APPS MILL AT CHRISTMAS TIME

Yesterday we went to my favourite place for a walk. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is Apps Mill is always gorgeous. I have really fond memories of going there as a child. We used to go several times a year when I was in elementary school on class trips. For reasons unknown to me, everyone would moan and complain about going but I always looked forward to it.

I haven’t been to Apps Mill in over 7 years. Every time my family and I would come over, no matter what the time of year, an excuse as to why we shouldn’t go to Apps Mill always developed but this time they caved!This is my favourite place in conservation area. Because of all the trees it’s really dark and quiet in here. All you can hear is the sound of the creek babbling passed.

Despite waking up at 4 in the morning yesterday I was bursting with energy and tried to persuade my little (?) brother to skip with me. He wasn’t having any of it but decided throwing snow at me was a better way to pass the time.My favourite visit to Apps Mill was in grade 4, in the spring. We were allowed to go into White Man’s Creek with nets and fish out anything we could. The water was freezing and it filled our boots but when your 10 years old you don’t really care. On the other side of the Creek the current was really strong and it was very hard to stand up in let alone walk in. I don’t know about Canada but in England teachers are very reluctant to take pupils on class trips for safety reasons and the fear that teachers will be blamed for not accounting for all the dangers. Even though it was a wonder that no one was swept away, my teacher didn’t seem bothered!We decided to sit and admire the view over White Mans Creek from a conveniently placed bench. I positioned myself on my brother’s lap to defrost my bum. From where Mom and I were sitting we had a good view of Frank and Jesse.

Yesterday’s visit was good fun, with all the old memories that the place holds for my dad (who used to go to day camp there as a kid -they stopped the day camp in 1971) and I, and with all the snow it felt like Christmas (finally!).

I wonder if issues relating to political correctness have been powerful enough to have the name of the creek changed?

I'M HERE!!!!

I was really lucky on Friday. My flight went smoothly and I made it back in Brantford on time if not ahead of schedule. Travelling is mainly about 1 thing and 1 thing only.. waiting.... To leave Ealing, to get on at the right underground train, to get to Hatton Cross, to get a bus to Heathrow Airport, to find out where to check in, to check in, to get through the metal detectors, to get on the plane, for the plane to take off, for the plane to land, for the plane to empty, to get through customs, to get my luggage, to get my ground transportation and to get back to Brantford.
But I made it here and it was all worth it. I hadn't seen my parents house but unlike the taxi driver I knew exactly where it was.

All going well this will be a fantastic Christmas.

(Victoria Monument outside Buckingham Palace)LONDON IN DECEMBER

Despite plans to be more organised and get some work done I decided to go and explore London solo yesterday. It was nice to go and explore by myself... could go wherever I wanted!! So where did I go?(Buckingham Palace from St. James Park)
Where I always go actually but it was good fun to do it myself. Well actually I lie. I went into Harrods to see how the other half lives as they say. Then I went to where I normally go. From Knightsbridge I took the tube to Green Park, where I walked through the park to Buckingham Palace, but not before seeing the Christmas lights at the Ritz. I took a few pictures of Canadian contributions running between Green Park and Buckingham Palace... it appeared the Queen was in. Then I saw the perfect stereotype. Small groups of well dressed and very posh people making their way through the park and not heading for the same place or at the same time. I think the top hats sum it up!!Then I walked down the Mall to Westminster via St. James Park, where I got this rather different view of Buckingham Palace. Looks as though it's central to a swamp! From Westminster I took this photograph of the pathetic Christmas tree outside the parliament buildings and got the Jubilee line back to Piccadilly line back to South Ealing.

So tomorrow I'm off . With luck the blizzards won't stop me from making my destination. Next stop....

OXFORD STREET, LONDON
(TRULY THE MOST HORRENDOUS XMAS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE)

Oxford Street is always hell on Earth but combine the country's most well known high street with the second to last Saturday before Christmas and you have a new definition of hell that far exceeds the last. At one point we decided the fastest route down the street was to walk into and then out of a shop in order to get past it. It was total grid lock! Fortunately we got this photo which makes it look all so much more peaceful.

SKANDAL IN LONDON'S BRENTFORD FC

It's too bad Spinal Tap is already taken because these guys are absolutely tapped! Put Motley Crue, Gun's and Rose's and a little a dash of AC DC in a blender and you have Skandal 20 years late for the scene and complete with the fashion of the decade it forgot.

