london still

Another weekend gone and potentially our last in London before we head off for Libya. It's been a productive one too - trips to the dentist, more shopping, more packing, and more goodbyes.

On Saturday night Woz and I walked to meet friends for dinner at St. Katherine's Dock. Along the way we found many gorgeous little pubs and cafes we've somehow missed in the last three and half years. One in particular which was a little cafe with the words carved into it's stone facade, 'Caterer for the progressive working class'. A slice of history so precious and so often missed. Sometimes it seems you need to see your home with the eyes of a traveller to appreciate just how much it offers you.

We've loved London. Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, the Southbank, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, the West End, Brick Lane, Portobello Rd market, the little deli on Lambs Conduit, Coram's Fields, Regents Canal, and then there's the vast array of beautiful parks great and small, stumbling across a street made famous by Monopoly, the crisp chill on a Winters Day, the possibility of snow, dark afternoons where Londoners retreat to their favourite pub or to the comfort of a house heated the way it should be, ice skating at Sommerset House, the knowledge that Paris is only a two hour train ride away, long days in Summer and very early mornings, lush green Summers come rain or shine ... and then there's the people, the variety of British accents and the fun of being able to decipher them all, a gift for wordplay, irony and a nonsensical humour which is second to none and tremendously endearing, and then there's the Antipodeans, a group of people who hold the a common bursting desire to see and experience the world and all it holds, yet still call Australia home - except of course the Kiwis and Saffas, who equally pine for Auckland or Cape Town.

London has been good to us. We've been able to realise a dream of renovating our own place, worked in exciting jobs, had a beautiful little boy, met some incredible people and made some lifelong friends. It will be hard to leave it, but we've done it before and feel all the stronger for it. Walking through the gates at Tullamarine airport one December day years ago continues to be one of the hardest things we've done and was approached with far more apprehension than our next adventure has so far.

So, now the countdown to our European road trip begins, oh, and no ... still no visas!

sad

Okay, I now officially have Seasonal Affective Disorder (by self diagnosis). Let me take a few moments to explain. The first two years Woz and I were here we enjoyed beautifully mild Winters with a touch of snow, and stinking hot Summers. We laughed in the face of those who said that we'd hate the weather here.

Unfortunately, last Summer that all came to an end, when our mild Winter continued into Spring and then Summer, and then the rains came. Summer was a complete washout but for a handful of warm days and so in September we braced ourselves for another Winter having had no respite over the last few months. This year, as Summer approached we lived in hope, each day looking at the forecast hoping for change. A cool May turned into a cool and wet June, which has now turned into a cool and wet (at times torrential) July. The grey wet days have done nothing for my mood, and added to the combination of no longer working my precious two days a week, I'm finding it difficult to say the least.

Living in a hot country at this point in time seems a no brainer.

mill valley ranch

There certainly is a lot for a boy to do out at Tynong Nth, Mill Valley Ranch being one of them. Mum and I took Nate for a walk over to the ranch yesterday where he spent hours running around exploring all the cars, trains and animals there. Tynong Nth put on a spectacular day of warmth for us too.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

This week we've had some lovely warm spring weather. With temperatures as warm as 16 degrees (I realise how silly that sounds but it's all relative), we've been prancing about in the sun in t-shirts, daring to venture out without our coats and only a light jacket at hand. Coupled with the start of British Summer Time it has meant that the British people at large have breathed a sigh of relief and have become altogether happier and much nicer to be around. Us included. Only two days ago I commented to Woz that we seemed to have passed the worst of the weather and it was likely we'd not need to turn our heaters on again. Not so.

This morning when we woke up it was unusually cold but with spring upon us we certainly didn't expect what we saw when we looked out the window - magical, fluffy snow falling heavily, leaving a lovely cover of white on almost everything it touched. The shared courtyard below looked beautiful and as we ventured out it only got more spectacular.

since we've no place to go

5 degrees today and more snow, this time it fell most of the day, at times in huge marshmallow sized flakes. It's the third day in a row now we've had snow but still no ground cover. Beautiful all the same. Makes me glad we chose to stay in London for Easter rather than fly to one of it's warmer neighbouring cities, as most do.

oh the weather outside is frightful

There is no mistaking it, the weather of late has been particuarly wintery.

