Week 69 in London

Week 69: 25 – 31 July 2016

An early birthday present for Roslyn arrived from her pop, Jack, on Tuesday. It had been a long time since we’d seen a scratchie, or “scratch-it” as it seems they are now branded, and Roslyn’s ticket had an odd defect so some of the scratchable coating couldn’t be removed. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to strike rich this time.

Wednesday 27th July marked our three year anniversary, and we headed out for dinner to Steak & Co at South Kensington, with a bunch of accompanying hydrangeas. For us, quality steak (and beef in general) is often sought but rarely found in London. At Steak & Co, you can choose your cut of steak as well as salt shake, sauce and butter to accompany. They are delivered to the table already seared and they you can leave them on the stone to cook to your specific desire.

Roslyn went for another site visit on Friday afternoon, Afternoon Tea at Warren House. Warren House is an historic Victorian home set within acres of landscaped gardens.

To celebrate the release of The BFG movie, London & Partners’ tourism promotional arm Visit London had sponsored a trail of Dream Jars throughout London, bringing to life the long-held dreams of celebrities and artists. We started at Marble Arch and progressed down Oxford Street, shopping intermittently, eventually making our way to The Mall and Buckingham Palace.

Along the way we discovered Dream Jars by Naomi Campbell, Dame Helen Mirren and Steven Spielberg. Supermodel Erin O’Connor’s jar depicted the world as a big ice cream cone.

We also called into what may be the largest toy store in the world, the huge seven-floor Hamleys on Regent Street.

In fitting with the magical wonderland we’d just come from, on leaving the store we saw a real life horse-drawn Cinderella Pumpkin Coach.

Once we reached The Mall, here another London & Partners sponsored event was taking place all weekend, Ride London. With the iconic street lined with fences and sponsorship banners, it was only possible to cross at one small break in the fence. As we approached we were allowed to cross at leisure, before suddenly being hurried off the road as the cyclists approached.

Roslyn went for dinner on Saturday evening with long-term Griffith friend, Emma, who was in London briefly before setting off on a summer vacation travelling across Europe.

We returned to The Mall on Sunday to watch more of the cycling, with corporate passes thanks to Roslyn’s work. The London-Surrey classic was on Sunday with the world’s professional cyclists taking on the 200 kilometre route. Both of us had people from work competing in the marginally shorter London-Surrey 100, (100 miles/160 kilometres) Georgina (Brendan’s manager) and Ted (a colleague of Roslyn’s) both completing the course in around nine hours.

Highlights for the week:

- Roslyn’s birthday present from Jack arrived

- Our three year anniversary

- Dinner at Steak & Co

- Afternoon tea at Warren House for Roslyn

- BFG Dream Jar trail

- Hamleys toy store

- Real life Cinderella Pumpkin Coach

- Ride London at The Mall

- Roslyn went for dinner with Emma

Week 68 in London

Week 68: 18 - 24 July 2016

Roslyn went for a fun-filled site visit with work on Tuesday afternoon to one of London’s newest attractions, the worlds highest and longest slide. Newly constructed within the UK’s tallest public artwork, the iconic red steel Orbit Tower at Olympic Park, the tunnel slide stretches 178 metres in total.

In lieu of some early starts and late finishes a few months ago, she enjoyed a day off on Friday.

With all the recent hype surrounding Pokemon Go, we decided to see what all the fuss was about, although neither of us was into Pokemon 10+ years ago as children. We headed across to Hyde Park on Saturday to enjoy the fine summer weather, and hired a paddle boat to float around on The Serpentine. Hyde Park was a hub of Pokemon activity, and we caught several even though we weren’t sure if they were good ones.

We woke early on Sunday so that we could Skype Brendan’s grandma, Elsie, for her birthday. It was fairly short lived though as once the clock hit 4:30pm in Australia, she was ready to go home.

Later we went for a walk down to the Battersea Flower Station, a quirky garden centre and florist on a long and narrow parcel of land wedged between the rear gardens of a row of houses and the railway tracks.

