Hey all!
Super quick note to update you on our doings and goings.
I had a few disappointed sideways looks from one Joshua Bell for not putting 'ing' at the end of my head-ings... (haha) therefore I will, from now on, be an ing-er. (Josh would also like it to be known that he was not at all passive-aggressive, he was indeed vocal with his disappointment).
We have not done a great deal since the last blog. We went to Brighton and were witness to an electrical storm that was magnificent from the pebble beach.
We saw two comedic plays, one called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and the other being The Government Inspector.
Rosencrantz and guildenstern being two comedic characters from Hamlet that die (as do basically all in Hamlet), the playwright, Tom Stoppard, wished to take the two and place them inside their own play. It was brilliant wordplay from the beginning.
Rosencrantz: I don't believe in it anyway.
Guildenstern: What?
Rosencrantz: England.
Guildenstern: Just a conspiracy of cartographers, then?
Hahahaha...
The Government Inspector had Julian Barratt playing the 'mayor' (Howard Moon) and the actor who played 'the government inspector' looked and acted spookily like Josh, but with orange hair... need I say more...
Otherwise, we have had a pretty lazy week. I am almost finished reading book 10 in the Wheel of Time and have played a few hours of monkey island 4. Josh is reading Dune and went last night to a concert with Sarah to see arcade fire. We visited forbidden planet together, the nerdiest store in the universe...
We are off to France now and should be uncontactable for 9 days, so it may be a while until you receive word, Josh should have many words for you then.
Monique
Friday 1 July 2011
Monday 27 June 2011
Stonehenge, Bath, Bristol, and Cheddar-ing.
Well,
It has been a while since i last updated you all on our journey. Things have been busy!
Over the weekend that just went, we have covered a lot of ground. Starting out on Saturday morning, we hit the road and went on to Stonehenge. On the way we had breakfast at a little chef, a very cute roadstop diner. A breakfast of fruit salad and pancake. What was interesting was the soundbites that played in the toilets from the 1950's. Following that stopover we then arrived at Stonehenge. I was not sure what to expect, but i was not expecting about 70 druids in robes and staffs to be performing a ritual since of the summer solstice. It was impressive in the same way the pyramids would have been - that it would have been mainly brute stength to construct. Myself and monique went up past a lot of sheep to the burial mounds to see how it all linked up. Not very many tourists did this, which was a nice break from the regular horde of them.
Onwards to Bath! after another drive with Sarah and Phil we came to Bath. Such a very pretty town - most of which is heritage listed. We met up with Sarah's friend Christie and had a High tea, so much (Most would say too much) food. Following our massive meal Monique and I went to visit the old Roman Baths -which is why it's called Bath in the first place. And funny enough they were old. It was really nice, and we managed to see a statue of a male gorgon, snakes in his beard and all.
On from Bath we went to Bristol, to which we checked into a hotel, then tried to find Sarah's friends house of Chris and Christie. Following an amazing meal of Mexican feast, we drank and played a board game. We then stumbled home, and fell asleep.
The next day we drove to Cheddar. And on the way stopped off at the nicest pub i've seen. It was called the crown inn at Winston. Since of the summer, and hottest day of the UK summer, it was 28 degrees. The beer garden was so lovely and green. We drank a somerset cider and listened to some great accents.
The Gorge of Cheddar was amazing. The town was actually set into the gorge, not just on the side of it. There was a bikey convention there, but it didn't stop it from being amazing. We did some climbing on the side, but we weren't as keen as some people who were doing rock climbing (and by some people i mean loads of people). Also, side note, good cheese.
Other highlights have been:
Seeing David Tennant and Catherine Tate in Much Ado about nothing. A good show, 4 stars from me. However, they used the revolve too much and the stardom of Tennant took away from the performance. Mon then had a chat with him after the show at the stage door - surrounded by loads of teenage girls.
Seeing the play The 39 steps. One of the funnest shows i've ever seen. And we even saw Stephen Fry in the audience with his very young boyfriend (who we thought at first was a woman).
Going on the London Eye. Despite all of the horrible tourists, it was really nice to see the city from high up. it was probably the biggest tourist trap that i've seen so far.
