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milk bottle at my door…

Posted in around the UK, Fun Stuff, It's my life, lifestyle, tagged having milk delivered to your door, memories are made of this, milk deliveries, my life in London on January 7, 2011| Leave a Comment »

……ok, well not actually at MY door but….. I still love the idea.

I remember when I was a little girl of about 7 maybe, we used to have a milk-cart drive round the neighbourhood each morning delivering milk. They also used to deliver orange juice, cream, butter and eggs. But my over-riding memory is of a blue and white milk-cart clanging away along the street, ‘Milkie’ in his white trousers, white shirt, blue & white checked apron and blue cap, ringing the bell to alert the ‘housewives’ he was in the area.

You had the option of meeting him in the street/road to place your order or just leave your empties at the door with money in and a note to say how many bottles you wanted. It’s quite weird to recall that in those days you could quite safely leave money out overnight in the empty milk bottle and it would still be there the next day. I know it all changed at some point, but I can’t really remember when it was that we realised this was no longer an option……the money ususally got stolen.

Eventually in time the milk-carts also went by the wayside and the early morning bell-clanging was no more to be heard.

Imagine my delight when I arrived in London/UK to discover that in some areas they still deliver milk to your door. Now, granted, no-one leaves money in the empty bottle from what I have seen, but nevertheless there are places where the empty milk bottle is left out on the verandah at night and in the morning you open your door and voila…..there are 3 or 4 bottles of fresh milk, icy cold, water running down the sides with early morning condensation.

To me there is something delightfully old-fashioned and quaint about having milk delivered to your door.

milk delivered to your door

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my new slippers………….

Posted in family and relationships, Fun Stuff, Holidays, It's my life, tagged socks on January 6, 2011| 2 Comments »

I am a collector of socks! I love them! I have socks from Italy and USA, SA and Ireland, socks with sheep, socks with cows, socks with zoo animals, socks with ladybirds, socks with jungle bells and many others besides.

I am one of those people who hates to wear shoes indoors so always walk about in my socks. As you can imagine this is quite hard on the poor socks and they usually wear out within a few months so I get through quite a few! as you can well imagine.

I bemoaned this fact to my daughter just before Xmas and look what I got

say hello to Rudolph and his little brother 🙂

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starting a new family tradition

Posted in family and relationships, Historical, It's my life, tagged birthdays, family history, family traditions, traditions on January 5, 2011| 1 Comment »

I always used to think that traditions were something that already were and it took me some many years to realise that anyone can start a new tradition…..they don’t have to be old and well worn!

I also used to think that to be a family you had to have a Dad and a Mom and a few kids and it was only some years after my breakdown when I was having counselling that the Doctor told me in reply to a comment I made about not providing my daughter with a ‘proper’ family; he said that families come in all shapes and sizes and just coz there was no dad and only her and me did not mean that we were not a family. That was a long time ago.

Over the last decade or so (hahaha, it’s so funny to say that), I have started a couple of traditions, and my daughter who is now all grown up has started a few of her own.

Today we met up for what I realised has become a ‘new’ ‘family’ tradition.

Going back a bit in time, I (officially) moved to the UK in 2002 and my daughter came to visit sometime later and we both ended up loving London and staying, and now consider ourselves to be ‘Londoners’! So we have essentially settled here and that means that our extended family, with the exception of my brother and his wife who live in Hungary, all still live in South Africa. This means that we don’t get to see them for birthdays and family events. Last year for the first time in ages my daughter decided that it was time to start sending birthday cards. Previously it was an adhoc affair with the occassional card being posted, birthdays generally being noted with emails and phonecalls.

This year I realised that we had in fact started a new tradition when on Sunday she said to me that it was time to buy all the birthday cards again for the family, write a message, sign and address and paste stamps – ready to go at the appropriate time. (she will do the mailing of the cards since I am rubbish at sending them off in time and some get there a few weeks after the event).

