London Weather

28 October.. it was a really nice crisp Autumn day today with blue sky & sun.....

but now that daylight savings ended this past weekend it was dark at just past 5 pm... and then tonight:



- that is at least 1/4 inch (or maybe a bit less than a centimetre for those converting...). It actually looks great -- and I hope we get a snow day tomorrow!

(here's the forecast)

- and who came up with an entire iconic brand called London Fog!? I've only seen fog 2x here in two years... and we know true SF fog. (I guess that's why you don't see the coats that much 'nowadays')

Race Number 9...

"How would you describe the worst run you ever had? Precious!" -Hal Higdon

Well, I am not sure that I'd describe Berlin as precious - but it was a beautiful day for running. It was sunny, crisp and the streets were packed with people. I knew it was going to be a tough run from the first few steps and it definitely was. I was tired, felt sluggish, had forgotten my critical GU race gel, and subsequently each mile felt like two. But as I had my own personal support section and knew that TJ was waiting at the end, I finished and immediately went and laid down in the medical tent.

"Every day, I stop halfway through my run for five minutes, look around, and enjoy the surroundings. I'm reminded of why I do this and why I love it so much." -Anita Ortiz

I am very glad that race #9 is over and very excited about #10 coming up. A chance to redeem myself....

Berlin is a beautiful city and as TJ writes, we had a fun day of discovering the neighborhoods.

I look forward to going back some day - without the stiffness and blisters.

Berlin

We had a very good long weekend in Berlin which also happened to include Rachel running a personal best time (even with challenges) in the marathon on Sunday...


I'd not been to Berlin before - and came away impressed by the city which has such a fascinating recent history (as opposed to many of the cities we visit with centuries old main points of interest), as well as by the transportation system (I'd love it if the Transport for London would also visit... just to see how things could be...), the very kind people, and the graffiti.

It is amazing to think that less than 20 years ago the city was still separated - and now it is difficult (or at least it was to us) to see what apparently used to be stark differences between east and west...and it was really interesting to hear the perspective of someone our age who grew up in the eastern part of Berlin when we were out at dinner with a friend.

We left London on a (very early) Saturday morning flight, and returned Tuesday (also very early) to only miss one day in the office...and it was great to have the extra day to look around. We also found a few fantastic 'locals' dining options - one being the most popular curry wurst takeaway which was just under a train trestle, and another (in the photo below) where the menu was 1/2 a chicken and the sides available were potato salad and cole slaw (we ordered the whole menu...)... it was not a non meat eaters ideal city... but Rachel did find a fantastic spaezel at an Austrian restaurant where the playwright Bertolt Brecht lived (a restaurant we would never have found had we not been with residents of the city)

I also had read about, but had not seen until this next photo, the 'mobile wurst'... we had unfortunately just eaten... but I like the fact that having not seen any of these guys around here there were two in a face off duel for business:

When we were exploring a now trendy shopping area we found a great little place for a quick breakfast of coffee & waffles down a small side street - and just outside of it in front of the building next door found a reminder of another chapter of the recent history of the city which is a bit more sombre:
The Holocaust Memorial just south of the Brandenburg gate in the center of the city is really striking and interesting as well... I took several photos of it (one here):
- but they just do not do it justice - it is better to see a whole collection of them at this link

I'd definitely like to go back to spend some more time (it is a sprawling city that we only saw a fraction of) - and with a few more words and phrases in our vocabulary so that each interaction did not have to start with "Entschuldigen, sprechen sie Englisch?"

Oktoberfest.

Our friends invited us to Oktoberfest this year.....
TJ had work commitments and could not go, (he had been after college,) but as I've never been, I accepted!

There were 8 of us, (3 couples, myself and a single friend.) We all arrived Friday night and woke up early to go to the tents, in order to get a table for our group.

We arrived at about 9am - and found a nice waitress setting up a table. There was a German family on one half at the table. When we asked if there were free seats for us, the waitress started saying, "no..." but then asked, "well, where are you from?" Some quick thinking made us answer, "New York," and this worked wonders. We were given great seats, in the center of the Spaten tent - with great views of the music stage.

Our waitress' name was Evelyn - and she was able to carry 7, 1 liter pints in each hand. Talent!

This is Laura and John, waiting to be served. We waited 3 hours until the parade came onto the grounds, and each tent's beer making families paraded in - music blaring to tap the first kegs.


As the day went on - and I enjoyed being there not as a 20-yr old intent on partaking in tons of beverages....I wandered around a bit, and found that we were sitting in the 'Franke' row of the tent. I am not even kidding - my maiden name - the Frankes were with me in Munich!!!!

