Monday, 23 August 2010

There are 9 million bicycles in Beijing...

...and maybe even more in Amsterdam!

Never before have I seen so many bicycles in one place...big ones, small ones *singing some as big as your head and bigger*, old ones, new ones, decorated ones, broken ones, wheelbarrow ones....you name it!



We left work early, got the Heathrow express and made our way to Amsterdam. Our flight was delayed by 30 min. We were 10th in the queue on the run way...rush hour even at Heathrow!


We arrived about 9.30pm and made our way to find the apartment we had rented. It was about a 5 min walk from Central Station and right near Dam Square...which was the perfect central location. Once changed and settled we made our way out to find some dinner (after negotiating the steepest and windiest staircase you have ever seen, leading to the apartment) and for me to experience Amsterdam for the very first time.



After a bit of a disappointing meal (and meal envy for some), we crossed one of the many canals and tried out the first pub...The Grasshopper. From there we took a wonder around the little streets, coming across all sorts of things...coffee shops, both normal and ones that you would only find in Amsterdam, pubs, shops, x-rated shops, museums, x-rated museums...you name it. Not to mention the red light district, which I had to say was not quite how I expected it. In my own naive way, what I thought would be silhouettes of woman sitting in windows on first or second floors in their apartments, were actually woman in little glass cubicles you could say, with glass doors and windows on the ground level...some lit with fluorescent lights, lighting up both what little 'outfits' they had on and their 'whitened' teeth...they like the bicycles (excuse the pun) also came in all sorts of sizes, ages, decorativeness and prettiness. After much wondering around, when the tiredness of the crazy week before started to kick in, we headed back to our apartment for some much needed rest.


The next day we took it easy in the morning, before heading out to explore. We found a very laid back breakfast cafe (aka incredibly slow service), before heading off to find the Anne Frank Museum (one of the few set work story books I really enjoyed at school). But after taking it a little too easy in the morning, we realised we had been beaten by the rest of the million and one tourists...and the queue for the Anne Frank House was out the door, down the road and around the corner. So we decided to give that a miss, and instead watched the very many boats weaving in and around each other in the narrow canals. We wondered around the streets a little more following the canals and came across a stage that was being set up across the canal for some music festival. As much as the boats weaved in and around each other, we weaved in and around the bicycles...with their bells ringing every two seconds (apparently bicycles ALWAYS have the right of way on pavements and all)...not to mention the cars and the trams! You had to look in all directions before even thinking of stepping off the curb...but still had a few close calls. :)




After a spot of lunch at Amsterdam's most famous chippie...we decided to queue for a canal ride...which was a great way to take in some of Amsterdam's sites and lots and lots more bicycles. The canals were constantly jam packed which made for an interesting ride, in what seemed to be rush hour, again with big boats and little boats trying to make their way around the narrow canals.




We also managed to find a pub, with Sky sports which was showing the South African/New Zealand Tri Nation game, where we surrounded by a bunch of Afrikaaners. Half time, I set off in search of an ATM machine, where I managed to get myself a little lost... After one too many corners, there is no turning back as every little side street looks the same. Just as I had the mobile phone out ready to phone Mark to come and find me...there it I saw it Hotel International (original)...a very happy sight. We continued to watch the game and all I can say is better luck to SA next time...


The Sex Museum was celebrating its 25th birthday...so we were given a free chocolate, glass of sparkling 'something or other' and a pen (rather a strange combo) before embarking on its tour through the ages... Mark decided to seat me on a chair for a photo opportunity (I should have known something was up – again excuse the pun – purely because Mark seldom offers photo opportunities), but unfortunately for him he wasn’t quite ready to capture my expression when the rather normal looking chair started to do some rather abnormal things! :)


We then wondered around a little further before settling on a Thai restaurant for dinner. People watching at night in Amsterdam is the best...no amount of money spent on entertainment could top the sights you see...which made for an interesting evening.
Sunday came and along with it the time to unfortunately make our way back to London...after a lovely fun filled weekend. I had an absolutely awesome birthday week, was incredibly spoilt and felt very loved and lucky! I now feel ready to approach whatever the rest of what my 30s may throw at me!

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

The BEEG 30!

...so it happened...no more fighting it! I turned 30!

I started the morning being woken up by my hubby...with a HUGE card (with the best address message) and the ring with my birthstone in it, we had chosen the stone when we were on honeymoon in Sri Lanka and he had had it made in South Africa when we were home for Ian and Helen’s wedding. It’s an oval stone, in a twist setting and is beautiful! I am also being taken to Amsterdam this coming weekend, to celebrate yet some more (as well as make use of my British passport, which has not yet seen many miles).




