Saturday, February 27, 2010
In love with Strawberry Haagen Dazs
Memory from Overseas - getting a craving for strawberry Haagen Dazs - help!
Brought Home
Home with my family.
I returned and stepped into my kitchen and it was just as if I had gone up the street for some milk and bread - like I was already in the moment of home.
I have been collecting statements on Art - to be blogged at some time soon - various responses from artists, sports people and writers.
The final flight home was a marathon - like doing an extended session on night duty - forced to stay up and be there - without much brain power.
The hotel to JFK and departure gate 2pm to 6.30pm - drove half way round New York in the super shuttle bus.
New York to LA - 5 Hours in the air.
LA Airport 3 hours.
The big one - LA to Sydney - 14 hours - about half way into this I felt a rising panic that I was too tired and stuck in this space - kept dosing and then watched some comedy on tv, works when you are not able to concentrate on anything. Pam Ann and a George W. show by Will Ferrell.
Sydney airport - 3 and a half hours, which included standing in a queque for an hour to transfer from Intgernational to Domestic terminal.
Sydney to Adelaide - 2 hours - I think.
Adelaide to Willunga - one hour.
One good nights sleep and I feel fine.
Getting off the tread mill is a good prescription, but it's awlfully good to see people you love again, I mean really love.
Being anonomous for weeks on end is a strange feeling, like no one really gets you.
Hyper windy day - so have post poned proposed Writer's Week sojourn until tomorrow.
I returned and stepped into my kitchen and it was just as if I had gone up the street for some milk and bread - like I was already in the moment of home.
I have been collecting statements on Art - to be blogged at some time soon - various responses from artists, sports people and writers.
The final flight home was a marathon - like doing an extended session on night duty - forced to stay up and be there - without much brain power.
The hotel to JFK and departure gate 2pm to 6.30pm - drove half way round New York in the super shuttle bus.
New York to LA - 5 Hours in the air.
LA Airport 3 hours.
The big one - LA to Sydney - 14 hours - about half way into this I felt a rising panic that I was too tired and stuck in this space - kept dosing and then watched some comedy on tv, works when you are not able to concentrate on anything. Pam Ann and a George W. show by Will Ferrell.
Sydney airport - 3 and a half hours, which included standing in a queque for an hour to transfer from Intgernational to Domestic terminal.
Sydney to Adelaide - 2 hours - I think.
Adelaide to Willunga - one hour.
One good nights sleep and I feel fine.
Getting off the tread mill is a good prescription, but it's awlfully good to see people you love again, I mean really love.
Being anonomous for weeks on end is a strange feeling, like no one really gets you.
Hyper windy day - so have post poned proposed Writer's Week sojourn until tomorrow.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Amercian Breakfast @ The Holiday Inn Capitol DC
American breakfast.
A coffee pot on the table - or tea which is presented as a little carafe of hot water and the bag,
unlimited orange juice or a substitute juice I found out today,
cereal which is in a plastic container,
milk which is in a plastic container,
yogurt which is highly coloured - tastes okay,
fresh fruit - I am big on fresh pineapple on this trip,
hot stuff includes very well cooked bacon and little thin sausages - which taste mega salty,
scrambled egg combos,
potatoes cut and fried into little pieces,
waffle iron for you to make your own waffles - not attempted as degree of difficulty too hard(!)
pancakes, syrup and stewed fruit.
You can order off the menu as well.
And now it is off to the cash machine, followed by a taxi to the Union station and the 3 and half hour trip back to New York, New York and the Washington Square Hotel.
Farewell Holiday Inn - room 504 - great beds - two double beds and plenty of room.
There is the occasional frieght train tooting its horn and rumbling by, but does not disturb things greatly.
A coffee pot on the table - or tea which is presented as a little carafe of hot water and the bag,
unlimited orange juice or a substitute juice I found out today,
cereal which is in a plastic container,
milk which is in a plastic container,
yogurt which is highly coloured - tastes okay,
fresh fruit - I am big on fresh pineapple on this trip,
hot stuff includes very well cooked bacon and little thin sausages - which taste mega salty,
scrambled egg combos,
potatoes cut and fried into little pieces,
waffle iron for you to make your own waffles - not attempted as degree of difficulty too hard(!)
pancakes, syrup and stewed fruit.
You can order off the menu as well.
And now it is off to the cash machine, followed by a taxi to the Union station and the 3 and half hour trip back to New York, New York and the Washington Square Hotel.
