Entries from February 2009
Hard to believe but this morning I was faster than a 4 legged creature!
Having been distracted by gallery exhibitions and glasses of champagne my resolve to run after work had been well and truly scuppered this week. So virtuous behaviour this morning – pulled on my runners and set off to St James’ Park, past the Queens city pad and into Green Park.
To my absolute delight the Horse Guards were rounding the corner, in their lovely red cloaks and on beautiful horses, swords aloft heading up the Mall to do their version of Changing of the Guards. They are my absolute favourites.
Thinking that it would be pretty cool to run along side them – I was amazed that I was faster! But was pleased that this meant I could stop every now and then to let them catch up (well to catch my breath!).
You do have to love these little London suprises, that can occur at any moment.
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: buckingham palace, horse guards, running, st james park
February 22, 2009 · 1 Comment
It seems that there are loads of single women – but are there really? I am most definitely single, actually bordering on pathologically so. However, I no longer have a long list of single friends. It is almost as if they are urban myths.
Does anyone really have that sex in the city single girl group in their mid thirties?
It would seem that everyone has that token single female friend. The one that everyone can’t understand quite why she is single. But we never seem to really find each other. Why is that? Is it fear of competition? Is it that we are so busy hanging out with married or partnered friends that we don’t meet each other? Is it that we are all so busy trying to find single men that we don’t have time?
Curious isn’t it or maybe it is just me?
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: life, single girl
February 22, 2009 · 1 Comment
There are basically two types of people in this world. Forget your fancy myers-briggs or your complicated Belbins team roles, your horoscopes.
Sometimes I think that the world is divided into two types of people – those that are anxious about being late and so are therefore always early, and those that are planning on being on time but somehow always are just a little late.
No guesses which of these I am!
The trick for people like me is to learn to actually be on time rather than 10 minutes early. Otherwise when you are meeting with the slightly late, but always well intentioned people, you are standing around for 20 minutes instead of 10!
Somehow…………..habits are hard to break.
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: behaviour, life, people
Imagine this – dingy warehouse in Vauxhall, non-stop 70′2 & 80’s music, roller skates, lots of lycra, silly wigs – sounds just like a 12th birthday at the Fun Factory in Melbourne. But wait because I am now well over 12 they also give you beer! Whoo! What a brilliant idea drinking while on wheels! Makes a small mokery of the drink-driving notion as you hurtle round. But goodness it was a laugh.
I only had one but oh so spectacular fall. There I was going along, carefully avoiding the carnage that can only be expected and my back wheel was clipped by wonder woman or it could have been the girl in the fluro pink tutu either way….. I felt my wheels slide from under me, into the air and I landed with precision, right onto my coccyx. Thud! And this is where the alcohol comes in – genius – it would have hurt a whole lot more had it not been for the beer.
This morning though and without the benefit of the numbing effects of alcohol my tail bone kills and I wish they had also issued me with a pillow at the door!
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: life, roller disco, vauxhall, renaissance rooms
I am one of those lucky people who has friends who have been around and part of me for many years. They have been there when I have moaned, laughed, loved, been beaten by life, succeeded, and I hope, with any luck, I have done the same for them. 
I have one girl friend, we went school together, and we have known each other for nearly 3 decades. And today she started a whole new and amazing adventure.
After much waiting and what sounds like a rather hellish number of hours. A brand new person arrived in the world. I am sad I can’t pop round and met this new person and to see my friend in her new role. 14 hours on a plane is not really round the corner.
However, I am so happy and so pleased for her and for her lovely husband. Congratulations!
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: baby, friends, life
Spring is definitely on the verge of appearing. I have been wandering through St James, into Green Park on my walks to the tube – and there is the tiniest tops of the dafs sticking through the grass. Yippee!
The other noticeable difference is that there is daylight – the sun does not disappear until about 4.30. Which is like ammmmaaaazing!
Goodness it has been a long winter, so lovely to think it is over. Well almost over, if we are lucky there could be sun, if, if,if…………..
soon they may just look like this!
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: life, spring
I remember wandering along as a teenager chatting to friends, making profound statements about how we would never be like our parents….they are so unreasonable! Or at least appeared so at 12 and on a summers afternoon.
However, it would seem that I have accelerated straight past them and morphed into my grandparents. No really it is true.
My grandfather use to do his exercises every morning, lying on the floor just outside of his bedroom. He had a dodgy back or something. Well now I have to do my exercises every morning, to get my TA or some such to activate….. but not only this…. I have discovered the delights of the support stocking. Just like my grandmother.
I have bought a pair of stockings which have the reinforced tummy and thigh in them. You will be pleased to hear that I drew the line at the tights which have the reinforced nylon to just under your breasts – I mean you would need a shoe horn or something like that to lever yourself in I am sure. So not for me – well not yet anyway!
So together with my grey hair (which I am still pulling out as they appear) I am feeling quite the old-age-pensioner.
The good news is that all of my grandparents made it well into their 80’s or even 90’s – so there must be some spark in me yet as I am not even 1/2 way there!
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: age, life, london
God – what a horror valentines day is. You drag yourself through the nightmare of christmas without a kiss under the mistletoe and then the lack of a sneaky smooch as the clock strikes midnight on the new year. And before you know it – hidden behind the hot cross buns and easter eggs which have appeared (only a few months ahead of time – talk about craziness) there are Hearts, 2-for-1 deals, pink champagne everywhere – looking for a birthday card – well first you have to slay a forrest of love heart adorned cardboard cards.
Feb 14th is everywhere!
Valentines day is the final nail in the single girl coffin, groan, groan, groan!
So yep – I am boardering on the verge of bitter and cranky single girl…. but who can blame me…..
Where is that bloody prince charming, I have been so patient…… I am getting tired of waiting!
harrumph….
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: life, love, single girl, valentines day
As I sit here in the rain, watching snow melt away my home state is on fire. Not just a little summer fire – if there were such a thing – but a the worst fire in the states recorded history.
108 people have died.
It is horrible and tragic. Words do not express how sad it must be for the people effected. And for those who are watching this event unfold who are nearer than I.
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: australia, bush fires, life
Speed bumps – the bain of every motorist looking for a smooth ride down small streets, or even a quick getaway in a shopping car park for instance. Now not being a car driver at the moment an article caught my eye in the paper today. And I was reminded quite how clever people can be when they want to be!
Some bright spark has designed a speed bump that generates energy from the weight of the car that will be able to power street lights. Cool Huh….. Although possibly not as cool as the night club with the sustainable floor invented by some clever Dutch fellas. Dance for the planet!
Categories: Living in London
Tagged: environment, green, life, speed bumps
