BBC filming in the backyard

This particular shot was to illustrate the species of magnolia on the right. Taken from Wikipedia: Magnolia is an ancient genus. Having evolved before bees appeared, the flowers developed to encourage pollination by beetles. 

This morning I pulled my curtains to find a four-piece camera crew filming in the backyard. Richard Fortey (my cousin's husband) is a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London and has written numerous books. He specialises in all things trilobite related, but has also written a rather humorous book titled Dry Store Room No.1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum. I am part way through and it's a definite must for all that work in museums - can see cultural similarities even though we're hemispheres apart.

Anyway, after appearing in David Attenborough's latest series First Life the BBC have commissioned him to film a series to complement his latest book Survivors which I have been helping out with picture research for. Just one of the many exciting things happening in Henley!

Kensington Palace and Spitalfields Market

On Sunday Carol and I had planned to met up with a friend we hadn't seen for years at Spitalfields Market. I decided to make a day of it and meet my cousin Brendon as well. Brendon and I met at Notting Hill Gate station and ventured to Kensington Palace. Unfortunately it was closed for a massive redevelopment, but on such a beautiful day it was still worth the visit. We strolled around the grounds and laughed at men running in revealing lycra!

Kensington Palace and gardens

Then it was off to Liverpool Street station to meet Carol and Sarah before hitting Spitalfields Market. That seemed like a straightforward task given the Central line was going when I left that morning. But as I am learning lots of tube lines are down on weekends for maintenance. Without too much drama I made it with time to spare. Spitalfields Market is by far the best market I've been to, with such a range of stuff from £5 dresses to £50 bags. I sampled olives, got some aromatic jasmine tea and a good-quality cotton trench coat for spring for £20. It was my first time to East London as well and I liked what I saw. It's arty and has lovely boutiques dotted around - definitely where I'll look to live if I can afford it! After refueling we spent an hour shopping and then sat down for a wine and Greek food. It was so cool catching up with Sarah who lives in Devon. South-West England here I come!

Sarah, Carol and myself

A few hours later Carol and I enjoyed a curry down Brick Lane and wrangled a bottle of wine, two starters and two mains for £10 each. Bargain. Not everything in London is expensive! As usual it was a bit of a rush to get my train back to Henley, but I made it. That night Scotland played Brazil in football at Arsenal so there were lots of Scottish men in kilts on the train. It made for a loud and entertaining trip home.

Haggis, whiskey and other things Scottish

I spent a few days exploring Edinburgh and Glasgow with my fabulous and very hospitable Wellington flatmate Gavin. Much to some people's surprise the nine-hour bus trip was a delight after similar distances vis bus in South East Asia. I had two seats to myself which allowed me to stretch out and relax. It smelt like a bus should smell and the only annoying thing was the woman sitting behind me who ate her never-ending bag of chips with her mouth open.

Gavin's flat was located within walking distance of the city which was a treat and reminded me very much of Wellington. By day I was a geeky, snap-happy tourist (Edinburgh was dead and I felt like the only tourist which was kind of nice) and by night I was a beer-guzzling, haggis-eating local. Below is photo evidence of the highlights:

The old and the new. The narrow, cobblestoned streets in Edinburgh are lined with incredible buildings dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. The city has over 4,500 listed buildings and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Blanket of crocuses in St. Andrew's Square park, Edinburgh

National Gallery of Scotland

Gavin and Jane at a loverly restaurant called Urban Angel - we decided this was a ridiculous name for a restaurant.

Edinburgh from half way up Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat

Some crazies busking (terribly). The sign said 'Pay us to stop singing'. 

National Museum of Scotland. Spent an afternoon here learning Scotland - it's a fabulous museum.

Some of Gavin's very smoky-tasting whiskey contributed to the excitement of the next photo. I moved onto Port soon after the second sip.

Gavin and I with Australian friend Kieran at The Liquid Room where friend Cori was DJing

It was in here somewhere that I tried deep-fried Haggis. I'll add here that usually I don't eat stuffing from roast chicken. I loved Haggis. We also got a deep-fried Snickers Bar, but I won't go into that.

Gavin putting on a brave face on the open-air bus tour in Glasgow. It was freezing.

At the Crabshack. Gavin's trying to look like a crab in this shot.  Was served the best seafood chowder ever. Listening to the Scottish people here we decided to use the works 'splendid' and 'super' more often.

Inside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Some guerilla knitting inside the museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Clearly a student city ... 

We also went to the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow which had some great examples of David Shrigley. I bought all the postcards, but now can't bear to send them. Check out his work here.

The next installment will entail more 'splendid' delights of London with a taste of Oxford and Cambridge.

Life in Britain so far

Hello and sorry for my slackness. For the last month or so I've been based in Henley-on-Thames an hour from London. I'm staying with a second cousin and taking trips to other places when I can. The job hunt is well and truly on but I am managing to fit in sightseeing as well. Below is a very brief sneak peek of how I've been entertaining myself.

Henley is home to the Royal Regatta which is in June/July every year and the most famous in the world. It's a gorgeous town and for 8 quid I have a year pass to the local River and Rowing Museum!

My new home in Henley. Unfortunately it's temporary until I get a job/flat in London. Otherwise everyone could come and stay!

An old and very famous butcher in Henley - where we got the pheasant

Beautiful flint church in Ewelme where Thomas Chaucer is buried

Pheasant with chipolatas and bacon with potatoes, parsnips and Brussels srpouts

I had a week in London with cousin Brendon and did lots of touristy things. The week included galleries, shopping, eating and beer.

Argh - Harrods! I got a bagel here and it was actually pretty poor

Tate Britain. Went to the Susan Hiller exhibition which was absolutely fabulous.

Neale's Yard in Covent Garden. Got myself and rather cheap haircut. It did the trick, but not sure if I'll go back.

The National Gallery. Saw so many works that I studied at school and university. It brought a tear to my eye

Liberty's

Mac make up artists body painting someone for the release of their latest collection

My first pie in London was absolutely incredible