Handy man me

So we are conducting meetings un an old building n ow considered the training building. 
Yesterday the toilet un the ladies room was running running running.  Of course I took the lid off the tank to tinker with it so I could flush.  And in the fiddling a spray of water came out of the tank at me.
It sure did startle me.  Thank goodness it did get me wet.  That would hace been hard to explain.

6-6-3-5-4-1-3-4-1-9-1-home

That kind of sums up my nights on the road and nights in my own bed off and on.  Just crazy!

This morning I ran.  This evening were jumping jacks.  In between lots of sitting around and eating.  Tomorrow will be about the same.

This is life on the road and helping clients.

5 week routine

Well I opted for a smaller goal than a crazy 6 month goal... 
This one is just to figure out how to cover the next 5 weeks...
I will be traveling for the most part and needed to get my head around what I have available to do during those days for the workouts..
I probably over programmed myself but then again maybe not.
It is mostly running when I am not home.  Hip Hop Abs when I am home.  And the weekends are for swimming and biking.
The other themes is a jumping jack challenge and a push up challenge... I figure I can do those anywhere. 
We shall see how it goes.
I am already behind for the day.  I purposely watched Wimbledon.  How could I not route for Any Murray.  It was a hard last game but I am so glad it didn't go on any further.  I really needed to move on with my to do list.
It also included laundry, cleaning, banking and some work.
It is 4pm now.  Calling it a day.  Going to get out of my PJs - well what better way to stay in and get the mundane done. 
And then head on out for a walk which will end at a friends house.

Happy Day

Almost forgot.   Thats just odd for me.  Too much on my mind.
Sore throat is not a good thing.

Ride

Wow.. Those bike cruisers from last week sure were comfy. Yes, that is what went through my mind this morning as I got on my bike. I totally winged it. The sun came out for a brief moment and I knew if I delayed I would not get to biking. I pumped up the tires, threw the bike on the car and headed out. No watch. NomHRM. Nothing.but at least I got it done.

Now still pulling together the game plan for the next few weeks.

Regroup

Hard to believe last year around this time Robbie was about to release Candy and Chris Moyles was about to go off the air.  The year went fast.  Last year I found myself in a royal funk around this time.  Tired and bored with work.  Tired and bored with it all. 

I was lucky enough to find some distraction even if not the smartest of distractions.  During that time I also made a change to my workout routine.  At that time I started adding the morning run walk.  Yes, I have done it before but it became quite a routine.  It started at the suggestion that changing the time of your workout causes changes to metabolism etc.  So I am about to do that all over again.

I am not giving up my morninh workout.  I am just switchinh up what it will entail.  Instead of the run I am going to drop my Hip Hop Abs routines in the morning.
And yes, the run will be completed at the end of the day in the heat of it all.  Like I said switching it up.

Thw upcoming work travel will impact it as well.  So off I go to figure out the next 30 or so days.

Happy 4th of July

The home from the holiday blues have officially kicked in.
Got up around 7 today and was out for a walk run by 730.  I was out there for about an hour.
Went to the grocery store. $100 of stuff later I was home unpacking. Getting the menu in order.
Around 1130 my mom and I walked to town for some BBQ and ice cream.  All very tasty.
Then I showed her the pics from my camera.
It turned into a lazy afternoon of me trying to stay awake.  I read some.  I Robbie'd some. I made some home made dog food.
And now I siton the back patio with a Magners cider.  There are people down the way getting a bit rowdy.  Thankfully my rowdy neighbors went somewhere this morning.  I know friends have plans but I never got an official invite and having learned my lesson to not invite myself I sit here alone.
Kind of reminds me why I enjoy traveling by myself.  Makes me wish I was still out there traveling by myself. 
Being tired surely plays a part.  If I make it to 9pm it will be amazing.

Walk to Paddington

I did this walk the first day.  The air of excitement and some thrill of the unknown made for a brisk walk.  Granted I took a big nap once I got settled in the room  but I don't recall it tiring me.
I did the walk last night just to regroup in where I was going this morning.  Plus I needed to get some more exercise in.  At least that's how I felt in the beginning.
This morning lugging my luggage with me..  wow...  it was a tad exhausting.  I didn't sleep well last night so that probably is part of it.  At least I slept well all other nights.  And I haven't had any coffee yet. 

I got up at half past 5.  Showered etc.  And was out of the hotel about an hour later.  I now sit on the track in the Heathrow Express waiting to go to the airport.  It will leave at 10 after and takes 15 minutes to get there.  I am thankful I listened to my own travel clock to head here.  Like to keep that travel anxiety low.

National Gallery

I did the art thing.  Confirming my stance on the art thing.  There are some pieces that I find truly amazing and awe inspiring.   The rest just bore me. 

