Part 102: London By Oyster

*Happy Greeting* Readers,

*Blog*

*Snappy sign out*

Doug.

Man, I wish! I am so lazy. Rightio- today was my first day out in London after being here 3 times before, I actually got to start site-seeing. We didn't see anything that famous though because we're doing all that tomorrow.

My day began when I was awoken at 8am by Louisa tickling my foot, after a groan and a glare, I got out of bed and made my way downstairs where we had breakfast. Showers came next and then Sharon came home and when we made it downstairs again we had completely packed lunches (including three mini rolls, a packet of crisps, minties, fruit and a snack bar. Omg) and pre-paid Oyster cards which are like Melbournes newly-introduced Myki cards...except it works. THis makes all our bus and train trips a fair bit cheaper apparently so that was awesome and incredibly generous of Sharon to go to all that effort. Spoilt much?

By 9.30 Sharon had dropped us off at the nearby train station and we were off on our way to the London city centre. First stop: Kings Cross Station for those stupid Harry Potter 9 3/4 photos. We went to the trolley (which is actually located at platform 8!) took our photos and looked like absolute knobby Harry Potter fans. (HORRIBLE photo of me, my wallet makes me leg look odd and deformed). Anyway, it was good to do I guess. After we left Kings Cross we made our way towards the British Museum and thus walked down through some square of which I forget the name and saw squirrels! More squirrels!! I love them and want to be their king. King Douglas of The Squirrels. Sounds good.

Yes, we eventually made our way to the museum and walked around there for an amount of time seeing various exhibitions such as the Ancient Egyptians and Angient Europe. Som of the stuff dated back to 2500BC or something ridiculous like that. Now, unfortunately, I have been to many-a-museums now and so I am sure this one was amazing but we had seen a hell of a lot of Ancient Egypt and Europe already in the Louvre, so slightly over it after those two and one other, we left becaue we can be snobby that way now. Kidding. Actually, we really wanted a drink and the drinks there were to expensive and thus we left quicklish and headed off to the nearest bus stop.

We Oystered on a red-double decker over to Harrods which is a HUGE store that, I dont really know what its for, it sells everything thats expensive from bags-high class chocolate. The chocolate part is what I believe it is most reknown for, but dont quote me because honestly, I have no idea. Either way, I mean Louisa loves it and it is good, but I was a bit underwhelmed because I couldn't afford to buy anything so looking at chocolate I cant afford isn't exactly my cup of tea apparently. It is impressive though, I guess. They have some awesome stuff and there was more that we didn't see because now it wasn't our thirst driving us to leave, it was our hunger. We made our way over to Hyde Park and sat by a lake watching tourists play with ducks (bloody tourists) and the many walkers, joggers and horse riders go by. We also saw a squirrel. I was content watching it run, but I wanted more. Lunch was really nice. I also made a daisy chain but Louisa didn't want it (even though it was pretty awesome, it had plaits and a centre piece and all) so I sadly threw it away.

After lunch we walked up to the next door neighbour park which is called Kensington, I think. There, we saw the Peter Pan statue which was erected in 1912 and designed by the dude who wrote the original Peter Pan. Yes, I said 'dude' to reference him. Anyway the statue was kind of nice and there was a kid pretending to be a squirel so it was cool. I felt like singing 'think a happy thought or two and you'll soon realise...' Haha. We then pondered Kensington Gardens for a while, running into the Albert Memorial which was pretty cool then we made our way to some more museums including: the Science History and the Natural History Museums. They were both free so we did them both. They were pretty great. The science one was full of Aeroplane stuff which reminded me of dad the whole way and made me feel like I should feign some interest so I did and it was interestingish. There was also a bunch of space stuff which I actually quite enjoyed. I like astronomy I've decided. Natural history was pretty impressive too. Lots of animals everywhere and it had an amazing humminbird display full of like 100 humminbirds stuffed next to each other so you could compare them. Taxidermy ftw!

We left there and had some gelato whilst I listened nosalgically to the French neighbours chatter about what they saw... hehe, eavesdropping then, we made our way up to Picadilly circus. It was a cool little square type thing to walk around in and much to see and do. I got a new squished penny and a magnet wee! Then, from there, we walked a loooong way up to Oxford Circus and then up to the hugest Primark (I hope I've mentioned Primark before) ever and got Louisa some new clothes then trained/bused back to 'home'. It was a good but very long day. We were back by about 8. After some BBQ dinner I came up and did this and we are now sitting at 9.39pm.

Toodle pip.

