Highlights of my second year in London

 

The Proverbs 31...Nanny??

If you own a bible, you may be familiar with Proverbs 31 and it's description of the "Good Wife", as it's called in my Message translation.

I know that I'm not alone in having read this chapter and thought about how so very far I am from meeting that description. Well, call it inspiration. Call it insomnia. But I was thinking about this so-called "Good Wife" and her attributes late last night and the result is my paraphrase of this chapter, changing the "Wife" for "Nanny" (and a few other things), taken from The Message.

A good nanny is hard to find
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her bosses trust her with their offspring
and annually have reason to renegotiate her contract.
Never spiteful, on the outside, the nanny treats them generously
For all the length of her working week (weekends are optional).

She shops around for the best playgroups
and infant Zumba classes,
and enjoys repairing endless holes in socks and school shorts.

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
like Gymboree, bringing back a child covered in hand stamps that won't wash off.
She's up before dawn,
preparing breakfast for the family...and cleaning up the mess from the night before,emptying the dishwasher, doing laundry, making school lunches...

She meets other nannies and organises playdates then,
with money from the kitty, she pays for a session at Topsy Turvy or Amanda's Action Kids.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves and prays for the weekend.
She tries to sense the value of her work, and is already wishing it was 7.30pm.
She's skilled in the crafts of playdough and threading,
diligent in her colouring.

She's quick to assist anyone who needs a plaster, reaches out to clean up the vomit.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows...they have central heating.

She buys her clothes at the supermarket,
and dresses in track pants and t-shirts that don't show up any thrown food.

Her boss is greatly respected and spends a great deal of time deliberating with the city fathers (actually, she has NO idea at all what he does for a living!)

She designs and builds all manner of farm machinery from cardboard,
bringing the creations she has made to the playroom.
Her clothes are practical, comfortable and easy to wash,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile...of irony.

When she speaks, she has something worthwhile to say,
even though no one is listening, and she always says it three times.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, but is not permitted to speak to anyone about what she sees, as per the Confidentiality Clause in her contract.

The children ignore and harass her.

Her bosses join in with the words, "Many nannies have done wonderful things, but you have outclassed them all!"...whoops, she fell asleep at the kitchen table and dreamed that last bit!

Training can mislead and fantastic experience soon fades.
The nanny to be admired and praised is the nanny who can wake up each morning and believe that one day she will hear, "Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her with praises!"

The Great London Tube Adventure

On Saturday, I met up with my friend Hannah and the kids I used to look after in the city for what L, aged 7, christened The Great London Tube Adventure. Our first destination was Tooting Bec on the Northern Line. I have wanted to visit this station that shares my name since I moved to London, and here I am:


From there, we headed to London Bridge and the Borough Markets, where you can buy THE best cookies in the world and had lunch at Southwark Cathedral.


From the Markets, it was back on the tube, this time the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf, to catch the DLR to Greenwich.


The sun was shining all day so we had a wander through the park and the kids played in the playground there. The next plan was to walk through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel under the Thames, but time was running out so we'll have to save that for another day. Back on the DLR, this time to Bow Church, then we caught the Hammersmith & City Line from Bow Road to Tower Hill. Time for a quick play on the tiny playground that the kids love right opposite the Tower of London, then back home on the District Line.

Tips for walking down Oxford Street on a Sunday afternoon

Tip No. 1
Don't do it!

Tip No. 2
But if you have to do it, take a deep breath before you begin. Go immediately to one of the many shops selling highly caffeinated beverages and purchase the largest size you can afford. Better yet, it helps to have a beverage of the stronger kind close to hand. After all, isn't this what hip flasks are for?

Tip No. 3
Find a couple of people, walking at the same pace as you wish to. It works better if they are holding hands or linking arms as fellow pedestrians walking towards them seem reluctant to break apart linked couples. Next, stay behind these people as long as you can. Be ready, however, to glance quickly into the nearest shop should they happen to look around. Remember, you are not a stalker. Beware of sudden detours made by your chosen couple. If they disappear into a store or down a side road, find another couple, using the same rules outlined above, as soon as possible.

