Sunday Snapshot - ANZAC Day

OK, so I know it's technically Monday, but this is a special ANZAC Day Sunday Snapshot post.

This morning, I headed to Hyde Park Corner for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial. It was a beautiful service and my first one since arriving in London. The ANZAC address was given by The Prime Minster of New Zealand, John Key.

For those of you not in the know, ANZAC Day commemorates the landings at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 by Allied troops.

"Gallipoli was the first time that Australians and New Zealanders participated together in a major conflict. The name 'ANZAC' (from Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) became a universally recognised symbol for the soldiers of both nations, and those who fought and died during this conflict. Anzac Day, celebrated annually on 25th April, remains a significant occasion in both countries, at which time all of those who have served and died in the service of the nation are commemorated."
(from ANZAC Day Dawn Service official program, Australian War Memorial, Hyde Park Corner, London, 25th April 2011)


They grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Hampstead Heath

This week, I've been on holidays and London has certainly turned on the sunshine for the occasion. I thought I'd make the most of the weather and finally make a trip to "The Heath" as Hampstead Heath is known to the locals (am I a local now, after 6 months??). I walked from Hampstead Heath Overground Station to Kenwood House at the top of The Heath, famous for featuring in Notting Hill, one of my all time favourite movies.





I spent a couple of hours lazing in the sun on the grass in front of Kenwood House, followed by ice cream and a walk back through Hampstead Heath to Gospel Oak Station. A perfect day.

Sorry, Primrose Hill, but I think I've found my new favourite place in London!

Marrakech

At the beginning of April, I travelled to Marrakech for 10 days for work. Here are some highlights of the trip:

Don't you love NHS?

It's been a while since I have offered any advice for anyone out there planning a move to London, so I thought I would share with you the unique pleasure that is registering with a London medical centre.

As it turned out, I hadn't yet had a chance to register with my local doctor since moving to the NW, due mainly to working 12 hours a day and general procrastination on my part! So when I got sick this week and needed to see a doctor I was faced with the joy of having to register and also make an appointment to see a doctor. So on Wednesday (after having to knock on my bosses bedroom door to tell them I couldn't work that day...you see, I start work before they even wake up!), I made my way to the doctor (once again wishing I had a car!) to register. I waited in the queue for possibly 10 minutes before one of the four receptionists managed to look up from their desks and was given forms to fill in.

I returned the completed forms to the desk and was told to then complete a medical check at their Interactive Patient Pod, a DIY blood pressure / heart rate / weight check touch-screen-thingy. At this point, with my head all blocked up, struggling to breathe properly and feeling like I had been hit by a bus, I asked if someone could possibly show me how to use it, as I have never even come across one of these before. The receptionist barely looked up at me and said, "It's very easy to use" and returned to her computer (sorry to interrupt your Solitaire!).

The Interactive Patient Pod, located, helpfully, in the main waiting room in full view of every other person there, was not easy to use and took a further 15 minutes...and I still hadn't gotten anywhere near a doctor. Once all this was finally done, over an hour later, I was registered with the doctor. Hooray! Now to make my appointment...

Yeah, uh huh! Turns out you can't make an appointment until they have had a chance to check your details with your former doctor and anyway, they didn't have any appointments until at least Friday!

So, after stopping at the chemist for all the drugs they could give me, I jumped on the bus home, where I had the time to remember my previous life in a land that made sense (aka Australia!), where if you were sick you just went to the nearest doctor who would give you the drugs you needed no matter where you lived. Fair enough, you had to pay for it, but here where the NHS generously provides free medical care (well, doctors appointments at least!), they certainly make you pay in so many other ways.

So my advice to you who are planning the move to London, don't be like me and put off registering with your local doctor. But the best bit of advice I could give you is not to get sick in the first place!

Sunday Snapshot

Can it be?? Could Spring finally be here?

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.

Sunday Snapshot

This is Canary Wharf. Part of Saturday's Great Tube Adventure. Stay tuned for more.

Sunday Snapshot

OK, OK. I know I said I would write more often and once again, it's been another three weeks since my last post.

There is no excuse for me!

Anyway, I had an awesome weekend, actually making it out of the house on a Saturday night for dinner with friends at the O2. As a nanny, I work probably three out of four Saturday nights a month, so it's a rare treat.

Even on Sunday, after church, as the sun was shining (nowhere near warm enough though!), I spend the afternoon sipping green tea in Starbucks, followed by chinese for dinner and Matt Damon in The Adjustment Bureau in great company.