Part 101: Wake Up!

Good evening readers,

I am on the most awesome mac right now. I think I am in love. The screen is HUGE and well, its a mac... you cannot top it. Okay, so just to let you know: I am in London.

This morning I woke up to the sound of Catherine knocking on the door announcing that Louisa (who was also asleep) and I had 20 minutes before we had to be out. We didn't back the night before and we hadn't showered or anything. We jumped out of bed and rushed around throwing all our stuff into our bags making sure it was as messy as possible in them. I wet my hair under the shower and then ran downstairs with my backpack. Catherine helped us get our stuff into her car and then dropped us off at the station. What a nice cousin I have! It was a wonderful time in Oxford all up and I really hope I make my way back down there one more time before I leave.

After hugs and a rushed goodbye, Louisa and I jumped on to our bus at 12.05 and then made the 2 hour journey from Oxford o London. It was quite a good trip because the bus had free wifi and powerplugs. We also watched the start of "Role Models" which I have seen many a times but still, its always good for a laugh. When we arrived, I called Sharon who is our host for the next few days. For those who don't know, Sharon was an old family friend who I think we decided I have not seen for about 8 years. Louisa and I caught the train/bus into the area where we would be staying and then were met by Sharon who took us back to chez elle. The house. Is. Amazing. AMAZING. Its huge and with the most modern stuff and omg I love it. Haha. Here, we talked for ages doing an update ad I re-met the family who I have not seen for a long time. Its bizarre but awesome.

Since arriving, I have had tea many a-chats and then their daughter, whose name I know but just now is not springing to mind (Brianna!), tokok us to the local pub and we chat and looked out over London. It was really cool.

I must go because I am being very unsociable... fail.

BYEEEE

Part 100: One Spot, Two Spot

Hello Readers!!

Part 100 already! Craziness. So today was a great day involving sleeping in, tours and beers out in the pub.

I woke up at 10ish and then went down stairs only to realise Louisa and I had the house to ourselves. Louisa was still in bed, Cath was at work and Tom was out taking the dog for the walk. I went on facebook as one does and also glared at the piano. I am honestly awful at it now. I cant even play anything all the way through now. I have the sheet music for Clair du Lune now but I cant read it.... Its awful. FML.

Anyway Louisa eventually came down stairs and took the laptop off me (I did offer her it though) so I had some coco pops and then sat and talked to Louisa for a while. Eventually, Tom got back and then later on (around 12) Cath did. We went outside and had some lunch as a group. T'was nice. I enjoy sitting in their yard in the warmth. We organised our plans for the afternoon which turned out to be: going to a palace starting with 'B' in the Oxford area (Bleinham google tells me), going out for a guided tour with Toms sisters husbamd (Phill) and then going out for tea. Win.

So with Cath at the wheel and the dog in the back, we drove out to Belahblahblah palace where there was a triathlon going on. There were so many peolpe cruising around which was good because it got us free access but bad because, well, there were so many people. After parking, we walked around all the gardens and we wanted to go into the castle but unfortunately we couldnt because of the stupid crowds and marathon cyclists. failists. I am kidding - they're at least active Yes. We walked around for a while then had some coke sitting on the the grass and laughing at our surroundings. When we finished our cokes we pondered around some more, took some photos then drove into the city (after dropping the dog, Rita, back home because she rolled in mud and stunk)

(Yay I have been joined by the cat, Zeb!!) In the city we met Phil who was at the dinner last night. It was cool becuase he showed us around the city teaching us all sorts of stuff about the cities architecture. It was cool and took a bit over an hour. We saw a lot of things that we'd of otherwise missed so it was a really good thing to do and very enjoyable. Tres cool. It was also funny because we saw were places from Hary Potter where filmed and also Lyra and the Golden compuss. Was pretty cool. We then drove back and sat outside with chipsticks and coke worked out what to do for the evening. We decided on skipping the grand final of "Bitains Got Talent" and went out to the local pub. It was really cool we played silly drinking games (thus the onee spot, two spot) had some nice dinner and entrees and just genuinely had a good time. It really is epic win being with family. Great night.

A few drinks later we pondered back home snd watched some TV then Tom and Cath went to bed becuase Tom has to be at the Airport early leaving at 6 and CAth has to take him. Fail. Haha.

Goodnight!! Top Party.

Part 99: The night Yoshi's head was stuck back on

Hello readers!!

I am on strike. Today we have a new guest blogger for two reasons:
1. I am bloody lazy
2. I thought it would peak both your and my interest having someone elses point of view on my day.