Tip No. 4
Leave all unessential bags and luggage at home. Trolley cases on Oxford Street are generally only pulled by tourists and the insane.

Tip No. 5
And finally, if your visit happens to fall in the two months leading up to Christmas, please refer immediately to Tip No. 1.

Not as smart as my phone

OK. I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth...at least as far as I can remember! My main reason for not blogging has been that since my digital camera met its untimely death, I have bought a new phone. A smart phone. Smarter than its owner, obviously, since I can't figure out for the life of me how to get my pictures from my phone to my PC. So rather than disappoint my two faithful readers, I've decided to post this blog...without pictures. I hope to get them up soon but for now, you'll just need to use your imagination.

Since my last blog post, I have made my first trip overseas with a family I've worked for. The destination for this trip was to a house in Normandy, France. I was more than a little nervous before heading off on this particular trip as I had no idea what to expect and the thought of 5 hours in the car with three kids was not filling me with joy and happiness. In the end, I didn't need to feel nervous. The trip over was pretty uneventful, except for my excitement about my first trip in the Euro tunnel. The house (a HUGE understatement!) was in the beautiful village of Beauxville. The countryside was just gorgeous. Green fields, picturesque cottages and autumn colours everywhere. I even had my own room (no sharing with the children for me, praise God!) with exposed beams and a fireplace.

We made day trips out to Deauville and Trouville on the coast, ate crepes, crepes and more crepes, donned the wellies for wild raspberry picking, strolled along the sand on the coast of the English Channel, ate at delicious French restaurants, and shopped til we dropped. All in a day's work for me, really! On the last day, we all headed to Honfleur which, I'm sorry, but words cannot describe. I promise to get some pics up as soon as I can.

Since France, it's just been work, work, work. These past few weeks, I have truly appreciated the easy life I used to have when I worked part time. But even with the long hours, there's not a lot I would change. The 1-year-old boy has started to walk, give out kisses (of the slobbery, open-mouthed variety!) and tottering up to me for a cuddle when he sees me, so that makes starting and finishing in the dark worthwhile. The older two...well, it's a work in progress!

Last weekend, I actually did something I thought I'd never do again. I went back on The London Eye. The only difference was this time, I really enjoyed it! There is even photographic evidence to show the distinct lack of fear in my eyes.

I'd show it to you...if I was as smart as my phone!

The Randomness of London

Last night, my friend Hannah and I headed out to the Novello Theatre to see Adam Garcia in Tap Dogs before the season ended on 5th September.

It was an amazing show...however, we found the following notice in our programs:

"At this performance, the role of Foreman will be played by Douglas Mills"

What?? Who is he?? I didn't pay 40 pounds to see Douglas Mills! I mean, he is a very talented dancer, don't get me wrong, but I found it hard to get over just who he wasn't. Still, an awesome show!

After the show, we walked back to Covent Garden tube station, only to be greeted on the platform by a guy hugging and kissing everyone, as you do! He was a little drunk.

One long hug and several kisses on the cheek later, the train arrived and who should be in the same carriage? Yep, slightly-drunk-kissing-guy! He spotted Hannah and I and came back for more, creating way more attention than I ever try to draw to myself on the tube! Turns out, he was also a fellow Brisbanite from Morningside on the South Side (and declared the "relationship" over when he found out I was from the North Side!!).

His friend then came along to drag him away...strangely enough, to catch his train to West Hampstead! He could be my new neighbour...

A classic, random London moment!

The Week That Was

I know I haven't been around for a while but I've been a little busy. Here's some pics from what I've been up to this week:


Last week, I took the kids back to Ham House, somewhere I haven't been since I first arrived. We had a great day exploring the gardens.


On Monday, I had my little cousin who's two with us so we all headed into Kensington Gardens and The Princess Diana Memorial Playground. What an awesome place! It was packed to the rafters with kids, but the sun was out, so that made everything OK!


Wednesday, we headed to Bushy Park for a picnic, clown show and a play on the huge playground there. Bushy Park is a lovely place and I don't know why I waited so long to get there!


