Out and About in London
(Make sure to check out the picture of lovely little Fiona Brooke Avondolio in the post titled "Another one bites the dust...")
So Kirsten has had a week to settle in, we decided to motivate and get out to various places throughout London and start getting acquainted with our new home, what a busy weekend it was...
On Saturday we got up with designs on going to Portobello Market on the west side of the city. We had a long bus ride over so that we could see various neighborhoods and get a better feel for how they're all connected. We passed through Camden, Regent's Park, Oxford St. and ended up 
at Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. We took a stroll through the park, meandered over to the Princess Di Memorial Fountain (this pic is from the BBC, we don't have our camera USB cord yet), which despite my cynicism was actually very cool.
We strolled along the Serpentine lake and wondered at the size of this park (one of many spread throughout London) in the heart of a major metropolitan city. The best thing about it was all the people out enjoying various activities: football (soccer), walks, running, bird watching, alga gawking, etc. Alga gawking? Ah yes, there is a very interesting exhibit by Tony Haywood in the water calling attention to how alga develops mutant strains to deal with environmental conditions. Kind of neat, kind of bizarre; it felt like the Tate Modern was sticking it to me after we'd spent a couple hours there gazing at what passes for art.
After Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park we walked down and through the Portobello Rd Market. It is actually 3 markets all in a row, with the antique dealers at the top of the street, followed by the fruits, vegetables and food stuffs and finally by the flea market. We had lunch at a pub at the top of the Rd. which thankfully was not very crowded, we were able to find a seat, get a pint and enjoy our Fried Fish sandwich and Cottage Pie in relative peace. After that we waded into the crowds and I do mean waded and perused all the wares. My favorite item that I should have bought was a sign that read "Hippies entrance on the side". Keep an eye out as that may be coming to a wall near you.
Once we were finished with the crush of people and stalls upon stalls of clothing and knick knacks we walked through the very wealthy neighborhoods of Notting Hill. Some streets looked like Easter threw up on the houses, but when you live in an enormous 3-4 story mansion, I guess you can paint your house whatever color you want. We are accepting donations to put towards a downpayment on one of those houses...
We finished up our full Saturday by heading out to Anne and Rob's (anyone recognize their names?) for a lovely dinner and CV writing session for Kirsten. I can honestly say I have never enjoyed Falafel more, nor do I hope to again. The main course lamb was exceptional, the Woodcock's are setting a hard precedent to follow for dinner parties, but Kirsten and I will try our best.
Sunday we had a very lazy day, we went up and explored Finsbury Park. The park was nice, the area is certainly up and coming...We ended up walking back to our flat and stopped in at what is now one of my favorite places in London, one of the greatest cheese shops I have ever been to called La Fromagerie (http://www.lafromagerie.co.uk/index.html). Hill siblings can expect a trip here over Thanksgiving.
We stopped in at a pub just up the road that I would be proud to call my local, if only I could remember what it was called. Kirsten and I had our first proper Sunday roast, we spent about 3 hours lounging in our new favorite pub with no name on leather recliners. We agreed that this is definitely something we could get ourselves into every week. It was a really nice atmosphere, we were in the non-smoking room and surrounded by families and other couples. Truly a nice environment to spend the afternoon in and finish up a very exciting but tiring weekend.
A Guest Post...from Kenya
Since Kirsten and I aren't doing anything terribly exciting (at least as far as you lot are concerned) I thought it would be interesting to hear from TheLondonAdventure Blog correspondent in Africa, Martyn. Enjoy...
(Kirsten thought I should provide some background info: Martyn is a long time friend of Mads, one of our good friends from the states and we have known him for some time. He is a freelance 3D animator who is on a 6 week job in Kenya)
Nairobi Log, entry 1
Got to Heathrow and went through all the horrendous queuing that you seem to have to do these days. I finally made it through the check-in process and the new enhanced security procedures with just enough time to go and have a coffee before I had to head for the gate. Had it been later in the day I might have gone for a beer instead (I nearly did anyway after all the check-in/security stuff!). Met up with Claudia, the producer, at the coffee shop and it suddenly struck me how odd the situation was. I'd only met Claudia a couple of weeks ago - hardly knew her, and here I was flying off to Africa with her as my guide, my new boss, and my new flatmate! - Scary!
We landed on time in Nairobi, at about eight thirty in the evening and after minimal fuss getting through immigration, baggage collection & customs (well... no fuss at all really - first nice surprise) we were met by our driver and taken to our apartment - which was the second nice surprise.
