Southend-on-sea

Today we both had the day off work, so thought we'd go for a drive somewhere nice. Daniel had been briefly to Southend with phelan and nic and was looking forward to going back again... well it was certainly interesting!

The weather was lovely. Nice and warm and Daniel let me drive the car, which after a few dodgey little things, I think ended up okay. (we came back with it all in one piece).

As for Southend, One word springs to mind- tackiness. Yep Mum I think all british seaside towns are all competing for how much their main esplanades can look like sideshow alley.

Southends main waterfront has a theme park (complete with ride which is a giant turtle) the usual deckchairs, tacky gift shops, pebbly beach (it techinically is a river front not seafront). It also unfortunately on a warm day like today has waaaay too many obese, old, wrinkly, too-tanned people wearing too little clothes.

What really got me was the arcades along the parade. Along the entire parade were theme amusement arcades (probably about ten of them). At night I reckon with all the lights you;d see southend from space. In one there was also Bingo- being played for -20p per go. Hilarious as these aforementioned overtanned pensioners were enthralled in their bingo games. Daniel and I gave Bingo a miss but did play ten pin bowling with him winning 2-1 and thus me having to drive home. He won by bowling 4 strikes in a row to win the game.

Visitors from Oz

This week, Rob and Lauretta and Neville (Darke) and Beth have been over here in London, and picked the best days to come- 30 degrees and sunny!!

I met them at St Pauls Cathedral and Lauretta and I climbed the dome- not to the top, but to the second top level. Truly amazing. We snuck in a few pics to show.


We also did one of those hop on hop off bus tours- I learnt a fair bit and saw places I havent seen since moving here so it was really good. Anyone who comes to London for just a few days should do it. The amazing weather helped too.

We also went to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the Guard. (hint- the best view can be seen from on the fountain opposite the gates, if you arent there early enough for the front row)

In Summer, you can also get passes to go inside Buckingham Palace, to see the state rooms. It was well worth it to see how well decorated it is and the many rooms of significance. Would be nice to go there again, but be invited personally by the queen instead. You can also go out the back to her garden (where each year she holds a garden party for 7500 people)

The others have now gone travelling in the UK. I might catch up again once I have finished working at Boots. (6 days to go and counting)

Ripleys Believe it or Not

Just like the TV show, Ripleys is full of collections of weird and unusual things. Unfortunately I'd say a lot of the things that Ripley considered 'unbelievable' are a bit outdated, particularly with the knowledge of genetics and science we have now. Anyway here were a few things of note. This is a picture created using postage stamps.

This one is created from gumballs.

Jaw from an extinct shark (thank goodness)

Big rocking chair

Oh and this guys nose puts the 'Stevenson' nose to shame. he he

My highlight was when you came walking through, there was a mirror to check and see if you could roll your tongue. So of course everyone does it, and pulls funny faces. Later on you realise that its actually mirrored glass and you too can watch people pulling funny faces. It made me laugh, only because I knew that someone was watching me and laughing at me, just as I was the people there.

Greenwich

Today, our last Sunday living in London, we went to Greenwich.

Lovely sunny day.

Stood either side of the time line where east meets west.

Nice day out.