Gone the Chop

Finally gone n done it!!

I've gone the bitten the bullet and plunged into that unholy relm of getting a haircut in a foreign land. Okay, maybe not so quite dramatically as we could both speak english, but it turned out to be quite an experience. A rather fancy spot in Ledenhall Market - underground, and part of an old Roman Basilica, which explained the small toursit group going through!!

Anyway, a rather different cut to what I've had before, and Charity is of the opinion that it's an improvement on before, but then again, she's biased...

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You didn't seriously expect a photo did you?!

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Other bits of news that aren't so note-worthy, are the increasing replies from recruiters now for different roles - I'm assuming that they're trying for last minute commissions so they can have more spending money for xmas...

Oh, and i've successfully dented the rear rim of the bike, when I hit a pot hole at about 30kmh. Instant pinch flat, and bent rim to go with it!

It's All Happening

What a weekend!!

But first, today's little tidbit of info - within 10mins of sending off an application for a role, the recruiter rang to say that they'll put me forward for the role, which they said I should have a good chance of winning. And while writing this, a second recruiter has rung with similar news.
Now that Charity has work, it looks like it may now fall into place for both of us! But I digress...

Saturday evening, we had some fun getting out to a party in Clapham, which is in the south-west of london, just over the river. It still took us 2hours to get there because 3 of the lines for the Tube weren't working making the trip a nightmare. Still, we eventually made it there for a fun night in a Cuban bar. Even though the bus ride home was rather interesting, at least it was far shorter than 2hours!! (below is the guest of honour "ghosting" about the party.)

Sunday was a rather late getting out of bed, for obvious reasons!

It was West Ham away, so for another long bus ride to meet with some new folks (Petr, Espen & Harrison - I already knew Sue), it was off to Upton Park for the game. Our 'ever so smart' cab driver dropped us off one tube stop away from the ground with the enlightening news that it would be easier for us to catch the tube the one stop than him try and drive through the traffic mess up ahead. Unfortunately, he didn't factor the fact that the first train to arrive would be full and not let us on...

After a brief trip on the train, we were amongst the crowds making their way to the ground. As we headed up a side street towards the away supporters entrance we were stopped by a small cordon of police, who were making way for a large group of fellow Tottenham supporters (right). So, with a little bit of questioning, we joined this little march and were happily escorted to the ground by the "Old Bill" (as the police are called).

The game itself was entertaining enough, but unfortunately, a missed penalty (below) in the final minute of the game, prevented Spurs from nicking the win. 1-1 being the final result.

Back to a pub in central London it was, but only after a short walk from the tube, via the deconstruction of a local street market. That navigated, it was beer and song for a few rounds before the pub closed and we moved to one that was open.

Here's where things went a little awry, when there was a scuffle outside and one fellow was knocked unconscious when his head struck the ground. Police and ambulance attended and the the coppers were questioning everyone, myself included, as to what we saw. With the mood of the evening well and truely gone it was back onto a bus for home...

Cast Your Vote!

Last night we had a bit of fun by watching England v Croatia in our local pub. England's last chance to qualify for next year's European Championships, and they blew it. We did manage to get a bit of entertainment out of all the "armchair managers" sitting in the pub - bloody funny lot, they were!!

Have now voted for the "all important" Federal Election - I very much hope that the poles and media speculation will be wrong! All a rather easy process in the end, and Australia House isn't all that impressive. Then again, I wasn't really expecting it to be...

We followed this up with a wander along the Strand and a brief trip into Chinatown to stock up on Asian ingredients for the new wok. (Which also means that I'll have to be wearing the chef's hat for a bit now too.)

And here's the Hare Krishna folk from Camden Market. Even they're feeling the cold..

The Western Front

Or "All's Quiet on..."

Well, Reed haven't delivered too much since that phone call, although, they have rung back about another job, so there may be some promise in this lot. As for the other recruiters, you know as much as I do about them as the tumbleweeds drift by...

Anyway, a throat infection has kept me laying low for the last couple of days, and we haven't done too much other than the occasional bus trip into central London for a few things. One trip will be to vote soon, which promises to be MUCH fun!! One thing it has done is give us the chance to watch a £2 dvd of Ratatoullie, that I bought in a pub. Surprisingly good copy of the movie with almost nothing wrong with it!! A well spent £2.

