This weekend we went to the Polo with Alex and Jo. It was such a sunny day, bright and hot. On the way to the park we picked up all sorts of picnic goodies to go with our picnic blanket.
We found a little patch of grass to put the blanket down and spent the day munching on cheese and olives and crackers and chips.
The horses where great to watch thundering down the field after a ball flying towards the goals. It must be so hard to hit that little ball at that speed with a little mallet whilst on a horse with other horses coming toward you at ramming speed! But these guys did it well.
For me the best thing about it was the food and sun and company. But the polo was a good backdrop I must say.
Drinking a few beers in that sun really hit us. When we got home we all had a lie down.
A good day out.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Friday, 6 June 2008
week end
Ive had a weeks worth of London work now, and to be honest, I'm quite happy to rest.
Work is busy. There's a lot to do. Heaps of projects, heaps to clean up, and lots of constant user support calls. Ive been working 8am-6pm every day with 10 min lunch breaks. I pretty much get home at about 7 each night and before you know it, its time for bed.
I guess I'm going to start really appreciating weekends again.
Since I've gotten here, I haven't watched anything on my PC and haven't played any games. I have normal sleeping hours and am being quite active.
I saw Indiana Jones the other night. It wasn't great, ok though, definitely worth a watch... just not like the old classics. I cant wait to see the up and coming movies this month though, looks like theres going to be heaps of good ones.
Nicola got a job! Congrats!! It's going to be a fun role for her, and now money isn't a problem.
We went to a French restaurant to celebrate the other night. First time Ive ever been to one. It was pretty cool. I wouldn't mind going to Paris now, nice food, nice people. Besides, its only a 2 hour train ride.
Wow I'm tired. Almost time for bed.
This weekend we might have a braai, might see Scott for his leaving drinks, might have a picnic. Who knows how things will unfold.
I'm sure Ill let you know! ;)
Work is busy. There's a lot to do. Heaps of projects, heaps to clean up, and lots of constant user support calls. Ive been working 8am-6pm every day with 10 min lunch breaks. I pretty much get home at about 7 each night and before you know it, its time for bed.
I guess I'm going to start really appreciating weekends again.
Since I've gotten here, I haven't watched anything on my PC and haven't played any games. I have normal sleeping hours and am being quite active.
I saw Indiana Jones the other night. It wasn't great, ok though, definitely worth a watch... just not like the old classics. I cant wait to see the up and coming movies this month though, looks like theres going to be heaps of good ones.
Nicola got a job! Congrats!! It's going to be a fun role for her, and now money isn't a problem.
We went to a French restaurant to celebrate the other night. First time Ive ever been to one. It was pretty cool. I wouldn't mind going to Paris now, nice food, nice people. Besides, its only a 2 hour train ride.
Wow I'm tired. Almost time for bed.
This weekend we might have a braai, might see Scott for his leaving drinks, might have a picnic. Who knows how things will unfold.
I'm sure Ill let you know! ;)
Monday, 2 June 2008
First day at work
Hi everyone. Well as you know, Glen hooked me up with his old job in Putney(thank God for Glen!). Its a really nice area. Very close to Central London, but in a suburban setting on the River Thames. The workplace is literally a 45 second walk from the tube station. Its also on the bus line. The building has a subsidized cafe in it as well. My manager seems pretty cool as well, seems to know his stuff too. The network is big enough to not be boring. Looks like I might just like it here :p
The day started out with me racking a server and then slowed down to me just learning all the systems and reading documentation. I start at 8 and finish at 5:30-6, depending on whats going on. The tube ride from Wimbledon is really easy and only takes 15 mins. Wimbledon would really be a good spot to find a place.
We're going to check out a place that sounds really nice this coming weekend in Clapham, which would be a bus ride instead of the tube. I definitely like the tube better than the bus, but if the place is nice enough I might have to settle for the bus.
Wow its already 8pm. Dinner time, see ya.
The day started out with me racking a server and then slowed down to me just learning all the systems and reading documentation. I start at 8 and finish at 5:30-6, depending on whats going on. The tube ride from Wimbledon is really easy and only takes 15 mins. Wimbledon would really be a good spot to find a place.