Foyles bookstore, being the largest commercial bookstore in london.
British museum. Mummies. Old Greek statues. Massive. MASSIVE.
St James and Hyde park. We met an old man who feeds the squirrels there everyday. Had a chat to him, and he gave Mon a nut to give to one. And we met some very nice birds.
The view from what is called "Suicide Bridge". Thankfully we only saw one man there, and he was telling a bewildered Monique that there is so much more to live for.
Camden town, and the cheapest second hand DVD/Game/Electronics store i've ever seen. (Got fallout: New Vegas for 12 pounds!).
Tomorrow we are off to Brighton. Hopefully we won't see any scumbags. Get it? haha
Also, because of my brother Adam, we saw some kung fu. Loads of it.
-Josh
<3
It has been a while since i last updated you all on our journey. Things have been busy!
Over the weekend that just went, we have covered a lot of ground. Starting out on Saturday morning, we hit the road and went on to Stonehenge. On the way we had breakfast at a little chef, a very cute roadstop diner. A breakfast of fruit salad and pancake. What was interesting was the soundbites that played in the toilets from the 1950's. Following that stopover we then arrived at Stonehenge. I was not sure what to expect, but i was not expecting about 70 druids in robes and staffs to be performing a ritual since of the summer solstice. It was impressive in the same way the pyramids would have been - that it would have been mainly brute stength to construct. Myself and monique went up past a lot of sheep to the burial mounds to see how it all linked up. Not very many tourists did this, which was a nice break from the regular horde of them.
Onwards to Bath! after another drive with Sarah and Phil we came to Bath. Such a very pretty town - most of which is heritage listed. We met up with Sarah's friend Christie and had a High tea, so much (Most would say too much) food. Following our massive meal Monique and I went to visit the old Roman Baths -which is why it's called Bath in the first place. And funny enough they were old. It was really nice, and we managed to see a statue of a male gorgon, snakes in his beard and all.
On from Bath we went to Bristol, to which we checked into a hotel, then tried to find Sarah's friends house of Chris and Christie. Following an amazing meal of Mexican feast, we drank and played a board game. We then stumbled home, and fell asleep.
The next day we drove to Cheddar. And on the way stopped off at the nicest pub i've seen. It was called the crown inn at Winston. Since of the summer, and hottest day of the UK summer, it was 28 degrees. The beer garden was so lovely and green. We drank a somerset cider and listened to some great accents.
The Gorge of Cheddar was amazing. The town was actually set into the gorge, not just on the side of it. There was a bikey convention there, but it didn't stop it from being amazing. We did some climbing on the side, but we weren't as keen as some people who were doing rock climbing (and by some people i mean loads of people). Also, side note, good cheese.
Other highlights have been:
Seeing David Tennant and Catherine Tate in Much Ado about nothing. A good show, 4 stars from me. However, they used the revolve too much and the stardom of Tennant took away from the performance. Mon then had a chat with him after the show at the stage door - surrounded by loads of teenage girls.
Seeing the play The 39 steps. One of the funnest shows i've ever seen. And we even saw Stephen Fry in the audience with his very young boyfriend (who we thought at first was a woman).
Going on the London Eye. Despite all of the horrible tourists, it was really nice to see the city from high up. it was probably the biggest tourist trap that i've seen so far.
Foyles bookstore, being the largest commercial bookstore in london.
British museum. Mummies. Old Greek statues. Massive. MASSIVE.
St James and Hyde park. We met an old man who feeds the squirrels there everyday. Had a chat to him, and he gave Mon a nut to give to one. And we met some very nice birds.
The view from what is called "Suicide Bridge". Thankfully we only saw one man there, and he was telling a bewildered Monique that there is so much more to live for.
Camden town, and the cheapest second hand DVD/Game/Electronics store i've ever seen. (Got fallout: New Vegas for 12 pounds!).
Tomorrow we are off to Brighton. Hopefully we won't see any scumbags. Get it? haha
Also, because of my brother Adam, we saw some kung fu. Loads of it.
-Josh
<3
Monday 20 June 2011
North
Many have told us that England is not London, and I agree.
