London! post trip

I survived another 13 hours flight, knocked out for a good 12 hours before waking up to humid Singapore today, which made me miss the London cool weather.

The last day in London was spent shopping, to Harrods, Selfridges and Bond Street. Thank goodness (or should it be otherwise?) that I only had 6 hours of shopping time, if not I would have hit more stores (I would really like to have gone to see the G-star concept store though..sigh..). Out of the stuff, only 1 was for myself, and that took only 30 mins. The rest were orders and favours from friends, and other what-nots.

I was glad that I had taken today off, or it would have been to the office straight. I just heard some re-org's happening in the office, which doesn't sound good. Crossing fingers..

London! day 7

2nd day in the Cotswold.

I realised that my cam battery was dying. And my charger was left behind in Fenny's place.

I decided to use my backup - trusty sony ericsson phone cam. Then I realised that I forgot to bring the data cable from home.

Argh.

But it was a good day out in the country. With Barry's suggestion (and directions), we went to Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burton-on-the-water, Upper & Lower Slaughter.

Country air smelled difference. English summer was really deliciously sunny yet cooling. The pace of life slowed down a beat as you look at the vast landscape.

Will upload once I have chance.

London! day 6

Cotswolds!

Today's journey started with Fenny and me going to pick up the rented car from the outlet at London City Airport. And with that, started a minor nightmare of navigation. Since I was the only one who could drive, I became the designated driver for the whole trip (sigh...). So Fenny had said that she should be able to navigate with the map. We started driving out of the airport at 1030am. By 12.30pm, we were still stuck in London city, not knowing which direction to turn to in order to hit the motorway (sighx2.....). By sheer luck of a turn based on my gut feel, we had finally saw the roadsign of A40 to head out of london, toward M40 and finally towards our destination.

Another nightmare ensued after we reach the area of Cotswolds, after getting off from M40, in trying to find our B&B at Mickelton. In the end I decided to just stop the car, asked Fenny to call the B&B, and while holidng the line, we reached the place with directions given real time.

By the time we found our B&B, it had taken us 6 hours. From the website, it would have had only taken us 2 and half hour to reach (sigh x3....................)

Our B&B Brymbo was a homely B&B ran by a couple in their 50s (?), Barry and Gene. By sheer luck, there was a local event called the Olympick Games at Drover Hills. Barry (who was the one giving us the direction over the phone) told us the best way to catch the actions. So with a couple more of missed turns (that was the point that I wished I had another set of eyes and brain in order to read map and drive at the sametime), we headed towards Chipping Camden, which was also the nearest town near Mickleton. Found a place to park, ate some pub grub, and we were off to Drover Hill.

Photos of the Olympick actions are on Facebook :)

The event ended with the finale of a great bonfire. At first we stood downwind from the pile of firewoods cos the weather had turned so chilly with the sun going down (at 10pm that was..) and the wind blowing, but then we quickly learnt that it was a SUPER BAD IDEA as when the fire started burinng, we saw the fire and burning bits of firewood coming towards us. Scrambled like mad :s

And then there was the procession down Drovers Hill, and from there we picked up our car and drove back to Brymbo, and had my first experience of country road driving - no headlights, cars coming from opposite direction travelling like 150km/h, hard to find road signs.

By the time I washed up I was so tired and knocked out once I hit the bed..

What an exciting day.

London! day 3-5

I know..I skipped 2 days cos I was simply too shag from walking, and still suffering from jet lag. I had woken up at 5am for the 2 days consecutively, until I miraculously woke up only at 7am.
o.(>.<).o

Hmm..I think I upload the photographs first..I must be still in Lala-land, cant remember where I went already..

London! Day 2

Woke up at 5am. Not bad considering that I conked out at 9.30am london time, and slept quite well. I even got the luxury to nua a bit and then got my lazy ass out to go running at 6am. A bit chilly at first, but once the rhythm kicked in..it's bliss running in cool weather like this. Too bad there isn't a running path along the embarkment of Thames, if not it would be great to run with the magnificent view of the river and the Tower bridge in the foreground.

So went back home, and a lil accident involving

(a) a window lever

(b) my left thumb

which left my left thumb bleeding, and with the racing heartbeat recent from the run, it took the whole morning (after breakfast, after I board the bus, until I got to Picadilly Circus) before I stopped pinching the piece of tissue onto my left thumb. =.="

The Jubilee Line where I was supposed to get onto is out of service, and I had to take a rail replacement bus to London Bridge station (huh? Why wasn't there any announcement posters or anything when I took the tube yesterday? *sigh*)

It could have been the adrenalin pumping too, as I was rushing to the Visitor Centre to grab my London Pass by the opening time of 10am (stated in the confirmation email) and go Buckingham Palace by 11. By the time I was there at 10.10am, the queue was super long. And then I saw the sign beside the counter, that the collection actually start by 9.30am on Monday, and 9am from Tues-Fri. (But why wasn't this in the email? So much for efficiency *double sigh*)

By the time I grabbed the pass by 10.40am, it was dash all the way to Buckingham Palace. Luckily for me, I reached the Palace on time and met up with Celes & Francis. So we were hanging around the monument (cos of vantage for Francis' powerful zoom camera). By 11.25am, I decided that my limited-zoom camera need a shorter range for shots, so I hopped down to squeeze a spot in front of the fence. When I saw this:

Huh?? There are like at least 1000 people waiting around the area and they dont even bother to send someone to announce that there isn't a ceremony?? In SG sure kena complain one. Waste time *triple sigh*.