Jay Cooper (lead vocals), Danii Vandal (guitar and vocals), Olly Wood (bass and vocals) and Dek Childs (drums and vocals) put on a really amazing show. Definitely worth seeing. Visit www.skandalous.co.uk

YORK MINSTER LIGHTS

This is York's latest tourist ploy. Over a million pounds (and I dont want to know who's paying for that - but I can guess!) has been dedicated to lighting up some of York's most famous and ancient monuments between now and Christmas.
Some French artist has been handsomely paid to create the arts of work that are projected on to the buildings in an attempt to highlight their magnificent detail and more importantly to attract tourists. Starting with the Minster, an ancient York property will be lit up weekly in the run up to Christmas.
I have to say I was pretty impressed... and glad my camera decided to work! I love seeing the Minster anyway. It's absolutely beautiful. As you might have seen on my blog it has been the focal point of a few entries.The spotlights lighting up the two towers gradually changed colour while the main projection appeared to remain static. The projection highlighted details in the gargoils and the gothic arches.

It's mighty impressive spectacle and I reckon I will go and see the others too.

KINVER EDGE

I have it on good authority that this is one of the few pleasant places left in Britain. I think the other two are Oundle and York to be honest. Kinver edge is about a 2 minute walk from the street where Pete grew up. The local butchers, bakers and fruit and veg outlet come highly recommended. The free range eggs heighten the already superb taste of the sandwich that is the fried egg.

Attempts are always being made to get me up the hill. Most the time they fail. This time I didnt want to leave.

SACHA's 21st BIRTHDAY PARTY

(Katie, Bob, Matt, Sacha, Angela, Richard, Stephie, Rich and Laurence at the Artful Dodger for Sacha's Caribbean birthday party)

Its offical we're all getting old. But that of course doesn't mean we can't dress up like fools or get ID for attempting to go into one of the most appalling venues in the North of England.

The theme was Caribbean and I would just like to applaud Laurence for the effort he gave his costume. Much though went into that.

Sacha... sorry about texting you about a book on Sunday instead of wishing you a happy birthday!

HALF WAY THERE

This summer has been an absolute nightmare! But for my parents here is proof that I actually do work. This is 40% of my degree and I've just handed it in this morning (all 20,000 words). Only 25,000 more words of my degree left.

In light of recent events I intend to have a good night out tonight... student style (starting at 2pm!).

THANKSGIVING 2005

The first year I have made pumpkin pies. But what will the English think?

REFLECTIONS OF THE OUSE

I'm lucky to live in a city that sleeps, even if it is only between the hours of 2 and 6 am.

(the Thames)

LONDON TOWN

I have decided my relationship with London is that of a love hate relationship. An exchange student who I study sociology with couldn't figure out, in our Cities and Social Theory seminar, why the British were not too keen on their nation's capital. I put it too her like this. London is great if you have money and lots of it. Otherwise it expensive, crowded and stressful.

If the population of 7 million was cut in half along with the cost of living then it would be much more desirable.

(Waterloo Station)

Regardless, I'm attracted to the prospect of living at least near to one of the world's infamous cities. The plan of this visit was to investigate my post degree plan to do a PGCE at Kingston University London. The prospect of teacher training scares more people than the thought of living in London! The university was in a very nice location, half an hour from Waterloo station.

(Trafalgar Square, after Ashes victory parade)

For those of you who talk about “London’s Spirit” after the attacks in July, could you please point out what exactly you’re on about? People need to use the Underground. It’s a matter of necessity not some moral protest on behalf on Londoner’s to all the terrorists out there. Believe me, if they had an alternative, Londoner’s would undoubtedly leap at the opportunity to say goodbye to the crowded carriages of the underworld, but the fact of that matter is they don’t. It’s either use the Underground or get out of London.(Lambeth North, Underground Station)

While in London, one of the people I stayed with told me about her friend who recently passed out on a train in London. She was properly unconscious, her lips turned blue. She came to, to the nightmare of Londoner’s trampling her as they tried to get on and off the train. Eventually someone did stop… an American tourist!

Indeed the only smile I saw on the underground was that of a 4 year old girl with her parents.

(Berlin Wall, Imperial War Museum)

The train home stopped at Peterborough (where I used to stop before my family left the area). A crazy old man got on the train and started attempts at a conversation with the man in front of us. Although he wasn’t interested, the passenger humoured him, much more convincingly than I could have.

The old guy starting going on about his day in Oundle – “The nicest town between York and London” - apparently. I’ve done Oundle, done York, I want to do London now.

YORK CITY CENTRE

It has to be said - York has been a pretty awesome place to go to university. And I'm not just saying this because my northern friends, not to mention any names (Laurence and Rich), would probably stop talking to me if I didn't. York is one of the few nicer places left in Britain. Unfortunately for England there are a lot of nasty, ugly dangerous places to be. Of course politicians in London dont see this. If it works there it must work everywhere else? Those fortunate enough to live in England's affluent areas fail to recognise the problems being faced outside their affluent communities. As I appreciate that I can walk down the street by myself anytime of day or night and not feel threatened by what's out there, a luxury all too many students live without. Some places in this country going out in broad daylight is not a good idea. Though having said that some people I know got beaten up in the daytime by strangers. While her friend was being attacked, the girl ran to get some help from people on a main road. No one stopped to help. It took the police hours before they could record it.