We were to leave London mid Saturday afternoon, after a Highgate dog show and market. after loads of adorably naughty dogs, exciting phone news and one funny Punch and Judy show later we were on our way to Durham in northern England via Kings Cross.
Unfortunately we could not find platform 9 and 3/4 because of construction works or we would certainly be at Hogwarts by now. Instead I am going to update you all on our weekend in double speed.
we both loved Durham, close to Scotland, it housed a fairytale castle that is now a "lordling" university, an ancient chapel thats insides made me feel like an 11 century monk no matter how much of an unbeliever. Everyone we met was really nice and their north English accent's were cute. We stayed the night with Sarah's friends Leane and Mike in their '2 up, 2 down' home with an amazing view of the English countryside. I can understand how those in the UK believed, for so long, in magic.
At 8:30 we were up and ready for Whitby, the seaside inspiration for Bram Stokers Dracula. Mike drove us through the York moors, which were pretty and expansive but spooky. We arrived in Whitby at 10ish and said hello to a lonesome mare and foal soaking up the sun. Josh describes Whitby as cute and I don't really know how else to describe it other than Whitby looked like a town out of a children's storybook. If it had been raining, I could understand how it would be ominous in storms, but in the sunny clear sky it did look cute. Ancient monastery and mansion looking down from jagged cliffs only added to the appeal. Whitby is a major destination for Goths.
After leaving Mike and Leane in Darlington, it was a half-hour train ride to York, where exists yet another ancient Church called the Minster. It was huge and imposing, Sarah called it a Gothic building because of the the dark, sharp spires that made up much of its architecture. We went up to the top of one of the towers and saw all of York, it was beautiful, but not as magical as Whitby or Durham, probably because of all the tourist shops. The Minster scared me a little, it was magnificent and, seemed to me, designed to create religious mania. We saw the York castle and a street called 'the shambles', which is the only street left from medieval Britain. Josh was a little underwhelmed because of all the wonderful things he had heard about it, but did very much enjoyed himself. At 6:20 we had a tasty pasty and caught the 6:30 train to Kings Cross. Three hours, My Chemical Romance, Muse and Death Cab for Cutie, a tube ride, a little sausage dog and one tea later, we were both in bed exhausted.
Things I have learnt: northern England is supposed to be the rough, 'working class' side of Britain and it held some of the prettiest areas I have ever seen in my life, The people were just lovely. Pasty's are yummy and have a cool history. Ordering Baily's and milk gives you a very confused barmaid. Church is scary. Strawberry lemonade is delicious and any system that is based on class is bonkers.
Love and stuff!
Mon
We were to leave London mid Saturday afternoon, after a Highgate dog show and market. after loads of adorably naughty dogs, exciting phone news and one funny Punch and Judy show later we were on our way to Durham in northern England via Kings Cross.
Unfortunately we could not find platform 9 and 3/4 because of construction works or we would certainly be at Hogwarts by now. Instead I am going to update you all on our weekend in double speed.
we both loved Durham, close to Scotland, it housed a fairytale castle that is now a "lordling" university, an ancient chapel thats insides made me feel like an 11 century monk no matter how much of an unbeliever. Everyone we met was really nice and their north English accent's were cute. We stayed the night with Sarah's friends Leane and Mike in their '2 up, 2 down' home with an amazing view of the English countryside. I can understand how those in the UK believed, for so long, in magic.
At 8:30 we were up and ready for Whitby, the seaside inspiration for Bram Stokers Dracula. Mike drove us through the York moors, which were pretty and expansive but spooky. We arrived in Whitby at 10ish and said hello to a lonesome mare and foal soaking up the sun. Josh describes Whitby as cute and I don't really know how else to describe it other than Whitby looked like a town out of a children's storybook. If it had been raining, I could understand how it would be ominous in storms, but in the sunny clear sky it did look cute. Ancient monastery and mansion looking down from jagged cliffs only added to the appeal. Whitby is a major destination for Goths.