We continued onto Battersea Park, where we sat ourselves on some lush grass for much of the afternoon to enjoy an excellent summer day. As it turned out, Battersea Park was also a hot spot for Pokemon hunting and full of Pokemon hunters.

Highlights for the week:

- Roslyn rode the slide at Orbit Tower

- Day off on Friday for Roslyn

- Pokemon hunting

- Paddle boating in Hyde Park

- Skyped Elsie

- Battersea Flower Station

- Relaxed in Battersea Park

Week 67 in London

Week 67: 11 - 17 July 2016

This week, Snapchat’s latest update included a filter that turns your face into a while at the same time turning your voice to sound like you’ve inhaled helium.

On Tuesday, instead of hitting the gym with her usual work friends, Roslyn went to Flip Out in Wandsworth with Florence and Katka. Flip Out is a large indoor trampoline park, complete with giant foam pits.

Roslyn also managed to score, through work, tickets to Secret Cinema’s screening of Dirty Dancing on Friday night. The sole clue they were given was to head to Leyton tube station and then follow the crowd to “Kellerman’s Mountain Resort” (which turned out to actually be Leyton Jubilee Park). Technology was banned at Kellerman’s, Roslyn was told off by one of the camp staff for having her phone out.

Just prior to going to bed on Thursday night, news was breaking of a truck crashing into crowds gathered for Bastille Day celebrations in Nice. On Friday morning when we awoke, the atrocity of what had really happened was unfolding. It is saddening not only that such tragedy could strike this picturesque holiday paradise, but also that the country of France would fall victim again so soon.

More shocking for us was the fact that we’d been in Nice only days earlier, and had spent the majority of our time in the beautiful Promenade des Anglais area, where the truck drove through.

On Saturday Roslyn went for breakfast with Gayle and Ella at Ben’s Canteen, meanwhile Brendan headed over to Southbank, where a zorb ball marathon was running. Sadly, most of the zorbers were children so Brendan was put off joining in.

We went back to Southbank on Sunday, getting lunch from the regular Southbank Markets and then climbing on the amphibious London Duck tour vehicle. In between, we did try to go zorbing but the line-up was too long. This was a gift from Nola and Stacey after their visit in April. Part bus, part boat, the Duck is largely aimed at tourists however it’s something that Brendan has wanted to do for many years, since seeing them in Sydney as a child (although on doing some research for this blog, it seems that the Sydney operator no longer exists).

Starting just near the London Eye, we cruised around on land passing by the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, up to Trafalgar Square, back around past Westminster Abbey, and then splashing down into the river adjacent to Secret Intelligence Service MI6.

Promotion of the new Ghostbusters movie had also taken over at Waterloo station, with extensive branding and a giant ghost emerging from beneath the tiled station concourse.

Highlights for the week:

- Snapchat voice changing videos

- Roslyn went to Flipout indoor trampoline park

- Dirty Dancing at Secret Cinema for Roslyn

- Didn’t get put in the corner

- Bastille Day attacks in Nice

- Roslyn’s brunch at Ben’s Canteen with Gayle and Ella

- Zorb ball marathon

- Southbank markets

- London Duck tour

- Ghostbusters at Waterloo

Nice, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco

Saturday 9th July 2016

The scenic Côte d'Azur is a famed summer holiday destination for many Brits, and a popular getaway for the rich and famous.

Due to time and cost constraints our visit to the glitzy Mediterranean coast was a short one, and we were booked to fly out of London on Saturday morning. Unluckily for us, trains out to Gatwick Airport only run hourly early in the morning and so in order to make our 6am flight we had to wake up at 2:30am and be at Clapham Junction station for a 3:09am train.

The Nice Airport occupies a superb coastal position, although you probably wouldn’t want to have a fear of flying given that just beyond each end of the runways is the ocean. Departing the airport we boarded a bus into the city centre, travelling on Promenade des Anglais along the coastline.

The weather was very warm and humid. We checked into our first floor accommodation, complete with rustic wooden shutters on the windows, and given the distinct lack of air conditioning made our way down to the beach.

