Time is going so quickly by, it's only 6 weeks until we head back to CT.
Athol has been busy with his papers, he has to submit his last 6000 word paper for Global Justice today. Then he has an exam on 10 and 12 June. After the 12th he has to work on his thesis which is due 1 September then graduation is in December.
It's been raining a bit in London, we've had some warm day i.e. 20C but on average the temperature is about 18C.
Today is another Bank Holiday, the second one this month.
I've been shopping around for a dress and finally found one yesterday. We have been invited to our first English wedding next month near Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's home town) which is about an hour or so train ride out of London. I'm not quite sure what the dress code is, but guess that it is somewhat formal as it is an old English church. The ceremony is at 4pm then the reception is at a nearby farm.
The clothing sizes in the UK are a bit different to SA so it's best to try on the clothing to see if it fits. I seem to take about an 8/10 or a Small. Jeans I take a 28/30 inch. I haven't really bought much clothing recently. In our big move from JHB to CT I gave away tons of clothing. It makes you realise what a waste of money it is. Clothing is relatively expensive in London especially when you convert it to our weak ZAR :( I walked along Oxford Street a few times, but didn't find anything. Shopping is also a bit hectic here, it always seems SO busy!
There are the big departmental stores like BHS, Debenhams, John Lewis and there are clothing chainstores like Espirit, M&S, Primark, Next, H&M and New Look.
I need to shop for a while outfit as I didn't bring anything smart/formal with. Also I didn't want to bring so much things over and even buy much things here as I'm not sure if all our things with fit in our suitcases when we leave!
Fortunately, a lot of the shops have sales but then size and colour are a challenge. To me, it is easier to shop online, the searching helps! Except size might be an issue.
I landed up buying a long black and white dress from TK Maxx, I must say that I think that I look pretty good in it :) plus the price was good too! I discovered that TK Maxx is a good place to shop for dresses, they claim that most things are 60% of the regular retail price. Now to hunt for shoes, a bag and a jacket. Apparently for English wedding woman sometimes wear a hat or a fascinator (like a flower or lace thing that you put in your hair) - not sure if 'll go that far :)
Monday, May 26, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Visiting Greenwich
We decided to have a little break and visit Greenwich for the afternoon yesterday.
We caught the City Cruises boat from London Eye to Greenwich, which was about a 75 minute trip. There was a stop at Tower Bridge. During the cruise, there was commentary about the interesting spots just off the Thames River.
Just off the Greenwich Pier, we could see the Cutty Sark, which is a famous clipper which used to carry tea from afar.
There is a lot to do around Greenwich, a nice little place just out of the city. There are museums, galleries, shops, Greenwich Park and The Royal Observatory which is on the top of Greenwich Park and this is where the Prime Meridian Line is - East meets West! It is quite a steep walk up to the top but the views are spectacular.
You have to pay 7 pounds to get in to see the Greenwich Meridian Line. So here Athol and I are, with me in the Eastern hemisphere and Athol in the Western hemisphere!
There were a lot of people on the hill but luckily not so many people inside, it was just a short wait to take our photo along the GMT line.
There is a few other interesting things to see around Greenwich, there's the Royal Maritime Museum and the Queens House (fine art gallery).
We walked around Greenwich and then caught the last boat out at 5:30pm. Such lovely views from the boat.
I think that Spring finally has come to London, was 20 degrees today and no jacket was required :)
So a great afternoon exploring Greenwich!
We caught the City Cruises boat from London Eye to Greenwich, which was about a 75 minute trip. There was a stop at Tower Bridge. During the cruise, there was commentary about the interesting spots just off the Thames River.
Tower Bridge
Tower of London
Apartments designed to look like 3 soldiers
Pub
Canary Wharf looks like a mini Manhattan with the dense, modern buildings
Just off the Greenwich Pier, we could see the Cutty Sark, which is a famous clipper which used to carry tea from afar.
There is a lot to do around Greenwich, a nice little place just out of the city. There are museums, galleries, shops, Greenwich Park and The Royal Observatory which is on the top of Greenwich Park and this is where the Prime Meridian Line is - East meets West! It is quite a steep walk up to the top but the views are spectacular.
You have to pay 7 pounds to get in to see the Greenwich Meridian Line. So here Athol and I are, with me in the Eastern hemisphere and Athol in the Western hemisphere!
There were a lot of people on the hill but luckily not so many people inside, it was just a short wait to take our photo along the GMT line.
There is a few other interesting things to see around Greenwich, there's the Royal Maritime Museum and the Queens House (fine art gallery).
So a great afternoon exploring Greenwich!
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
T minus 2 months
Well, we head back to CT in 2 months time.
Time has flown by so quickly!
The third semester has started so Athol has been busy with papers, preparing for his dissertation and up-coming exams.
My cousin and aunt left last Saturday, was good having them here.
Went to the Spanish food market along South Bank yesterday and met up with my good old friend, Desray, from school.
It is still pretty cold here, not quite Spring yet :( The trees and flowers have all bloomed but it is still necessary to wear a jacket in the morning or evening.
So with 2 months to go, we'll try enjoy our time here. We will do some local travelling. We have an English wedding on 21 June which should be interesting.... it'll be our first English wedding.
Time has flown by so quickly!
The third semester has started so Athol has been busy with papers, preparing for his dissertation and up-coming exams.
My cousin and aunt left last Saturday, was good having them here.
Went to the Spanish food market along South Bank yesterday and met up with my good old friend, Desray, from school.
It is still pretty cold here, not quite Spring yet :( The trees and flowers have all bloomed but it is still necessary to wear a jacket in the morning or evening.
So with 2 months to go, we'll try enjoy our time here. We will do some local travelling. We have an English wedding on 21 June which should be interesting.... it'll be our first English wedding.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Match day at the Emirates Stadium: Arsenal 1 - West Brom 0
Yesterday, we went to the Arsenal vs West Brom game at the Emirates Stadium since we managed to get good tickets from a friend who was selling theirs. This was my forth game at the Emirates. We still have yet to see our team lose :)
We caught the underground from Leicester Square to the Arsenal station. Luckily it wasn't too crowded. The weather was also nice and sunny.
We entered the stadium at entrance N and sat in Block 125. Our seats were in Row 1 which was awesome.
In the 14th minute, Giroud scored so Arsenal were ahead 1-0.
During halftime, they said that there was a special treat, former legendary Arsenal player Robert Pires came onto the field and spoke.
Two yellow cards were given.
At the end of the game, since it was the final home game, the players did a final lap to thank the supporters. Their children came onto the field as well. As well as Gunnersaurus :)
So a good day, Arsenal won and secured fourth place in the league.
We decided to be a bit creative and try avoid some of the crowds by walking to the Highbury Park tube station, there was a lot of people but at least we didn't have to queue like at the Arsenal station. It's always great to go to live football games :)
We caught the underground from Leicester Square to the Arsenal station. Luckily it wasn't too crowded. The weather was also nice and sunny.
We entered the stadium at entrance N and sat in Block 125. Our seats were in Row 1 which was awesome.
In the 14th minute, Giroud scored so Arsenal were ahead 1-0.
During halftime, they said that there was a special treat, former legendary Arsenal player Robert Pires came onto the field and spoke.
Asene Wenger
At the end of the game, since it was the final home game, the players did a final lap to thank the supporters. Their children came onto the field as well. As well as Gunnersaurus :)
So a good day, Arsenal won and secured fourth place in the league.
We decided to be a bit creative and try avoid some of the crowds by walking to the Highbury Park tube station, there was a lot of people but at least we didn't have to queue like at the Arsenal station. It's always great to go to live football games :)
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