London Christmas with Ian

The trip across from Bermuda was uneventful, though I did get bumped up to World Class plus! And our flight left late but we had tail winds so arrived pretty well on time. Catching the train at Gatwick was a little chaotic as they kept changing the platforms that my train was on - lugging 23kg up and down stairs is not my idea of fun in peak hour rush, but I eventually got off at the correct station for Ian's office and met up with him. He is near Moorgate, so I wandered past the Barbican, along the London Wall, past St Paul's and eventually crossed to the Tate Modern along Blackfriars bridge. As I initially turned the wrong way, I found a fabulous jewellery exhibition in the Oxo building. Luckily there were so many nice pieces that I didn't choose any.

I forget, until I am there, just how vast the Tate Modern is! In the main entrance hall, there was an interactive piece with moving lights, music and numerous people lying around! I skipped it, as I feared that I might lie down and not wake up! I spent some time in the permanent exhibitions as well as resting my feet, on the very comfortable seats they have.

I crossed at the Millenium bridge and had a great view of St Paul's and Christmas tree. I was quite amazed at how empty the river was and how many people were walking along the bed of the river.

When I met up with Ian we made our way to our AirBnB which is a bottom floor apartment with 2 separate bedrooms, a tiny bathroom and a very adequate lounge kitchen area. The beds are comfortable and the heating is good (though we discovered today that the oven doesn't work- but that is another story!)  the apartment is in Fulham, about 4 bus stops away from Hammersmith Tube Station so is well positioned! Supper was at the local pub!

On Thursday, Ian ran to work, only 7miles and I got up rather laisurely and made my way to Trafalgar Square and ate my lunch while sitting on the stairs after wandering the National Portrait Museum and doing mainly window shopping. I certainly didn't join the queue at the Lego shop or Hamleys!

There were numerous street artists in Trafalgar including a few Father Christmas, Yodi and Death balancing on an arm with feet not touching! Also a few chalk artists and singers!

In the evening Ian and I dined on mussels at Belgo and then went to see 'The Play that goes Wrong' which we thoroughly enjoyed. It was in the Covent Garden area  so we wandered the area before the show. Lots of people enjoying the pubs and restaurants!

On Friday, Ian ran in again and I spent my time in and around Oxford and Regent Streets with a stop in the Photographers' Gallery. It was showing a female avant garde exhibition which was fascinating albeit a bit disturbing. Ian treated me to a massage with his therapist which was exceptionally good. We had supper at Bone Daddies, which is a Japanese chain, owned by a friend's son and thoroughly enjoyed that experience. Cinderella was great fun with  lots of repartee and beautiful costumes. Having watched quite a lot of BBC TV, many of the actors and quips were well known.

Ian ran along the Thames path on Saturday morning and was treated to a beautiful sunrise.

We made our way to Hyde Park through the museum district, which was closed, passed  the Serpentine and to the Winter wonderland and enjoyed an 'old lady's ride' on the wheel! I do not enjoy being thrown around at speed!.

Selfie at the bottom!

A view of part of the fairgrounds!

One of the rides!

We were rather pleased that we had gone over the lunch period as the crowds were streaming in late afternoon, probably after shopping till they dropped! And we headed home for a quiet supper and evening in.

Christmas Day dawned with a bit of blue sky, temperatures actually in the early teens but a rather nippy wind. We went for a walk on the Thames Path and I realised that I was in this area when I stayed with David in 2007, as we are near the boat houses of many of the big rowing clubs. Lunch preparation didn't go as planned as we discovered that the oven had fused out! So 'n boer maak 'n plan! And we cooked our ham, sweet potatoes, veggies etc on the hob! Was delicious. As I have been battling a bit with sore ankles, probably due to overuse, Ian went out on his own, before we finished lunch with our pudding!

Boxing Day dawned fair and cold and Ian started the day with a workout and run and we made our way to the Southbank. First stop was the London Dungeons which was fun and suitably scary - I made up for my lack of rides at the fun fare as there were a couple in the tour! When we came out we were treated to a lovely sunset over Westminster and Big Ben at 16:00 which was a bit strange for me. It was fun to walk along the Thames and then people watch while we had supper. The only downside was that I took a tumble as I didn't realise that I was on the edge of the pavement when I stepped out of the way of some of the crowd. The good thing is that I didn't break any bones, but, my left calf muscle is objecting violently today! 

Despite this setback, we both enjoyed Bianco which is a circus show without any animals and some amazing aerial displays. Both of us enjoyed watching the human counterweights climbing up and down the gantries almost as much as the main acts themselves.

We are packing up today and will go into South Kensington to a museum or two and then will part!!! 

Rather sad as it has been a fabulous trip.

Hope you all keep well into the New Year

Maureen 

Bermuda week 3

Last day of work in 2016! which is quite a nice feeling - OK I know that I don't do that many paid working days, but..........

This last week has alternated between hectic and very quiet, but tending to quiet! We also had some rough weather with rain for 3 days - started feeling like SAD was a definite possibility! but luckily the weather improved and I have been out and about.

On Monday last week, Irene, who has worked on the island for 15yrs and house-sits for the owners visited for supper. With her came Titus, the poodle and he was made to model one of the Christmas trees!! He is quite a character, but you dare not mention the b-a-l-l word or even have one that he can see as he is obsessed with them. The plastic on the front of the collar is used with an invisible electric fence which keeps him on the property. If he is taken for a walk, he has to be lifted over the invisible fence!

Before the start of the wet weather we were treated to this most glorious sunrise.

On Saturday I wandered down town and ended up attending the pantomime in the city Hall - Adventures in Pantoland. It was delightful with some very ribald jokes in places. They have quite an avid cultural group on the Island with numerous events - reminds me a bit of Sedgefield!!!!