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I've had a proper weekend.

Sunday Snapshot

Today, I'm back in France for the week, this time, however, we flew in this tiny plane from London City airport.

All I have to say is that I am not a fan of these planes. Or a fan of flying with three young children.

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.

Back for Good

OK. I know it's been an unforgivable three weeks since my last blog, but yes, I'm still alive. Just in case anyone was wondering!

I have all the usual excuses. Problems with my internet connection. Too busy at work. Too tired at the end of the day. The flu that lasted for two whole weeks. They are all true, but still I apologise for my absence.

Not that I've really done anything blog-worthy in the entire month of January, unless you count an endless stream of music classes, mealtime tantrums, freezing cold days, nights with no central heating, playdates (including one where 6-year-olds' friend actually did a poo right on the middle of the carpet!), school runs, ballet classes (for the kids, not for me!), swimming lessons (same!), etc, etc, etc...

I think I might have forgotten something. Oh yeah. My life. Forgot for a moment that I actually have one! There are some exciting things on the horizon though. My boss has been sorting out the family travel plans for the first half of this year. In two weeks, were off to France again (and I promise to post pictures this time!). Then in April, it's a trip to Morocco. Summer holidays is Portugal, followed by a trip to Washington DC and Georgia in the US. That should give me plenty of things to blog about.

As for my life in London, it's plodding along. I really feel like I live here now. I really need to get out and do some more touristy things in my own adopted city.

I really need the cold weather to stop.

I come from a land down under

My first day in Brisbane and the sun is out. The view from the deck...look at all those palm trees!


Christmas lights on Christmas Eve


Christmas Dinner...aah, seafood!


Then the rains came...


...but the sun came back, on my last day (typical!). Who knows when I'll see another blue sky like this!

I'll be home for Christmas

Not just a song that's sung on the radio at this time of the year...I am truly home for Christmas!

That's right, I'm currently in Brisbane enjoying a beautiful, sunny 29 degree day. For the past year I have been planning to go home to surprise my family for Christmas and I still can't believe I pulled it off. Last Thursday, around 10.30pm, after an early morning bus ride to Paddington, a train to Heathrow, a 26 hour flight from Heathrow via Dubai and Brunei and a taxi ride from the airport, I knocked on my sister's door...SURPRISE!!

Everyone was totally shocked, including me at how much my niece had grown! Friday morning, I went to surprise my nana and then my dad, who is currently in the hospital having knee replacement surgery, and since then I've been catching up with friends, helping my mum move house, shopping and trying to get some sleep in there somewhere!

It's a whirlwind trip (just two weeks) but I plan on enjoying every minute of it. You never know, it could turn out to be longer...especially with all the snow back in London. Over the next couple of days, I'll post some pics.

You say it best...

You find these seats all over London.

Sunday Snapshot

Christmas lights on Regent Street. Narnia theme this year.

Sunday Snapshots

On Saturday, I scored a free ticket to see Arsenal beat Fulham at Emirates Stadium. A bone-numbingly cold, but awesome day out!


Sunday, I went back to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. Not quite as cold as last year, but chilly enough. Perfect afternoon topped off with a pretzel and a mulled apple cider...delicious!

Sunday Snapshot

Took a day trip to Bath today with Magical Tours. An amazing trip and loads of fun! If you look closely in the background you'll see snow on them there hills!

Read this!

You have got to read this book. That's all I have to say!

Harry Potter and The Sunday Snapshot

This week has been all about Harry Potter for me. And I'm sure I'm not alone. I finished the last book on Thursday and last night, braved the cold and the crowds with my friend Hannah, to see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (part one - even though I wished they had just made a monster 6 hour epic and showed us the whole thing in one go!).

What can I say? It was absolutely amazing (don't worry, I won't post any spoliers in case you have, for the last 4 years, been living in a hole and haven't even read the book!).

If you haven't seen it yet, what are you doing? Get yourself to your nearest cinema immediately!

Sunday Snapshot

I'm currently re-reading all the Harry Potter books in readiness for the release of The Deathly Hallows Part 1. I'm on number 6 right now and I just flicked to the back of the book where I found the above post it my niece had made for my last birthday in Australia. Awwww!
So I thought I'd share it with you all. I miss her!

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!

Sunday Snapshot

An iconic red London Routemaster bus...that you can evidently hire for weddings!

Primrose Hill...my new favourite place in all of London

Where for art thou?...