And yesterday, I took the kids into the city for a Great Bus Adventure (as they called it!), starting with the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (which turned out to not be on that day!), then on the no. 11 bus to Trafalgar Square where we then hopped on an old Routemaster bus, the no. 15, to The Tower of London. We found a little patch of green and a playground to have lunch at and then headed home on the train.

Mamma Mia

Last night, I went to see Mamma Mia with my friend Lisa and her sister, Mandy. It was brilliant!

I tried my hardest to not sing along to all the songs and embarrass myself, but by the end, I was on my feet, arms in the air, singing along with everyone else.

So much fun!

...and later, the same day...

Sunday Snapshot - The Aston Martin

Did you know...
That the Aston Martin is built entirely by hand? That five cows hides are used for each car interior? That these cows are sourced from Scandinavia, where they are kept in electric-fenced yards to avoid barbed-wire damage to the hide? That each car interior is stitched by one person to maintain the integrity of the stitching?

I had no idea of any of these things until this Sunday when I got the chance to have a ride in an Aston Martin Vantage, worth over 100,000 pounds. To say it is a very nice ride is an understatement, especially when you're travelling at 120 mph (yes, that's MILES per hour!) down the motorway. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What I know about cars can be counted on a hand with no fingers, but when it comes to the Aston Martin, I don't know, there's just something about it.

I think Handsome Rob is to blame...!

Some of My Favourites

Here are some of my favourite things and places in London so far:

Elderflower cordial - my boss makes her own and it is delicious. Nothing at all like it in Australia and it tastes great mixed with sparkling water. You can buy it in the shops which tastes nice too. The best brand I have tried is Belvoir Farms Elderflower Presse.



Harrods - I just love this store, even when crowded with people. My favourite part are the Food Halls. I hardly ever buy anything, but I just love to wander around and look at all the displays. They do sell great Norwegian sparkling water though...for a price! The toilets are fantastic too. They have perfumes you can spray on yourself so you smell like you belong there, even if you're dressed more for wandering around BHS (that's British Home Stores).



Marks and Spencer - what a great idea. Supermarket and department store in one! My latest discovery is the Blueberry and Pomegranate Sparkling Water (do you get the feeling I really like sparkling water?) and their white chocolate chip cookies.


Pimms - a scrummy summer drink, served with lemonade, orange, strawberry and mint. Very nice!



Walking in the city - I need to after all those M&S cookies! London is so easy to get around and you can miss so much by just riding the tube. It will take you longer, you'll have to dodge the crowds of people pretty much wherever you go, but it's pretty flat and if you slip on your Crocs (highly recommended!), grab your map and hit the streets, you will get to know this city so much better.



The Tube - as much as I advocate walking, riding the tube is fun as it's the perfect place to people-watch. You need to be a bit careful though, because this is England after all and few people will make eye contact on the tube. I like going down the escalators at the tube stations, so far under the city and then jumping on a low, narrow train, thundering along a tube only inches wider than the train itself and coming out in a whole new part of London all, hopefully, in the space of a few minutes. I guess I like it so much because I've never really thought about the fact that it is so far underground...

Seven Sheep, Two Markets and One Medieval Minstrel

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to have the whole weekend off and since I couldn't afford a trip to Paris or anything like that, I decided to just head into London for some more exploring.

Saturday, I headed to London Bridge to see the 800th anniversary celebrations of its completion. The bridge had been closed to traffic and, according to the info I found online, "freemen and liverymen were exercising their 'rights to drive sheep across the bridge tax free'". So right there, in the heart of London, on a grey and muggy day, sheep were driven across London Bridge, by men in medieval robes (and also a couple in Drizabones!). The things you discover!

Next stop was Borough Market. One word: overwhelming! I think the whole population of London was there. It was an amazing experience, but after about half an hour of trying to weave through the crowds, I had to get out. Unfortunately, when I realised this, I was nowhere near an exit! I did make it out and I have to say that I didn't buy anything, other than lunch which was the best sausage in bread I have ever tasted!

