Elephants in London

A couple weekends ago I went to a park with a date to see this collection of hand painted elephants. Previously they had been distributed in varied places around London (200 of them !)They were for sale to support an elephant rescue charity. I think they were mostly painted by local artists- as I recognized the work of a few who show in local galleries.They were all pretty amazing and all together an incredible sight!

The " WEDDING"

Here's some pics from their actual ceremony night.It was held in a lovely old mansion in a park. One of the nicest and classiest "weddings " I've been to THE social event of the season..Didn't get that many good pics. But it was a great gathering of all of us from theUS, work and a few others they've met along the way here.

"Hen party"

Two lovely friends-Becky and Susan- Americans who came over with me- got together here- and fell in love. As civil unions are allowed here for gays and lesbians- they decided to tie the knot. These are pics from their "hen party " or shower. it was actuallly rather sophistiacated (not a drunken pink cowboy hats thing..But they did have some Goth belly dancers. And a couple Kareoke stars.

More random London

More London pics and the yellow grass pics were taken from the train on the way to Wales.It is called "rape" and it is really an intense yellow against the rest of thelandscape. It was very striking.Someday I'll paint it!

Random London

Here's some random London shots. A few from Richmond- the park with odd trees and a pub by the river (Thames). Also, one day "whilst" walking into the nearest shopping area by work- a horse driven hearse went by and I had my camera ! Not the best of shots but an unusual site. Also a lovely flower laden cart by a pub (above pics)

More sailing

Here's some more sailing shots- Brrrr!

Gone Sailing

Hi all- Trying to update here- So I went sailing this Spring- before the nice weather set in. Up in Wales by the isle of Anglesey.I am on a sailing/dating website where people look for crew, company and occasionally romance. This trip was just a " company" jaunt as it turned out.But then- hard to have romance on a 25 foot space- on the sea- with the loo in the center of your "tent"!(and only a curtain to divide you) Also-after the first day- with no shower - personal hygiene can be an issue!
But no worries- had a good time despite being VERY cold the first 2 days.In fact the first day- we didn't sail- it was raining.So hung out on board- read, slept, talked and played scrabble by candlelight.The next day we went out through the strait past Puffin Island (a bird reserve) to a little bay village.Stayed on board that night though. It was a bit rough at times- I had to wear 3 layers of clothes(yes, I've gained weight- as I QUIT SMOKING- but not too much- it's the layers!!) But I like bouncing up and down on the water. You may not know this- but my Dad used to have and race yachts on lake Michigan.I never learned the ropes really but I have always loved being on the water and I figure living on a island now- it's a good time to get out there and do it !!My Skipper- Chris- was very easy going- a good cook- and handled "Dansaskip" fine on his own. So I mostly relaxed and enjoyed. - Anyway- our 3rd day we sailed back to Bangor and the weather was very nice for once- and very smooth sailing.Though I'd prefer lolling about in the sun in the Med-- it still was fun- and I hope to hook up with some other sailors this summer too- ya never know where it might lead.. but at least it's a good day out.

COUCHSURFING

One of the things I started doing last year this time was being a Couchsurfing host. I usually do this when I am not dating anyone regularly (as it does impose on privacy) and just get a need to have some "Kids " around... so I host mostly travelling college girls to fill my need to be a Mum once in awhile. Couchsurfing is an international networking site for people who love to travel (or meet those who do). It is intended to be a cultural exchange and a means to allow people to travel at less expense-- as you don't charge for letting them stay with you (although they usually bring me some wine, or chocolate or make a meal- although a Brazilian girl treated me to Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall (which was fabulous!)when she came back a 2nd time). I have had guests from Taiwan, China, France and the U.S. You can go almost anywhere and look up hosts in an area for a place to stay.It is great to have someone tell you where to go in an area and how to get around and mutually share cultures.
I started hosting last year when I thought I might need a place in Rome to meet Arisia when she thought she'd meet her boyfriend there while he was playing in an orchestra for a few weeks.
That didn't happen- so I then thought I should host people to get good "references" for future travels of my own.
Although I mostly host young girls travelling alone or in pairs- I have had a mother and her 23 yr old son from Australia-(they travelled all through Europe and to Egypt mostly couchsurfing!)- and recently a 25 yr old girl and her mother from Brazil.Everyone who've stayed have been delightful. I have a special surrogate " daughter", Andrea- who is from Hamburg.She's stayed twice and is now studying art this semester in England- so hope to see again. Several others have come back a second time. Sometimes I go out with them to a pub or do some shopping or site seeing-- but as usually here during the week- I tend to cook for them (sort of) and just provide them with a safe comfy haven. I have a good size sofa bed and all modern conveniences here.Much nicer than a hostel !! They all seem to love me and I do feel good knowing they are safe. As for ME going "surfing "- I did it once- just for place when I had to go to a training a bit aways. Haven't had the time or money to go elsewhere on my own- but I am definitely thinking of it this summer- if only around England. There are not too many of us mature "surfers"- but there are a few. I also made friends with another local host, Ian-(52) who is now a very special (GBF)friend (except he is travelling all the time !!) People literally can go around the world this way if they plan things out properly. So we'll see....but in the meantime, I enjoy the company. Despite my unconventional lifestyle at times- I still enjoy being a " Mum and a Chum". So check out Couchsurfing.org.