In Australia, each year on the 1st of September, the population rejoices for Spring has come. On that very day the air smells sweeter, plump and rich with pollen and grasses, the day is warmer and from that moment on and for the months ahead there is not a hint of winteryness to be seen or felt (at least that's how I remember it).

In Britain, the 1st of March comes along and it passes by almost unnoticed but for a sprinkling of blossom on previously barren branches, on the 1st of June what should be the start of Summer also passes by, green but by no means warmer.

And here we are, late March. Technically, almost a full month into Spring. Bitterly cold, blustery and grey. Is it just me or is there something wrong?

For three years we've dreamt of a White Christmas, but never a White Easter. This morning however we woke to a White Easter Sunday. The magical sight of soft snow swirling about in the wind, falling gently to the ground was enough to melt my heart and my resolve against the Great British Weather, at least until the next snow free 7 degree 'Spring' day.

slightly different from yesterday

they say it will snow tomorrow

and I think they may just be right.

This morning was one of those awful mornings that make even the brightest button want to stay in bed all day. Unfortunately for me, had I done so, a certain little boy would have been up, drawing all over the walls, playing with all the sharp things and dragging the entire contents of the washing basket through the boat .... again. So rise I did and Nate and I ventured out to 'Messy Play'.

The weather managed to hold out while we were there, but decided to bucket down just in time for our ten minute walk home. The walk then took about twice as long as I fought to push the buggy directly into the galeforce winds, getting drenched from head to toe, the icy winds cutting like knives at my wet fingers and forehead.

Remind me again why we don't live in Barbados? Woz?

mid morning frost

This week we've had chilly days of around 5 or 6 degrees, and brilliant blue skies which has made it feel about 2 degrees. Every morning we've had a layer of frost and have had to take extra care not to slip getting out of the boat, especially on the early mornings when I leave for work in the dark and the frost isn't visible.

This morning, when I ventured out at 9.30 to take Nate to playgroup the ground was still laden with frost and it appeared as if it had snowed. All the roofs on the boats were covered and glistening sparkly white.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Fingers crossed for snow!

hi ho hi ho

Another Saturday spent working on the boat. Mostly clearing up and finishing off minor things. It was incredibly satisfying to finally cut up all the leftover bits of wood we've had lying around on our roof and on the pontoon, just in case. Now, with all the projects finished, everything left can be either discarded or cut up for firewood, which couldn't come at a better time as it's been freezing here lately.

Also cut up was our bathroom floor, which we loved, but unfortunately was the only design flaw in the renovation. We've replaced the floor with a combination of rubber and wooden decking. (Photos to follow). We're yet to test it as we are waiting on a part we've ordered for the shower but fingers crossed this will be the solution.

autumnal views

I absolutely love the disctinction of the Seasons in Europe. It's Autumn and every inch of the landscape is clothed in leaves, whether they be falling or fallen.

Not only that but we've been enjoying stellar weather of late, as if to make up for the drab Summer we had, and so the skies are blue, days warm and the leaves are crunchy underfoot.

le tour de france

Today Woz and I walked to Hyde Park to see the Tour de France Prologue.

After close to six weeks of rain and overcast days, today was a welcome change with the sun gracing us for the majority of the day. Londoners far and wide flocked to the city's parks to celebrate and bask in the sun after such a long wait and the added entertainment factor brought the crowds streaming in.

The route began at Whitehall and cut through St. James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, finishing up at The Mall. We camped at different points along the way, moseying our way around the circut and soaking up the atmosphere.

The European Summer is so different to the Australian one, and to be honest it doesn't even need to be sunny in order to enjoy the long light evenings and early mornings, rich, green trees transforming the landscape and pubs with colourful flower laden baskets hanging from their eaves whose patrons spill out onto the street. When it is sunny, the parks are the place to be, all of which are beautifully green spaces scattered with deck chairs and bikini clad or shirtless sun revellers.