We're going to check out a place that sounds really nice this coming weekend in Clapham, which would be a bus ride instead of the tube. I definitely like the tube better than the bus, but if the place is nice enough I might have to settle for the bus.
Wow its already 8pm. Dinner time, see ya.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Last weekend before starting work
On Saturday we met up with Scott to do some sightseeing. He's going back to NZ soon so he wants to get a few ticks on his list.
First thing we headed to was the London Eye. Out of the tube station and over the bridge and onto a promenade. There where more performing busker's here than I've seen in one place before. People doing tricks with hula hoops to tribal drumming, those guys that dress as various things and stand perfectly still until you put some coins in their hat, a chameleon guy on a multicoloured bike, someone playing the guitar behind his back while flaring his legs in the air, Cap'n Jack Sparrow, some guy painted all gray and being such a convincing statue that a pigeon landed on his head and sat there for a while (poor guy) and much much more. Cool place, crawling with people, entertainment, statues and shops.. all with a view across the Thames of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
The line the the Eye was very long, but we got through it in good time. Once on board, we noticed that the compartments move very slowly. Its quite enjoyable to be up there, in the sky, looking down on a vast cityscape. The people down on the promenade all looked like ants swarming around various scraps of food. I took some pics too, check 'em out.
After the Eye, we went over a bridge to get a closer look at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was cool seeing the tall clock tower I'd heard so much about. All the buildings around there were quite impressive. The most impressive being the Westminster Abbey. Wicked building with holy scenes carved out in the archways. I would like to go back and actually go inside, I can imagine its quite spectacular.
After a walk around that area we headed to Hyde Park. A long walk in a nice park brought us to some paddling boats docked on the side of the Serpentine River. Giving in to this temptation was almost instant. Nicola, Scott, his friend Arran and I paid and jumped into a paddling boat. We spend half an hour terrorising ducks and other boaters. We also managed to save a boatload of girls who'd lost their oar.
Back on land we walked on to Regents park, where we enjoyed more walking through the park :)
I'm not sure where, but somewhere along the way we looked at the monuments to New Zealand and Australia. They where creative and it was nice to see homage to NZ.
From the parks, we walked on to Buckingham Palace. The palace itself wasn't all that impressive, but all the posts and fences around it were. They all had a lot of gold trimming and a royal look to them. Nice flower gardens and a big statue with a water fountain in the middle. While we were standing at the front gates having a look, the changing of the guards started... what timing! The changing included a little show from the actual guards swapping out for fresh guards, a horse regiment went by and an infantry regiment went for a march. It was great to have just happened upon this at just the right time.
Happy with our site-seeing we set out for the pub, had a pub meal and a few rounds of drinks.
Feeling a little boozed, we went on to various other drinking venues till late in the evening.
What a day!
Today we woke up with hangovers and headed out to Johns brothers house a little bit into the country, just a little past Epsom. At Johns I caught up with him, his brother and two other guys I went to school with. What a trip down memory lane! It was very good to see them again! I'm very happy that I have John and Alex over here, it really makes things feel positive.
Through the day we had a great Braai and with boereworse, chicken, potato bake, salads, potato salad, sausages, breads and beer. We then worked if off by playing cricket in the garden and a quick game of darts.
Work tomorrow which starts a new chapter!
First thing we headed to was the London Eye. Out of the tube station and over the bridge and onto a promenade. There where more performing busker's here than I've seen in one place before. People doing tricks with hula hoops to tribal drumming, those guys that dress as various things and stand perfectly still until you put some coins in their hat, a chameleon guy on a multicoloured bike, someone playing the guitar behind his back while flaring his legs in the air, Cap'n Jack Sparrow, some guy painted all gray and being such a convincing statue that a pigeon landed on his head and sat there for a while (poor guy) and much much more. Cool place, crawling with people, entertainment, statues and shops.. all with a view across the Thames of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
The line the the Eye was very long, but we got through it in good time. Once on board, we noticed that the compartments move very slowly. Its quite enjoyable to be up there, in the sky, looking down on a vast cityscape. The people down on the promenade all looked like ants swarming around various scraps of food. I took some pics too, check 'em out.
