The Victoria and Albert Museum holds many of the UK’s national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance. Continue reading Wandering through the Victoria and Albert Museum
I get within 15 metres of the station and realise I don’t have my Oyster Cards on me. I’d left them in my smaller bag. Dammit. I can see trains leaving the station on the over bridge above me, as I turn and rapidly walk back to the flat. Just as well I left early, I mutter to myself. Continue reading God makes me stupid for a reason
I fiddle with everything. The lamp that arches over my shoulder. The seat recliner with its four arrows – footrest up and down, seat back tilt forward and back, as well as fully upright and fully flat options. In the footlocker in front of me I stow my big Mum bag, and find a little cosmetic bag of personal essentials – toothbrush and paste, comb, eye cover, moisturiser, and lip cream. Continue reading Flying to London’s summer skies
I’m taking night classes called French for Travellers. I’m certainly not at the top of the class but I’m hoping I’ve absorbed enough to speak intelligible French while I’m in Paris in July – at least more than I did when I was there six months ago. Continue reading Learning tongue-tangling French
Today, on the sixth anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake, a memorial wall was unveiled in Christchurch CBD. Etched into the marble are the names of all 185 people who lost their lives that day. Continue reading Remembering the Christchurch Earthquake, six years on
Although I blogged consistently during my week in Paris, our week together in London was so busy it was just too hard to maintain that effort. Instead, Michayla vlogged our adventures using her iPhone, capturing many of the special moments we shared over the Christmas break. Continue reading Celebrating Christmas in London
Parisians are particular about buying local, so you’ll always see on the signs an indication of the produce’s origin. Some things, of course, can’t be grown in France such as bananas, pineapples, and mangoes, but you’ll see on the price signs an indicate of what country they were grown in. Continue reading Mingling at the Market tour
As we step out onto the 2nd floor, we’re told to turn left to take the cable car directly up to the top. Yeah, nah. That’s not happening for me today. Even the briefest attempt to look up has my head swimming. I grasp the rails and wait for my heart to stop thundering. Continue reading Eiffel Tower, Musee Rodin, and aching feet
There are lots of boutique clothing, jewellery, and food shops in Montmarte, and I spend a few hours exploring them, buying my family some little things for Christmas. The shopkeepers are very helpful, don’t mind my lack of French, and I’m feeling confident again. Continue reading Eating my way through Montmarte
After the hour-long service I ride a wave of people out into the plaza again, to find it colder, damper, and greyer than before. Ugh. I’m now really kicking myself for not bringing a hat and scarf. Continue reading One cold, contemplative Sunday
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