At least the Landlord/Builder has pretty much finished up out the back of the place, as you can see below - even if all he's done is just wall off his storeyard, but at least our little space is now clear for us to use. It's bigger than it looks. That's my little bike garage on the right, if you're wondering - see the next pic for the full thing... It takes up to 3 bikes if you're curious.

Well, That was Quick!

I just spent a couple of hours surfing all the insurance jobs on offer on reed.co.uk - one of the large recruitment/job sites here in England.

Within an hour of finishing, I received a phone call, which included a quickish interview with regard with one of the 12 applications that I submitted!

Amazing what can happen when you actually apply yourself to something!

Unfortunately, now it's a case of "oh, should have said this..."!!

v Wigan

A rather cold sunday afternoon saw me again at White Hart Lane. This time for the game against Wigan. When I tried to get the two tickets for both of us to go, I was told that I was getting the last available ticket to the ground. Okay, so we're not to happy about that, but what made it worse was that the seat next to me was empty for the whole game!!

Anyway, the match was rather entertaining with Tottenham winning 4-0, and they could have scored more. So after the first win at home for several months, you can imagine the crowds in the streets, let alone those of us who made it back into one of the local "boozers" (pubs). The place was going nuts and the celebrations continued long into the night. It was also the final game for one of the folks I know in Perth (Lol) who heads back there this week, so we did have a bit of a send off for him, which turned into quite a night with all the festivities and singing at the pub.

Turned out to be a top night out (even if I was by myself for it..)

Husky, Lol and myself

Camden Market - The First Glimspe

A nice sunny day on saturday, and Charity went to Camden Market with her friend Amy. After a quick text message invite I hopped onto the new tredley to once again go for a jaunt through London's roads and traffic. Not only am I enjoying riding through London - not counting the few dopey motorists that haven't a clue - I'm really starting to get the hang of their odd road rules and traffic light systems.

Anyway, I digress, and I found Camden Market after a half hour ride and ended up in amongst masses of people. The market itself isn't just on large marketplace like the Vic Markets in Melbourne, but almost like an entire road full of small shops that link a couple of marketplaces together. Name it and you could probably find it here to by - just like this used maniquine. I even managed to find Hare Krishna's, which I've not seen for ages!! (unfortunately, I forgot to bring the picture of them with me to the internet cafe...) The outside of the shops themselves were pretty interesting as well, as you can see the dragon on the wall in the pic below, there were plenty of other shops/buildings with other items on the walls - including a DC-3 Plane!

All very interesting and many different types of people everywhere! Even through the throngs, I managed to find Charity and Amy and then join them for a walk through another section of the main road and several shops. So much more to see, but the late afternoon approached while the weather turned rather cloudy and cold... Time for me to head home and not freeze on the bike nor have to navigate my way home in the dark!

Definately a place to go again!!

The Camden Lock

Guarding a Rainy Cave

Another day out in Central London and another bit of discovering. Nice weather day, so off we head to central London with the intention of catching the changing of the guards.

Upon reaching Pall Mall, we saw that the changing of the Horseguards was underway out the front of the horseguard barracks (if that's what it's called). A quick dice with the traffic and a short stroll across the corner of St James Park and we were amongst the tourists watching. Unfortunately, there's not much to this one - they line up, the new guard ride out and line up too. The rest of the old guard ride out into the yard, before the new guard ride in to the barracks. The old guard then ride away and up the street to Pall Mall with a police escort... Yes, I can hear you 'Ooo Eerr'ing too.

It was then off towards Buckingham Palace to catch the other changing of the guards, only that didn't eventuate for us. In the sunshine that came through for our walk through St James Park, we encountered the "wildlife" of English parks - squirrels, pidgeons, crows, geese, pelican and other water fowl. Even getting to feed one brave squirrel in the process. We also encountered a fellow with his pet ferrett - classic little fellow (the ferrett) as he stayed pretty much curled up in his owner's hood, and occasionally popped his head up for a pat or just to check out the world going by. In the end we were far too late for the changing of the guard, so we made our way back past Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, etc... along the Thames to Embankment/Charing Cross Train stations, where we had a late lunch in a cave. Well, sort of, it was part of Gordon's Wine Bar, which is effectively underground. We're not sure about what the "cave" section originally was - perhaps a kiln of some sort - but it was completely candlelit and had a superb atmosphere. The wines were pretty good too!