So Monday we went together to buy the first of the batch, yesterday she bought the rest of the cards and today we met up in town for tea and a ‘card signing’ ceremony. So before the year has really even started we have already bought all 19 cards, written our respective messages, signed, addressed, stamped and mailed the first batch for the January birthdays…. the first of which is on the 7th January the rest of the birthdays spread out over the year, the last of which is on 5th November! The eldest family member will be 93 and the youngest 5!

And so a new family tradtion has been born! How cool is that. 🙂

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01.01.2011 a walk along the Thames Path

Posted in around the UK, family and relationships, Holidays, It's my life, Travel, tagged 2011, a walk along the Thames pathway, first day of the new year, New Year 2011, Richmond Lock, walking to Kew on January 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Hello! hello! It’s 2011; 365 new days to fill with fun, adventure and new experiences 🙂

Last night my daughter and I saw in the new year with sherry and watched the London Eye fireworks on TV. I was going to go and watch them at the venue itself but decided instead that I wanted to see in the NY with her instead. Not long after the clocks struck the witching hour and we were into 2011 we snuggled into bed and off to sleep. I woke about 12noon, delighted not to have anything in particular to do and nowhere in particular to go.

We started the day with tea (of course) and Ouma rusks (a South African biscuit type biscuit!). Then I pulled on the multitude of layers needed to brave the weather and headed out for a walk. I made for the river and walked along the path towards Richmond Lock, crossed over via the footpath and then walked along the Thames path towards Kew.

along the Thames Path

Along the way, I passed many other people doing the same thing….how very sensible. I saw boats, and birds, a heron and a speed boat. I passed Isleworth and walked on the Meridian Line!

Meridian Line

The weather was cool out, not cold – overcast but mild with a fine mist in the air.

River Thames 01.01.2011 a misty overcast day

I walked for about and hour and half and then made my way back to the house, ready for a hot cuppa and lunch: grilled sausage with gravy, mash and peas…..yummy. then we re-arranged my daughter’s bedroom; admidst much laughter we moved the bed around, moved cupboards and wardrobe, desk and boxes – finally getting everything just the way she wanted it. Then I poured a decent glass of sherry, settled on the couch to watch ‘Independence Day’ and download my photos. Now I am watching CSI, listening the Magic105 and eating roses chocolates….could life get any better!

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31.12.2010 last day of the year

Posted in family and relationships, Fun Stuff, Historical, Holidays, It's my life, things to do in London, tagged around London, Big Ben, Churchill War Museum, Jewel Tower London, London Pass, Old Year's Eve 2010, spending time with my daughter, travel to Twickenham, Westminster Abbey on January 1, 2011| 2 Comments »

I very sensibly put in for a few days of leave over New Year determined not to work again….for the first time in years. Leaving Highgate on Thursday I made my way over to Twickenham, looking forward to spending a few days with my girl. The evening was very therapeutic for both of us; we covered some tricky issues and managed to discuss some painful subjects and without realising it, I made a comment that suddenly gave her a completely different perspective on her current situation and opened a new door, completely inspiring her!

Friday I decided to make the most of my London Pass;

my London Pass

the intention was to visit places I had on my list and try to see as many as possible…. a quick pop in and pop out visit and gather material for the 3 Days in London blog. I managed to persuade her to come into town with me and we stopped off at Waterloo station for Starbucks (of course) and a chat. We then parted ways….she to Tottenham Court Road to do some shopping (part of her Xmas present I promised was a DVD player), and me to one of my favourite places in the world…. Westminster. I had a list of 4/5 places to visit.

I walked past Big Ben

Big Ben - 11 hours and 17 minutes till 2011

stopping only to take a few photos and then made my way to the Jewel Tower opposite the Sovereign’s Gate at Westminster Palace. I had been passed the tower but never yet visited…and it is great. The remains of what was part of the wall of the Westminster Palace complex. It’s a really interesting place to visit and there are some great items on display, amongst which were remains of original 14th Century wooden foundations, removed when the building was underpinned in 1955.