Farewell Holiday Inn - room 504 - great beds - two double beds and plenty of room.
There is the occasional frieght train tooting its horn and rumbling by, but does not disturb things greatly.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Oh say can you see.........The Star Spangled Banner in DC
Am so glad we came to Washington.
Good to compare the two American cities.
After a slow start - do they pump some sedatives in through the vents in hotels, just find it hard to get going - kept reading 'Just Kids'.
Discovered the Washington Metro and found the back entrance to the White House.
Wanted to use the toilets in the Visitors Centre but it was barred by a police officer and some one who looked like a plain clothes officer - ?What was going on in there?
Anyway found the Smithsoinian Museum of American History - very interesting to wander around with the American people and hear their stories.
There was the star spangled banner in all its glory - well kept in a darkened display room - quite huge - reminicent of the Eureka Flag in Ballarat.
Saw all the famous landmarks - the Lincoln memorial, Capitol Hill, the National Gallery, the ice skaters at the Pavillon and sculpture park - saw most of these at dusk as we came out of the Smithsoinian - very evocative.
The Underground Metro is designed like a scinece fiction film set(!) Looks good and not too hard to understand - good signage and maps around, which helps a lot.
Back at the Holiday Inn hoping to see some ice dancing on the Olympics - thus far have missed all the ice skating.
Down to my last $50 bucks - so am being careful my neccessity.
Good to compare the two American cities.
After a slow start - do they pump some sedatives in through the vents in hotels, just find it hard to get going - kept reading 'Just Kids'.
Discovered the Washington Metro and found the back entrance to the White House.
Wanted to use the toilets in the Visitors Centre but it was barred by a police officer and some one who looked like a plain clothes officer - ?What was going on in there?
Anyway found the Smithsoinian Museum of American History - very interesting to wander around with the American people and hear their stories.
There was the star spangled banner in all its glory - well kept in a darkened display room - quite huge - reminicent of the Eureka Flag in Ballarat.
Saw all the famous landmarks - the Lincoln memorial, Capitol Hill, the National Gallery, the ice skaters at the Pavillon and sculpture park - saw most of these at dusk as we came out of the Smithsoinian - very evocative.
The Underground Metro is designed like a scinece fiction film set(!) Looks good and not too hard to understand - good signage and maps around, which helps a lot.
Back at the Holiday Inn hoping to see some ice dancing on the Olympics - thus far have missed all the ice skating.
Down to my last $50 bucks - so am being careful my neccessity.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Stranded in Paris
Postscript from Paris.
Just realised I skipped Paris on this blog.
Yes we were there, but dazed and confused.
We never recovered from that horrific early start for the eurostar. Big taxi fare while he waited for me to check out - daylight robbery.
Got to the train station in Paris and really felt disorientated and stranded.
Eventually got a taxi to the hotel, then got a local bus to the eiffel tower.
Accosted by souveneir sales guys and hordes of people in lines to go up the tower.
Went and had some overpriced pizza @ Carmine's and fell into bed.
Negotiated our way to the Musee de Orsay the next day.
More hordes of people in this amazing gallery space, a converted railway building, very grand, fantastic gold clock above the auditorium space.
Jaz quite tired and emotional and not feeling the best.
Back to the train station via the metro - lots more directions to follow.
Would have liked more time to wander the boulevards, which are immense.
We stayed in a little garret(!) on the fifth floor - Aramis Hotel - tiny room, smelt of ciggarettes.
Didn't really discover much about french food.
Had McDonald's for brekkie - sorry - but it was nearby - included crossiants.
Had a resturant meal in the Musee - but that was over rated too as the food was not particularly hot, and expensive. Give me the Tate gallery food any day.
Just realised I skipped Paris on this blog.
Yes we were there, but dazed and confused.
We never recovered from that horrific early start for the eurostar. Big taxi fare while he waited for me to check out - daylight robbery.
Got to the train station in Paris and really felt disorientated and stranded.
Eventually got a taxi to the hotel, then got a local bus to the eiffel tower.
Accosted by souveneir sales guys and hordes of people in lines to go up the tower.
Went and had some overpriced pizza @ Carmine's and fell into bed.
Negotiated our way to the Musee de Orsay the next day.
More hordes of people in this amazing gallery space, a converted railway building, very grand, fantastic gold clock above the auditorium space.