On Sunday, I caught the bus to the Dockyards, in the hope of seeing some of the America Cup boats out - there were numerous craft on the water as it was an ideal day, but none of the big ones, unfortunately.

There is quite a lot of preparation ongoing, including land reclamation which will house the village and festivities and some small-craft harbours being built. The tickets went on sale this week and to view the qualifiers - not even the finals starts at $1750 for 5 nights.It is being held over 5 weeks and the excitement is mounting. If Oracle wins, they have stated that they will continue to use Bermuda as a base!
The crews have been on island for at least a year and some even longer and are training hard.

I sat on the pier for quite a while watching the launch of the yacht below - it is sailing past the Oracle Team's headquarters - in fact there is a whole wharf behind security gates for the teams. I also watched various members whizzing about in huge rubber ducks. Seems to be quite a good life.

There is even a pirate ship - but it is not in use as it is winter!

I am sure I will take lots of photos in London and will try to blog, but if I don't do so before Christmas day.........

which is likely to become

                            next week after I return home!

Bermuda December 2016

So the locum adventures continue. I count myself very lucky to continue to have this opportunity and to work in Bermuda twice this year!

Although everything stays the same, there are still differences.
The first one was that BA has introduced a direct flight between Gatwick and Cape Town and I booked on it, not realising that I was on only the 2nd flight! I was also lucky enough to get 3 middle seats to myself and was able to stretch out and sleep! The other bonus is that I didn't have to schlepp across London dragging my suitcase as it now went straight through.
Unfortunately there is always a small downside, and that was, that the transit time at Gatwick ended up being 9hrs!!!!! as the flight arrived at 5:00 and the next one was 14:00! It was such a long wait that I was almost not allowed through into the departure area! But they relented as I wasn't keen to go into London at that time and that temperature , -6C! I had pre-booked a place in 'My Lounge' and I was allowed to enter as they opened at 6:00. I was quite amazed at how many people were drinking beer and wine from very early on!!!!!

Sunrise

Landed at sunset on Wednesday, just after 5pm and was met by the usual taxi and taken to my accommodation on the hill, via the shops which enabled me to buy some bottled water - the local water is collected on the lime-painted roofs and causes much gastric unpleasantness!!! - and some food.

After unpacking, I slept quite well.

On Thursday 1st, I walked down to Hamilton, about 2km. It was great to stretch the legs and get some fresh air. The weather is overcast, humid and in the late teens, so very pleasant. I popped into the bank, as I needed to open a new account - the one I have used was closed as the new banking regulations about money laundering are applicable - even if you are coming back, but don't yet have a work permit - sigh!!!!!!! I discovered that I can only open an account if I have made an appointment and there are no appointments available at the main branch until after the 12th!!!!!!! But, luckily the other branch can give me one on Monday!!! I was very well-behaved!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of my work day was spent catching up on the old procedures and learning the new ones, so the day passed relatively quickly.

Friday
Dawned sunny, but it unfortunately degenerated into wall-to-wall cloud with some rain. Spent the day, finding my feet, consulting on a few patients, which resulted in the booking of a bone marrow for Tuesday and learning how to use the dictation system - which is done into the phone!!!!!
I was invited to join Helen and Alick and a friend Chris, on the St George's National Trust Walkabout - this involved catching the ferry to the eastern side of the island, in the rain, but luckily we were undercover, being welcomed with a map and then wandering round various of the houses, banks, halls, freemason lodge etc which are usually closed to the public.

My most recent project which must still be finished

St George's is a heritage site as it was the place of the first settlements on the island and also the first parliament so the buildings are well preserved. No photos as it was bit of a bunfight, especially as many of the establishments were serving mulled wine or eggnog with rum etc etc. (Will be going down next Saturday, so will try for a few photos). It was very festive as many places had Christmas lights and there were numerous dancing exhibitions. The ferry ride back was serenaded with 'the 12 days of Christmas'!!!!!

Saturday
I slept late which was great. And then did my obligatory shopping - first at the Red X thrift shop where I got a couple of items and then to the wool shop!!!!! I bought a ball of festive wool and am trying out some Christmas trees, but don't really have any other projects, so was very restrained!!!!
Also walked through some of the other shops, but apart from finding a possible christmas present - which is still under the 24hr rule!!! - didn't indulge too much. I am trying out different restaurants, so had lunch of red snapper - which was very tasty, with my first Rum swizzle - to make sure it was still nice!!!!


TV here, if anything seems to be worse than when I was last here with very little to watch. What Golf there is, is all about Tiger Woods' return and they covered his play, ad nauseum. I have managed to stream FMR so am enjoying that, though it sounds a little strange to be listening to midday concert when I wake up!

Sunday
I went across to the Dockyard which is a main tourist attraction but found it extremely quiet. The weather wasn't marvellous. I had planned to stay till the last ferry and then take photos of Hamilton with the Christmas lights but I gave up mid-afternoon and will have to wander downtown after work for a sunset visit (about 17h30). Have seen some over-the-top decorations but not as many as I expected, but think people are starting to put more up! We will see and take photos!!!!!

My favourite Bermuda artist with her quirky installations

Monday
I made my way to the bank and waited while the account was opened and should have card and internet access by Thursday.........

Not too much to photograph - so here are some interesting trees

Not much more to add for the last 2 work days except that I had forgotten how boring it can be to listen to reps!!!!! It is very overcast and rainy and very much like Cape Town in July - so I feel at home.

Love to you all
News from home will be gratefully accepted and personally answered!!!
(Don't try to post to the blogging site but send to doc.mss@gmail.com)