Amongst our research prior to arriving we’d read a recommendation that forking out for a private beach is worthwhile in order to have a sun lounge, rather than having to try and sunbathe on the hot stones. The concept of private beaches where you “pay to lay” seems common in Europe and so we paid the €16 per person entry charge at Opéra Plage, a combination beach, restaurant and bar. You can see a 360° view of the facilities here.

We relaxed and basked in the warmth, and even went for a dip in the amazing blue water of the Mediterranean Sea. Back on the shore, and the comforting warmth and lack of sleep hit us and we ended up falling asleep on the sun lounges.

We returned to the flat to get ready for dinner, keen to visit either Bistrot d'Antoine or La Tapenade that had come recommended by Roslyn’s colleague Josh. Following dinner, we set off for the bus to Monaco, a tiny country on the Côte d'Azur coastline that is independent of France.

The main commercial district, Monte Carlo, is a vibrant and glamorous seaside hub lined with super yachts in the harbour and super cars on the street (in addition, the Formula 1 cars race here annually). These people of super wealth flock to the grand Casino de Monte-Carlo. The rest of us mere mortals look on in awe.

The surroundings of the casino are comprised of lush gardens and a selection of bars and cafes. Oddly for a place targeted so heavily towards tourists, the trains and buses out of Monaco back to Nice cease running much beyond 10pm. Then again, maybe they assume that those who have visited will have arrived either on their private yacht or driven a Maserati/Bentley/Ferrari/Lamborghini.

The next morning, we rose and set off to climb the stairs to Nice’s highest point, Colline du Château (Castle Hill). From up here, you have an amazing view across most of the city and can really take in the sight of that amazing blue ocean. There is a waterfall at the top, which provided us with a refreshing mist.

We descended the hill and strolled along the beachside promenade, and then headed north through the central square of Place Masséna. Continuing up Avenue Jean Médecin, Roslyn purchased a denim jacket (not necessary for use while in Nice) and we picked up our obligatory local souvenir.

The humidity in the air meant that we were sweating profusely, despite having not actually exerted much physical energy. Still in possession of our now expired Opéra Plage beach entry tickets from the day before, we decided to head back and try our luck at getting in again. Success!

Overall, we really enjoyed our weekend in the sun. Nice and the French Riviera is a wonderful combination of all the best parts of a European beach destination, with elegant French flair.

If ever you thought security to get into an airport was tough, we discovered that once you’re through it’s even harder to get back out. Nice Airport has a rather odd layout and all the cafes and restaurants are located outside the security area. We didn’t realise this until after we’d already passed through, and so soon discovered that there was nowhere for us to get dinner before our late flight. After asking a few different people, we were allowed back out through a special exit to have dinner, and then have to go back through security all over again.

Highlights:

- Scenic drive in along Promenade des Anglais

- Opéra Plage private beach

- Fell asleep on sun lounges

- La Tapenade for dinner

- Monte Carlo, Monaco

- Casino de Monte-Carlo

- Lush gardens of the Casino complex

- Ate ice cream and tried to spot anyone famous

- Super yachts and super cars

- Climbed stairs to Colline du Château (Castle Hill)

- Place Masséna

- Shopping on Avenue Jean Médecin

- Snuck back into the beach

- At the airport, passed through security then had to ask for special permission to be let back out

Week 66 in London

Week 66: 4 – 10 July 2016

This week in London was relatively quiet for us. On Monday evening Roslyn caught up with her friend Mel for dinner, at Steak & Co in Covent Garden.

Brendan has continued to take advantage of the British sunshine as much as he can, walking home most afternoons. On Tuesday afternoon he promenaded along the riverside, strolling along an area of the Thames that until now we’ve never before ventured.

The swimmers, sunscreen and beach towels were relieved from their positions in storage later in the week, as we packed in preparation of a weekend away in sunny Nice, on the French Riviera Côte d'Azur.

