Better than the trapeze!

I flew through the air with the greatest of ease. This weekend saw me catch the aerial view of Stonehenge and the surrounding Salisbury/Aymsebury region of England. I'll admit - I was surprised that I didn't feel nervous. Not once. I didn't get that sickening feeling I get when I get half way up the roller coaster and realize I can't get off. (I almost always faint at that point). Nope I was just anxious to have my feet actually touch clouds. It was an incredible experience --- it took about 10 seconds before it dawned on me that I was still falling. Apparently you don't get that horribly sickening feeling like (again) going down on a roller coaster but you do get the joy of a freefall and then sitting comfortably (almost like a chair the way the harness works) for 5 minutes as you take in the view and descend to the ground!

I now understand why people find it addicting. So addicting.

PS. Cloud doesn't taste like anything.

Message in Hyde Park.

I also went to 'Hard Rock calling' this weekend to catch the Police in their last UK performance. I'll say - never say never - to that! After watching 'The Bangles' (apparently walk like an egyptian can keep a band touring for 20 or so years... who knew?) Starsailor - which was actually a current band, and KT Tunstall - the police came on. Man - they really delivered though it was a good show, all the 'classics' were played and they did a good set. I love a good festival - and this has got me craving for more! Perhaps a little more indie music would help next time though.

Mystery from afar

Alright, apparently I do some more 'active' sports in England. The prim and proper behaviour doesn't match with apparently crazy surfers, avid ice climbing, and over four rock climbing gyms in London alone. I would have thought more brutality with rugby and all.

However, it's allowed me to go skydiving! This weekend, I'll be seeing Stonehenge from 11,000 feet... I don't think I'll get this view or really understand what the mystery is about. But I'm sure it will be fun --- as long as I don't scream too loud!

Canadians in Europe

I'll admit - from my hometown I haven't done the typical thing. I've moved to a different country. Most people who grow up in Vancouver - don't leave Vancouver. Why would you leave mts, skies, the sea and a general fantastic way of life..? I don't know the answer because I was foolish enough to leave!

Anyway, most Vancouverites visit Europe the way my guest is doing this month. They pack in as many cities as they can in a month and try and see it all. You can never see it all - but I'll admit she'll have seen way more than I would in a month. (Paris, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, Prague, Italy countryside, London). It makes sense - but it just seems so expensive to me.

I'd rather pace myself.

do I have to do everything myself

So Ascot didn't happen. Reason why: my friend and I got scammed. We were promised that we would get general admission (on the grounds, right by the horses) and we got Silver circle (the only requirement is you can't be barechested). How we got the tickets - the guy counted out two and then took the two from the bottom.......
Needless to say, instead of screaming and arguing with a man at the train station (and in front of the poor sweet girl who tried to make it happen and clearly didn't realize) we cut our losses, paid £10 and had an inside picnic lunch then shopping spree.

The next day made up for it with a large Chinese lunch in the smallest Chinatown ever. London has no representation.

horses and hats

Ah, Ascot - the time where betting horses is a gentleman's and lady's pasttime. Oh and hats are mandatory. On Saturday, I'm headed to watch some of the races in my finest gear. Being a commoner, I'm not 'required' to wear a hat but I am required to wear heels, a dress that covers my knees and bring in my food (if I dare risk the snobby looks) in cloth bags. No Waitrose or Asda please or risk having your ticket torn up. (Seriously.)

This will be interesting. Image via

secret gardens

A couple weeks ago, London opened itself up for viewings of its private gardens. As space is limited, a lot of flat sharers have their apartment look onto a garden but you could never see it from the outside.


A friend's apartment is just like that - with her balcony overlooking a beautiful large inner courtyard. This weekend we just sat in the sun in the privacy and quiet (as the building blocks any sound) and ate delicious picnic food. It's the one time that I have been outdoors without noticing more than 2 other people. I clearly now want my own!



This isn't hers, but it's the one I want off Primrose Hill.

Cheesy goodness

Now I'm a sucker for dairy, particularly cheese. While I'm still growing a taste for blue or equally stinky cheese - I rarely find myself liking a meal that doesn't add a touch of something. Such as aparagus (add a sliver of parmesan on top) and potato dauphonaise (excuse the spelling) is my favourite side of the moment.

This weekend I ended up in heaven though by taking the morning down in Borough market. This is the atypical European farmer's market. Oysters, mousse, delicious breads, fruits, vegs and so much more. Right beside the market is the cheese shop. Not any cheese shop either - it's huge and only sells British cheese. I'll admit my knowledge is lacking except for Leicester (pronounced Lester) red. So L2 and I walked in and tried slices of everything. We walked home with an Orkney (a pleasantly cream hard cheese that I can't live without) and Tulworth (a British version of a brie but with a better tasting rind). I can't imagine a better Saturday morning!

a girlie delay

Well finally I get to watch SATC. Most movies are on a time delay here - from one week to eight months (Gone Baby Gone or Lars and the Real Girl). Normally, any large blockbuster gets released within the next week but SATC was released the exact same day around the world.. and yet it's still taken me this long to go watch it.