The apartment is on the eleventh floor of a block called Yaya Towers. It's a complex of mainly business apartments next to a shopping centre. The apartment itself is large - four double bedrooms, two bathrooms (each with bath and shower), three toilets(one in each bathroom, one separate) a large kitchen/dining area and a comfortable lounge area, with two armchairs, a sofa and a telly (with a good number of local & cable channels - including BBC world and ESPN). I suppose you could say it's a little soulless, but it's a business apartment after all. There's 24hr security, daily housekeeping as if we were in a hotel, a gym downstairs, an outdoor swimming pool, and an internet cafe - although all the apartments have internet connections if you have your own computer.
We quickly unpacked and headed down to reception to order a taxi to the nearest local bar, after first enquiring where the nearest decent local bar was, of course. It was a place called Casablanca, not very far - about a 200 shilling (less than £2) taxi ride away, and it was very pleasant. A laid back place with huge great half-bed/half-sofa style seats and people sitting around drinking and smoking hubble bubble pipes (actually a lot more pleasant than cigarette smoke as they smell like incense, vanilla, spices, etc.) There was a huge woodfire outside in something that looked like a large upturned satellite dish. Claudia and I had time for a couple of beers and a pizza while soaking up the atmosphere, before heading to the gate to get a taxi back to Yaya.
I had a restful nights sleep in my very comfortable bed and woke up about 7.00 am the next day, an hour or so before my alarm was due to go off. We traveledd by taxi to the industrial area of town and the studios. Third nice surprise. I'd already seen the studio via their website so had an idea what it was like, but the reality surpassed even my expectations. They had really pulled out the stops to set up our area. I've worked in studios in Soho that haven't been as well equipped or stylishly decorated as this. The studio is a bit of a hidden gem. The industrial area surrounding it is a bit grim, the entrance and first flights of stairs are dingy and a little scary, but as soon as you step into the studio proper it's like another world!
Everyone here is incredibly polite and helpful, it takes a bit of getting used to after living and working in London as your first natural reaction is to be suspicious - which is a little sad. Claudia speaks reasonable Swahili and I've started keeping a little notebook of useful words and phrases in teah hope of being able to use it a little myself before I leave. The only slight disappointment has been the speed of the internet, which has made some things more difficult. We were expecting broadband, but we actually got 64K - which is not much faster than an old dial-up modem.
Tomorrow is Friday, the end of our first week here. On Saturday Aussy Joe (an old friend & colleague of mine) and Kiwi Rich (a new friend & colleague) arrive, so the flat will be full. The last week here with only Claudia and myself has gone just about as well as it could. We both seem to get along well, both professionally and personally, the studio has been setup magnificently, and everyone is fired up and excited about the upcoming project.
On Monday, the Kenyan and Tanzanian animators arrive and the real work starts!
Another one bites the dust...
Clearly inspired by Melissa and Chris Tuleya, John and Kelly Avondolio welcomed their own bundle of joy into the world Thursday, October 26th at 12:50.
Little Fiona Brooke Avondolio came in at 6lbs 8oz and 19 1/2 inches. Apparently John immediately put a mini golf club in her hand. After all, if she is going to be the best female golf player ever she has to start early.
Congratulations to John and Kelly. You can pass on your well wishes to John at
john.avondolio@aa-rf.comNo picture...yet.
Not a London happening, but certainly world changing...
Congratulations to our friends Chris and Melissa Tuleya who welcomed their beautiful baby daughter Allison Marie into the world on October 24th weighing in at 7lbs. 9 oz. and reaching a height of 21 inches (short, just like her father).
You can email Chris congratulations at
chris.tuleya@aa-rf.com If I could post a picture of him you would see how really lucky he is that Allison takes after Melissa.
Made It!
Finally a post not by me, ladies and gentlemen I proudly give you Kirsten's first post...
My flight over was fairly uneventful (or should I saw "quite"?). Friday was a windy day in New York, so we ended up taxi-ing for over an hour. I ofcourse slept through it, but then was rudely awaken when we took off. Virgin Atlantic is awesome! Friendly service, great individual tv screens with endless games/movies/music, and decent food. When we got above Heathrow we were put in a holding pattern. I didn't really mind, because the pilot had that cute little British accent. Once we landed I waited in a short line for immigration, and then happily proceeded to meet Brian on the other side. What a relief! I was thrilled to once again have him by my side. I also had this overwhelming sense of accomplishment. We did it! We moved to London!!! As most of you know.... the last few weeks before the move were rough. I am happy to have them behind me!
We hopped in a black cab and proceeded to our new home of Islington. Our apartment is adorable! Bright and sunny (an oxymoron i know but it really is!), two bedrooms, two bathrooms, decent size sitting room, large windows, and new kitchen. Perfect for accomadating international guests :) Islington itself is also quite cute and convenient. Great boutiques, restaurant on top of restaurant on top or restaurant, and a pub on every corner. The bus stops across the street (B has a 20min commute to his office on oxford st.), and the tube is a 10 minute walk away.