I had lots of cards and pressies to open following my party this past Saturday – I really was spoilt! So the morning started off well. I also got lots of texts and calls and emails from family and friends. When I got to work...I found that my desk had been decorated, with birthday banners and a helium balloon tied to my chair with a big 30 on it for all to see for miles! (Nice!) I had cards and a present from the other secretaries and the people I work for (some Euros for spending whilst in Amsterdam).

I got a call mid-morning from our courier desk, to let me know some flowers had been delivered for me. They were from my lovely hubby with again the sweetest note.

I was then taken out to lunch by my main 4 bosses, we all jumped into a cab and headed to the Dorchester Hotel (very very fancy...) in Park Lane in Mayfair for lunch at the Grill...and as if I needed spoiling any further...at lunch I was presented with a lovely Tiffany bracelet from them all! After lunch we headed back to the office, where the afternoon just flew by and before I knew it, it was time to head out to meet Mark for dinner.




Mark took me to the Skylon Grill for dinner which is near the Royal Festival Hall and has views overlooking the Thames, where you can see the Houses of Parliament up to St Paul’s Cathedral. We had a delicious dinner...anymore courses in one day and I would have had to roll home!


From there we headed for the train station to make our way home, after a lovely lovely day! Who would have thought that turning 30 would have been so much fun?

Monday, 16 August 2010

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Today is the last day of my 20s... (ahhh man that sounds so terrible!!)

To help me along into starting to accept the new era in my life...I had a Birthday bash in commiseration (I mean celebration)! I had it the weekend before my actual birthday, so I could slowly ease into the idea of turning 30...and so I could actually still party like a 29 year old! (not to mention a lot of my friends were going to be away at V festival the following weekend). :)

Since I have a ‘summer’ birthday in the UK, I thought a late afternoon braai at our place would be appropriate (and because it would probably be the last big bash we have at our place before we move). But in true British Summer style...the weather forecast for the day was not looking good, with rain showers predicted. The morning started off well, albeit very cloudy and overcast...but not a hint of rain - so I thought we would just go ahead (besides the fact that I hadn’t quite come up with a back-up plan). So the preparations began...and by the time 2’o clock arrived I was all ready...amazing! Well the food side anyway... The first guests arrived and I quickly headed off to get changed.


The theme ‘What you wanted to be when you grew up?’



True to form not 5 minutes after the first people arrived, the heavens opened. We had put up gazebos, but unfortunatley they weren't quite rain proof enough to deal with the torrential rain that came down. But again true to form, the rain disappeared about 5 minutes after the first downpour, only to reappear again for a coule more spurts throughout the afternoon. by the time the evening came, it had rained itself out and the evening weather proceeded to be quite pleasant.

Impressively everyone was good sports, almost all dressing up for the occasion...and the array of outfits was hilarious!













From rockstars to actresses to veterinarians to builders to fighter pilots, airhostesses, princesses, cowgirls, drummers, hippies, sailors and fireman- you name it!


Fisherman and tennis players were the most popular choice.


The night was great fun! So much so that an unidentified man decided to venture into our garden to join in on the fun. He came in through the back and shortly afterwards left again through the back. What is going on with our house, I don’t know? If it’s not the neighbourhood cats coming to visit us in the middle of the night, it’s random strangers! But thankfully no harm was done! And the party continued into the early hours of the morning before eventually it was time to call it a night.

So all in all it was a good day and eve and hopefully the start of many more fantastic years in the 30s!



Friday, 13 August 2010

Pass...

...I almost forgot!

I received a little letter in the mail the other day...I PASSED MY EXAM! Woohoo!!

As much as I was living in blissful ignorance for the past 2 months, I knew the day would come when the letter would arrive (actually I was expecting an email). I had just hoped it wouldn't come before my birthday in case it was bad news. Well it came before and thankfully I can report it was good news. Not exactly the best mark I have ever gotten and considering it was the course I had done quite well in, it really should have been better...but I’m just so glad it’s over and done with!

Now I can celebrate my birthday with no dark clouds hanging over my head...although the way the weather is going, that is exactly what I might be doing! It’s the day before my party and its all of a sudden got incredibly dark...not to mention the heavens opening to the fullest they have been in a long long time (since we have been threatened with water restrictions in London...if you can believe it!)

So holding thumbs for no rain for tomorrow...PLEASE!!!

The demolition

...of the new house

We got the keys for the new house on Friday last week, the builders arrived on Saturday evening and by Sunday most of the hideous wallpaper was already off the walls.

By Monday the walls were bashed down already...

I actually get nervous going in each day to see it as it always amazes me just how much has already been done, which just confirms how much Mark and I still need to decide and buy! We need to get cracking, otherwise the builders are going to be waiting on us...have you ever heard that?

This week, we have done quite well...ordered most of the goods for the bathroom and the kitchen cupboards. But that is just a little of what is still to come...all the appliances, flooring, tiling, windows, doors and everything and anything else you can think of...we still need to get it!

I like to spend it spend it! :)