From there it became a rather wet walk (no, I hadn't had an accident - it was raining) up to Oxford St for the Xmas lights that had been turned on the night before. Rather dull really, so we headed home from there.

I can hear you all, well, some of you, wondering about all this touristy stuff I'm doing, and if you must know, we did stop by two recruitment offices during our travels...

Guy Fawkes

This weekend that we've just seen was my first Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night. Not that I'm new to fireworks or using them, it was just the first time to be doing so legally!

We headed up to Hemel Hampstead on the saturday afternoon to Row n Karl's place for a bbq dinner before heading out to the Fireburst Guy Fawkes display. In the cold of the semi-countryside of Hemel Hampstead we trekked along the tow path of a nearby canal for around 20mins in the dark until we reached a pub.

Nice little place this one, right alongside the canal. We settled in to the beer garden that was nestled between the pub and the canal, and enjoyed a couple of pints under the few trees, which were adorned with their lights. Occasionally, we could both hear and see locals setting off their own fireworks all around the area.

Anyway, at around 7.30pm we made our way down the laneway to the nearby paddock for the display. Skyshow it ain't, but then again, it was still rather an impressive display, complete with the major bonfire to one side, and a couple of firework Guy Fawkes lit up during the fireworks going off. Unfortunately, I missed them with my camera, but below are some of what I did capture. Warming ourselves by the bonfire and some interesting hotdogs after the display finished, rounded out our time in the paddock.

Charity enjoying one of the said hotdogs.

Once back in the pub and thawing out, we continued until close as the pints and conversation (and sillyness) flowed! All a little much for some at the end of the night, (as you can see) but once stirred, we trekked back to Hemel Hampstead and bed. (maybe via an episode of the Vicar of Dibly, but I don't recall too much of this...)

Okay, so I got creative on the last section of our walk back after being in the pitch black of the tow path and decided to continue playing with the lights and my camera...

Canary Wharf on the Buses

Wednesday, Charity and I decided to walk down one of the other nearby main roads as a way to reach a particular store. A much nicer walk, even if we didn't manage to find our intended destination! We did, however, discover how nice the surrounding area was to Stoke-Newington and Finsbury Park itself. Rather bohemian in many aspects along Stoke-Newington Church road!

That night saw myself and Paul at the Carling Cup match between Blackpool and Tottenham - a fun night with the crowd in full swing for the game, followed by a few pints in the pub afterwards. As for the game itself, well, it was rather ordinary, but the fun we had in the stands more than made up for it.

Thursday saw Charity and myself back in the centre of London for a bit, before ending up checking out Canary Wharf. Most impressive with all the new building! It all looked so modern, and nothing like regular London in anyway. In fact if it had the flying cars zooming about overhead in the streets you could picture yourself in ond of those backdrops used in the early eighties science fiction films. Well, that's how it felt to me...

We headed home as the sun went down, and after stopping off for a couple of cornish pasties, we caught the bus home. Happily sitting up the front of the top tier for "the view", and trying to work out exactly where the bus was taking us (until we eventually reached some familiar territory!

Friday had me back out on the roads again on the new bike. We'd discovered a small bike shop on our walkabout on wednesday, and they had another store closer to home. After finding out how to get there on our map, I headed off. Only I discovered that one of the roads I'd intended to ride up was oneway, and not in the correct direction. I then proceeded to try and renegotiate my way there via other roads, and successfully got myself partially lost. I found the correct road again, but I had no idea were I was on it, making it rather hard to find the correct turn off needed. I did eventually find it, however, I completely missed the shop I was looking for on my first ride up this road! "Up" being the operative word, because it turned into a very steep hill, and it wasn't til I was well down the other side of it that I found out that the shop I sought was infact on the other side of the hill!!

Back I went, up the same hill with only one gear - perhaps London's not quite as flat as I was told, and not as 'easy' for singlespeed bikes!!

At least it was an enjoyable ride all up.