The beautiful British countryside -Scotland

On this occasion I saw more of the British scenery than normal as I caught the train from London to Stonehaven.  Thanks to my dad booking me a first class seat this was a very lovely journey with the 6hrs 45mins flying past as I watched the scenery as we sped up the east coast.

I spent a few days in Stonehaven with mum and dad before heading off for a camping trip with a group of friends at Loch Morlich near Aviemore.  There was a gaggle of us with 9 adults and 10 children.  Luckily the children know each other well and happily entertained themselves while we adults put up tents and generally set up camp.  The game of choice was worms which involved taking over a tent, each child in a sleeping bag crawling over each other – hours of fun!

They were wise to stay in a tent as we adults were being eaten alive by the infamous Scottish midge.  Midgies were everywhere in their trade mark swarms around your head.  Sitting down became impossible as it was a still night with no wind to blow them away.  The only solution we found was to walk circuits of the campsite on the path the kids raced around on their bikes in the day. The resolution for the next day was to buy midgie nets – and here are Susan and Ruth sporting theirs.

The weather was beautiful so we managed a walk around the Loch on Saturday and a swim in it on Sunday.  The others all had wet suits but I braved it in my swimming costume – always cold at first I soon warmed up and thoroughly enjoyed the bracing waters.  Here are some of the views from the weekend.

Sunday afternoon and time came to pack up the tent for the journey back to Elgin.  Susan, Kate, Hannah, Eve and I were in the car while Pat cycled back to Rothes – not sure how many miles that is but definitely more than I would have been willing to do.  He needs the practice though as on 31^st August he is off on a charity cycle ride from Elgin to the Hebrides and back.  Check out this link to find out what he and his cycle club, the Moray Wheelers,  are up to for Cancer Research UK.

hebrideanchallenge.wordpress.com

Back in Elgin I was rewarded for my tent putting up and taking down skills with a much dreamed of white pudding supper! 

The beautiful British countryside - Norfolk

During this trip home I have been lucky enough to sample the delights of the English and Scottish landscapes.

My first weekend back was spent with Cecily on the North Norfolk coast where we were based in the lovely village of Burnham Market (now known as Chelsea on Sea).  It was indeed filled with Londoners and the local shops reflected the affluence – Cecily assures me that in her childhood there was only a butchers, greengrocers and drapers.  Shopping duties taken care of on Saturday morning and after a lunch of gorgeous local produce including pork pies, chutneys, fruit and vegetables, we set off for a 6 mile walk keeping the local windmill in view.  Luckily Cecily knows the area like the back of her hand so we made no wrong turns but unfortunately we did get caught in a downpour so were pretty soggy when we reached the cottage.

On Sunday we had a longer walk before us as we completed a 13 mile circular walk which took in the North Norfolk Coastal Path at Holkham.  We had walked up through the very manicured parkland at Holkham Hall and the wilds of the beach were a good contrast.  The weather held out for us and we were much drier but much more tired when we returned home.  So tired in fact that I was in bed at 8pm!  Tired but very satisfied after a beautiful walk.

Off to Scotland next

12/8/12 – a day to remember

“Inspire a Generation” is the tag line for the London 2012 and I must say after my day at the Olympic Park I was inspired.  But of course the sight of 52 men in tiny speedo trunks can inspire most young (or middle aged) ladies.

Italian stretching pre match

In the last post I mentioned I was off to see Handball so where did speedos make their entrance?  Well, I arrived at the Olympic Park on Sunday morning to find a great number of people seeking the ticket in my possession.  With no affiliation to a team or any knowledge of Handball it was an easy decision to swap my ticket for one to the afternoon’s Men’s Water Polo medal matches.  Luckily this allowed me lots of time to wander the park taking pictures of the venues

Stadium



Basketball Arena



Roof of Velodrome

before  plonking myself in front of a big screen in the midday sun to watch the Marathon and eat an ice cream. 



Park Live!