14th century wooden foundations

There is a fab view of the Sovereign’s Gate from the 1st & 2nd levels.

view of the Sovereign's Gate

The stairs, ceilings and walls are original; it’s really weird to walk on stairs where Kings and Queens once trod.

the Kings Privy Tower

From there I walked towards St James’s park via the grounds of Westminster Abbey. I had intended visiting but the queues were too long and I did not have time to waste, so made my to the Churchill War Museum; a place I had so wanted to visit in the past but never had the time. It was awesome. I was allowed to take photos inside and made a few videos too. The bunkers are set out exactly they way they were during WW2 and are quite simply awesome!!

The War Cabinet Room has been laid to show exactly how it would have looked on Tuesday 15th October 1940 at 5pm, shortly before the meeting of the War Cabinet

There is a recording of Churchill’s speeches as well as others and on one you can hear an air-raid siren. Brilliant.

Then I went back to Westminster Abbey and finally the queues were short enough to join. I am so glad I went! I have visited the Abbey before, a few years ago and had quite forgotten how incredible it is inside. The Abbey is so beautifully designed and filled with the most amazing memorials and tombs, and intricate carvings that defy belief. I was totally entranced and enjoyed a very happy 2 hours wandering about, visiting the various tombs, the Shrine of Edward the Confessor, Henry VII’s Lady Chapel, Poet’s Corner, Chapter House, Pyx Chamber

Pyx Chamber

and the Cloisters. The High altar is magnificent and the ceiling in the Lady Chapel is breath takingly beautiful. The Coronation Chair is currently being restored and situated in a glass room near the Great West Door.

Great West Door

Afterwards I made my way back to the river via Big Ben and walked along Victoria Embankment, intending to find a suitable spot to stand and wait for the London Eye fireworks

31.12.2010 - London Eye at 4.30pm

….except that I suddenly didn’t feel like standing for what would at that stage be 8 hours!!! So instead I went up Charing Cross to the South African shop to buy some eats, then along to Trafalgar Square to see the Norwegian tree that they send over each year at Christmas

the Norwegian Spruce Tree at Trafalgar Square - sent over each year at Christmas as a gift from the Norwegians

and then back to Embankment and onto the tube to Richmond and home.

We sat on the couch listening to music, chatting to my sister & her hubbie in SA via skype and then saw in the New Year and watched the fireworks on TV! Exactly what I had said I did not want to do…..see the fireworks on TV, but I was with the most important person in the world to me and we had a fab evening. A few hours later we finally crawled into bed, eyes heavy and ready to sleep, already well into 2011!

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a New Year message to my friends

Posted in family and relationships, It's my life, news from around the world, tagged around the world with social media, facebook, friendships, London 2010, New Year 2011, Twitter on December 31, 2010| 1 Comment »

London Eye 31.12.2010 London

Hi folks, thanks so much for dropping by. I trust you don’t mind that I brought you to my blog for a New Year message, but twitter doesn’t have sufficient space that I can convey what I would like to say. 🙂

Firstly I would like to wish you all a very very happy, successful and wonderful year ahead, I truly hope that it fulfils any dreams, hopes, wishes and aspirations you have for 2011.

Then I would very much want to say a huge thank you for your friendship during 2010. Whether we’ve only just connected, or if you have been my ‘friend’ for a while now, I have enjoyed our brief communiques. You have brightened my days with your messages and brought a smile to my lips with your tweets and mentions, and on many occassions made me LOL and from time to time I have even ROFL!!! – Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. J M Barrie

Despite outward appearances I live a very secluded and limited life. My job is very isolating at times and the demands placed on me are great so your messages on #followfriday #traveltuesday or #justbecause you are thinking of me have been a lifeline to the real world.

I have gotten to know some folk a little better than others and we have learned a wee bit about each others lives – how fascinating it is to get these little glimpses into another world. I have travelled ‘virtually’ to far-flung corners of the world: Alaska, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, China, just about all the states of America, France, Italy, South Africa, The Whitsundays, north of Scotland, closer to home in London and many countries, fascinating glimpses into your world, by reading your blogs, clicking on the links you’ve posted and just our general ‘chats’ have opened windows into the world that I may never have had otherwise.