Sunday Snapshot

Gorgeous, (but rare) sunny October day

Sunday Snapshot

Fresh fish at Borough Market

Sunday Snapshot

Today, my former boss got tickets to see Fulham play Everton at Craven Cottage. This was my first Premier League game and it was a brilliant day out. The game resulted in a 0-0 draw, but still with plenty of action, made even more entertaining by the likes of fellow Aussies Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) and Tim Cahill (Everton). Even though my seats were in the Director's Box (sweet!!) for Fulham, I couldn't help but secretly hope that Everton would pull off a win.

I guess part my heart still lies in the North West...

The only low point of the day was, since we were in the Director's Box jeans were not allowed, I (stupidly) decided to wear my high heeled boots...yeah, I know, dumb idea! My feet will be sore for a few days, I imagine! It felt very wrong to be so dressed up at the football.

While the Box, including its food and champagne, was quite an experience, I realised I am much more of a jeans-and-a-pint-in-the-cheap-seats kind of girl!

(Photo is courtsey of my friend Hannah, since my camera is now six feet under!)

Baby Steps

I heard this from Little Girl 3 in the backseat this morning on the school run:

"Becs...I like you...a little bit, but...I still like C (former nanny) a lot".

That's fine with me. It's a step in the right direction.

My New Life

I guess now is as good a time as any to update you on the first two and a half weeks in my new job. It's taken a while, I know, but it's taken me a while to get used to working 12 hours a day.

I started on a Friday, and moved out of my old job that morning, carting the rest of my not-so-light stuff by bus and train to West Hampstead. The rest of the day, I spent getting settled into my room. Saturday was my first official day of work, which included the baby's 1st birthday party in the afternoon, so I got to meet most of the extended family. And there are a lot of them!

The first week was very long and very challenging as it was the week the kids started back at school, having been overseas for most of the summer. Most nights after work, I just crashed into bed, too exhausted to even think. This nanny thing is tough! But since then, we have all sort of settled into a routine and the kids are getting to know me and even answer me when I talk to them! It's a good start.

The highlight has definitely been spending the days with the 1 year old boy. He is absolutely adorable, even though this brother has taught him to scream, which Little Boy 1 does at a very high pitch! Pushing the buggy down the street, on our way to Gymboree or music classes, is the part of nannying I always imagined. I had one particular moment this week...the sun was shining, the sky was blue, I was pushing Little Boy 1 in his buggy, choosing to forget that just that very morning, I had changed the wet sheets on Little Girl 3's bed, washed the bedding of Little Boy 1, who had thrown up in the night and cleaned up the trail of poo on the kitchen floor from Little Boy 1's leaking nappy (he had a very bad tummy bug). All that faded into a distant memory in the light of the sunny morning stroll.

I have also had to get used to driving the foreign streets of West Hampstead. As all navigationally-challenged people understand, this filled me with dread. But, my bosses car has Sat Nav. Yes, Sat Nav! I have never driven a car with this before and it has to be one of the best inventions ever. Today, the kids decided to name the Sat Nav lady Star, and we spent the journey home from school mocking her voice and giving crazy instructions.

I've done some exploring around West Hampstead and I have to say it is a whole new world. I love it though. I love having transport options too. I can pretty much get a bus to anywhere from here...if I manage to concentrate and get on the bus going in the right direction! Note to self: never catch public transport when over-tired.

So this is my new life. It's a lot busier than my last one.

Sunday Snapshot

This shot was taken yesterday in Hyde Park...such a gorgeous sunny day! Unfortunately, just after this shot was taken, my camera died a tragic death on the pavement just by the Albert Memorial. This may be my last Sunday Snapshot, well, for a couple of weeks anyway. Pay day is looming, at last!

September Stocking Stuffers

What?? Christmas stuff in the shops? It's only the middle of September, people !!

Sunday Snapshot

Better late than never...this is the park on Fortune Green Road, West Hampstead

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 End of Chapter One

Last Saturday was my last day at work. Since then, I've been packing, getting lost at Heathrow, looking after my little cousins and trying to get some quality sleep on an air mattress!

Now, as I am getting ready to start my new job tomorrow, I've been looking back on the past 16 months. It has been an amazing experience and I was truly fortunate to be welcomed into the home and lives of such a great family. I will miss the kids a lot but I will still get to see them. It was certainly one of the best decisions I made to get out of the whole Monday to Friday 9-5.

So, on the eve of the next chapter, I am excited. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of the world and also the chance to be part of a new family. It's not like I'm moving to a new country. I think I'll like living in NW London.

Sunday Snapshot

Writing on the wall at Abbey Road