Water logged tourists

Today I adopted an American tourist and after the Tower of London we got the bus to Trafalgar Square.

Leaving with friends

On our way home after the engagement party, it was a really great night.
More photos to come.

Walking around the Isle

Keep your eye on the bauble

Nothing celebrates the Christmas spirit more than generic mall decorations (and mall security paranoia).

Accessibility?

25 years in

Ice skating at Somerset House, for Stacey's birthday. A lot of her friends are a lot closer to twenty than we are, and when I made a reference to McGyver and then had to explain what McGyver is, I think I aged at least ten years. 'Oh, that guy they talk about on the Simpsons...?'

Sherlock at Baker Street

I was in Baker Street this morning, and found myself near Madame Tussauds for the first time since I visited in 1999. Now it costs twenty five quid for an adult to get in! From here I wandered down Marylebone Road and used the BT tower to guide me towards Oxford Street, it was nice a realisation that I'm starting to get to know parts of London to navigate sans map. Well, the shopping district anyway.

Straining with colour

Early celebrations

A group of our friends all have plans that clash with our engagement party next week. Belgium, Bruges, Birmingham and Venice get them next weekend, so last night we had an early celebration. Thanks guys.

Yorkshire pud good

My first yorkshire puds. Yes, I grew up in probably one of the few homes in NZ where vinegar on chips, red cabbage, mushy peas and yorkshire puddings were part of our food culture. Yet somehow I insisted on surviving on sweet corn and fish fingers (and they say I'm a fussy eater...) So, with my sister over for dinner in our new house, I make the stretch to attempt my first yorkshire puddings. A side to chicken, so don't tell my mum. But with stuffed mushrooms so I get points for that right?

Street lamp firelight

From Selfridges for the party next week

Amoungst the Alexandra McQueens and Vivienne Westwoods was something I could actually both afford and walk in.

Too far to adopt a new local

Enough Beatles history? Not even close. I'm keen to go back next year, but maybe on the train next time.

Forever

Commentary on the London weather

Remembering Iris

Kev's and Stacey's kiwi Nanna Iris will be forever remembered.

Sparkly shopping

On Oxford Street to meet Cath for dinner, another Aussie that's deserting us for Sydney's sunny shores. Parting words on the underground platform from Cath, 'Don't join Facebook, I'll email you'. Class. Act.

Belsize Batch #1

Yesterday, after watching Fantastic Mr Fox, we went back to Tim and Louisa's to label the bottles. They had been hard at work yesterday bottling without us so the next brew may go down in the East London brewery site (our front room).

Sharp as a tack

Kev's Nanna is slowly improving and is at least happy to be back in her own flat.

Sixty for a year

As well as a pig roasting outside, Kev's Aunty Rita had a magican entertaining at her 60th down in south London. Georgia and Paul were learning to spin plates while guests arrive and wonder what on earth we're doing.
For the record, instead of getting frustrated with it I decided not even to try. Kev on the other hand nailed it, eventually.

The distance of time

An emotional reunion for Cam and Kev, after six years has passed. There were a lot of interesting stories about Kev's past, mostly drunken.

Apprentice Letter Writer

Getting out of our last flat was pretty stress free, a quick inspection and the keys were handed over with a promise of full bond returned within the week. When this didn't happen, phone calls were not returned, emails were ignored along with our legal rights. The end result was the bond returned minus some expenses that were not agreed to by us. This is where the law was on our side. They still didn't care, as far as they were concerned the matter was resolved. Fortunately there is a dispute service available and after a lengthy form process was complete and processed our illegally taken money was given back. Satisfying yes, but I'd rather the agent was fined for negligence too.

Two tablespoons

This is my makeshift measure for two tablespoons of milk (don't worry, I cross referenced the Edmonds conversion table for tablespoons to shot glasses). It might say something about our flat, that we have shot glasses but not measuring equipment. And what?

The acclimatized Indian tiger

Tigers do the best job of reminding me how much I hate zoos. They pace back and forth in front of the bars. This particular zoo has rescued a lot of tigers, so there's that I suppose.

The Needles, Isle of Wight