"DONKEY R*PING S**T EATER"

Seven months ago, beyond our better judgment we ended up in the Lowther, the last stop for those desperately clinging to the evening.













A man (clearly in need of the money) approached us to sell some pastel drawings he'd made for £5. Pete got him down to £3(!), naturally choosing the least attactive piece of art he could.

Upon learning I too was from abroad the man extended his hand for a shake. His hand was black... and I'm not referring to his skin colour!! I have never washed my hands so well.

The title refers to the art not the artist.

WALMGATE BAR

York's city centre is surrounded in a wall built by the Romans, with main routes of access being through several gates. For example Micklegate Bar leads to all the bars and clubs, and Bootham Bar to all the old men's pubs and the Minster.















Walmgate Bar is surrounded by cat and pigeon selling take-away outlets. Afterall dog is a bit sophisticated for those who eat at these fine venues. Donner meat is likely the most disturbing thing on the menu. Think of a three foot tall, half a foot wide sphere of compressed mince rotating on a vertical spit fire, for goodness knows how many days. Thats donner meat! They shave is off and put it on chips!















We think someone lives above the gate? Or maybe it's just another over-priced cafe (as if York didn't have enough!).

GOOD-BYE TO SUMMER SWIMS


Spencer and Blayne enjoying their final moments of swimming pool bliss before school starts on Tuesday. I'm jealous!

PIRATES ON THE RIVER OUSE - Pete and Lee play pirates (who attempt to lasso ducks like cowboys) in our 1970s red boat.














RED BOAT

£25 per hour
£20 deposit
NO all male groups

This adventure started with a row over our position in the queue to get a boat. A grandmother and her grandchildren literally pushed in front of us. I decided to say something before Pete did, for their sakes. "Excuse me, I dont mean to be rude but weren't we here first?" to which she replied "No!" Naturally Pete spoke up and she swifty stepped aside.

To make a not too long story shorter, the boat motor broke down as we approached the dock so our 1970s gem was replaced with a boat that must have been at least 5 years younger!

OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB

This job was perhaps the best job I have ever had. For a worthwhile pay increase (and much less effort than previous occupational endeavors of mine) this job required me to essentially babysit children aged 4-14 years of age on site and during club trips.

I have never had a job that paid me to indulge at all you can eat buffets and on free party food.















The Out of School Club is like a North American day camp without the sleepovers and camp fires. I have newfound respect for secondary school teachers as I learnt how difficult teenagers can be.

SCARBOROUGH

Yet again another perfect photo opportunity spoiled but this time in Scarborough. At least we're consistent. Scarborough is a beautiful seaside location (for Britain!). If you think the subjects of this photograph are a sight... you should see the other people this place attracts!

BRIMHAM ROCKS

This is an amazing place. It’s like Mother Nature's playground. It’s basically just tons of rocks you can climb. But given that I couldn't get off the top of a bunk bed at the age of 10, I thought I’d make it a spectator's sport!

WOODSTOCK 2005: Pete and Ran blessed our ears with the nostalgic theme from the Mario Brothers Nintendo game.

WOODSTOCK

York used to be a live and kicking place. The university has seen the legendary likes of Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd. Bob Geldof's Boomtown Rats was the end of all that. Their performance caused a riot on campus damaging the orchestra pit cover. The Students' Union took Geldof to court and since then University of York students entertainment consists of Club D's DJing disasters.

The best entertainment we've had since 1985 happens once a year. Woodstock is the university's unprivileged bands opportunity to piss off the locals while giving students a taste of what university life should sound like.

The Boomtown Rats never giveth anything worth listening to... but they sure did taketh away.

Pete and Ran blessed our ears with the nostalgic theme from the Mario Brothers Nintendo game.

LEVISHAM TRAIN STATION

Levisham Station is in the beautiful Newton Dale Valley. I enjoyed my visit, which concerns me. I must be getting old if I think walking in big open bare spaces is fun! You definitely feel in the middle of nowhere here. The adventurous car journey definitely lends itself to this feeling. Roads like that aren’t legal where I come from.

FULFORD PLACE FIRE

Your flat sets on fire. Do you A) Ring the Fire Department OR B) The Housing Association? Any guesses as to what the chav responsible for this fire did?

Starting around 5 p.m. on Friday the 13th of May 2005 this fire persisted all night requiring over 50 firemen with somewhere in the region of 20 firetrucks on location.

This photo was taken from my bedroom window where we watched the scene unfold.

After the fire, spectators and home owners complained about a half hour period where firemen did little more than watch the fire spread. Naturally this was denied. Having watched the fire from the first sight of smoke (view from my desk overlooking the apartments) I can comfirm the allegations are true. Despite their presence there was a signifigant period of time when the firemen did nothing.