Highlights for the week:

- Roslyn’s dinner with Mel on Monday

- Riverside strolls in the sun

- Packing for our trip to Nice

Week 65 in London

Week 65: 27 June – 3 July 2016

On Wednesday morning we awoke to the terrible news of gunfire and bombings at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. For us, the cruel irony of this was the fact that only a month prior we had passed through this very same airport on our trip to Istanbul, and thought that the security was far better than most other airports.

In the lead up to the 2016 Australian Federal Election, the Australian High Commission at Australia House was the sole UK location providing in person voting services. After having already been opened for pre-polling for a fortnight, we headed across on the final evening, Friday 1^st July, where the line up was wrapped around a good majority of the peninsula shaped block that Australia House sits on. No polling was available on Saturday 2^nd July, so as to coincide with the Australian time difference.

Australia House will surely be the most impressive building that we ever attend for voting. From the outside it is a grand building that fits in well with its other historic neighbours on the Strand, and internally there are high ceilings, chandeliers and exquisite detailing galore.

We spent the day on Saturday at the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis Club for Day 6 of the Wimbledon Championships. The entire tennis complex is very impressive, spotlessly pristine. With our miraculous tickets in hand, we headed towards the coveted Centre Court. While play on other courts starts from 11am, play on Centre Court didn’t commence until 1pm and so we watched (and listened to) matches being played on the surrounding courts.

Scheduled to play today were several high ranking players and household names, including Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Serena and Venus Williams, Lleyton Hewitt, Samantha Stosur, and tennis bad boy Bernard Tomic.

Once it hit 1pm on Centre Court, we watched Simona Halep defeat Kiki Bertens in the third round of Ladies Singles, the total match lasting a little over an hour. Located directly at the opposite end of the court from where we were sitting was the Royal Box, with David Beckham one of the esteemed attendees.

The next match was the third round of Gentlemen's Singles, with Britain's own world number 2, Andy Murray, up against Australian John Millman. This match was suspended several times because of rainfall, however luckily Centre Court is equipped with a retractable fabric roof. Due to the roof taking several minutes to open and close, sprinting ball boys and girls deploy the court covers immediately. This occurred several times during the match, much to the dismay of the stadium fans. A source of entertainment during the first sprinkling was one of the ball girls slipping over as she attempted to round the corner.

Although Millman didn’t win any one of the three sets, “Johnny” (as we called him) played well and we thought he was a worthy opponent for Murray. The second set was close with the end score at 7-5, but after more than two hours we could see that the Aussie underdog was becoming tired finally being beaten by Murray in the third set, 6-2.

The third match to take place on Centre Court was another third round of Gentlemen's Singles between Milos Raonic and Jack Sock. Having now been seated in Centre Court for several hours, we decided to head outside and see what else was happening amongst the 18 other courts. We spotted Lleyton Hewitt who despite playing Gentelmen’s Doubles on Court 9, a court without any seating, had attracted quite a crowd. So much so that we weren’t allowed down the side of the court due to overcrowding. Another well known Aussie player we found was Samantha Stosur playing Mixed Doubles, where we sat courtside.

The next day we headed out to Camden Markets and got ourselves an ice cream crone, a fusion of ice cream and crossover pastry invented by Dum Dum Donutterie. The word “crone”, we can only assume, is derived from cronut and cone. Cronut is in itself the result of a croissant-doughnut merger. Sat at the markets on a beach chair with this delicious, sugary and highly unhealthy snack melting and dripping down our hands, this was the perfect way to enjoy a summers day in London.

Highlights for the week:

- Tragedy at Istanbul’s  Atatürk Airport

- Voting at Australia House

- Wimbledon Championships Day 6

- Simona Halep defeated Kiki Bertens in the third round of Ladies Singles

- Andy Murray defeated Aussie John Millman in the third round of Gentlemen's Singles

- Saw David Beckham and Cliff Richard in the crowd opposite

- Saw Lleyton Hewitt

- Sat courtside to watch Samantha Stosur

- Ate ice cream crones at Camden Markets