Berlin - 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

I travelled to Berlin for the first part of November for work. It was the culmination of 12 months of work for me as a freelancer.
I spent one year working on one event - an event that had sold out both the exhibition hall and for delegates with over 7,200 people onsite. A lot of long hours in the office and a huge sense of relief and excitement for me that it was a success. I travelled to LA, and New Orleans over the past year for it, and truly enjoyed working with such a good team of people both on the client side and internally.

The trip and event coincided with the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
A few coworkers and I went to the Brandenburg Gate the night before the celebrations.




We were able to see them running through their preparations, the seats in place for the world leaders, the dominoes at the ready, and the lights shining.



The dominoes were amazing and replicated the lively and colorful artwork that now adorns the remaining parts of the wall. They asked local school children and artists to design them and they were stunning.







Looking back on the night and event as I sit here in the flat, relaxing a bit over coffee in my pajamas, it was a beautiful way to celebrate for me personally and I am so happy that I was able to share in the city's history in some way.

It was a long year for me, and and a long time of change for Berlin. I have been feverishly catching up on my sleep...and having fun day dreaming about what I'll do in the year ahead =)

Kent School - American Football

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Prepping the UK for American Football

The Patriots aren't the only New England team heading across the Atlantic Ocean to spread the word of the American football to sports fans in the UK. One the eve of the Patriots clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium, the varsity football team of the Kent School in Kent, Conn., will line up against local opposition in Bristol, a city two hours to the west of London."

A perfect description of our visit to Bath (Bristol.) This article is a fantastic summary of the cold, blustery and perfect day for American football.


TJ visited with his former advisor, we laughed at the English accents trying to follow the game, and Susan, James, Kona and Ian helped us cheer the Kent School on to victory.



There was a very sweet half-time performance by local cheerleaders and even a vendor selling pads, and helmets to anyone looking to take up the sport.

The game was followed by the Patriots game in London as American football tries to infiltrate a country that already loves its footy.

Bath

We took a trip to Bath, in large part to see the Kent School football team play. Our friends James and Susan, their sweet baby Ian and fantastic lab Kona (or Mr. K.,) joined us.

We stayed at the Royal Crescent and thoroughly enjoyed 'taking the waters' in their amazing soaking tubs and pool.

Bath is featured so much in the literature of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen - and it is still so traditional that you can just imagine the streets filled with people strolling and on their way for the heath properties of the waters.









We ate really well in fantastic gastro pubs and thought it was some of the best food we've had in England.





The trail running along the river made me miss rowing a bit (I haven't been that active in the club this autumn) as I watched boats going out and heard the sound of the blades.



The crescents were amazing - royal and grand. Kent Football pictures to follow...

Autumn in Hampstead.

Autumn this year has been more colorful than the previous years. We've had some dry spells and bright afternoon sunshine.


The Heath changes so quickly. The paths I run on which I've seen a full cycle - from winter bleakness, to spring feather-leaves, to full on lush cover - are now colorful and dropping.


We really love Hampstead and this spot may stop our move-every-year-to-get-to-know-London pursuit.