Jaz quite tired and emotional and not feeling the best.
Back to the train station via the metro - lots more directions to follow.
Would have liked more time to wander the boulevards, which are immense.
We stayed in a little garret(!) on the fifth floor - Aramis Hotel - tiny room, smelt of ciggarettes.
Didn't really discover much about french food.
Had McDonald's for brekkie - sorry - but it was nearby - included crossiants.
Had a resturant meal in the Musee - but that was over rated too as the food was not particularly hot, and expensive. Give me the Tate gallery food any day.
New York is a Fantastic City.
Long time on the road, but I gotta say New York is a fantastic city.
Loved it all.
The street talk, Greenich Village, drug stores, Dunkin donuts, neon blitz in Times Square, all the avenues, famous buildings, yellow taxi's weaving about the road, Letterman on TV, LAUNDRY SERVICE AROUND THE CORNER - WHO EVEN DELIVER, will leave the capitals on cos this is a great service - a little asian man took away the dirty washing and sent it back clean and folded for $8, wish this happened all the time(!)
Have had lots of bagels with philly and seen a show on 42nd street - Jasmine suggested Mary Poppins - brilliant staging - as was the London productions - the songs bring back a lot of memories - not so sure about the new additions, were they really adding any value?
Would like to see West Side Story - but a show is a big night, plus expensive.
Walked back to Greenich village via 8th and 7th avenues and probably a bit of 6th too. Everything is open, but there is a feeling that the economy is doing it tough, well most of the buildings and businesses seem quite tired, in a way.
But I love that there is so many bookshops around, this was missing from London.
Just bought 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith - a memoir, in which she mentions a lot of the places I just walked around. One of the benefits of stying in the village is walking through large bits of New York. People are friendly which makes life easier.
Still getting used to the coinage.
Will have to factor in some more US time for the future.
Loved it all.
The street talk, Greenich Village, drug stores, Dunkin donuts, neon blitz in Times Square, all the avenues, famous buildings, yellow taxi's weaving about the road, Letterman on TV, LAUNDRY SERVICE AROUND THE CORNER - WHO EVEN DELIVER, will leave the capitals on cos this is a great service - a little asian man took away the dirty washing and sent it back clean and folded for $8, wish this happened all the time(!)
Have had lots of bagels with philly and seen a show on 42nd street - Jasmine suggested Mary Poppins - brilliant staging - as was the London productions - the songs bring back a lot of memories - not so sure about the new additions, were they really adding any value?
Would like to see West Side Story - but a show is a big night, plus expensive.
Walked back to Greenich village via 8th and 7th avenues and probably a bit of 6th too. Everything is open, but there is a feeling that the economy is doing it tough, well most of the buildings and businesses seem quite tired, in a way.
But I love that there is so many bookshops around, this was missing from London.
Just bought 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith - a memoir, in which she mentions a lot of the places I just walked around. One of the benefits of stying in the village is walking through large bits of New York. People are friendly which makes life easier.
Still getting used to the coinage.
Will have to factor in some more US time for the future.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Refuge in 21st Century London
Time keeps slipping, slipping into the future.
Need to keep up to datge with schedules - wake up call at 3.40am.
Eurostar - Paris bound.
Tate Modern today - amongst the hoards.
Da Da Da................ Dada and 1921 era of absract beginnings - stained glass, architecture, magazine, posters, sketches, art, music - all encompassing.
Dinner in Cafe Rouge looking out towards St Paul's, the double deckers and taxi's and wet pavements.
Oh London, a sprawling epic mass of history and culture - every corner has a name attached, a story from the past.
Very fortunate to be an observer, walker, consumer aussie tourist.
Of note it is hard to escape the huge landmark of St Paul's cathedral - outside our door, a place that is not devoted to commerce, business or hype - it is a refuge in the mass of 21st century communication & defining 'money makes it happen' ideology.
I have noted that all the churches use many powerful symbols - the mother and child, the cross, jesus as the shepherd - time goes on and these things remain.
God be with you.
Need to keep up to datge with schedules - wake up call at 3.40am.
Eurostar - Paris bound.
Tate Modern today - amongst the hoards.
Da Da Da................ Dada and 1921 era of absract beginnings - stained glass, architecture, magazine, posters, sketches, art, music - all encompassing.
Dinner in Cafe Rouge looking out towards St Paul's, the double deckers and taxi's and wet pavements.
