I wrote this post last Monday and then thought I'd add some photos and it got lost in transit. In the interests of posting it before 2010, here it is minus the photos...
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My first Advent Calendar sighting of the year a couple of weeks ago shocked me into realising just how quickly 2009 is flying past. It’s prompted me into a flurry of activity as I try to squeeze the most out of the last months of this year. As a result I’m making great progress on my jigsaw puzzle, I’ve attended another Data Warehousing course (work stuff), I’ve done a stack of client training at work and I’ve been back on the “Be a tourist in your own city” trail.
In early September, Phil and I spent a fascinating Saturday at Bletchley Park. We toured the buildings where brilliant people like Alan Turing worked day and night deciphering encrypted German messages during World War II. It is believed that the intelligence they provided played a key role in the Allied victory of World War II and significantly shortened the length of the war potentially saving thousands of lives. The visit was particularly interesting for us as the machines that were developed to break the codes are some of the earliest instances of the digital computer. It was like our university lecture material coming to life!
That same afternoon, Megan, one of my school friends, flew in to London for a whistle stop visit. Unfortunately her plane was delayed so we didn’t get a chance to catch a show on Saturday night, but we spent all Sunday in central London perusing the sights. We managed to cram in an ogle at Piccadilly Circus, a walk through of Leicester Square, photos in Trafalgar Square, an “awww, horses…” moment at the Royal Horse Guards, a stroll through Parliament Square, a flight on the London Eye, a ferry trip to Tower Bridge, the Beefeater tour and a squiz at the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London and a hot drink and street performance in Covent Garden before we headed back to Wimbledon.
Despite over five years of tourist-ing in London I still haven’t made it into Westminster Abbey. We considered going inside for a service, but the security people at the front entrance were onto that ploy – probably tipped off by the 50 other “we’re not tourists” people trying to do the same thing!
Megan has done some amazing trips including the Trans Siberian train trip and a tour through Eastern Europe, and combined with her experiences of policing in the outback, she has a wonderful stream of funny, interesting tales to tell. I always look forward to catching up with her and hope she comes to visit again soon.
The past week has all been about secrecy and planning. It is Duncan’s (Phi’s running buddy) birthday today – HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNC! – so his girlfriend, Leanne and I spent the week organising a surprise trip to the theatre for him. We all met up on Saturday afternoon at our house and then moseyed into London for “dinner”. We were a bit overeager and had to fill in some time before our meal (it was well spent raiding the Godiva chocolate shop and the Lola’s cupcake counter at Selfridges). After a tasty meal of tapas at La Tasca (definitely going there again), we went for “a wander through theatre land” – at which point Duncan was well and truly on to us! Luckily he’s a thoughtful guy, so he put on a great performance of being surprised (remember him when the Oscar nominations come out) when we popped into Avenue Q to collect our pre-booked tickets.
Yes – this was the SIXTH time I’ve seen Avenue Q. Before the show I was thinking that I was a little over it and might not go again, but now I’m hooked all over again! It’s funny and heart-warming, and the songs are super catchy. We had third row seats, which were about two rows too close, but it did give us a perfect view of the actors’ faces which really added to the show. I wonder if it’s possible to buy a lifetime ticket… hmmm…
It’s less than three weeks until my parents arrive in London for a much anticipated visit. All attention is now focused on things to do in England and Brittany in France during their time with us. Suggestions welcome…
Oh – one final note: Phil’s thumb is healing well. He’s almost got full movement back and it’s only slightly swollen now. He tells me that it is still important to keep up the Xbox therapy until it is fully recovered (and beyond)!
Labels: entertainment
Panic flower shot
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Lloyd's of London
The Counting House Speciality - Tasty Pies!
Rush hour at Waterloo Station
Wimbledon Village Horse Crossing