The music was fantastic - and all of the Germans, young and old, were in traditional dress. I had the most amazing Speaetzel, a few small bites of the famous salty, crisp roast chicken, and a yummy pretzel.

After a few hours of John Denver - smoke - and thousands of people in one tent...I went to dinner with a friend. (A great vegetarian restaurant - Prinz Mishkin.)


It was a fabulous experience. I rounded out the weekend, with a long run in Munich's 'central park', and a beautiful train trip. All my pictures are here!

Edinburgh...

Here are my pictures from Edinburgh....
While TJ played golf, I had a nice day sight-seeing, a fantastic lunch, and a wonderful long run around Hollyrood park.

The city is small enough to cover the bulk over the course of a weekend...but seems like there is enough art, and cultural events to keep things interesting. Definitely a quaint place...

We stayed in a fabulous modern hotel, which used to be a church, the Glasshouse.

We discovered a great neighborhood in the new-town area, and this great neighborhood gastro pub. My pictures are here....

Cambridge!

We took the car for a day trip to Cambridge a few weekends ago.

Had a proper Sunday lunch, and watched the punters on the river.

A fantastic 'university' town!

Edinburgh

Just a few non-golf photos that I liked from our visit up there... it is a great city. The people are generally very friendly, and the scenery is fantastic.

a more modern take on traditional dress...

I liked the weathervane bird facing one way, and the seagull facing the opposite...

the jean jacket may be back in full force...

I think we're already planning a return for next year so that we can see some of the "Edinburgh Festival Fringe "-- we missed it by just a few days this time.
Who wants in? Just let us know..

Londoners.

I have been feeling a bit more like I belong here and have lost some of that "new kid in school feeling" Things that have helped make me feel like a Londoner:

1. Kindness of strangers.
I was waiting for the bus after work and chatted briefly with a women next to me. A car pulled up to the bus stopped, rolled down the window and the driver invited the woman, (who was his colleague,) into the car for a ride to the tube station. She got in, and the poked her head out and invited me in as well. I got a ride to the tube from a lovely British gentleman. As I am writing this I am thinking, "that could either be a sweet story, or really scare my parents." Sorry Mom, I went with my gut and had a nice commute.

2. School Run.
TJ and I found out one morning that we take the same tube line to work - I get off the Jubilee a bit earlier than he does, but then take the Piccadilly to the bus, while he stays on to Canary Warf. We had been leaving the house at about the same time every day - but once we figured out we could grab 15-20 more minutes together each morning, we've been trying out doing a bit of the commute together. Those early, (OK you know us, not too early =) morning walks to the tube together, as neighborhood children arrive at the local primary school have become one of the best parts of my day. The kids in their little hats, short little trousers, and mini-book bags are a very fun sight! We quite often get run of the sidewalk by scooters, and have admired quite a few ambitious, mop-like long hair styles of the little boys. And I get to see it all with TJ - ahh, it's the simple things.

3. Local food.
I'm headed to have my first formal Tea today followed by a visit to Clarence House, where Charles and Camilla live. A very English afternoon with a few friends.

As we approach our 2 year anniversary of living here, the challenges seem to diminish and I truly do love it. If only our family and friends would move on over =)

Hampstead - Bank Holiday Weekend.

We spent a lazy grey Saturday afternoon during the 3-day Bank Holiday weekend out in our town, popping into a few pubs and enjoying a nice lunch.


There are some fun spots and we discovered a hidden charming place up on a hill - the Holly Bush.
It has not been touched in a good 20-30 years. I am sure the guys we saw sitting on barrels at the bar have been there a few times - and pretty sure they'll be there the next time we go.

Catching Up.

I am catching up on photos from the past few weeks - thought these were fun from the Chelsea opener.


It was my first English football game! I desperately tried to figure out the songs they were chanting and keep pace with the game. It was only 90 minutes - so things went quickly! And during 'half-time' people race out to grab a drink and then race back to the stadium as they can't drink inside.

The woman at the counter wouldn't even let me bring the top to a bottle of water away with me. She literally twisted it off and took it from the bottle before handing it to me. It's to keep me from flicking it onto the pitch at someone. Ahhh - I definitely look the type!

I was a bit flattered that she thought I had such skill!

Our friends Jen and Ben were kind to invite us - plans are in the works for the 4 of us to use our car for a football game road trip!

And these kind gentleman were on hand to protect us in case any hooligans were about.

Fun day!