Oh London, a sprawling epic mass of history and culture - every corner has a name attached, a story from the past.
Very fortunate to be an observer, walker, consumer aussie tourist.
Of note it is hard to escape the huge landmark of St Paul's cathedral - outside our door, a place that is not devoted to commerce, business or hype - it is a refuge in the mass of 21st century communication & defining 'money makes it happen' ideology.
I have noted that all the churches use many powerful symbols - the mother and child, the cross, jesus as the shepherd - time goes on and these things remain.
God be with you.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Lowlights out in the field..............
Sarcastic London men on the streets.
That's it!
Don't need to dwell on anything else, except perhaps beware of slippery bath/showers.
That's it!
Don't need to dwell on anything else, except perhaps beware of slippery bath/showers.
Highlights of the patron saint of travelling shambolically.
Any Tate shop and cafe.- particularly Pomegrante and apple juice.
Plunger coffee anywhere, particularly at Stephen and Lisa's, very good taste.
Deep baths anywhere, particulary at Hatton Court, Painswick.
The misty bicycle filled streets of Cambridge.
The bookshops in Cambridge - Heffners.
The little laneways around St Ives & and sitting on a bench by the seaside with a cornish pasty.
Little villages around Painswick - Minchinhampton.
Eastender cliffhangers - doof doofs?! - but who killed Archie?
Hampstead coffee and flower shops.
Eclairs in Riga with an Expresso, with old time radio songs - Summer Wine, Boney M.
London Underground ads - Poetry, social work promotions & what's new in films.
Plunger coffee anywhere, particularly at Stephen and Lisa's, very good taste.
Deep baths anywhere, particulary at Hatton Court, Painswick.
The misty bicycle filled streets of Cambridge.
The bookshops in Cambridge - Heffners.
The little laneways around St Ives & and sitting on a bench by the seaside with a cornish pasty.
Little villages around Painswick - Minchinhampton.
Eastender cliffhangers - doof doofs?! - but who killed Archie?
Hampstead coffee and flower shops.
Eclairs in Riga with an Expresso, with old time radio songs - Summer Wine, Boney M.
London Underground ads - Poetry, social work promotions & what's new in films.
Is Everyone in London a Tourist? Central London is packed with folks with the proverbial map and camera.
I am a hopeless tourist - befuddled and confused, all part of the service.
Which platform?
Which street?
What newspaper?
What currency?
What's the deal?
Friday, jetlagged - which is really code for all tired out of waiting.
Sit here, queue here, report here, explain yourself at both ends.
I am all tired of being herded into pens and seats. Riga Hotel - car - late - snow everywhere - falling - driving to the airport without a seat belt in some of the worst conditions - anxiety about delays due to weather - check in - departure gate - changed gates - waiting 2 plus hours - flying out of snow laden Riga - in flight boredom - papers all in Latvian - Gatwick - find the train - get on - wait - on route to London - getting off the train, broke fingernails wrestling with luggage of train gap to platform - Victoria Station - people everywhere - taxi - instructions - what to do in London - £13 later at The Grange near St Paul's - Doorman helps with bags! Finally there - get twin bed made to twin beds - have a bath - heaven to sit and slumber on in a hot tub.........
Satruday I was all ready to hit the town, when I came a cropper in the shower, fell heavily.
Waited two and half hours today to confirm what I had thought, bruised ribs. It is painful, but also embarrasing.
Plenty of investigating of the London locales, via a Big Bus and river cruise.
Breakfast in Cafe Rouge, then Starbucks, which are everywhere - Tower of London, packed, but I am sure it gets even more hectic.
Highlights blog to follow, then low lights.
Which platform?
Which street?
What newspaper?
What currency?
What's the deal?
Friday, jetlagged - which is really code for all tired out of waiting.
Sit here, queue here, report here, explain yourself at both ends.
I am all tired of being herded into pens and seats. Riga Hotel - car - late - snow everywhere - falling - driving to the airport without a seat belt in some of the worst conditions - anxiety about delays due to weather - check in - departure gate - changed gates - waiting 2 plus hours - flying out of snow laden Riga - in flight boredom - papers all in Latvian - Gatwick - find the train - get on - wait - on route to London - getting off the train, broke fingernails wrestling with luggage of train gap to platform - Victoria Station - people everywhere - taxi - instructions - what to do in London - £13 later at The Grange near St Paul's - Doorman helps with bags! Finally there - get twin bed made to twin beds - have a bath - heaven to sit and slumber on in a hot tub.........