My first few days were spent exploring with our friends Brad and Mia. London was the third stop in their 4 city tour (Barcelona, Lisbon, and now Paris). Brian took Monday off to enjoy his 31st birthday and play tourist with the three of us. We took a ride on the London Eye and checked out an exhibit at the Tate Modern. We had hoped to slide down the latest installation which consists of clear plastic slides that are various heights - the tallest going from the fifth floor down to the basement. Unfortunately the tickets were sold out. We then met up with some friends at a traditional pub on the Thames. Afterwards we headed to Wagamama for a very satisfying birthday dinner.
On Tuesday I continued my tourist adventure with a trip to St Paul's Cathedral. Luckily Brad and Mia were willing to hold my purse and umbrella as I climbed the spiral stairs to the top. A perilous accomplishment with the boot on my broken foot! Mia and I also managed to find a paper shop and a tremendous fabric design store called Liberty. It was craft heaven!!!
Over the past few days I have also managed to get a Boots discount card, visit Top Shop (which was complete madness with several hundred 16 year old girls from all over Europe), use my Oyster card, and buy pillows at Marks & Spencers. And yes, Mads, ... we have PG tips in our cupboard.
I think this adventure will be fab. Over the next week or so I am looking forward to exploring some new neighborhoods, and ease in to the thought of looking for work. I am still looking to temp for a month or two while I sort out my nursing licenses.
Big happenings
Been awhile since the last post, but there has been a lot going on...rather than engage in a long winded post I will do a bulleted summary. Listed in order of importance...
1) Mrs. Hennigan est arrivé - after 5 weeks I (we) can truly begin our London Adventure
2) There is a Baskins and Robbins in London, and it is
good - thanks to Mia for doing the research
3) I've had another birthday - lots of good loot and lots of well wishes - for those of you who didn't send a card or an email - shame on you, you're off the christmas card list and the weekend you were planning on coming to London and staying in our flat is booked
4) Did I mention Kirsten is now here?
5) Rode the London Eye and visited the Tate Modern (not sold on modern art) with Kirsten, Brad and Mia (pictures to come once I figure out how to post them)
6) Went to Spitalfield's Market - some real good stuff there: foodstuffs, vintage clothes, knick-knacks but oddly no paddy whacks
7) Enjoyed Wagamama with Kirsten, Brad, Mia, Anne and Amy W/T - mmmmm Wagamama
http://www.wagamama.com/8) First client meeting - I show up in a suit, 20 clients sitting around a table in jeans and t-shirts...but I looked good.
9) Rain, lots and lots of rain (sun shining currently though...nope now it's gone)
10) Kirsten is here (cue sighs from the ladies in the crowd)
London is off to a flying start, and now that Kirsten is here ... it's on.
2 Aussies, 2 Americans and a Brit drive to Belgium...
This actually occurred. First let me respond to some loyal readers out there, I am now in week 3 of work. It's a good group of people and the work is pretty consistent to what I was doing oh so well in the states so all in all a very good start to that side of things. Writing about work though isn't what keeps blog readership going though, and I wouldn't really want to put in salacious material about work...people get fired for that.
So this weekend, I did not hang out with Rob and Anne. Instead I took a road trip to Brugges, Belgium with Pat, a friend from the US, his buddy Jon and two Aussies, Michael and Richard. It's very easy to forget that getting to different countries in Europe is a lot like traveling between states in the US. We made it to Belgium in about 3 hours or so.
Our intent was to attend a beer festival, unfortunately this was occurring 50km south of Brugges, so we decided to make our own beer festival in Brugges. We had a lovely dinner of mussels and Belgian beer, followed by a lot more Belgian beer and some Belgian nightclubs. Along the course of the evening we added 2 more Aussies to our entourage. The town is gorgeous with impressive architecture meeting you at every turn of the small winding streets that would suddenly open onto large squares dotted with restaurants along the edges.
The only downer was at some point Richard decided to go for a walk alone after several drinks, he ended up getting his wallet stolen and a real nice bump on his forehead.
We decided to title the trip "5 minutes from utter disaster" for reasons that shall remain in the confidence of the 5 (7) people who took Brugges by storm.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for sushi.
I am hesitant to even start off this post with the now too familiar, so I met up with Rob and Anne last night, but since it's true...
I met up with Rob and Anne last night. We took in a huge art gallery exhibit on the grounds of the Royal Hospital. It was very interesting walking around and taking in all the different pieces of work. I was struck by the boldness of the colors of several paintings as they suggested the struggle of man with his mortality, and the ongoing antagonism of the male and female ids. I don't know what the preceding means but it sounds an awful lot like the comments we heard being made. Needless to say I decided not to purchase a £8,000 painting of "Nude woman in profile with Goat's head", but I reserve the right to change my mind. The best part of the fair was the special exhibit of the works of fashionphotographerr Norman Parkinson, hadn't heard of him before, now I'm in the know.