After the Eye, we went over a bridge to get a closer look at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was cool seeing the tall clock tower I'd heard so much about. All the buildings around there were quite impressive. The most impressive being the Westminster Abbey. Wicked building with holy scenes carved out in the archways. I would like to go back and actually go inside, I can imagine its quite spectacular.
After a walk around that area we headed to Hyde Park. A long walk in a nice park brought us to some paddling boats docked on the side of the Serpentine River. Giving in to this temptation was almost instant. Nicola, Scott, his friend Arran and I paid and jumped into a paddling boat. We spend half an hour terrorising ducks and other boaters. We also managed to save a boatload of girls who'd lost their oar.
Back on land we walked on to Regents park, where we enjoyed more walking through the park :)
I'm not sure where, but somewhere along the way we looked at the monuments to New Zealand and Australia. They where creative and it was nice to see homage to NZ.
From the parks, we walked on to Buckingham Palace. The palace itself wasn't all that impressive, but all the posts and fences around it were. They all had a lot of gold trimming and a royal look to them. Nice flower gardens and a big statue with a water fountain in the middle. While we were standing at the front gates having a look, the changing of the guards started... what timing! The changing included a little show from the actual guards swapping out for fresh guards, a horse regiment went by and an infantry regiment went for a march. It was great to have just happened upon this at just the right time.
Happy with our site-seeing we set out for the pub, had a pub meal and a few rounds of drinks.
Feeling a little boozed, we went on to various other drinking venues till late in the evening.
What a day!
Today we woke up with hangovers and headed out to Johns brothers house a little bit into the country, just a little past Epsom. At Johns I caught up with him, his brother and two other guys I went to school with. What a trip down memory lane! It was very good to see them again! I'm very happy that I have John and Alex over here, it really makes things feel positive.
Through the day we had a great Braai and with boereworse, chicken, potato bake, salads, potato salad, sausages, breads and beer. We then worked if off by playing cricket in the garden and a quick game of darts.
Work tomorrow which starts a new chapter!
Friday, 30 May 2008
Day of spending
I went shopping today.
I bought new jeans, a bag, a fifteen pound umbrella (coz my other one broke) and then lunch.
After lunch we headed into town on the tube. Totenham Court today. Nice area, Id like to go back. There are heaps of electronic stores all down the street. After walked around for a while we came to Forbidden Planet. I could have spent all day there, happily. Nicola, as expected, didn't want to be there longer than a quick browse. We compromised :) We spent about 40 mins there. There where graphic novels of all the old 2000AD stories.. you know 'ABC Warriors, Nemesis, Judge Dredd...' the list goes on. That was one little section on the ground level. The DC and Marvel sections where much bigger. There where titles I've never heard of and wicked editions of everything else. I didn't even have time to check out the Anime section. Upstairs featured all the toys. There where more pop culture and comic based toys here than Ive ever seen in one place before. I ended up buying 2 comics and an Orc Shaman figurine :D pretty cool stuff. I will return, perhaps without Nicola ;)
Returning home we took the same route as yesterday, but this time was nowhere near as congested as then and a lot more pleasant. When we got back to Wimbledon Station we got some stuff from a South African shop, I got a huge boreworse roll and a Fanta Grape and a packet of Provita biscuits.
This weekend we're thinking of going to Buckingham Palace and/or the London Eye. Lets hope the weather holds up!
I bought new jeans, a bag, a fifteen pound umbrella (coz my other one broke) and then lunch.
After lunch we headed into town on the tube. Totenham Court today. Nice area, Id like to go back. There are heaps of electronic stores all down the street. After walked around for a while we came to Forbidden Planet. I could have spent all day there, happily. Nicola, as expected, didn't want to be there longer than a quick browse. We compromised :) We spent about 40 mins there. There where graphic novels of all the old 2000AD stories.. you know 'ABC Warriors, Nemesis, Judge Dredd...' the list goes on. That was one little section on the ground level. The DC and Marvel sections where much bigger. There where titles I've never heard of and wicked editions of everything else. I didn't even have time to check out the Anime section. Upstairs featured all the toys. There where more pop culture and comic based toys here than Ive ever seen in one place before. I ended up buying 2 comics and an Orc Shaman figurine :D pretty cool stuff. I will return, perhaps without Nicola ;)
Returning home we took the same route as yesterday, but this time was nowhere near as congested as then and a lot more pleasant. When we got back to Wimbledon Station we got some stuff from a South African shop, I got a huge boreworse roll and a Fanta Grape and a packet of Provita biscuits.