After leaving Mike and Leane in Darlington, it was a half-hour train ride to York, where exists yet another ancient Church called the Minster. It was huge and imposing, Sarah called it a Gothic building because of the the dark, sharp spires that made up much of its architecture. We went up to the top of one of the towers and saw all of York, it was beautiful, but not as magical as Whitby or Durham, probably because of all the tourist shops. The Minster scared me a little, it was magnificent and, seemed to me, designed to create religious mania. We saw the York castle and a street called 'the shambles', which is the only street left from medieval Britain. Josh was a little underwhelmed because of all the wonderful things he had heard about it, but did very much enjoyed himself. At 6:20 we had a tasty pasty and caught the 6:30 train to Kings Cross. Three hours, My Chemical Romance, Muse and Death Cab for Cutie, a tube ride, a little sausage dog and one tea later, we were both in bed exhausted.
Things I have learnt: northern England is supposed to be the rough, 'working class' side of Britain and it held some of the prettiest areas I have ever seen in my life, The people were just lovely. Pasty's are yummy and have a cool history. Ordering Baily's and milk gives you a very confused barmaid. Church is scary. Strawberry lemonade is delicious and any system that is based on class is bonkers.
Love and stuff!
Mon
Friday 17 June 2011
First week-ing here.
So,
It has been a while since i have updated this blog. Here is the overview of us.
So in non-chronological order for your inconvenience!
We went to the British Museum. It was huge. I expected big, but i think England have probably won that pissing competition with most countries. Highlights were; Mummies, Ball bearing powered clocks, and huge Egyptian Lion-mans who guarded dead men. We got through about 3 hours here today, but we ran out of steam and will go back later. We went through tourist traps after that, getting back into the rain.
Being sick from some cold/flu from Australia that we may have infected the UK with has been interesting. Has made us start this trip much slower than planned.
We have been to the garrick theatre and saw Pygmalion. There was a pair of binoculars that we rented for a pound. Not sure if i like them or dislike them still. Better viewing of faces on the stage, but i think it brought me out of the action when used... Rupert Everett did well, but on a whole the show was 2 stars for me. The lady one Kara Tointon, sucked energy out of any scenes she was in. I felt like they got her since she was a "Hot chick", maybe it was an off night for her, but there was very little connection with the lines. Going to see the lion king, Much ado about nothing (Oh Mr Tennant), and the government inspector (With Julian Barret for you mighty Boosh fans) plus much more, i'll let you know.
Rain, rain and more rain has been here, so far, yesterday was the only day that it did not rain. Authentic. That being said, i probably can't complain too much, we still ran away from the biting cold of canberra in winter.
On the subject of authentic, the first day we were here, got stuck in an hour long traffic jam. I think that i dislike cars more than i normally do in London. There are just more of them to hate.
We have discovered Linda Mcartney's veggie sausages. They are amazing. I think i could happily eat just them for the rest of my life. Loads and loads of nice food here actaully, by the time many of you see me next. i will be a fat man.
The nature here has been great. So far we have encountered; deer, squirrels, bumble bees, wood pigeons and red robbins - Mon has seen a white swan in Hyde park, which i'm envious of.
Catching the Tube lots, which is probably the most i've ever felt like a cog in a machine. For those of you who have seen the old film metropolis, when the people are going to/ leaving work at the start of the film. It is the closest i've come to that... reading on it is nice though.
Best be off to bed now internert-land. Going to a country-market tomorrow with sarah and phil (Wooo dog show!) - and then York.
Please tell me what you are interested in with me writing the blog, otherwise you might just get reports on Wood pigeons.
<3
-Josh
It has been a while since i have updated this blog. Here is the overview of us.
So in non-chronological order for your inconvenience!
We went to the British Museum. It was huge. I expected big, but i think England have probably won that pissing competition with most countries. Highlights were; Mummies, Ball bearing powered clocks, and huge Egyptian Lion-mans who guarded dead men. We got through about 3 hours here today, but we ran out of steam and will go back later. We went through tourist traps after that, getting back into the rain.
Being sick from some cold/flu from Australia that we may have infected the UK with has been interesting. Has made us start this trip much slower than planned.