The appointed time arrived and off I went to the Water Polo Arena – perhaps the world’s only sports venue made from recycled PVC cushions with its distinctive sloping roof. First up was the bronze medal match between Serbia and Montenegro with interesting rivalry displayed given the political history of these two nations who were once part of Yugoslavia.  This was my first ever water polo match and what a corker it was.  The lead swapped throughout the match with Serbia scoring 4 goals in the last quarter to win 12-11 despite both the coach and assistant coach being red carded.

The Gold and Silver medal match between Italy and Croatia had less goals but the action was no less tense as I watched in horror at times as players disappeared under the water – all part of this fast moving and energetic sport which has a new fan.  The winners were Croatia who celebrated in fine style.  Here are some images to enjoy.



Water Polo Arena





Croatians celebrate their Gold Medal

No reason for this just great memory

So a great final day of the London 2012 Olympics which have been heralded a great success by all.  And for my part I must admit I was fair chuffed to have been a miniscule part of the whole event. 

Indeed, a day to be remembered.  

London 2012

Day 14 of the Olympics and day 9 of my trip home.  Wow it has been amazing to be in London in August 2012.  The city has gone Olympic mad and all the people with it!  I have lost count of the number of times I have heard “I’m not that into sports but I’m off to see basketball, Judo, Badminton etc…

Myself?  Well I’m off to the Handball Men’s Bronze medal match on Sunday morning.  It is an opportunity to good to miss when a friend offered me her ticket so I could experience the buzz of the Olympic Park. Here is the proof. 

 I am staying in Wapping so the other morning walked up the river to Lambeth Bridge.  The South Bank is alive with people from so many countries sporting their team colours (Adidas has done very well with their Team GB merchandise as it is everywhere).  This walk also let me finally see the glorious site of Tower Bridge with the Olympic rings displayed so proudly.  Here are a couple of the many photos I took on my walk.

So how is it being back?  Strange.  It was very disconcerting to arrive at Heathrow without a set of house keys and a base.  Luckily though I have bagged my friends flat for the duration and with views like these it’s not all bad.

Looking West

Looking East in the day

and at night

So far I have been to the theatre twice:

Timon of Athens – an awful play which appears to have been staged as a vehicle for Simon Russell Beale  as no-one else really had anything else to do though Hilton McRae did stand out.

The Last of the Hausmanns – what can I say? with Rory Kinnear, Helen McCrory, Julie Walters and Matthew Marsh in the cast it was always going to be a joy.  The writing is not the best by the performances and direction were wonderful.  Rory Kinnear has been one of my favourite actors since I first saw him at the RSC in 2004 and he did not disappoint.  His dad would have been proud.

So what next?  Taming of the Shrew at the Globe and Philadelphia Here I Come at the Donmar but I’m sure something else may sneak in!

Next report will be from Scotland – white pudding supper for me please!

Four months in and some further insights

I’ve decided to mark each second month with a list of new experiences and insights that I’ve made as my time progresses.

1.       You realise when you feel you have learnt lots that there is so much more you don’t know – the Johari Window effect that Donald Rumsfeld described very confusingly once.

2.       Drains only act as way to create rivers and huge lakes that cars speed through so if you happen to be in the wrong place and the wrong time you are soaked from head to toe – I was one day – UGH!!!

3.       My street may have washed away by the time I return at the end of August.

4.       Aubergine and cabbage are more versatile than you would think but enough already!

5.       While walking around Freetown (which I do often) bumping into, being beeped at by, waved at by, shouted after by or chased down the street by, someone you know is a lovely feeling.

6.       You never know what the girls in the office will have done to their hair over the weekend as of course you can have a completely new hairstyle every week.

7.       Religious tolerance abounds here – God Bless Islam as the slogan on the poda poda says

This morning on Main Motor Road

8.       My new found skill of opening plastic water packets with my teeth and sitting them on the work surface without them falling over

9.       If you go to Makeni you have to buy pots – lots of pots and strange creatures

My collection, so far ....

10.   Krio takes patience and practice – I need more practice – small small

Finally, I don’t have a pair of ruby slippers – I’m depending on the BMI flight to take me home tonight