Monday, 5 June 2006

The Motherland...

LONDON ENGLAND
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After a year exploring and living in Canada, a change of scenery (and visas) for us as we decided to try our luck living and working in London, UK. Perfect timing as Summer is just kicking off here, as is the 2006 World Cup.

London, England.

HOME SWEET HOME

Hotter here than we thought for April in England, London actually had it's highest EVER temperature on record last week - a rather warm 36 degrees. A pretty radical change for us in temperature - two months ago we were living in -36 and now its the other end of the scale at +36! We spent the first month in a hostel dorm in Shepherds Bush while we got ourselves sorted with jobs and a place to live.

We choose Clapham in South West London, bout 15 mins from the City and right on Clapham Common. Living with three others... it should be fun and games!

Clapham High Street...
London Claudia and Dane

We were very VERY broke when we arrived in London. So much of the partying stayed in our loft until we got back on our feet.

I love this photo. The games begin in Clapham...
London Claudia and Dane

Clapham in all her glory. The view from our loft.
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Dane scored a job with Cyril Sweett and with it a work perk - Dane's new Beast! We nicknamed it the Beak as it looks a bit like a nose.

Unfortunately, London isn't reknown for its availability of parking....
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LONDON LIFE...

Despite the sometimes dodgy weather, there is always something on in London. Art, food, gigs - pretty much if you're interested, you'll find it.

We've had many a crazy night out in London… but here are some of my favourite London to do's:
Seems to be an eating/drinking trend in there… any other suggestions?

Here are some of our pics...

Sarah soaks up Clapham Common.
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A quintessentially English scene - cricket and tea at a graveyard in Richmond.
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Frivolities at Ascot...
London Claudia and Dane

More frivolities after Ascot... attempting some Michael Jackson moves!
London Claudia and Dane

SW4 festival...
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Fancy dress!
London Claudia and Dane

More Summer goodness in Clapham Common.
London Claudia and Dane

D wakeboarding near Heathrow.
London Claudia and Dane

I love this photo. It perfectly captures Summer in London.
London Claudia and Dane

Got any other London suggestions?

Sunday, 4 June 2006

Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON

Wimbledon - THE tennis event, and a highlight of the English Summer!

We decided to go and join the back of the queue to get tickets into the General Admission section of Wimbledon. Those aren't entry tickets, but Queue Cards - they hand them out at the back of the queue to prove you've been in line. The die-hards camp overnight to get the hot tickets...
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Queue City. And yes, we joined the back of it. It stretched for miles up and over the hill - the bloke selling water and ice-cream to the queuing masses was on a winner....
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INSIDE! We were lucky enough to score general admission tickets, which got us entry to the general area and also to Henman Hill (where they show all the big games on the big screen). The superstars play on a select few courts, with tickets sold seperately to those matches.

We got up close and personal with a doubles match on the way in.
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Strawberries and Cream - a Wimbledon tradition.
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We watched LleytonHewitt play on the big screen, while the camera kept cutting to wifey Bec Cartwright - we cracked up when the crowd all started singing "You know we belong together - you and I for ever and ever..."

The day took an unexpected and awesome turn about mid afternoon. Claudia was walking past the Centrecourt entry when a couple walked out, and offered her their tickets to the afternoon's play!! Too excited to believe it - we head in, find our seats and the next thing we know we're somehow sitting right next to the Royal Box, Centrecourt, Wimbledon. Amazing.

The sun sets over a full house - Centrecourt. Quiet Please.
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We got to see the world number 3 Andy Roddick get towelled up by UK hero and unranked underdog Andy Murray -in an exciting match, with the crowd cheering on the young Scot to victory.

Roddick delivers one of his famous serves.
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Proof!
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What a day!