I am surprised by the number of people milling about and totally consumed by it all.  I guess a student of the arts would enjoy it.  Perhaps would know what they are looking at or looking for.  Me.  Does it appeal to the eye?  Yes. Then I am good.  Does it make me smile.  Even better.  Do I have to contemplate it.  Then I will continue on.

So at this point all that I have not seen includes the other national museums and Harrods.  There were some other pubs and clubs suggested but those won't happen.  Oh and currry.

Going to check my map.  Figure out the best way back to the hotel. 

Posh

That is the only word I can use to describe todays lunch.  Wow....  I am sure my bartenders accent didn't hurt.  No, not British... Italian...  And the hostess' ability to tactfully send people away.  Snooty comes to mind but hey they let me in. 

From here I am headed to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.  Harrods probably won't make the cut in the retail therapy tour.  I am indulged enough. 

Have yet to eat curry.  May need to inquire with concierge when I get back to the hotel.  I also need to figure out my travel for tomorrow.  I think I will haul my butt and luggage over to Paddington on foot.  The tube has stairs - not condusive to the suitcase.  A cab for a mile seems silly.  I would like to find the Paddington bear while I am there - a Mark Owen thing... look him up :)
And then catch that Heathrow Express.  I think I will leave the hotel at 6am to figure it all out.

Picadilly Circus

So I found my way back to Regent Street to head towards Picadilly Circus. 
Of course that was via No. 1 Golden Square and Absolute Radio.  There it is tucked in amongst the buildings spinning tumes and keeping me entertained oh for the last 13 years.  Their earlier Virgin Radio format is probably what reintroduced me to Robbie and Take That.  And lets not forget Keane and Snow Patrol and Stereophonics and yes Coldplay.  It continues to entertain me (hahahahaha) with lots of music.

I stumbled across Viva Forever as I made my way from there.  La la la. La la la la la la. La la la. La la la la.... SPICE UP YOUR LIFR!  And then we have to Trocodora.  Picadilly Circus (um almost non event). And lunch.

Thank you Pauline for the Fortnum & Masob suggestion.  Confectionary heaven.  And I haven't even walked around yet.  I thankfully came in and went straight for lunch.  Lobster bendict.  My new favourite! Isle of Wight tomato salad. White wine and waiting on dessert.  Some crazy specialty.  They got me the kids version.  It just arrived. Oh MY GoodNess!

Last day

I slept in.  Whoo hoo...  what is that half eight?  I had breakfast at the normal spot.  Today was a white coffee with a ham and cheese croissant.  All under £5.

So I needed to put some more $$ on the oyster card.  Last day seemed to be a struggle for me and mass transit.

It kicked me out at Oxford Circus.  Again coming up from underground I was all turned around.  I walked back and forth twice to figure out where House of Fraser was. 

Yay! #farrell. I found what I was looking for.  A lovely raspberry silk scarf.  I must say there was an Aran sweater that was just lovely.  I doubt it would come in handy in North Carolina.  So it stayed on the shelf.

From there I circled some more.  Back and forth trying to figure out which way is Selfridges which way is Golden Square.  Eventually figured it out.  So I went to Selfridges.  Sadly it loses some appeal when all I can envision is Jeremy Piven.  But when I walked in...  if shops were like this in Charlotte I would be a shopper.  Fun. Hip. Trendy. Clean. Bright. Good music.  I used the loo.  And then I stopped at the Origins counter.  Tried some new makeup.  I sure hope they have it at South Park.  Love it!  Then went by Dior.  TwO, yes two new Addict fragrances.  The one with jasmine was nice.  Sadly the rose scent eventually overpowered the jasmine.   T

Catching up with an old friend

Well dinner at the pub turned into drinks with an old friend.  Old as in time that has passed  not that either of us are old.  And time that has passed...  would that be 25 years?  We last saw each other when we were 5.

It was fun to catch up.  The Champion closed too early.  I am sure we could have chatted for a while longer.

Traveling alone

One of the things I have found here and in Dublin is the pub table system.  Often times the tables are first come first serve...  I could smell burning wax hair on fire girl got distracted...
Many don't have much of a wait staff.

This high end place I ate at the other day...  you give them your table number with your order.  By the time I made it through the queue and got back to the table someone else had taken it.  Ah the challenge of being on your own.

This evening I sit at a pub.  There is table service.  But still a first come first serve approach.  Service is I could be invisible.  I am OK with that.  Pacing myself.  I could use the loo.  That runs the risk of my table not being here when I return.  So I will sit and wait for my friend.

Other observations.
Wow people drank A LOT at the concert.  Many Very Very drunk people.
Ther is a nationality of tourist that I was surprised by how rude and self absorbed they were.  Amazingly not American.
And how is there always on really loud laughing British woman in every crowd.  4 for 4 this week. 

