From Shakespeare to Dudes in Dresses.

The following week was uneventful until Thursday, when I caught up with my old friend from Japan times, Anandia. We had limited time, as I was working until 5pm, she was in Knightsbridge, and I had to be back at Southwark at the Globe by 7.30 to watch 'The Comedy of Errors'. I ended up leaving work at about 4.45, got to Knightsbridge about 5.30, and we decided the quickest way back was to walk to Sloane Square, and tube it to Mansion House, and walk across. That plan actually worked quite well, got to spend time with her, so it was awesome.I figured I would do what I did in an earlier entry with Peter, and have some Now, and then photos... above is July 2010, below November 2006. Also featuring in the photos below are Eita, Noriyoshi, and Anandia's flatmate who's name escapes me - in Kyoto.The Comedy of Errors was good too - the awesome thing was standing watching it in the open air on a Mid-Summer's Night (see what I did there)and thinking that it would have been just same 4 centuries ago, except of course when a jumbo jet flies overhead.

The next morning I had an interview with the Wandsworth Council, which I think went well, however I didn't get it, mainly I believe because I had to give my current job a weeks notice.

I caught up with Anandia & her boyfriend Pat and some more of their friends that night at High Street Kensington at a Piano bar - where you would request a song, and the guy would play and sing it. It was a good night, just a bit of a mission getting back to Acton. Saturday was spent sleeping it off, and perfecting the tidyness of my room (which has returned to its default state unfortunately). That night I went and had some drinks with Scott and his flatmates, ending back in Acton at the Redback. Sunday I went and had a BBQ at my friend Sharon's, who lives just up the road from here.

The following week, I had an interview at Price Waterhouse Coopers, I didn't get it, and am yet to get feedback on it - I have asked several times already.

Friday I worked a little late, then walked to Cannon Street, as I remembered as it was the last Friday of the month, there would be a Couchsurfing language exchange meeting- which there was, so I chatted to a bunch of randoms. Afterwards I convinced several people to walk with me down to Temple to the Southerner (as it was closing the following night). I did add a disclaimer that it may not be open, and, it wasn't.

Saturday, I got up, and headed back to the scene of the crime - the Southerner, and watched New Zealand beat Australia 49-28, while chowing down on pies. After the game I went home, and later went out, up to my workmate Tara's, had a few drinks, and then we all went to a club in town, which was kinda cool. I called it a night however, while it was early enough to get the tube home, otherwise it would have been a real mission.

The following week was very quiet - self-imposed, due to not knowing when my job is finishing up, and mainly because most of the people I would hang out with were away. However on Thursday I went to a Topdeck evening to inquire about some trips, but it was a little depressing, as I was too poor to take it seriously, and my job is ending on a unspecified date. Friday I had some drinks with my workmates Tara & Charisma, Saturday night was Scott's birthday, once again concluding at the Redback. Sunday I went back to the Redback and had some of their pig on a spit - it was going to be lunch, but ended up being dinner, by the time it was served.

So finally we get up to the current week. Fairly similar to other weeks, Wednesday went to an all-you-can-eat pizza thing at Hell's pizza, awesome, got to have L&P, and gourmet pizza, any day involving that's gotta be good. Today, Sunday, We had our last game of touch at Acton. Virtually none of our team could make it, so I managed to gather a bunch of friends to play, and then also some random substitutes as well (including some half-drunk dudes in a dress and shark suit respectively). We lost by a ridiculous margin, and I probably shouldn't have bothered, but I was determined on getting a try at Acton before the end of the season. Oh well some things aren't to be.

The House of Windsor, a park of Deer, and a Very Long Walk

So Saturday morning, (17th July) I got up reasonably early and got a Overground train to Richmond, to catch the train to Windsor, that Suzanne and Bevan would also be on. Because I was about 30 minutes ahead of schedule, I popped into a pub to catch the score of the NZ vs South Africa rugby game just after half-time, we were winning, and ultimately we won it (although by that stage I was on the train). Suzanne let me know which carriage they were on, so I got on that carriage, but for the first few stops we were at opposite ends as it was a bit crowded.We got off the train at Windsor and Eton Riverside, and walked to the castle, and had a bit of a look around it, luckily we timed it well to catch the changing of the guard. Because it's actually the Queen's official residence, there are limits to where you can go, however, I thought it was alright, a lot better than Buckingham Palace - more castle-like and less pretentious. There was Queen Alexandra's doll's house, which was quite interesting - essentially a realistic model of a house/mansion, complete with lights on -not made to be ever played with of course. I don't have a photo of it - well because you're not allowed to take photos of it, as the light would damage it apparently. The other interesting thing at the Palace was the St George's chapel, which houses the banners and seats of the Knights of the Order of the Garter.

