Wow, ok.. last post was just after being robbed. Which now seems so far away, well it would if we hadn't been robbed a mere 4 months later!!! Luckily (I say that tongue in cheek, really) I had nothing taken. The fuckers ransacked my room worse than last time but missed my ipod THANK YOU GOD!!!! I still don't have a laptop but sweet justice prevailed... the guy who robbed us the second time round was caught on an unrelated charge and confessed to several thefts in the area. He is in jail now. Good times.
To more good times from 2009... Marrakech with Andy in January after farewelling Rob for a second time when he came to stay while trying to sell his van tour van, New York and LA to be reunited with Matt and help him on his transition to London (finally!!!!!!!) - have too much to say about the US for this time and space except to say that I am definitely going back and definitely applying for a work visa, Cardiff on the May bank holiday and many awesomeness gigs - Missy Higgins (Terminal 5, NYC), Ben Lee (Free gig! Indigo, O2 Arena), Chris Cornell/White Lies/Ladyhawke at free NME gig (after 2 failed attempts, Chris finally shows up when I'm supposed to see him!), Living End (who tore Koko a new one! No bias..), Pink (how she performs acrobatics and sings at the same time I'll NEVER know) and Juliette Lewis. Amazingly, ahead I've still got Cold War Kids this evening (arh!), Faith No More and Eagles of Death Metal next month (double arh!!!) and Green Day in October following my third Reading Festival. I am going to miss all this city has to offer one day.
Add to that watching the Oxford/Cambridge boat race for the first time since arriving in London, surviving the G20 Summit which was demonstrated at about 50metres from my place of work, seeing Priscilla the stage show (brilliant), V and I celebrating our third anniversary with drinks atop the Gherkin (followed by much drinking and karaoke), finally visiting Abbey Road and doing 'the' crossing; and I'd say that it's been a damn good year so far - and I've not even hit the dreaded 25 (that's tomorrow...).
Oh and I recently moved house, I'm now residing in Wandsworth. Yes, I am a sooowfsider, innit. Was about time I rejuvenated my love of London with a change of pace and setting. Bring on summer in Clapham Common!
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The system works!
Yes, I have found a complaint forum in London which is effective AND pays off! Surprisingly, it comes in the form of the government's TFL website, whereby an annoyed (VERY annoyed) customer can easily fill in a form and within 2 weeks recieve a response, including a refund for their journey. I feel so placated.
***
Speaking of travel, I have begun the countdown to my first proper holiday of the year (ok, so Blackpool and Gothenburg DID count, but I consider 3 days to be more of a long weekend).
With weather forecast to be 27 and heavy showers for the next few days I had initial reservations about how we'd go camping, but am now prepared for anything just to get out of London!
Tomorrow morning we embark on a train journey to the edge of England (3 hours) where we'll board a ferry to Holland (6 hours) and upon arriving we take another train to Amsterdam (3 hours). Despite the 5am start we're (Az, Rob & Taff - 3 of the best travellers I could have asked for!) actually all pretty excited about the whole trip.
A night in Amsterdam, Pinkpop (finally getting to fulfill the dream of seeing RATM live!), 5 days of driving through German countryside hitting Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg (and ok, ok...yes we're seeing Kylie too).
Rain, hail, shine... bring it on!!
***
Speaking of travel, I have begun the countdown to my first proper holiday of the year (ok, so Blackpool and Gothenburg DID count, but I consider 3 days to be more of a long weekend).
With weather forecast to be 27 and heavy showers for the next few days I had initial reservations about how we'd go camping, but am now prepared for anything just to get out of London!
Tomorrow morning we embark on a train journey to the edge of England (3 hours) where we'll board a ferry to Holland (6 hours) and upon arriving we take another train to Amsterdam (3 hours). Despite the 5am start we're (Az, Rob & Taff - 3 of the best travellers I could have asked for!) actually all pretty excited about the whole trip.