I took to twitter like a duck to water (excuse the not so very good pun) 🙂 twitter has opened up my world in ways I could never have imagined when I first started, and that is thanks to each of you; your tweets and comments, links and @mentions have brought the world to me. Facebook has been fun with messages and comments, status updates and links to photo albums – photos of your travels are most appreciated. I have enjoyed sharing my life in London, posting photos and writing arbitrary posts on my blog about places I have explored and experiences I have had.

And now this year is at an end and we have 2011 to look forward to, so in closing I would once again like to say how very much I appreciate your friendship, your messages and tweets and although we are far apart in miles, we are close to heart in tweets, so in 2011 do stay in touch and lets continue to enjoy our friendships, I wish you all a good night and some marvellous days for the 365 we have of 2011…….and do remember…. according to the Mayans the world is due to end 2012 (????) so make the most of 2011……

hahahaha!! 🙂 have fun folks

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice. Samuel Johnson

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after 9.5years……..

Posted in It's my life, tagged becoming british, being british, british way of life, british weather, christmas 2010, the Queen's speech on December 25, 2010| 2 Comments »

…I think it’s finally happened….

I have over the years often said how much I love the UK, how wonderful life is in this country, how priviledged we are to live in a 1st world country and how much I enjoy living here, and now…….after 9.5 years……..

I b*itch about the Government (vehemently), complain about the weather (occassionally),

pic from cartoonstock.com

I have a right old moan when the bus is 5 minutes late,

I complain when the tube is delayed by a signal failure and I have started to realise that 6 months of winter is not fun! 🙂

I have become an avid birdwatcher,

British Jay

feed the foxes in the garden, chase the squirrels, avoid Oxford Street to the best of my ability, am seriously considering ‘wintering’ in a sunny countryand get all teary-eyed when I hear the National Anthem! 😉

today, I had a full Christmas lunch with all the trimmings (albeit pork fillet and not a turkey),

watched a Pantomime on TV and listened to the Queen’s speech!

I think it has finally happened……I have morphed into a Brit!!!!

pic from british-flag.org

and I love it!!!

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I wish you a…………

Posted in Holidays, It's my life, tagged christmas 2010 christmas in london, snow 2010, snow in london on December 25, 2010| 2 Comments »

wonderful Festive Season and Happy Holidays. may your days be filled with joy and love.

this is now officially my first white christmas and I am delighted to say the least. Ok so the snow has started melting and the ground is all slushy and mucky, but it is stilll very beautiful albeit cold. The squirrels are bounding about on the verandah causing mayhem and the blue tits, coal tits and robins are busily flying back and forth from bush to feeder to verandah and off again!!

if you look very carefully you will see the robin sitting on the lower post

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losing life in my hands along the SouthBank

Posted in Fun Stuff, interesting things that happen in London, It's my life, Travel, tagged a walk along SouthBank, Big Ben, christmas tree at Parliament, German Market at Southbank, ice-rink at London Eye, view from Hungerford Bridge, Westminster Abbey on December 4, 2010| 1 Comment »

I went into town (London) yesterday for a meet up with my daughter for a business ‘Power Hour’. I am having a bit of difficulty with the business plan for 3 Days in London, so went along to get things in order. She is a genius at unravelling stuff and by the end of the session I felt like finally we had a workable direction….

After the meeting I decided to take a walk along the SouthBank to see the German Market and check out the ice-rink at the London Eye. First though I walked across the Thames via Hungerford Bridge….the view is so fabulous that I can seldom resist if I am in the area.

view of St Paul's from Hungerford Bridge

Then at a quick trot along the embankment…..it was freezing, I whizzed past the stalls absorbing the heavenly smells that whafted through the air. The stalls looked cosy and gay; decorated with lights and tinsel and baubles. There are a number of stalls giving you an array of choices that tempt your tastebuds: crepes, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, fudge and chocolate.

fancy a Crepe (pancake)? go wild and have one with nutella and cream 🙂

There is a gaily painted carousel, the horses dizzily whirling by; a blur of colour and light and sound, the snow a fitting background.