We have been to the garrick theatre and saw Pygmalion. There was a pair of binoculars that we rented for a pound. Not sure if i like them or dislike them still. Better viewing of faces on the stage, but i think it brought me out of the action when used... Rupert Everett did well, but on a whole the show was 2 stars for me. The lady one Kara Tointon, sucked energy out of any scenes she was in. I felt like they got her since she was a "Hot chick", maybe it was an off night for her, but there was very little connection with the lines. Going to see the lion king, Much ado about nothing (Oh Mr Tennant), and the government inspector (With Julian Barret for you mighty Boosh fans) plus much more, i'll let you know.
Rain, rain and more rain has been here, so far, yesterday was the only day that it did not rain. Authentic. That being said, i probably can't complain too much, we still ran away from the biting cold of canberra in winter.
On the subject of authentic, the first day we were here, got stuck in an hour long traffic jam. I think that i dislike cars more than i normally do in London. There are just more of them to hate.
We have discovered Linda Mcartney's veggie sausages. They are amazing. I think i could happily eat just them for the rest of my life. Loads and loads of nice food here actaully, by the time many of you see me next. i will be a fat man.
The nature here has been great. So far we have encountered; deer, squirrels, bumble bees, wood pigeons and red robbins - Mon has seen a white swan in Hyde park, which i'm envious of.
Catching the Tube lots, which is probably the most i've ever felt like a cog in a machine. For those of you who have seen the old film metropolis, when the people are going to/ leaving work at the start of the film. It is the closest i've come to that... reading on it is nice though.
Best be off to bed now internert-land. Going to a country-market tomorrow with sarah and phil (Wooo dog show!) - and then York.
Please tell me what you are interested in with me writing the blog, otherwise you might just get reports on Wood pigeons.
<3
-Josh
Thursday 9 June 2011
England-ing
England is Beautiful.
The first view of the British Isles reminded me of a better version of tropical Queensland; fresh, green, wet and a little bit magical.
Let us back-track.
Josh left you in Kuala Lumpur at 12am Australia time when he feared he had burst an eardrum, facebook was not working and I was far too tired to properly organize anything. When remembering the Malaysian airport, I question how no Australian airport has anything as cool as an inbuilt tram system running throughout, and am reminded of being dutifully led by the hand, so as not to fall asleep whilst walking.
I don't completely think that the Australian desert looked like a wasteland, but it was scarred, worn and ancient. A living contradiction to its young colonial history. You could certainly believe that it was billions of years old.
Flying night-wise over the townships of Indonesia and Malaysia was like stepping over another world. The lines and bunches of glittering houses, boats, roads, cars and street lights that were weaving around rivers of water, looked like pulsing white veins.
After Kuala Lumpur everything is a blur of sunless and broken sleep, that was only relieved 8 hours later somewhere at the very beginning of a foggy Russia (Russia is huge! it took up 1/3 of the rest of the flight!). Josh, being wonderful, dealt with me bouncing on my seat in excitement and we watched the rest of 'The Lost Room'.
Our border control lady had a Welsh accent and I told her she had a lovely voice, Sarah (Joshua's sister) drove us (our first English traffic jam!) to her cute house in Northwest London (lots of books!) and I met Sarah's partner Phil, who has a wonderful Liver-pud-lian accent, and who also seems a wonderful person.
England is beautiful.
Even as I write this, groggy, battered and only a little less asleep than Joshua right now, I want to run out into the rainy/ sunny day (apparently you can have both) and see everything all at once.
Love,
Mon & Josh
The first view of the British Isles reminded me of a better version of tropical Queensland; fresh, green, wet and a little bit magical.
Let us back-track.
Josh left you in Kuala Lumpur at 12am Australia time when he feared he had burst an eardrum, facebook was not working and I was far too tired to properly organize anything. When remembering the Malaysian airport, I question how no Australian airport has anything as cool as an inbuilt tram system running throughout, and am reminded of being dutifully led by the hand, so as not to fall asleep whilst walking.
I don't completely think that the Australian desert looked like a wasteland, but it was scarred, worn and ancient. A living contradiction to its young colonial history. You could certainly believe that it was billions of years old.
