Northern Hemisphere here we come

Sunday, 21 September 2014

London Day 4

Woke up at 7am after 8 hours sleep- hoping body clock is ok!!!
Dan and I went for a walk hoping to go the Gherkin- my fav London Building- so head off early- already the queue was around the block and then some and the people who had just come out had arrived at 7am. So it was not to be instead we did a work out around the famous buildings en route!!!

Where my Mama used to head to work

Dan's new iphone 6 also got a workout check out the special effects!!!

Home to shower and off to Spitalfields Markets for lunch at Gourment burgers-NZ Company and then off to The Olympic Stadium, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park located in Stratford.

Also home to one of only two malls in London- reminded me of why I hate shopping in malls.

Some amazing art installations

Off to dinner at Sushisamba located on the 38th & 39th floors of the Heron Tower, delivers a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine and views to die for. Met up with Dan Fouhy ( ex Wellington rugby) and his lovely wife!!

Another day tomorrow- off to Corfu!!!

Saturday, 20 September 2014

Day 3 in London

A couple of photos from Dan's phone from Day 2

Longtime Naenae College friend Linda Booth

Cocktails!!! (Yes Kelly)

View from the Shard Restaurant

The Sun bus at the Sun Office

Jet lag set in a little this morning so a leisurely start to the day..... well so we thought- thunder and lightning storm- cut internet YEK!!! What about live stream for election....... Dan cooked lovely breakfast then after the result we were off...

to Portobello Market- it was lovely... to wander... lots of busking.... coloured houses and stalls to browse.

then off to Highgate Cemetry where Karl Marx and Bert Jansch (top guitarist) are buried ... then a stroll up Parliament Hill.... Some very interesting headstones

then back to Toms lovely 17th Century house..... so lovely.

A soak in the bath now and hopefully a good night's sleep.

Friday, 19 September 2014

Day 2 London

What a day- 23 degrees overcast a bit muggy. Woke to the news that Scotland would stay part of the UK!!.

Went to Buckingham Palace and went to the Mews, the Gardens and the special Royal Childhood Exhibition!! Old footage of the queen and other young royals playing and being "normal." John listening to the tour guide about the black prince.

No photos inside so this was just the foyer- the buidling were magnifcient- art galleries in their own right. The real royal carriage

And the royal gardens

Then off to iphone store for iphone 6 for Dan- no queues for us-some had been queuing overnight!!!

Back home for quick shower and change and off to see Dan's office- level 12 of the building next store to the Shard. Met the team - all delightful young people- and also Andy Halls who is Dan's replacement on a Sunday morning Newstalk when Dan is other wise engaged. Amazing office, amazing view- missed Rupert Murdoch by a couple of hours!!!

Then Father's day dinner on floor 32 of the Shard- what aview. We were joined by Linda Booth and husband Chris- excellent company and food. Thank you Dan!!

Thursday, 18 September 2014

Day 1 in London

Hi All

What a mammoth trip it is to get here but well worth it!! 8 movies on the plane - 4 movies all sad- the Dark Horse, Calvary, the Normal heart and the Fault in the stars!! The other 4 were chick flicks and old copies of Modern Family!!!

Dan has done a superb job of keeping us awake..... but fading fast. Historic day here and I know Frances will be following closely in NZ- the Scottish Referendum!! First results here at 2 am might watch live if my body clock is slow to change!!!

Met the lovely Dirk you can see who rules the roost in this house!!!

Outside Dan's apartment-Aldgate East- cobbled streets- the works!!!!

Walked to Tower Bridge- magical late summer evening no sweatshirts required.

The amazing ceramic poppies around the Tower of London. the number is being added to until 11th November- each poppy represents a fallen soldier.

The Shard- tallest building in London in fact the EU-off there for dinner tomorrow night for Father's Day- will be interesting as John scared of heights!!!!The smaller building on the right is where Dan's office is located visiting there tomorrow.