Having said that I'm extremely grateful that we have been given a momentary glimpse of the sun and hope and pray that it wont be long before it pays us a visit again.

wet wet wet

Firstly I must begin by conveying my sincerest apologies to those of you who have been getting a teensy bit frustrated at our lack of correspondence of late. Given that I am a mature and emotionally intelligent woman I am going to of course resort to blame, and what best to blame than the English weather? Already a month into Summer and it has been an absolute wash out. I can't remember the time we last had a dry and sunny day from start to finish. My feet which have been clothed in flip flops/thongs for the last two months out of dogged determination as if their very presence should bring about Summer, have somehow managed to tan nicely, while the rest of my body remains white as the driven snow.


So, needless to say, the reason we haven't written anything for weeks is because we have had absolutely nothing exciting to report. A poor excuse I know and it all seems a little trivial now in light of some of the events that have unfolded this week; severe flooding all over the country resulting in the loss of lives, Tony Blair standing down and handing over the baton to Gordon Brown who on his first day at the office had to handle a terrorist attack on the capital and on day two another in Glasgow and on a lighter note, tomorrow the pub-going, smoking public will be forced to smoke outdoors as all pubs and bars become smoke free.

The times they are a changin'.

c'mon aussie c'mon

Last week Nate was granted Australian citizenship by descent. The news came in the mail from Australia House in London, in the form of a beautiful certificate for him which will be 'goin' strayt to the pool room'. To celebrate there have been no end of festivities.

On Saturday Woz and Nate spent the day together and so after their normal swim at the pool Woz took Nate for a walk to Regents Park to see his first game of Aussie Rules. After a few weeks of dismal weather it was a beautifully warm day and perfect for lazing around at the park.


Perhaps the highlight of the festivities for Nate has been his first sample of vegemite toast. Something which he will need to develop a taste for if he expects to be taken seriously as an Australian.

After Nate's recent development in mimicking our words with incredible accuracy we're now working on teaching him his first phrase ... 'guday mayt' .... perhaps a little easier than the English equivalent of 'alright guvner?'.

snowflakes that fall on my nose and eyelashes ...

Woz is now a free agent ... for a week anyway. His last day at work was yesterday and now has a week off to focus on his Masters before starting his new job. It was a bittersweet afternoon for him - he's excited to be moving on to his new position but very sad to be leaving what has been the best job he's had to date. I'm really looking forward to having him home for the week but at the same time will try to take Nate out for walks and different activities to make sure Woz has plenty of opportunity to study. Nothing like an adorable little boy to distract you.

Not really any other news of interest here. After what seemed to be an easy glide into Summer we've had a cold snap with it snowing every day last week, although not cold enough for it to sit on the ground. Despite that it was magical watching it fall.

snow

So much for Spring and warm days. It snowed today! Off and on all day and never enough to cover the ground but it was snowing!

a very strange european winter indeed

This weekend was once again unseasonably warm and incredibly sunny. On Saturday we spent another full day working on the boat and were outside wearing only long sleeved t-shirts. We even had an alfresco lunch on the pontoon! I didn't see for myself but I heard from a reliable source that it was 14 degrees.


Most of our neighbours were also out working on various projects or dining in the sun so it was a very sociable day for Nate who sat on the pontoon and watched everyone coming and going.

winter wonderland!

Yesterday brought more snow and this time it fell quite heavily and continued until early afternoon. I was sooo excited but really missing Woz and wishing he come home from work and enjoy it with me. I got a call from a friend I used to work with to say that they'd closed the school and that she wasn't going in to work so we ended up hanging out together which was great.

Waking up this morning there hasn't been any snowfall over night but there is still plenty on the rooftops of each boat and on the pontoon. Richard, one of our neighbours, cleared a path to all the boats so we wouldn't slip and also took the time to make us a snowman who is still standing proudly on the pontoon!

looking out

Don't you just want to squeeze that belly?!