A night in Amsterdam, Pinkpop (finally getting to fulfill the dream of seeing RATM live!), 5 days of driving through German countryside hitting Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg (and ok, ok...yes we're seeing Kylie too).
Rain, hail, shine... bring it on!!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sinners ARE Winners
So, I've been looking through my 'drafts' list.... Glastonbury, Rome, my school disco birthday, Spain and Portugal, Christmas.... the list goes on. Without proof I must say that the intention to complete these blogs is definitely there. They're half done in most cases!
It was a combination of reading back over what was started as my 'summer holiday' blog when Dylan and I today came up with the idea of Friday cocktails... which lead to contemplating the shooters menu (yes, this is going somewhere) which took my mind back to a little bar called Whyte's in Lagos....
It was July 15 (from what is now a distant and extremely hazy memory). Our last night in Lagos where most of our mates from London had caught us up. It was a hot afternoon. Hell. They all were. We went in search of refreshments and found a bar serving steins of cocktails. Our saviour.
Upon being served we spied a leaderboard of sorts above our heads pertaining to 'The 9 Deadly Sins Challenge'. I, not being one to back away from a competition enquired. This is what I found.
Now. Half of me thought, "Don't be ridiculous. You're taking a 2 hour train ride tomorrow to catch a plane to Madrid from a town you don't know. We promised our body we wouldn't get drunk the night before travelling after what happened in Lisbon...". The other (much more powerful half of me) thought, "Why are we even contemplating this? Get your name on the effing board!!".
As a big group of us had gathered, we'd been talking about the challenge for a good 2 hours. It was time to put up, or shut up.
As I approached the bar Brooke lent me her headband - this would prove vital to saving my hair later. Leigh on one side and Corey on the other (my trusted sidekicks all the way from Lisbon), people started chanting. This is where I started doubting every DECS drinking session I'd ever spearheaded.
I strategically lined the shots up from 'least potential to make me throw up' to 'most potential to make me throw up'. Somewhere between shots 6 and 7 one involving bourbon (satan's drink) would not go down the hatch and Coreys shoes wore a shot or two. I thought this ended the competition but I looked up and the bar chick was waving me on to finish up. The final two were down the hatch and I completed the round in 21 seconds (earning the nickname, 9 in 21). Disgusted that I let it all go heywire, my mates couldn't have been more proud (I'm sure Mum would have slapped me).
I walked away with my free t-shirt and a cocky sense that none of the alcohol had hit me. It was then we thought about starting a collection to have a second round. Luckily we did not, as the night wore on a quickly forgot I was flying the next day or even where my hostel and friends were....
(Unbelievably, this is NOT the time I got mugged. God must be watching over me).
Before
(Note the advertisement asking 'Are you brave enough?'... more like stupid enough)
After
And slightly after that
(hey, it was Hilltop Hoods baby!)
It was a combination of reading back over what was started as my 'summer holiday' blog when Dylan and I today came up with the idea of Friday cocktails... which lead to contemplating the shooters menu (yes, this is going somewhere) which took my mind back to a little bar called Whyte's in Lagos....
It was July 15 (from what is now a distant and extremely hazy memory). Our last night in Lagos where most of our mates from London had caught us up. It was a hot afternoon. Hell. They all were. We went in search of refreshments and found a bar serving steins of cocktails. Our saviour.
Upon being served we spied a leaderboard of sorts above our heads pertaining to 'The 9 Deadly Sins Challenge'. I, not being one to back away from a competition enquired. This is what I found.
Now. Half of me thought, "Don't be ridiculous. You're taking a 2 hour train ride tomorrow to catch a plane to Madrid from a town you don't know. We promised our body we wouldn't get drunk the night before travelling after what happened in Lisbon...". The other (much more powerful half of me) thought, "Why are we even contemplating this? Get your name on the effing board!!".
As a big group of us had gathered, we'd been talking about the challenge for a good 2 hours. It was time to put up, or shut up.