What does the thread title have to do with art? Nothing except I hit up Yo! Sushi on my way home for a lovely little dinner. Sushi coming by on plates priced by color on a conveyor belt? Sheer genius. Experience Yo! Sushi now heathens...
http://www.yosushi.com/experience.php
Football Weekend
After a long evening with the work folks on Friday I had some prime football to look forward to on Saturday and Sunday.
First up was the England v. Macedonia match at Anne and Rob's (they must be tired of me already). After the very boring match ended nil nil, we sat down to a lovely dinner prepared by the Woodcock's. If you ever have the chance to sample Rob's pudding you really should do yourself the favor. My arteries still have not cleared from it, but the memory lingers on positively.
Sunday saw me interloping with yet another married couple (I'm going to get a reputation). I traveled to Southwest London to the swank environs of Richmond to watch some good ol' American football with Pat and Amy Thistlewaite. With a backdrop of Lotuses and Range Rovers lining the streets we sat down to see my beloved Bears absolutely destroy the mighty Bills of Buffalo. As if they day couldn't be more perfect we then caught the Eagles game and TO's dubious return to Philly (at least we caught something which is more than can be said for Mr. OD).
And so another weekend closed and brought me one weekend closer to the triumphant arrival of Mrs. Hennigan to London town.
A Pole and a Mexican walk into a bar...
Not the beginning of a joke (or is it). Rather it describes my dining experience last night. My London city guides Rob and Anne, the Woodcocks, met me out for a few pints in Shepherd's Market a quaint little area filled with many restaurants and cafes, somewhat hidden from the probing eyes of the casual tourist. Anyway, after the beers we went to L'Autre, a Polish/Mexican restaurant. I had visions of Kielbasa tacos with a borscht sauce but ended up being pleasantly surprised.
The story is that L'Autre serves both Polish and Mexican food. I stuck with the Polish route and enjoyed a Polish charcuterie plate (these people clearly have identity issues) followed up by your classic kielbasa. Finished dinner up with some shots of vodka (as you do). Needless to say the head is feeling a bit worse for the wear right now - for that I blame Rob.
Mom: I didn't want to do it but mean old Rob made me. I'm still your pure little angel.
Flat warts
Oh our beautiful flat. Great location, great style, great size, great features, great landlord; there is absolutely nothing wrong with this...or so I thought until this morning at 3:30AM.
It would seem that the upstairs neighbors have a 3-4 year child who began screaming at the top of his lungs for a good hour.
While I am sad to report that I am exhausted this morning I am very happy to report that the child appears to be very
very healthy.
A side trip to Nepal...
...not literally. Friends Rob and Anne invited me to attend a Nepalese festival in Ealing. I was intrigued by the thought of wandering around a festival ground checking out the various booths set up offering food, drink and many other intersting aspects of Nepalese culture. Then we arrived at the "festival"...
It was actually an auditorium with a stage at one end where local acts from the Yeti Nepalese Association of the UK were performing various styles of music and dance. When we walked in, 2 Brits and 2 Americans, we were at the front of the hall and walked the entire length to reach seats in the very last row.
Despite the discrepancy between what we thought we were getting into and what we actually got into, it was quite a lot of fun.
While we couldn't understand the lyrics we could certainly feel the beats of the music, and the dance exhibition was very interesting indeed. We sat back and enjoyed the acts while wetting our whistles with Cobra, an Indian beer, not Gurhka (sp?) which is the Nepalese beer of choice. Beggars can't be choosers though.
After a beer or two hunger pangs set in, thankfully they were setting up a buffet style dinner behind us. There are 2 things to know about a Nepalese style buffet for the uninitiated:
--You have no idea what you're eating, you hold out your plate and they load it up with whatever is in that particular vat
--It is hot, not burn your lips and throat hot but induce profuse sweating from your neck up.
Unfortunately we had no beer at that particular point so you just had to tuck your head and continue to shovel food into your mouth, it would not have been appropriate to leave anything on the plate, except the bone of some type of meat.
A shortwhile after eating it appeared the festival was ending, since we couldn't understand what the announcers were saying we arrived at this conclusion by the fact 3/4 of the hall emptied out, and the other 1/4 seemed ready to go.
After an hour and a half tube ride back across London to home I finally hit the sack to dream of my first day of work, only a few short hours away.
at Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. We took a stroll through the park, meandered over to the Princess Di Memorial Fountain (this pic is from the BBC, we don't have our camera USB cord yet), which despite my cynicism was actually very cool.