This weekend we're thinking of going to Buckingham Palace and/or the London Eye. Lets hope the weather holds up!
Thursday, 29 May 2008
what a day
This morning we set out to see a couple of flats wearing shorts and tee shirts, the sun was shining and it was nice and hot. Once in Wimbledon shopping center, we turned around and set out for home again to get something and burn some time until the landlord was ready to meet us. By the time we'd walked home (5 mins), it had turned overcast. So I changed into jeans and grabbed a jacket. We set out again to see the flat.
The landlord was a strange looking dark man in a suit and a bowler hat. He had an unusual accent and an unusual way about him. The place he showed us was a smallish flat with six people living in it and we would have made it eight... with only one bathroom! The kitchen was old and scummy looking and the place wasn't all that cost effective -not bad, but not great. He saw our disinterest and told us about another room just next door. We walked into this other house and had a look.
This was a copy of the other place with six people living there, except this kitchen was newer and clean. There where two bathrooms and two separate toilets. Our bedroom was smaller than the first one, but is big enough for us. There was no real lounge or living area and we didn't really get to meet the potential flatmate's. The good things about this place is that it is very close to Wimbledon (tube station, supermarkets, movies, hairdressers, bars, pubs, fastfood and restaurants..) and the rent for the room was very cheap.
Nicola reacted positively to this place, perhaps we'll take it.
After that we went into Oxford Circus by tube to look at some clothes for me to wear to work starting Monday. By the time we got off the tube, it was raining. Luckily there was a very enterprising man selling umbrellas just there so I bought one.
First thing we did in town was stop to eat. We found a very authentic Italian Restaurant called Bella Italia. Nicola had a pizza and I got the spaghetti bolognese. Both dishes and the ambiance where very good.
Satisfied and less rushed, we set out to shop. We walked up and down the bustling street popping into this clothes store and that until I found some pants and shirts that where adequate, and called it a day.
We walked back to the tube station under the umbrella, dodging the spines from all the other umbrellas and came across a long line. The line to get into underground was almost around the street corner and all the way down the stairs. Once we made it into the station we parted company. I was headed back to Alex's and Nicola was going to a Comedy club in Central London with some of her friends.
The tube ride was something else.
The lines moving down into the underground where long and moved very slowly.
The lines waiting for the trains where long. There where hooligans fighting and security dealing with them. Once on the train, we where all sardines in a can. It was so packed, I couldn't even reach a handle to steady myself against the sudden g-forces of stop and start. It was very hot and muggy. At each stop, people spilled out into the underground and where speedily replaced by more people than there where to begin with. I felt like I truly was in the rat race for the first time. I reached my stop and had to get onto another train to get back to Alex's. The lines where just as long and more people yelling and fighting. This train was just as packed, but I grabbed a better spot. After a few stations went by, I noticed a quiet voice on the intercom telling us that this train will not be going to Wimbledon because of a gas leak somewhere. Great! Now I would have to figure out buses.. or call Alex to come get me from wherever I would end up. After a few more stops we where informed that the leak was cleared up and we would in fact be ending up in Wimbledon... yay!
When I finally reached Wimbledon Station, I was very relieved to get off the train and walk in the rain back home.
Bangers and mash for dinner and a couple of beers and here I am warm and content telling you all about it. Nicola should be home soon, maybe we'll watch a movie or something.
The landlord was a strange looking dark man in a suit and a bowler hat. He had an unusual accent and an unusual way about him. The place he showed us was a smallish flat with six people living in it and we would have made it eight... with only one bathroom! The kitchen was old and scummy looking and the place wasn't all that cost effective -not bad, but not great. He saw our disinterest and told us about another room just next door. We walked into this other house and had a look.