As I approached the bar Brooke lent me her headband - this would prove vital to saving my hair later. Leigh on one side and Corey on the other (my trusted sidekicks all the way from Lisbon), people started chanting. This is where I started doubting every DECS drinking session I'd ever spearheaded.
I strategically lined the shots up from 'least potential to make me throw up' to 'most potential to make me throw up'. Somewhere between shots 6 and 7 one involving bourbon (satan's drink) would not go down the hatch and Coreys shoes wore a shot or two. I thought this ended the competition but I looked up and the bar chick was waving me on to finish up. The final two were down the hatch and I completed the round in 21 seconds (earning the nickname, 9 in 21). Disgusted that I let it all go heywire, my mates couldn't have been more proud (I'm sure Mum would have slapped me).
I walked away with my free t-shirt and a cocky sense that none of the alcohol had hit me. It was then we thought about starting a collection to have a second round. Luckily we did not, as the night wore on a quickly forgot I was flying the next day or even where my hostel and friends were....
(Unbelievably, this is NOT the time I got mugged. God must be watching over me).
Before
(Note the advertisement asking 'Are you brave enough?'... more like stupid enough)
After
And slightly after that
(hey, it was Hilltop Hoods baby!)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean...
I have never in my life been more frustrated and at the same time so proud to be Australian. This morning I was presented with two situations:
1. Visiting the Australian Consular to have forms signed so I can get my drivers licence reissued.
2. Chasing my UK replacement passport.
The Consular did not take appointments and on arrival we were part of a group of 10 or so people. We sat tight only to find our numbers being called almost instantly. We were dealt with swiftly - and in such a friendly manner! 20 minute turnaround, tops.
Back to the office, and after 2 phone calls in the past week to Passport and Identity Service I figure things should be under control. How wrong I was.
Not only does Vanessa apparently still not exist - she never received the flipping forms to identify herself, then recieves two in one week!! (funnily enough both arriving AFTER we both call the office...), I receive a letter saying I need a new countersignature. No, that won't be happening and I press on with finding out when in the hell I'll be getting my passport, which by the way, they took payment for 2 months ago...
Come to present: V has in fact sent the forms back, they have not received them YET, and I will be checking next week. If all is well, I SHOULD have a passport in 3 to 4 weeks.
Problem #2. I want to travel internationally within that 3-4 week timeframe. I take full responsibility that it's up to me to have sorted my passport out long ago. But, I figure, I have a fully acceptable and valid Australian passport... surely I can use this in the meantime?
Cue: British Immigration Office (after 13 minutes of Vivaldi..)
Me: Hi, quick question.. I'm a dual citizen and am waiting on a replacement British passport. Is there any way I can travel to Europe on my Aussie passport?
Wanker: Does it have anything in it pertaining to you being a British citizen?
Me: What, like a visa? No, because I hold both passports seperately. I have a photocopy of my UK one?
Wanker: Well, you should wait. You can try to reenter the country but it's up to the discretion of the Immigration officer that day
Me: So basically it's a lucky draw with whoever is on the desk that day? There's no yes or no answer?
Wanker. Yep. Anything else?
Errrr?!?
So. Armed with my photocopy, my payslip, my NI card and anything else proving I am eligible to live and work in the UK my very next post could be from god knows where. Here goes nothing.
1. Visiting the Australian Consular to have forms signed so I can get my drivers licence reissued.
2. Chasing my UK replacement passport.
The Consular did not take appointments and on arrival we were part of a group of 10 or so people. We sat tight only to find our numbers being called almost instantly. We were dealt with swiftly - and in such a friendly manner! 20 minute turnaround, tops.
Back to the office, and after 2 phone calls in the past week to Passport and Identity Service I figure things should be under control. How wrong I was.