She doesn't need any introductions so without further adieu here she is: Louisa.

Greetings blog readers! Well i've been coaxed into writing this for our very lazy Doug. Basically by now you should know who i am, if not; Im Louisa, Dougs friend from Primary school, no contact for 6 years then suddenly facebook brought us back together. I've been back packing on my own for just over 3 months now, and am flying back next thursday =S

Today was an interesting day, as the sun rises SO early i always think its later than it is when i wake up. Hence the time i woke up at 6am thinking it was about 10am.....Anyway back to the main story...woke up at around 9.30, wend downstairs, made a tea and put some toast on. Doug shortly followed. We were planning to go to Browns (a popular cafe that the students go to, and where i had the most AMAZING breakfast with my friend Haydn the day before, and all for under £5!!!) for breakfast but that totally failed....we sat outside for at least an 1 1/2hrs, just talking (i swear thats all we do, like yesterday for example, 2hrs gone while chatting and throwing a random ball back and forth to each other..) So having missed breakfast, we got ready and set off around 12pm. We decided we'd be super cool and walk to town through the 2 mile meadow. So Cath showed us the way via a scribbly map and we set off. After the first 100m or so we were a bit confused and staring at a piece of flooding...so we walked around the flooding and finally made it to the river which would take us into the city centre!
It took AGES, and we were both STARVING by the time we got into town. Randomly we came upon Oxford Castle (which was actually *according to Tom* a watch tower) had lunch at the cafe and look to see how much it cost to get in... £7 was out of our budget, so we got a squished penny each and left.
Primark was our next destination. Finally got Doug to buy some shirts and bought my self a really cool colourful skeleton shirt...ahh why Primark, why? Its too cheap to imagine, seriously people just google it and be amazed and saddened that we don't have it ='(

From Primark we had a look at the entrance to one of the colleges which cost £2 to get in (we didn't go as Harry Potter WASN'T filmed there, so in other words pointless) and posted a package for me. My two extremely heavy packs are becoming lighter!
We made our way to Christ Church (where HP was actually filmed! *you can tell whos a fan can't you?*) but that cost £6 to get in...well no thankyou, that money would rather have been spent on apple pie and tea! Which it soon was.

After our break we made our way home as it was about 3.30 and we were invited to dinner at Tom's sister's house, and we were walking..... Thinking we had time, we stopped and had an explore through the Science History Museum, which was actually really interesting, there were tons of sundials and globes (one infact which showed the heavens as well as the earth with its continents! *it has an outer shell which had the heavens inside*) and we also saw some really old cameras, which fascinated me personally as my dads really into photography and it reminded me of reading all his history books of photography...=D

Finally at around 4pm we headed down Wood Stock road, which is an EPICALLY long road, to make our way back to Cath and Tom's. Well thinking an hour was enough to get home in, it wasn't. Well it was as we walked quite quickly and didn't stop, but boy was it tiring, and HOT. Supposedly it got to 28 today, i don't think so, 25 max maybe, but not 28.... Finally we returned all sweaty and hot, my feet blistered from my flats and so dirty they were not fit for carpet....We are also each a tad sun burnt, even though we lathered up this morning with sunscreen...damn reapplication -_-

Around 7pm we walked to Tom's sister's house where we were having dinner. She has 3 boys, Josh, Billy and Felix and a baby girl named May. They're all really nice children and their friend Hayden was around too (she's a girl btw, and all the adults think she and Josh have a thing for each other, or will...teehee) and she was basically distracting baby May.
For dinner we had this amazing fish pie, which had egg and potato in it, with great salads and lots of olives and bread, with a lime and chocolate cheese cake which Cath had made for pudding, served with vanilla ice cream and summer berries. Just remembering makes my mouth water, it was a truly great meal. After dinner the kids were sent to bed (it was like 9.30/10 by this stage) and the adults stayed out talking while the sun slowly set. We had some really weird conversations, where the invention of the Shlama was discussed (a lama and a sheep crossed)
After getting eaten alive by midges (not me funnily enough...unless they're waiting for tomorrow....) we all headed inside.
It was about 11pm by the time Me, Doug, Cath, Tom and Rita (their black Labrador)headed home.

Cath and Tom headed to bed, while i started this and Yoshi's head was finally connected back to his body after weeks of being headless. Good night.

Well- there you have it. I will read it AFTER its been posted. My input: I am sunburnt :(

Part 98: Oxford

G'day readers!