So after looking around the castle, we went out and found our friends Christine (who we grew up with) and Chris - had a small wander - past Eton (the posh prep school where the likes of Princes William & Harry went, and ultimately to a pub for lunch. I had a Chicken Jalfrezi curry for lunch, awesome.After lunch we did the 'Long Walk' - which is it's actual name. Basically its 2.65 miles long, in a straight line through Windsor Great Park from Windsor castle to the statue of King George III. From my understanding, the Park is probably where the Queen rides her horse and walks her corgis, although I saw neither. At the castle there was a picture of the Queen with her scarf over her head (as old ladies do), me and Bev made a couple of jokes along the lines of 'who's the homeless/Gypsy lady?'Anyhow, the next few photos are to give you an idea of the length of the walk (in modern language its 4.26km.)Apparently at the end of it, while we were resting, I dozed off for a bit. We then proceeded back (another 4.26km walk) had a drink at the pub, and then went on our ways.The Following day, Suzanne, Bevan, & I, met up with our cousin Maria & her kids at Richmond (where I had worked at the call centre for the best part of 6 months) and had a nice picnic lunch in the Deer Park (hence the photo). Afterwards, I walked back to the station, went and spent some time at my mate Scott's, and then walked back from his house to mine - which actually didn't take too long to walk.

Carry On... London

Well, its hardly a 'Carry On...' movie - not enough innuendo for a start.

Anyhow... So, Thursday, went to another STA Travel thing, enjoyed the free beer and nibbles, and intend going to the next one too.

On the Friday, went along to a pub in Chiswick to watch England play Algeria - I was secretly backing Algeria - the end result was 0-0, which I was happy with, as the English were mighty peeved.

Saturday - birthday BBQ for Luke, Suzanne & Bev's old flatmate.
Sunday - caught up with some of the people I went to Normandy with - whilst watching the NZ vs Italy game. The end result was a draw, which was very pleasing, as Italy should be quite good at Football. To celebrate (3 of the 4 of us were Kiwi's and the other was an Australian - or as they liked to ride our band wagon - an 'Australasian') we went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen - which was originally Kiwi (apparently one of Bev's cousins knows the guy or something like that).

The following week started with a couple of interviews, and ended with 3 nights of hanging out with Merinda (the previously mentioned partner in crime), having drinks, attending the Proms, and then a BBQ at our mutual friend's on Saturday followed by a comedy show.

The following Wednesday I went along to a taster evening for a language course provider - learnt a bit of French - enjoyed the free nibbles & wine, and then went out for a beer with 3 of the classmates. I caught up with the same guy on Friday night for a beer as well.
On the Saturday, Merinda and I went out to Greenwich on the Ferry, which was cool, walked around etc, checked out the observatory, and then went through the tunnel under the river, and proceeded to walk back into town, however decided a bus was required for part of the trip. However we did walk a decent way along the river from Aldgate to Temple, and rewarded ourselves with a a pint and an L&P.The next day I went to a Ceroc Beginners class, which was kind of fun.

The following week - Touch rugby at Wandsworth park on Monday (this is the casual game with predominantly South Africans, rather than the competition I play in Acton), Dinner with Merinda Tuesday (it was supposed to be a run), Thursday I caught up with Peter, a guy I used to teach with in Japan, 3.5 years ago.
Peter & I October/November 2006
Peter & I July 2010.

On the Friday, one of my workmates was leaving, so we had lunch and leaving drinks for her, and afterwards Merinda and I went and had Sushi at a place she recommended, which was good.


And the next week... Drinks with Merinda again, with some friends of hers, and then Korean for dinner. That weekend I went to Windsor & Richmond Park, but I'll leave that for the next one...