After escaping the markets, I walked along the river to Hays Galleria, which did not live up to what I had imagined it to be, and then across the Tower Bridge to the Tower of London. Now it needs to be said that I am not a fan of bridges. I don't know where this irrational fear has come from, but I'm sure my dad didn't help, when driving over the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, would always say, "This is where x amount of men were killed when this section of the bridge collapsed when they were building it". I am pleased to say that since arriving in London, although still with this fear of bridges, I have crossed the Millenium Footbridge, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Westminster Bridge and the Jubilee Footbridge. Well done, me!

Once safely on the other side of the river, it started to rain just as I arrived at the Tower of London. The line was too massive to get inside so I'll put that experience down as something to do when my friend arrives in November. Wandered around St Katherine's Docks too and it was nice to escape the crowds of people for a while.

After the Tower of London, I had a moment of insanity and headed to Harrods...on a Saturday...in the middle of a sale. Let's just say, this is one thing I will never do again!

That was enough for me and I caught the next train home!

Sunday, I had planned to stay home after my trip the day before, but when I woke up the sun was out and I just had to get out and make the most of it. In keeping with my market theme of the weekend, this time I ventured to Petticoat Lane Markets, which was not quite as crowded but still an effort to get through! This market was mostly clothes, shoes and bags and once again, I didn't buy anything - what's wrong with me?

The next stop was Regent's Park and I stopped for a while and listened to Jazz in the Park, before wandering down Baker Street, past the Sherlock Holmes Museum and then onto Oxford Street, where I still didn't buy anthing! Then off home.

Here are some photos from my weekend:

The Women's Institute

Tonight I went to my first meeting of The Women's Institute and I have to say, inspite of myself, I had a great night.

My only idea of The WI, as The Women's Institute is called, has been from the movie Calendar Girls, based on a true story where women from the WI strip off and pose in a calendar to raise money for cancer research after one of the member's husbands is diagnosed. If you haven't seen it, it is a good one - one of my mum's favourites!

While I knew that when I went along tonight that they would not ask me to be Miss April, beyond that, I really had no idea what to expect. I was a bit apprehensive that I wouldn't fit in to the WI mould. I did know that the WI is all about cooking (don't do that), sewing (can do that, but choose not to) and a whole range of other assorted homemade delights (my sister got all of those talents!). What I didn't expect was to find a group of women of all ages who just loved getting together, sharing interests and chatting over coffee.

The speaker of the evening was an alternative healer and life coach, which was, well, alternative. She did have some good things to say, in amongst the chanting and belly dancing!

Who knows? I might go again next month...and I may just learn how to make the perfect cake. Please don't hold your breath though!

This week...

This week, I only work two days, which when you're temping in a call centre, is always great news. Not so great for the old bank balance, but in my new "thinking positive" phase, I'm choosing not to focus on that point.

It's Easter weekend and so far I have dismantled my bed (ready for collection by the lady who will be purchasing it...if she ever gets in touch with me, that is (think positive, think positive!), polished and buffed my car to within an inch of it's life and managed to restore it back to (almost) it's former red glory, ready for sale...to my dad. I've sorted through my wardrobe and collected four large bags of clothes that I'll be donating to charity (and about four more bags to throw out that no one would seriously want!), packed a second suitcase to ship to myself in London and still found time to eat a few Easter eggs along the way!

After all that, I need a holiday! Good thing I'm off to Sydney on Thursday for my best friend's wedding. It'll be so great to catch up with her and her family and also our other family, the Clayton's (you know who you are!). I better sort out what I'm going to take for that - packing, packing, endless packing!

Tomorrow, it's movie day with the girls and we're off to see 17 Again with Zac Efron (oh, to be 17 again....), then work on Tuesday and Wednesday...12 days to go!

100 things

Thanks to Jessica at Jessica's OE for this one! Love these!
Basically, you bold the things on the list that you've done:
100 Things
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (does DisneyWorld count??)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own
Ok, so 40 things are not too bad!! Give it a go!