I am currently watching Coraline with Louisa and am kinda only blogging because I didn't yesterday and know that I will recieve complaints from some if I don't do one. That said, sorry I didn't do a blog yesterday, after a 13 hour bus trip from Glasgow via London, I was so not in the mood and was exhausted but! I am here now. I got in at 9.15 and met Louisa and then Tom and Catherine came and picked us up. Hoorah!! First actual family for 4 months!! Makes me happy. What else makes me happy: Grenoble is the sister city of Oxford!!! OMGOMGOMG! Best. Ever. After a nice catch up chat and a weird movie Louisa wanted to watch I went to bed and chatted to Louisa for a while about primary school, t'was lol.

Anyway, this morning I woke up at 10.30 and then went downstairs. Where Louisa was watching TV and we sat around all morning just taking in our new surroundings, having breakfast, shower etc. We then watched another movie before, finally, making our way into Oxford city...at 1.30...We are so relaxed about touring now its great! In the city we basically just chilled for a bit (literally, we got Ice cream-wee!) haha. Actually, the weather was amazingly perfect. So sunny and blue.

We went to go follow Louisas guide book that contains a walking tour, but instead got distracted by stuff on the way and then followed our own walking tour. WE saw some pretty cool stuff including the library were Harry Potter was filmed. If I were a HP fan I would be muched more amazed, I also would be much more amazed if one was actually allowed in...fail, a library that you cant go into. We then walked around some more and saw the door where the inspiration for the 'Narnia' series was created. It has two little Fawn things on it (Mr. Thomnas), a lion (Aslan) and also just behind it, is the lampost. Its pretty cool thinking thats where the idea came from.

After, we made it to the Natural History Museum which was pretty cool and there was a few things to see and do. T'was cool. There was a bunch a statues running around (I just said running..) and yea they were all famous scientists like Newton, Darwin and Aristotle. Yep. Oh and a beehive...I liked the bees for some reason.

Um, we made our way to the uni gardens somewhere, I cant tell you more than that because, well, I have no idea but yea it was great. Really big and we just found a patch of grass in the sunny shade, found a ball and played catch and talked for an hour and a bit people watching, the lot. Was quite nice. We then bused back home aaaaaaaaaand then sat outside with tea. Eventually Catherine got home andjoined us, later Tom did too. It was nice sitting in the sun outside with them and chatting about whatever sprang to mind. We had wine, snacks and dinner and it was fun- its good being with family.

I think that sums up my day, was a good one but now I am gonna watch Caroline. Blogfail.

Au revoirr (sister cities winwinwinwin)

Part 97: Today

Really quick, I have to be up at 6am tomorrow and its now 12.02am. Win. I blame Jilly.

Now, this morning, I got woken up at 6am and had to take Louisa to the bus station in Glasgow leaving at 7.15. Death. I grumped around and had a shower then took the train in carrying her stuff for her. We walked to the bus place where Ihave to go tomorrow and then bummed around waiting for the bus. Eventually (8.30) she left and I literally said 'see you tomorrow' then walked back to the train and went home. Good times.

Back in Netherlee I nearly fell back asleep but didn't. I wasted time, then webcammed with my mother which was good because she got to talk to Jilly, Sally and AJ. Then I talked to Tam on Webcam. Then I... I dont konw. OH! I got DVD's from Poppa (thank you!!!!) which I watched. It was Lachlans 21st videos. It was awesome to watch and see what happened. Jilly then took Sally, AJ and I out to lunch then we did some grocery shopping. T'was nice. Then the rest of the day was organising tomorrow and doing this and that wasting time.

Thats about it. OH!!! AND I FINISHED SMALLVILLE UP TO DATE! Its the end of an era... haha. There is a new series starting later this year so I will have to wait a few months for it. Bugger. I dont want to say anything opinion-wise just in case Carole still reads this so I'll just say this ... I want MOARRRR. Yea.

Okay! Thats it. Oxford tomorrow (after a 13 hour journey including two bus trips...)

night!

Part 96: Yesterday

All my troubles seemed so far away! (I hope thats right, I dont really know!)

Right, so I failed at blogging yesterday due to extreme grumpyness and fatigue. I thought I best do the blog when I was in a more positive mood so here goes:

Today (Oh, and I am pretending I wrote it yesterday too...) I woke up after a lovely sleep in and lay in bed thinking about my plans for the day and how it was going to all work. My goals where to: watch Smallville, take Louisa and Sally into Glasgow to meet Jilly by 12, lunch, get back, chill. I wanted to watch Smallville before I left however it was proving to be a difficult task as Louisa wanted to 'check her facebook quickly' but then stayed on for like an hour talking to be on MSN to her friend. Fail. In this time I did have a shower and breakfast and that stared at Louisa until she felt uncomfortable and got off. Good system. By now it was 10:30 (did I say sleep-in before? I got up at like 8 because I was coughing...LIES) and our train was at 11.45 this gave me enough time to watch Smallville and walk down to the station. Purrr-fection. Miaow. RANDOM.