Not only does Vanessa apparently still not exist - she never received the flipping forms to identify herself, then recieves two in one week!! (funnily enough both arriving AFTER we both call the office...), I receive a letter saying I need a new countersignature. No, that won't be happening and I press on with finding out when in the hell I'll be getting my passport, which by the way, they took payment for 2 months ago...
Come to present: V has in fact sent the forms back, they have not received them YET, and I will be checking next week. If all is well, I SHOULD have a passport in 3 to 4 weeks.
Problem #2. I want to travel internationally within that 3-4 week timeframe. I take full responsibility that it's up to me to have sorted my passport out long ago. But, I figure, I have a fully acceptable and valid Australian passport... surely I can use this in the meantime?
Cue: British Immigration Office (after 13 minutes of Vivaldi..)
Me: Hi, quick question.. I'm a dual citizen and am waiting on a replacement British passport. Is there any way I can travel to Europe on my Aussie passport?
Wanker: Does it have anything in it pertaining to you being a British citizen?
Me: What, like a visa? No, because I hold both passports seperately. I have a photocopy of my UK one?
Wanker: Well, you should wait. You can try to reenter the country but it's up to the discretion of the Immigration officer that day
Me: So basically it's a lucky draw with whoever is on the desk that day? There's no yes or no answer?
Wanker. Yep. Anything else?
Errrr?!?
So. Armed with my photocopy, my payslip, my NI card and anything else proving I am eligible to live and work in the UK my very next post could be from god knows where. Here goes nothing.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
We are the champions
I can only quote myself from Saturday night at this point "(grabbing a complete stranger)... aren't you SO glad you're Australian??".
What a fantastic game by the boys, despite the win being soured by a KIWI umpiring decision (useless at sport, useless at overseeing it).
I had a ball on Saturday, the weather was superb (25 degrees, you bewdy), we had the Richmond green to lounge around in whilst waiting for the rain delay (rain in Barbados vs sun in London??), plenty of drinks were flowing and I was surrounded by mongrel Aussies (and even more mongrel Kiwis) to take it all in.
Despite the rain, we were flying the flag high for our country, drinking copious amounts of beer, champagne and well, more beer. We sent one very stuffy English pub into a rage by cheering every boundary scored (and with Gilly at the helm, you can imagine how much noise we were making). With the Aussies setting a respectable run-rate we decided to pull up our stumps and head closer to home, ready to finish the night with gusto.
Quick stop home, a bit more fuel for the system and geared up it was down to me and Corey to carry the side (after 8 hours, many of our associates were out for the count). When we entered Belushi's we found that Sri Lanka had made a surprisingly good start. We got a few more beers under our belt and watched some more wickets fall (yes, we did like that!).
Leah joined us just in time..
Bar wench: "That guy in the cape down there wanted to buy you shots" (places 2 glasses in front of us)
Me: "Jager??" (looking at Leah with a very worried look)
Leah: "Nah mate, no way"
5 minutes passes
Guy with cape: "I buy you ladies shots, and you don't take them. That's pretty rude. I co-own this place, what can I do to make you happy?"
Me: "Sambucca?"
Flag: "Black or white?"
Me: "Black!"
Flag man, downed the jagers, poured us 2 sambuccas and walked away.
Me and Leah: "We've gotta come here more often!"
More beers and more shots later, Australian have won (amid some confusion) and streamers are going everywhere, people are randomly hugging us, then the bar bursts into the Aussie anthem (tears!) followed by any stereotypical antipodean song you can think of (Cold Chisel, Men At Work, Powderfinger..). Amongst all this madness Corey starts getting annoyed he's not getting served and blames it on his (lack of) height. In one foul swoop he's pushing me down to the ground and jumping on my shoulders.... 'What the hey!' I think, and shoot upwards, suddenly making us the combined height of about 9ft tall. Flag man comes over and says 'Isn't the female supposed to sit on the males shoulders?' and promptly serves me up another sambucca. Brilliant.