Satruday I was all ready to hit the town, when I came a cropper in the shower, fell heavily.
Waited two and half hours today to confirm what I had thought, bruised ribs. It is painful, but also embarrasing.
Plenty of investigating of the London locales, via a Big Bus and river cruise.
Breakfast in Cafe Rouge, then Starbucks, which are everywhere - Tower of London, packed, but I am sure it gets even more hectic.
Highlights blog to follow, then low lights.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Postcard from Riga
Letters are like birds.........
Sending a postcard blog from Riga.
Just booked a mystery accommodation deal for London tomorrow night - should have booked more than one night - stupid - but I didn't know where it was.
Think I should do the next couple if I can.
Okay, Riga is enticing to wander around - the little streets.
Only have to go across the road to get a good coffee and eclair.
Food next door is also excellent - recommended by Lonely Planet - but I found this out afterwards.
Must do my booking now - or the internet session will run out.
Must do in Riga - if you get here - go to the sky bar at Hotel Latvia - and order a B52 - Go ahead, I know you want to!
Sending a postcard blog from Riga.
Just booked a mystery accommodation deal for London tomorrow night - should have booked more than one night - stupid - but I didn't know where it was.
Think I should do the next couple if I can.
Okay, Riga is enticing to wander around - the little streets.
Only have to go across the road to get a good coffee and eclair.
Food next door is also excellent - recommended by Lonely Planet - but I found this out afterwards.
Must do my booking now - or the internet session will run out.
Must do in Riga - if you get here - go to the sky bar at Hotel Latvia - and order a B52 - Go ahead, I know you want to!
Friday, February 5, 2010
English brekkie overload
Heading for Northampton today on various motorways.
Seem to be eating less and less breakfast as time goes on - at first it is a novelty, then the big English brekkie seems to be just too much.Today had the yogurt drink, but coffee not up to much.
Will take a few pix of Liverpool before I go.
Seem to be eating less and less breakfast as time goes on - at first it is a novelty, then the big English brekkie seems to be just too much.Today had the yogurt drink, but coffee not up to much.
Will take a few pix of Liverpool before I go.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Cool Liverpool
Seagulls and chimney tops.
Docks and steamed up windows.
BBC and HMV.
Boxy cabs, light greeny double deckers and Lime Street Station.
The liver bird atop of the dome.
The BEATLES LIVE.
Melodic voices and hidden art shops.
Huge shopping malls.
Amidst a hidden post office..........
The Tate Afro rules
with the best cafe out there
Cheers from the foyer of the Novotel
Liverpool is cool in more ways than one.
Docks and steamed up windows.
BBC and HMV.
Boxy cabs, light greeny double deckers and Lime Street Station.
The liver bird atop of the dome.
The BEATLES LIVE.
Melodic voices and hidden art shops.
Huge shopping malls.
Amidst a hidden post office..........
The Tate Afro rules
with the best cafe out there
Cheers from the foyer of the Novotel
Liverpool is cool in more ways than one.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Hotel search results in fluke find - what were the chances?
Just about to have drinks at the Novotel in Liverpool.
Spent a good hour driving around Liverpool in the snow and then rain looking for the hotel.
In the end decided to just park somewhere and get a taxi.
Did this and went to the first taxi rank, only to be told the hotel was within sight!!
What were the chances after all those roads - we saw most of Liverpool.
So we are here now - praise the Lord.
Tate - ing it tomorrow.
Spent a good hour driving around Liverpool in the snow and then rain looking for the hotel.
In the end decided to just park somewhere and get a taxi.
Did this and went to the first taxi rank, only to be told the hotel was within sight!!
What were the chances after all those roads - we saw most of Liverpool.
So we are here now - praise the Lord.
Tate - ing it tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A30 from St Ives onto the M5 after E and on up past Bristol to Painswick in the Cotswolds again.
Very tired from driving from St Ives to Painswick.
Hattan Court again - cos I know it's good.
Not sure if I have been spelling anything right.
St Ives was perfection in so many ways.
Have to get some sleep - I am here in one piece.
Still have no idea what the speed limit is on any of the roads?!
Hattan Court again - cos I know it's good.
Not sure if I have been spelling anything right.
St Ives was perfection in so many ways.
Have to get some sleep - I am here in one piece.
Still have no idea what the speed limit is on any of the roads?!
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