So after this, I embarked on my tourist trail.

Queens Gallery

Hmm..compared to what I saw at Tate later..Tate's better.

Westminster Abbey

Cheapo me almost didn't want buy the tickets, which cost 15 GPB (that's about 36SGD) to go in, cos this was one of the places that was not covered by the Visitor Pass. But I was glad I did. The richness of the history was definitely worth it. Guided by the voice of Jeremy Irons from the audio guide, it was befitting the sombreness of the abbey.

Jewel Tower

I'm glad I didn't have to pay for the entry ticket, since it was already covered under the London pass. 'Nuff said.

Tate Britain

This wasn't in my plan, cos I was only interested to visit Tate Modern, until one of the friend said, "Yeah, but the paintings are really, really, really, really nice!"

And I agree. It helped that I had free audio guide, that explained certain paintings, on the story behind the paining, some of the things about the painters, and some other trivias (like most of the women subjects were mistresses of someone-someone..). The audio guide (a Dell PDA) was interactive enough to highlight some of the features of the painting ( "Now look at the picture on your scree (a picture of the painting loaded up onto the PDA screen). Choose one of the 4 areas highlighted (poked at one of the highlights). Look at the area above the subject's arm, where the inscription says..")

It's weird how some paintings stir feelings within you. And this was my favourite painting. Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent

It gave me the sense of whimsical calmness just by looking at it. Bought a reprint :) But the reprint is quite lousy. The actual painting was so much nicer.

By the time I was done at Tate, it was already about 5.30pm, and most other attractions would have closed by 6. So decided to swing back to Covent HMV and checked out the fish & chips place.

Bought a DVD requested by a friend, got the fish & chips, got home (in a roundabout way no less, with the Jubilee Line still out of service). With aching legs (from run & walk).

But what a rewarding day :)

London! Day 1

After 13 hours of flight with only 4 hours of intermitten sleep clocked, I reached Heathrow at a glorious time of 5am. By the time I hit the tube, it was already 6am.

When 6am in Singapore is still a 黑漆漆moment, 6am in London enjoys a good 9am-like sunlight (I dont know whether if its a good thing for a night owl like me..), with even hearing birds chirping while travelling on the tube. Wasted a little bit of time trying to find Fenny's apartment (it pays to ask the RIGHT person for directions!*&$#%), by the time I stepped in the apartment, it was already 9am.

It looked a bit bleaked - not being able to find the place even after walking for about 20mins

So washed up a bit, nua-ed a bit, and it was to Covent Market with this Aussie girl who I sat beside the plane.

This is Ally from Australia. 27, she just graduated from uni and is going to her friend in Geneva tomorrow, and then travel (and try find work at the same time) for the next 6 months.

Covent Garden was abuzz with people. Alright, I don't find the shops and store pretty interesting, but I like the crowd, the way people sit in the sun (it was blazingly hot!) with just a potato jacket, or ice cream.

Busker, doing an impersonation of a caged bear (I think). Ally said aloud, "Oh my, what if someone comes around and grab all his busking money? He cant chase in those."

No, not my camera's exporsure got problem (but I admit that framing was bad). The invisible paid a visit to Covent Garden.

We ended up sitting and listening to a really good busker. I tried to video this guy, but shall spare everybody my lousy videoing skills.

After like 4 or 5 songs by that guy, we walked around some more. Must have been the jet lag. I see shops and stuff that I think I would like. Like this really beautiful red shawl that cost 3GBP. But was simply not in the mood to buy. I think I will go back again since the Transport Museum is there, and I havent tried the "really good fish & chips along Endell Road that I must try". Ally ended up buying stuff that she would need for her trip.

Finally, Ally left for her friend's place where she was going to crash for the night before flying tomorrow. As I was on the way home (erm..technically so for the next 8 days), I decided to skip an appoinment with a friend for dinner at Canary Wharf, and stayed in with a simple home cooked meal (I was at that moment thankful that my mum had forced me to learn cook rice when I was young; and that I got a friend who got a kitchenette).