So, I sat and watched an episode of Smallville happy and relaxed as one should be and when it finished (epic) I got up and happily said it was time to go. Little did I know that Louisa wasn't ready yet. After some glaring, Louisa did the last few things she had to do and the three of us were off and running to the station. We made it just in the nick of time, like the second we jumped on the train took off. Phew. The trainride was good and Sally was excited to be going somewhere too.

When we got into the city, we were hungry so we made it to George Square, where the festival that we were meeting Jilly at (will explain) was held, then made our way to an italian restaurant on the corner about 10 seconds away. It was good fun and the service was... great. We also got a free wordsearch to do and the three of us worked at it the entire time. IT was epic. Unfortunately the word chocolate wasn't there and so we failed. Still, we had pizza then Sally had an ice cream and it was a fun lunch. Win.

After lunch the concert thingi was about to start. You see, Jilly is an avid Motor cyclist and there was a fundraising thing for Macmillan Cancer Research where women bike ride all over Scotland raising money for the organisation. Its a really nice thing and at the end, they book out George Square for a celebration with live music and foam gloves, the lot. Louisa, Sally and I sat and watched some awesome live music then watched the bikers come into Glasgow. Then we met Jilly and talked to her for a while. Then there was a beautiful moment in time when they released a lot of balloons into the air. All the balloons had a note from each of the riders to a person they had lost to cancer and at the same time there was a live, beautiful rendition of somewhere over the rainbow and so it was just.. I dont know, powerful because these women had just rode 550miles for cancer support all because they lost someone to cancer. It was really nice.

Pic, Jilly on her bike :D

Anyway, we left the square soon after some more music and awesome dancers etc. then toured the city for a bit, which was fun. I love Glasgow its so easy to navigate around and theres always awesome street performers and stuff to look at. Its cool. Then we caught the train back into town, bought some beer then met Jilly once again back at home and then had some beer on the deck in the sun. It was a good system. After, I booked stuff for Oxford and London tomorrow and then got grumpy and didn't write blog.

Okay, Month Summary (I really dont know why I do these):

Week 1 (1st-8th)

• Went on a long walk in the Alps (Fraaaaance D:)
• Got my picture taken for a French Newspaper
• Had my French going away party (Fraaaaaance)
• Left France (Fraaaance) and made it Germany
• Went to 4 different countries in one day, going overseas twice.
• Re-met Jette and all her family
• Went on a bike ride around Ellerau
• Went to Hamburg and toured with Jette
• Went to a Harbour Party, saw Queen Mary 2, watched epic fireworks by the water and drank a shot called 'to fuck' Win.

Week 2 (9th-15th)

• Worked in a German Flea-market
• Travelled to Lubeck, the Marzipan central of the world
• Reached 100 days
• Went to various museums including the awesome Miniatur Wunderland
• Toured Hamburg like a full on tourist
• Rode 62km on a bike and got punched of my bike by a random. Death, the bruise is STILL there.
• Took a bus over to Berlin
• Stayed in a hostel and did a free tour of Berlin seeing awesome things and learning amazing history

Week 3 (16th-22nd):

• Went on a grafitti tour around Berlin which was epic.
• Went to the History Museum of Berlin then that day, flew out to Glasgow.
• Met up with Al and AJ at the airport then Jilly and Sally back at my new home in Netherlee.
• Had my 19th Birthday
• Got a new phone
• Sat outside various nights drinking too much beer and enjoying the Scotland sun
• Toured around Glasgow with Jilly
• Realised my bloody camera bloody broke and it would cost way too much to fix.

Week 4 (23rd-31st)

• Had an epic webcam with Mum, Lachlan and Tor t'was fun.
• Louisa came to Scotland and stayed with me.
• Had some cool convos with Al and Louisa
• Went to Glasgow a lot.
• Got sick =-=
• Went all around the highlands
• Didn't see Nessie but saw Loch Ness.
• Organised Oxford (but you know all this)

And that was it. That was an epic months. I went to: France, Switzerland, England, Germany and Scotland. Win.

Wow.