Flying night-wise over the townships of Indonesia and Malaysia was like stepping over another world. The lines and bunches of glittering houses, boats, roads, cars and street lights that were weaving around rivers of water, looked like pulsing white veins.
After Kuala Lumpur everything is a blur of sunless and broken sleep, that was only relieved 8 hours later somewhere at the very beginning of a foggy Russia (Russia is huge! it took up 1/3 of the rest of the flight!). Josh, being wonderful, dealt with me bouncing on my seat in excitement and we watched the rest of 'The Lost Room'.
Our border control lady had a Welsh accent and I told her she had a lovely voice, Sarah (Joshua's sister) drove us (our first English traffic jam!) to her cute house in Northwest London (lots of books!) and I met Sarah's partner Phil, who has a wonderful Liver-pud-lian accent, and who also seems a wonderful person.
England is beautiful.
Even as I write this, groggy, battered and only a little less asleep than Joshua right now, I want to run out into the rainy/ sunny day (apparently you can have both) and see everything all at once.
Love,
Mon & Josh
Wednesday 8 June 2011
In Transit-ing
So!
Here we are in Kuala Lumpur. Josh has the worst ear ache of his life. Monique is asleep. It is midnight our time, and we board the plane in an hour.
We caught the bus yesterday, my dad said goodbye(Being josh's). We were met by my brother and sister-in-law in sydney, where we had fantastic mexican food in a place called baal. We have started watching the lost room and dr who season 6 on the tablet on the bus - good time waster!. Malaysia Air hasn't been bad (No worries with the vego meals), the person next to us got moved so we all would have more room. She was going overseas for the first time. I don't think i ever realised how much like a mall airports are... when the air hostesses came round trying to sell us duty free stuff, i think that sumed up the whole feeling.
One of the best things so far has been looking out of the plane. It was great to see Australia from so high up, and so much desert. Monique said it looked like a wasteland, but it reminded me of frank Herbert's "Dune"...being dunes...HOWEVER we did see a cloud that looked like a mushroom cloud, it was filled with lightning, and it was good that we went around that one.
I think that the first experience of London that i have will be from a snotty face. Travel and a headcold has me whingy, which is good that monique is putting up with.
Also, if you read this when we first posted it, you should probably be in bed.
Much love, and wish us luck at customs, otherwise we'll see you all much earlier than intended...
Josh + Mon.
<3
P.S. A photo or two might be up on the next update, if i can work out how...
Here we are in Kuala Lumpur. Josh has the worst ear ache of his life. Monique is asleep. It is midnight our time, and we board the plane in an hour.
We caught the bus yesterday, my dad said goodbye(Being josh's). We were met by my brother and sister-in-law in sydney, where we had fantastic mexican food in a place called baal. We have started watching the lost room and dr who season 6 on the tablet on the bus - good time waster!. Malaysia Air hasn't been bad (No worries with the vego meals), the person next to us got moved so we all would have more room. She was going overseas for the first time. I don't think i ever realised how much like a mall airports are... when the air hostesses came round trying to sell us duty free stuff, i think that sumed up the whole feeling.
One of the best things so far has been looking out of the plane. It was great to see Australia from so high up, and so much desert. Monique said it looked like a wasteland, but it reminded me of frank Herbert's "Dune"...being dunes...HOWEVER we did see a cloud that looked like a mushroom cloud, it was filled with lightning, and it was good that we went around that one.
I think that the first experience of London that i have will be from a snotty face. Travel and a headcold has me whingy, which is good that monique is putting up with.
Also, if you read this when we first posted it, you should probably be in bed.
Much love, and wish us luck at customs, otherwise we'll see you all much earlier than intended...
Josh + Mon.
<3
P.S. A photo or two might be up on the next update, if i can work out how...
Monday 6 June 2011
GOing
That's right!
We are leaving to go to the UK tomorrow. We'll try and update the blog every couple of days or so. Also to tell you that we are still alive and all that.
Much love,
Josh & Mon.
We are leaving to go to the UK tomorrow. We'll try and update the blog every couple of days or so. Also to tell you that we are still alive and all that.
Much love,
Josh & Mon.
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