Dinner

On day one my tour guide suggested a oub down the way from my hotel The Champion in Notting Hill.

It was a quick walk from the hotel.

I had a PIMMS & lemonade.  Isnt that what you are supposed to do in London in Summer.  I had fish n chips with mushy peas.  Again, isn't that something you are supposed to do? And now a cider as I wait for a friend.  He is over near the airport.  He is grabbing a cab this way.  Crazy.  Havent seen him since high school.  Will be interesting.

Purpose

There was a reason for my walk.  I had come across this place called Searcys.  There is one at the top of The Gherkin.  There is also one in this shopping area near SPC.  It is a champagne bar.  I found it a novel idea.  Like the scone, clotted cream and jam snack I had at ToL.

I had a normal champagne and a rose.  Both quite tasty.  And then back on the tune quest.

Central Line west.
Queensway station.
Sainsbury stop - 2 2liter bottles of water and 2 apples for 2 pounds...  I can't complain.

Bank of England Museum

With map in hand I left ToL in search of the Bank of England Museum.  I headed north.  Along the way I found a House of Farrell -- not the one I needed however.  I found the Royal Exchange -- swanky!  There was a random statue to Reuters.  Yes, there is a man behind the name, behind the news.  And I even found the BANK.  But I could not find the entrance to the bloody museum!  UgH..
I walked some more. Gave up. Headed back to St. Pauls.  You see the tube stations really aren't that far from one another so I figured I would walk back to where I started.

Tower of London

I just lost my rambling commentary.  Silly autocomplete... the purpose is to complete the word in question... not to delete the entry and replaceit with said word.

So I had started by saying how turned around I get when popping out to the sunlight from the tube.  I don't know how many circles I made to find St. Pauls.  The same was true when leaving SPC and heading to Tower of London. Saving Grace?  The altar is in the East and that was the way I was headed.  Of course the meandering from the street to the waterfront to the street made for some confusion.

Eventually I found my way to the Tower of London.   Me and a whole lot of others.  I had been forewarned of lines.  I just settled in to that fact for my day.  Stood on line to buy a ticket (may seriously consider The London Pass the next time).  Stood on line to get in.  Stood in line for some exhibits.  Stood in line for food (yum, cottage pie).  Stood in line to see the Crown Jewels.  I would equate it to the Blarney Castle without the paths and parks and gardens to take you away from it all.  Maybe even some Disney feel. 

The Tower was good to see but it lost some of its magic and history with all the people.  There was a sculpture to those that lost their loves within the walls.  This was not a commmon practice.  Truly those executed inside the walls were those that raised too much commotion so they kept it under wraps.  There is the Bloody Tower.  Named so for a totally different reason than I thought.  The chapel you could not visit unless on a tour.  I didn't fo a tour.  The jewels we're worth the wait.

I wad surprised how much of the day it consumed. 

And then I was off!

St. Pauls Cathedral

This would be where Lady Di got married.  As for majesty it is more majestic than Westminster Abbey.  It holds lots of British history in the walls.  Kind of made me wonder what the decision process was for Princess Kate when getting married.  Seriously this is something that crossed my mind.
The other thing that ran rampant through my mind... no photography INCLUDES photos taken wiht iphones and ipads blatantly ignorant and rude tourists! 
I spent a good amount of time taking in all the statues and memorials to so many people and places and events.  Supposedly there was a huge outpouring of grief and support and consoling here after 9/11.  And behind the main altar is a memorial for US troops during WWII.  The cathedral was significantly damaged by bombings during the war as well.  The cathedral and palaces were main targets in attempt to undermine the crown and church with hopes it would force the British people to cave.
The art work.  The mossaics.  The dome.  The quire.  All very breathtaking.  Some of the design decisions made me laugh...  they were made with keeping a distance from catholicism and the Pope in mind. 
Below in the crypt... oh dinner is here..

There is a chapel in the crypt for the OBE.  I thought that cool.  If I am correct Wellington and Nelson are buried in the crypt.   The battery to my ipod audio tour died about this point.  I spent some time in the gift shop and headed on.  Surprisingly they were sellling rosary beads and hand rosaries in the gift shop.  I thought those were Catholic as it is about Mary.  Guess I could learn more about the Church of England...  aaah, lunch conversation with Brian...
Thw sales clerk mentioned people buy them to wear.  OK that surely isn't a Catholic thing.  I considered gettting myself another set but opted not to.
From there a headed on out.

Not sure how long I was there.

Breakfast - pre Tower of London

That is where I am headed today.  A quick coffee and pastry for breakfast than off to the tube.  As we learned in Dublin... the little eatery next to th hotel is far mire reasonable and within reason for breakfast than the crazy expensive hotel buffett..