The clock on my lappie, tuned to SG time, says 3.15am. It is only 8.30pm here and the sky is still bright! Like it's only aboug 6.30 in SG. I give myself another hour before crashing...and I so need to run to tune my body clock. Just hope that the weather holds up tomorrow for the run and also to see the change of guard at Buckingham Palace!

Flying Off

So..this is it.

Am now in the waiting lounge waiting to board. It looked like a super full flight...and I spotted a few wailing kids already =.="

The rest of the passengers are ang mohs, while I noticed that there was only one another asian girl with her mac. The rest of the ang mohs are either

(i) reading
(ii) spacing out
(ii) reading
(iv) er..(more) spacing out.

I think only singaporeans are so hooked onto (and addicted!) to wifi.

(I am finishing up the book that I am reading now, so brought another book up. And then I saw Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book in the bookstore so I grabbed that too. So now I have 3 books with me. I is too greedy I think..)

13 hours!

Checking in!

Yesterday I was suddenly gripped by apprehension..

What if I cant find my way to the Tube at Heathrow?

What if I lose my way to Fenny's place??

What if I trip over the steps to the bus with my luggage and stuf???

It's not the first trip flying alone (HK, Jkt..), but it's the first trip going to place I have never been before (JC geography school trip doesn't count), so far away from home, and with no one to meet me there.

:s
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Last week I suddenly had a thought.."Maybe I should change some pounds first..so even if the exchange rate go up or down next week before I fly, I still gain 50% either way".

But then, when I was at People's Park, the atm machine broke down. When I was at Vivo, I realised that I forgot to bring out the cash I had drawn out, and atm card not with me. When I was at Jurong Point, I became distracted looking at shoes, after checking that the rate was SGD 224.5 to 100 GBP.

Today the rate went up to 231. And that made it 30 bucks more expensive for me.

Grrr.....
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I went to British Airway website 5 mins before the site was available for check in. Hmm..got time.

Went Facebook.

Hm...bejeweled. Ok, since got time...

By the time I managed to check in, it was 10 mins past the starting time of check in. But I'm checked in!
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13 hours flight!!

I've got mail!

This came in on Thurs.

Was contemplating whether to buy the oyster card after I touch down in London, but then I thought..do they start selling the card at 5am in the morning?? And since I have to make my own way to the accomodation, to be kiasi a bit, I decided to buy the card in advance and pay 5 bucks extra for delivery. And I was pleasantly surprised when the mail came in and a london guide, tube map and the casing was thrown in.

And contrary to my previous feeble excuse , I began waming up to the idea of driving as I began reading up more on what is available in Cotswold. And to explore the bigger area of Cotswold is probable only if you drive (though I was quite keen on the idea of cycling or walk around each town). So, went to apply for a International Driving Permit, and it came today :))




I is super excited about next sat :D

I am supposed to find this in London...

And the only song I remember from TLS was this :


And it was in 1996; when I remember the guys in my school took MC, went AWOL, just to catch the matches.


Wow, it has been that long....

And then I finally found out this song was sang by The Lightning Seeds.


Pure & simple everytime.

More of London

Thanks for an ex-colleauge (and has to be a guy!), I'm reminded that London is a place for cult brands and chic british fashion.

And that's how I stumble across this.

At this rate, I will never have enough days in London!!

UK is not left-hand drive!

After one friend sent an email telling me that, my UK friend also nicely pointed out, "it's the same as Singapore, my dear. Don't forget that Singapore was a British colony, everything copy from the British :)"

I am sooooo embarassed; but well, now I have to find other excuse like..maybe train is "greener"? ;p

What the heck. I may still drive if the cost works out to be better..at least I can drive and select songs on my Ipod now.

London!

I was sicky today..so skipped training. Told myself that I had to ABSOLUTELY try to sleep early tonight. And my cut off time has to be like..soon after I finish this! (ya right..I am so not fulfilling my new year resolution)

Since I was sicky, I thought the most benign thing to do, is to start searching for info for the london trip.Looking at the limited days I may have in London, I decided to poll people on what to do in the city itself, beside doing some trawling on the net. And my list is still expanding.

Friend was thinking of exploring the countryside, and proposed stratford-upon-avon. I was a bit sceptical to go to the Shakespearean town which has become so touristy. But I should be quite enthralled to see the typical English rolling fields..anything but drive! Since UK is left-hand drive, I am not sure if I can drive and see scenary both at the same time, with the same sense of intuitive driving like what I do everyday now.

And just happened that Brandon Wong was on Channel U, doing this show called 优游天下 or something like that (flaunting his er..fakebritishwannabeaccent..but I still think the show is good cos it showed all the off-beaten tracks-destinations. I like!), and he was at Cotswolds. And I found this (oh the joy of the ingterneck).

With the promise of B&B, english tea, and an alluring English landscape (and the home of Harry Potter!) Cotswold suddenly sounds exciting.

But let me focus on the London-to-dos first..