to wait !

Tom talks to the animals

Today, Sat 31st Jan the Lands ventured to the Tropical Forest, inside Syon Park's grounds to see the animals. The displays themselves are varied and interested, if the building is not a bit dated. But, we were fortunate to be there for the show. The lead keeper and a couple of helpers introduced and then walked into the audiences with the creatures. Here are some of our photos.

Tom decided to go find his own kind.

Who do you think will win the staring competition?

Baby Tom versus the massive Baby Alligator. Mum looks calm here, but you should of seen her when they were bringing round the Tarantualas!

And on the way out Tom had to say goodbye to the Tortoise !

It was a good place to go for kids of all ages from Tom 1 1/4 yrs plus.


Link to the Tropical Forest in Syon Park, Brentford London >>

Marble Hill Picnic Concert - starring Berlinda Carlisle

On Saturday we endured the rain and went to Marble Hill, Twickenham. It was a picnic concert organised by English Heritage. There were 4 acts. Bananarama opening, with 2 of the 3 members. They enjoyed themselves - maybe a sound check first?? The second act was strange. It was Altered Images. Scary to say the least.
We missed the final act - Midure because we went home - we were soaked and cold.
But the 3rd act was great. I was very impressed - suprisingly so.
Anyway here are a couple of photos.

Wimbledon

Last week we went to Wimbledon. The morning was good. We saw the whole of the Hewitt game, drank beer, ate overpriced fish'n'chips and watched some tennis.


Then after lunch - it rained and it rained hard. Here is the view from the top of centre court.


Some defiant people sat out with umbrellas hoping for a break in the rain.

Ascot

We were at Ascot races at the weekend. Did you see the pictures in the papers. It was raining so hard at points it was comedy. The ground was mud and the average bloke was up to his ankles in mud - and the ladies - many bare foot with dress being held up - hillarious!

It was still smiles on the way to the course.


In the brief spells of brilliant sunshine (and sunburn) we did select some winners - unfortunely not on the races we put money on!


Here are some debut photos of Claire and Mark - the others involved in this day out.


Maybe we will have more luck next year?

Snow in London

We woke up this morning to a wonderful winter wonderland. Overnight, it had snowed.
This is a picture of our house about 7am this morning.


The route to the train station was all snowy. With plenty of evidence of snow taken from cars for snow balls.


It was a real shame that it took nearly 3 hours to get to the office!

I am looking forward to try to get home !

Jazz - George Melly

Last week we went to a Jazz event. Very grown up I hear you say - well it was a good cause !

It was a charity event organised by 'St Mary's chest and allergy department', (hospital in Paddington, London, UK).

As this is a department many jazz and other musicians may need in later life due to the historical work environment they have been in.

So, the line up was quite impressive when I researched who they were. I am someone who appreciates the music but doesnt really follow the scene or understand who the artists were.


The line up was Scot Savage, the 'Lung buster' band, Willie Garnett and George Melly (pictured here - not taken on the night!).

It was a good night and with the raffle, I believe a serious amount of funds were raised. It was well organised and the performers performed.

A good night was had by all.

Cycle lane road markings - Do you know what this one is??

Todays grip with the world is.....Car drivers & other vehicles who sit in the bicycle's reserved section at the front of a junction!.

On the communte in on the bike today, fighting the normal annoyances such as the British winter, fumes, danger of being squished by vehicles and side swipped by mums on the school run were many cars in the "green sanctuary" at a junction.

I borrowed this picture from a government website who were documented the areas for each type of vehicle.

While I was there, I thought I better check to see what the definition of this area was!.

It was quite clear. Bicycles only.

So, no Cars, Lorries, Motorbikes, Scooter, Pedestrians crossing and definately no pizza delivery bike riders. (they are their own category!).

Anyway back to my Rant. So after having to squeeze past a series of cars parked in this area. I had a car nudge by back wheel and try to hurry me through the red light while sitting in the 'Green Sanctuary'. I considered this area as an area for bikes to give them a head start - and not a space for cars to intimidate cyclists.

Looking forward to the cycle home tonight!

The new Bond film is brilliant

At the weekend we went to see the new Bond film - "Casino Royale".

In short I think it was brilliant.

It was refreshing to see a film that broke away for the tradition which is hard in a long series of films.

I think it worked equally as well as the first ever and the latest bond film.

It was very good to be character led, rather than the formula, this is the car scene, this is the gadget scene, this is the bond girl scene and this it the compulsary car plug scene.

Casino Royale builds the Bond character for the audience. It was a physological profile of 007, and how is became the way that we all know him.

It was darker in terms of cinematography, but more realistic at the same time.

In the cinema we saw it, the general feedback was all positive.

A brave move from the producers of Bond - well done and lets hope they continue with this new theme.

From a satisfied viewer.

Lord Mayors Parade, London

On Saturday the 11th November we ended up witnessing the Lord Mayors Parade in London.

It was a huge procession of floats representing the City of London and guests. Here are just a few photographs.

DeLorean from the Back to the future

One of the many marching bands

Some more old cars

See other images >>