This was a copy of the other place with six people living there, except this kitchen was newer and clean. There where two bathrooms and two separate toilets. Our bedroom was smaller than the first one, but is big enough for us. There was no real lounge or living area and we didn't really get to meet the potential flatmate's. The good things about this place is that it is very close to Wimbledon (tube station, supermarkets, movies, hairdressers, bars, pubs, fastfood and restaurants..) and the rent for the room was very cheap.
Nicola reacted positively to this place, perhaps we'll take it.
After that we went into Oxford Circus by tube to look at some clothes for me to wear to work starting Monday. By the time we got off the tube, it was raining. Luckily there was a very enterprising man selling umbrellas just there so I bought one.
First thing we did in town was stop to eat. We found a very authentic Italian Restaurant called Bella Italia. Nicola had a pizza and I got the spaghetti bolognese. Both dishes and the ambiance where very good.
Satisfied and less rushed, we set out to shop. We walked up and down the bustling street popping into this clothes store and that until I found some pants and shirts that where adequate, and called it a day.
We walked back to the tube station under the umbrella, dodging the spines from all the other umbrellas and came across a long line. The line to get into underground was almost around the street corner and all the way down the stairs. Once we made it into the station we parted company. I was headed back to Alex's and Nicola was going to a Comedy club in Central London with some of her friends.
The tube ride was something else.
The lines moving down into the underground where long and moved very slowly.
The lines waiting for the trains where long. There where hooligans fighting and security dealing with them. Once on the train, we where all sardines in a can. It was so packed, I couldn't even reach a handle to steady myself against the sudden g-forces of stop and start. It was very hot and muggy. At each stop, people spilled out into the underground and where speedily replaced by more people than there where to begin with. I felt like I truly was in the rat race for the first time. I reached my stop and had to get onto another train to get back to Alex's. The lines where just as long and more people yelling and fighting. This train was just as packed, but I grabbed a better spot. After a few stations went by, I noticed a quiet voice on the intercom telling us that this train will not be going to Wimbledon because of a gas leak somewhere. Great! Now I would have to figure out buses.. or call Alex to come get me from wherever I would end up. After a few more stops we where informed that the leak was cleared up and we would in fact be ending up in Wimbledon... yay!
When I finally reached Wimbledon Station, I was very relieved to get off the train and walk in the rain back home.
Bangers and mash for dinner and a couple of beers and here I am warm and content telling you all about it. Nicola should be home soon, maybe we'll watch a movie or something.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Good news
Went to see a flat today. It was ok, quite expensive; in a very convenient area, but a little scummy if you walk down the road. I'm not sure if we'll take it or not. We said we'd call them to let them know.
On the way back home we had our first Kebab from London. It was quite nice I must say, but we bought it from a fairly dodgy takeaway... Chavs hanging around the entrance and tabloids laid out to read while eating. It was nice though and I'm still full, so good value for 3 pounds.
We checked up on the movie times for Ironman. Tonight I'll finally get to see it, I'm sure of it!
Back home I decided to sign up to job sites as I hadn't heard back from the job from the other day. So I went through all the malarkey of signing up and researched starting my own company for contracting and compared that to signing up under an umbrella corporation...
Suddenly I got a call from the guy, it would seem the job is mine if I want it. Nice one Glen! All I have to do now is go in and negotiate my pay and contract.
Ill let you know how it goes :)
On the way back home we had our first Kebab from London. It was quite nice I must say, but we bought it from a fairly dodgy takeaway... Chavs hanging around the entrance and tabloids laid out to read while eating. It was nice though and I'm still full, so good value for 3 pounds.
We checked up on the movie times for Ironman. Tonight I'll finally get to see it, I'm sure of it!
Back home I decided to sign up to job sites as I hadn't heard back from the job from the other day. So I went through all the malarkey of signing up and researched starting my own company for contracting and compared that to signing up under an umbrella corporation...
Suddenly I got a call from the guy, it would seem the job is mine if I want it. Nice one Glen! All I have to do now is go in and negotiate my pay and contract.
Ill let you know how it goes :)
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