One day at a time

Sunday 29th August 2010 Met up with a friend who was over from Melbourne. We had a very nice lunch in Balans in Soho and chatted about our trips and what was happening back in Australia. It was great to see him and we talked about catching up later, but I didn’t feel up to a late night session, but he may come along to Vauxhall Park on Monday.

Saturday 28th August 2010 Had lunch with one of my old London friends over in Ealing. Had a nice time in a local pub and chatted about the people we knew and the websites we have built. It was a very nice afternoon and then spend the evening in the apartment.

Friday 27th August 2010 Had lunch in Soho with my friend Tony and afterwards, I went for a spot of window shopping in Oxford and Regent Streets. Spent the evening in the apartment having dinner with my friend Graham,

Buckingham Palace Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics Toured the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace

Thursday 26th August 2010 Went around the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace with Graham, which are open to the public when HM is off on holiday in Scotland. Very impressive rooms and it was very popular. Even had some right rule ice cream and tea afterwards in the grounds of the palace.

Wednesday 25th August Terrible weather today but had a nice time down on the south coast.

Tuesday 24th August 2010 Very simple day. Still woke up early although I didn’t bother getting up until after 9am. Played about on the computer and did another load of washing before heading out to the city. Stopped at the Co-operative Bank branch in the city to see if they could work out why my debit card was being refused on some sites. Looks like I should be asked to verify information and this wasn’t happening, hopefully that has been fixed now. Went down to St Paul’s Cathedral, where I had lunch and then walked over to Tate Modern. Was more interested in the building than the exhibits. Came back via Tower Gateway, I think I prefer Bank DLR station. A little more food shopping and I discovered a whole range of gluten free items at Tescos. Went overload on them, but I guess I can take them home if I don’t finish them here.

Monday 23rd August 2010 Woke up early and left the hotel for our drive to Great Yarmouth, where my family used to come each year when I was a teenager for our summer holiday. First stop was California, which although has been developed, there was much that I recognised. We didn’t stop before making our way to Caister on Sea. The biggest change here was the off-shore wind farm that has been installed just off Caister. The beach was much as I remembered it, sandy at the top, then turning pebbly towards the sea. After a wander along the beach, we drove into Great Yarmouth. I remember Great Yarmouth as bigger and bolder place than it is today, but then it has been nearly 30 years since I was last here. Some things are still around, the slot machine arcades and the pleasure beach. Whilst others had changed and especially the seaside theatres had declined in those 30 years. We had lunch at one of the famous Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurants, before we went further into the ...

Sunday 22nd August 2010 Graham came round early on Saturday morning and we drove out to Norwich. After a short toilet stop at a service station, we arrived in Norwich. Had lunch in the Forum, over looking one of the many churches in Norwich. Spent the afternoon wandering around the CofE cathedral, which was very impressive and lovely to hear the choir practicing for Evensong. Checked into the Travelodge and then wandered around a surprisingly quiet city for somewhere to have dinner. We found a very nice restaurant in the end.

Saturday 21st August 2010 On a rather dull day, I took a trip over to Surbiton and Kingston upon Thames to relive where I had lived for 3 years. After getting slightly lost wandering around Surbiton, I found the house that I used to live in. Then I wandered along the Thames to Kingston and after having lunch at John Lewis’s, I caught the train back to London. In the evening, I phoned home as I did not know where I would be on Sunday and packed for my trip tomorrow.

Friday 20th August 2010 Had a big evening out with Graham and several of his mates up in Soho. Several drinks and a good meal later, it was time for bed.

Thursday 19th August 2010 My friends (Graham and Shaun) and I went on a short road trip to the village of Cookham near Maidenhead to see our friend Richard. It was a pleasant drive in Graham’s car and we reached the village far sooner than expected. We were introduced to Richard’s partner and then went for a walk along the River Thames. After the stroll, we went for lunch in Richard’s new car, nice but compact Peugeot 208. We had a very nice pub lunch in another village close by and then drove into Malven. After another stroll along the river, it was time to return to Cookham and say goodbye to Richard and his partner.

Wednesday 18 August 2010 Spent the afternoon and evening with Graham and Shaun at Graham’s apartment. Had a very enjoyable evening, it’s always challenging and intelligent conversation. That’s what I really miss, but I guess that’s the result of having a room full of economists.

Tuesday 17 August 2010 Slept well although woke up initially at 6am. Stayed in bed until just after 9am. Graham contacted me to see if I wanted to have coffee and was happy to have the company. We wandered around the block near the apartment, before settling for a coffee and cake at the local bakery. I took the DLR into the city to firstly check out the options to upgrade my T-mobile service to 3G and then to meet Tony. The first part was successful, in fact a little too successful as I managed to sort it out so quickly that I had almost an hour to fill before I was due to meet Tony. It was great to finally meet Tony, who I have been communicating with for several years over the internet. He turned out to be a lovely guy, very intelligent and just really great to be around. We spent over three hours just chatting and catching up. Hopefully I will get another chance to see him before I leave for Nottingham at the end of August. I came back to the apartment in the middle of the rush hour...

Monday 16th August This was the longest Monday ever. Managed to pack more than 24 hours into a day, no wonder I fell asleep the moment my head touched the pillow. The travel started at 11.30pm Sunday at Melbourne airport, I though I would early, so did the queue of people in front of my at the Emirates check in. I think wearing the jacket actually helped and I managed to score a exit row seat for the longest part of the journey from Melbourne to Dubai. I must have got some sleep on the first leg as it seemed to pass rather quickly. Although people kept bumping into me or gathering in front to chat!! There was a brief stopover at KL where we all had to get off the plane, just enough time for a toilet break and to walk on solid ground again. The food was fine, although limited for non-gluten types like me, although it approved on the flight out of Dubai where I got some gluten free breads. Dubai airport was very busy and I choose a simple offering from Haagen Das for food. It’s more of a...

Looks like the balcony of the apartment above are going to provide a lot of cover for my courtyard. Still a long way to go before the development is complete.

Only one more day to go before my trip. Packed and I think that I have everything that I will need. Hope to get some sleep on the plane, but will try to rest before the drive to the airport.

Got behind the wheel of an i20 over the weekend and although it was a pleasant experience, I was not overwhelmed by it. It might be a step up from the Getz, but its a long way away from the joy of driving an i30. Will put my new car aspirations on hold for a while, maybe wait until the new Swift comes out in 2011 before changing over. It's a shame that my current car is so good, I don't feel the need to change that desperately.

Not quite ready for an iPhone, but taken one step closer with the purchase of an ipod touch. With its 30 hr battery life and hundreds of apps, I think it should be able to keep me amused on my flight from Melbourne to London.

31/07/2010 Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics Saturday lunch