The rest of the night is pretty much a blur. I remember Redback, tattoos, Brandon Flowers lookalike getting away (DAMN YOU COREY!!), BP, roulettes, taxis, coldness and 1664's. In no particular order.
************
In other news, Leigh and I booked part of our summer jaunt on Sunday (wooooo!!!!).
July 11-13 Lisbon
July 13-17 Lagos
July 17-19 Madrid
July 19-24 Valencia & Beniccasim
July 24-26 Barcelona
July 26-28 Girls off to Venice. Me, undecided.
I am super hyped about this trip. I've spent a lot of time here and only done weekends away, I deserve a month off.. and in the sun!!
I am looking at Oktoberfest/Berlin and Vegas before the end of the year and we're already talking about Egypt, Russia and New York as possibilities further down the line. Why can't we just travel forever??!
What a fantastic game by the boys, despite the win being soured by a KIWI umpiring decision (useless at sport, useless at overseeing it).
I had a ball on Saturday, the weather was superb (25 degrees, you bewdy), we had the Richmond green to lounge around in whilst waiting for the rain delay (rain in Barbados vs sun in London??), plenty of drinks were flowing and I was surrounded by mongrel Aussies (and even more mongrel Kiwis) to take it all in.
Despite the rain, we were flying the flag high for our country, drinking copious amounts of beer, champagne and well, more beer. We sent one very stuffy English pub into a rage by cheering every boundary scored (and with Gilly at the helm, you can imagine how much noise we were making). With the Aussies setting a respectable run-rate we decided to pull up our stumps and head closer to home, ready to finish the night with gusto.
Quick stop home, a bit more fuel for the system and geared up it was down to me and Corey to carry the side (after 8 hours, many of our associates were out for the count). When we entered Belushi's we found that Sri Lanka had made a surprisingly good start. We got a few more beers under our belt and watched some more wickets fall (yes, we did like that!).
Leah joined us just in time..
Bar wench: "That guy in the cape down there wanted to buy you shots" (places 2 glasses in front of us)
Me: "Jager??" (looking at Leah with a very worried look)
Leah: "Nah mate, no way"
5 minutes passes
Guy with cape: "I buy you ladies shots, and you don't take them. That's pretty rude. I co-own this place, what can I do to make you happy?"
Me: "Sambucca?"
Flag: "Black or white?"
Me: "Black!"
Flag man, downed the jagers, poured us 2 sambuccas and walked away.
Me and Leah: "We've gotta come here more often!"
More beers and more shots later, Australian have won (amid some confusion) and streamers are going everywhere, people are randomly hugging us, then the bar bursts into the Aussie anthem (tears!) followed by any stereotypical antipodean song you can think of (Cold Chisel, Men At Work, Powderfinger..). Amongst all this madness Corey starts getting annoyed he's not getting served and blames it on his (lack of) height. In one foul swoop he's pushing me down to the ground and jumping on my shoulders.... 'What the hey!' I think, and shoot upwards, suddenly making us the combined height of about 9ft tall. Flag man comes over and says 'Isn't the female supposed to sit on the males shoulders?' and promptly serves me up another sambucca. Brilliant.
The rest of the night is pretty much a blur. I remember Redback, tattoos, Brandon Flowers lookalike getting away (DAMN YOU COREY!!), BP, roulettes, taxis, coldness and 1664's. In no particular order.
************
In other news, Leigh and I booked part of our summer jaunt on Sunday (wooooo!!!!).
July 11-13 Lisbon
July 13-17 Lagos
July 17-19 Madrid
July 19-24 Valencia & Beniccasim
July 24-26 Barcelona
July 26-28 Girls off to Venice. Me, undecided.
I am super hyped about this trip. I've spent a lot of time here and only done weekends away, I deserve a month off.. and in the sun!!
I am looking at Oktoberfest/Berlin and Vegas before the end of the year and we're already talking about Egypt, Russia and New York as possibilities further down the line. Why can't we just travel forever??!
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