More France MIsc.

Here's a few more shots- in Riems- and of course my friend pointing out the all important streetside condom vending machine:)

More France

Here's some shots of the Champagne houses and the giant cask in one.

Reims,France FEB.2010

One of the most delightful things about living in London- is that the rest of Europe is only a few hours away. I recently went to the champagne area of France with a friend. We drove to the "CHUNNEL"- and our car was driven onto a train of sorts which took us under the English channel . Amazing! Only about an hour. Then from there we drove 2hours to Reims. Reims is a good-size city-but the surrounding area is filled with vineyards for champagne. So we spent the next day and a half driving round the countryside.It was cold, wet and rather bleak as the vineyards barren now- but you could just imagine them in the summer- would be gorgeous countryside.We drove thru little villages that appeared abandoned- but charming.People close up from 12- 3 there for midday meal and I think a short siesta. The French we met were charming and lovely to us. One man in a restaurant really didn't speak English- but kept looking up words on his computer to try to carry on a conversation with my companion about English football teams.Pretty funny.
We also met a young man serving in an Irish pub (though no Irish there) -- I asked him how to say F**K in French (one must know these things:) and he said that was his name-- Foque. Poor guy. But he was really sweet and we went back the next nite.Never did get the French translation.
Unfortunately, we didn't have our act together enough to actually reserve for a tour of any of the champagne houses- (though the ones in Reims were massive and gorgeous- there were several wide avenues that house them one after the other.). Did get in a couple tastings and got to see just the main reception area of one big one.
The other big adventure was going to a fancy gourmet restaurant. Of course, with my "taste disorder" and the items that I could translate from the menu- I was sure I'd have to go without supper. Almost everything was either the head or entrail of something. Agh!And they actually WERE serving steak tartare--- piles of RAW hamburger it appeared-- But after some frustrating negotiation and language issues-they gave up on me ordering from the menu and made me- I think- a special dish-- simple duck and potatoes. Very good.
I would love to go back in the summer and do the house tours and see it again. And it was great just being in a car and DRIVING aimlessly in the country.And again- fabulous to be in a totally different culture in just a few hours.

Misc. Egypt

Just some more shots of stuff- we road on a boat like this one to cross the Nile for lunch. the amazing thing is the pyramids are just outside the city- but it still looks desolate(except for the parking lot of course). The one on the Rt. I took from the bus riding back from airport- moon rising during daylight- very moonSCAPEish. (or Mad Max;)We also got to go into the 2nd largest pyramid- pretty much crawling down ladder type steps into the center tomb chamber.Nothing there- but it was still surreal to stand in the center where an Egyptian King laid centuries ago.

More Egypt-Cairo

OK- still figuring things out- to see a pic that is partially hidden-(Like the beautiful view of our beach below)just click on it.Or click on a pic you want to see bigger.Here's some more from the trip (I can apparenlty only do 3 at a time)

Egyptian Xmas

The trip to Egypt was fabulous.I went with a gentleman(Bill)- no big romance as previously mentioned- but compatible enough for travelling(and he paid:) . We stayed in Sharm el Sheikh- which is basically fake Egypt- a resort area created for tourists. But beautiful regardless- and our resort- the Grand Rotana - was one of the nicest. (pays to read internet reviews- some of the places sounded terrible- we lucked out). Had 3 lovely restaurants on site. We spent alternating days hanging by the beach and going on excursions- but mostly hanging by the beach.Water a bit cold for swimming- but we went snorkeling off a boat one day and in a wet suit it was like bath water. We also went into a "town center " called Naama Bay- more fake stuff- shops etc. but more resturant varieties and quite lively. Nightclubs- but we were always too pooped after dinner to do that sort of thing.Relaxing all day can be quite tiring! Besides the snorkelling trip, we did a one day flight trip to Cairo to see the Pyramids , a bit of the Egyptian museum and a Papyrus shop. Cairo was very smoggy, dirty, and living conditions looked terrible.The "middle class" lived in buildings that were half falling down.They tax you there to paint your house or dressup windows, etc, so nobody does anything..And if the building you live in falls down and is near the pyramids- they won't rebuild- they will dig for more stuff instead. We travelled in the safety of our air con bus- with a guide- AND a security guard. (Lots of police with guns etc. everywhere- a little freaky)Except at Giza- we didn't get out to explore or mix with the locals-even for shopping. They even took us to the Hard Rock cafe for lunch- haha! But it was still a great day (and eye opening glimpse at another culture and know how lucky we are to live in the countries we do!) Also did a somewhat cheesy "Arabian Nights" meal and show in the desert at night. YES- I got my picture taken on a camel (but will have to get it scanned-unless Bill got a good one- but he hasn't sent his pics yet)- the whirling dervish dancers and costumes were quite good. All in all- it was a great getaway- with a bit of culture and historic site seeing-- I would definitely go back to relax- but would also really love to do a Nile cruise and see more- Luxor- Alexandria, etc. I hear the cruises are quite good. But at least with the Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza- I can scratch one biggy off my "bucket list". Got back about 11:30 PM here on NYE- heard the fireworks and then went to bed.But I certainly ended 2009 on a high!