Oh well, an early movie, a late dinner in a garden restaurant and then down to the pub for some drinks. It'll be a great start to the weekend.

The most unflattering image via

false reality addictions

England is the heart of the reality show. It was born here (besides MTV's The Real World) with Big Brother and other inane shows. Now, I'm not one to pick the best shows sometimes –but I hate reality TV. Besides a few moments in The Amazing Race where I can dream that I'm there (which I have since lost the desire to watch since moving to Europe).. I have no time for it. Yet, the Brits love it here. The Apprentice was the only thing talked about in my office for weeks on end – and the papers are filled with the 'zaniest and crudest Big Brother yet'… Is that really newsworthy? What happened to well-scripted shows? There's a reason why the smarter Britons just want Sky so they can watch North American television. Clearly they are desperate.

The Professional

Being further away, I have to actively look for Canadian news. And I do. CBC and the Globe and Mail are the first hits, along with people sending emails about the latest topic of interest. Sometimes, Cdn news even makes it over here like the recent apology to aboriginials and the loss of our Hockey Night in Canada song. (The Colbert Report's take is my favourite).

As I checked into CBC yesterday though - I noticed the biggest news of all (for me!) in sports. Trevor Linden's retirement. I'm not knowledgable on many sports (being a bit of dandy and doing ballet and gymnastics (and suprisingly rugby for one season) as a child) but I know the Canucks. When I was 11, I was able to watch many of those amazing games to the race for the cup in a friend's box. While she was in love with Bure, I loved Linden. He was 25 at the time and the heart and soul of the Canucks. And the best part, or the saddest, he still is. Despite a four year stint with the Rangers (he was traded, he didn't want to) he's been with the canucks the rest of his 20 year career. And what made him a professional - that he was loved as much outside of the game than playing. He dedicated his time to the community, making kids smile and Vancouver a better place. He took his job as an athlete seriously and made sure that he was a role model that every person was proud to look up to and tell everyone else to. I admit I teared up when he announced the retirement and the comments from everyone. He was the greatest Canuck in my eyes and I'm going to find a way to watch when they retire his number to the rafters next season.

Image looking a bit younger in the rocking yellow C jersey.

everyone needs wellies

Including pigs in England that have a fear of mud. I didn't know that was possible. It's like a duck being afraid of the water! Here's a video of him testing out his new booties!

one last thing...

I saw the Weakerthans in an awesome (very packed) venue on Monday night. L2 and I (under his very strict instructions) paid our £10 and watched a fantastic concert. We missed the first opening act, watched the second opening act have her guitar strap fall apart on stage - she got a bit frazzled and then finally had two hours of wonderful Canadian music. I fell in love with The Weakerthans when L2 and I first met. He was in love and really was right about their style of music. It's good, it's fresh and John is a genius.

only frustration - the three time encore. Stop teasing, more playing.

Image via (and John's hair looks way better now!)

there's no time to check it twice

I've been feeling a bit stressed lately and feel like the blog has suffered too. Therefore, I've decided to take a week off to recuperate and check off numerous items on my overgrown list. Till then, here's something to make you smile. At least I had a few chuckles and awww moments.

follow the red brick road

Another visit down to Brick Lane... this time I went for the safe choice of Korma and my mouth was appreciative of the choice. However, I made a huge mistake by telling my friend to meet me at Bank rather than Liverpool St station (the one closest to BL). Needless to say I got completely turned around and asked for directions. However, no one in London really knows where Brick Lane is. I got a lot of backwards instructions, wrong time lines and the desire to start from the beginning. I'm glad the company and food made up for it!

Image via

holiday. national style

I think I've already whinged (complained) about the national holiday system in England. We have two for easter(normally in April) two in May, one in August and then nothing till Christmas. Surely they could have taken the second one in may and put it at any other month that didn't have a public holiday. We also have the smallest amount of public holidays in Europe as we do not celebrate some big ones like Remembrance day or apparently Whit Monday....

Can you see I'm fishing for a free break?

Blur of a weekend

This weekend blew past as it started at a Canadian networking event at the RAC (royal automobile club) in Kensington. It's interior is known for its pool in MatchPoint. To get a feel for the night let's just say L2 was forced to keep on his suit jacket. So after too many martinis (at least for me) we headed to an exclusive oxford and cambridge club and then stumbled home with a few glances. Saturday was my roomie's birthday and we headed to the best place in the world for a celebration - the Guinness Premiership Final (Rugby)! So after being too close to the majority of very drunk home we skillfully grabbed our free water and beat the crowds to take the train home. Sunday was definitely the day of rest. L2 and I decided to have a 'bake-off' and stayed in!! I made some brownies while L2 went all keen and made banana bread, bread and sugar free oatmeal banana and raisin cookies. I also started the first episodes of Gossip Girl. I felt way too out of the loop with American television. I'm not sure I actually like it - but the clothes are beautiful. Tonight - the Weakerthans concert!