gaily painted horses whirling by at a dizzy pace

From there I walked up to the ice-rink in front of the London Eye and watched the skaters whizzing around; thrills and spills! Looked like great fun.

thrills and spills on the London Eye ice-rink

By this stage my camera didn’t want to work, it was so cold it felt like I had lost life in my hands; I had no feeling and my face felt like it was going to fall off!

view of Big Ben from South bank

The lamp-posts, walls and sculptures were all covered with snow and looked incredibly pretty. As the light waned it got colder and colder, so at a quickening pace I walked along to Westminster Bridge and back over the river to Big Ben, Westminster Palace

Big Ben at 4pm. the Christmas tree in the forecourt is very pretty

and Westminster Abbey. The Christmas Tree in front of the Parliamentary buildings looks gorgeous and I watched the clock strike 4pm. Then a quick walk over the the Abbey for a photo or two.

Westminster Abbey looking ethereal in the diming light

Then it was back onto the tube and home. It was a delight to step into the house that although cold at the best of times, is a whole heck of a lot warmer than outdoors. It took me about 10 minutes to defrost and a lovely cup of tea helped warm me up 🙂

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the layers of winter

Posted in family and relationships, Fun Stuff, It's my life on December 3, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Ever since I have lived in the UK I have loved winter. I love how the days get colder and colder as autumn creeps nearer and nearer to winter, how the wind comes up and blows all the leaves asunder, scattering them far and wide.

leaves scattered far and wide

I love the smell of leaves burning as gardeners tidy up after autumns fall, how the trees look without their summer dresses, how their arms reach skywards; beseechingly, achingly. How the birds nests become more apparent without the leaves to hide them. I love how the wild birds and squirrels run about looking for food, digging their noses into hidey holes from the summer. I love how the days shorten and the nights draw in earlier and earlier,

as the nights draw in......5pm mid November

a perfect backdrop for the gay christmas lights that brighten the dark nights with their cheery colours. I love the anticpation of wondering if there will be snow…..and when! I love it when you wake one day and the world is white, a sparkling pure white that covers the world…the air hushed and still.

and then it snowed!

I love the early mornings when you pop your head out from under the duvet

popping your head out from under the covers

and its freezing and you scurry back beneath the covers. I love the icy cold that makes you hop up and down, the chill in the seconds between getting undressed and diving under a hot shower….goosebumps scurrying up and down your body as you shiver and laugh with the thrill of the cold. I love the sounds of the laughter as kiddies fly screaming down snowy slopes, precariously seated on bright yellow or red or blue sleds, with either Mom or Dad waiting at the bottom or maybe even hugging them close as they whizz along slippery slopes. I love the winter colours; purple, red, burgundy, emerald green – the clothes we pile on in an effort to keep warm before we venture outdoors; scarves wrapped tightly and caps pulled down in an effort to keep the cold air at bay. I love the seasonal activities; halloween, bonfire night,

Guy Fawkes - Bonfire night

thanksgiving, christmas….all seem more appropriate in colder climes. I love how the air ghosts up as you breathe out on a freezing cold morning, the thrill of a warm indoors after a quick walk to the store…that tingling feeling as warmth creeps slowly through your bones…a painful albeit comforting ache. I love how people stamp their feet to keep warm, how folks laugh more in winter coz of the cold that makes you jump about. Then the first advertisement of Starbucks ‘Gingerbread Latte’ and you know that winter has arrived

Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks...winter is here 🙂

And what I love most of all are the layers….the layers of clothes we pull on before we venture outdoors… no such thing as popping quickly out the door….

layer 2 - a camisol and tights

layer 3 - a top and socks

layer 4 - a jumper and trousers

layer 5 - jacket and shoes

layer 6 - and an extra pair of thick socks

(no! I didn’t forget layer 1 – like Victoria, a girl has gotta have some secrets 🙂 )

and then just before it gets tiresome, before you get sick of the cold and dark; I love the anticipation of spring….knowing that all that has died will soon come to life…the first buds of May as they peep through their protective winter covering, the snowdrops that look for all the world like a fresh shower of snow, the tulips