Monthly Archives: November 2012

Golden London

09 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in London, Uncategorized

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I have never been to the UK, let alone London, this late in the season.  It may have something to do with My Beloved Brit’s fear of having to actually experience Britain’s cold, damp weather again.

But this November visit I have found to be golden in London’s Kensington area on the edge of Notting Hill.

The last hurrah… golden tree in Kensington Gardens. photo by me

Everyone was out to enjoy the last blast of color even if the skies were grey.

All the bike rental stalls at the entrance to Hyde Park were empty. Photo by me

The arbor at Kensington Palace’s sunken garden has definitely changed since I last saw it in June.

A detail from the arbor at Kensington Palace in November. Photo by me

The air was quite chilly as I sat on a bench under the ash arbor at one of London’s most famous sites. I asked My Beloved Brit when he called me on my mobile, “Why does 50 degrees in England feel so much chillier than 50 degrees in the southern United States?”  He suggested it might have something to do with the damp, windy, grey skies that usually accompany the temperatures. The Grey Country?

The statue of Queen Victoria looks out over Hyde Park and grey skies on the east side of Kensington Palace. Photo by me

The gates at Kensington Palace, laced with gold inside and beyond. Photo by me.

I was quite comfortable walking along Kensington’s roads with my hat, gloves and scarf firmly in place.  It was golden.

Outside the palace gates in the very center of London. Photo by me

A front garden wall on a Kensington side street. Photo by me

Goodbye Autumn.

The final hours near Notting Hill. Photo by me

 

 

Election Spending: UK vs. US

05 Monday Nov 2012

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I found this interesting table of election spending for the last two general elections in the UK on the UK Political Info site. It shows that in the 2010 general election all parties spent under 30,000,000 pounds.

Consider that the United States’ elections this year will be the most expensive ever, with parties spending over $6 billion, according to Reuters.

Granted we are a much larger country, but it still gives you pause.

None the less, tomorrow is U.S. election day…please, get out and Vote.

A special spot, Heybridge Basin, Essex

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in England, Sailing, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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On our last day in England this past spring before we headed for Heathrow Airport, we met My Beloved Brit’s friends at, what else, a classic British Pub.  Some of his oldest friends had gathered from Australia and England, and of course America, and met around a table for fish’n’chips, a pint and talk and laughter.  It reminded him, I think, that as much as he loved America, he missed his old mates.

A special pub for a reunion lunch. Photo by me

We had arrived in the village of Heybridge Basin a bit early and decided to take a walk around.  From the moment we strolled up the bank from the parking area, I knew we were someplace special.

There are many boats moored on the small canal that empties in to the basin. Construction of the canal commenced in 1793 to facilitate unloading inside the sea locks. Photo by me.

We walked down to the River Blackwater.  There was lots to see.

The boats on Blackwater. Photo by me

We headed out along the seawall as clouds gathered.

We walked out along the seawall. You can see the lock on the left hand side which opens onto the canal. Photo by me.

Sailing barges going up the Blackwater Estuary as they have for centuries, where the Blackwater and Chelmer Rivers come together at the basin. MBB tells me the topsail was used to maneuver the boats at low tides to catch the wind above the river banks. Photo by me

It was just perfect to watch the boats coming and going as we walked up the seawall.

The clouds build as we work our way down the seawall. Photo by me.

We hurriedly worked back along the river to meet up for lunch at the pub before the rain clouds came overhead.

Time to head inside for a nice lunch. Photo by me.

Nothing like lunch in a nice cozy pub when the rain clouds gather.

I am back in the UK next week to research locations for a destination’s workshop I want to offer in the autumn of 2013. It is tentatively titled “A Creative Journey: How to find Inspiration in Travel”.  I am looking at Bath, one of my favorite cities and a huge art center in the UK, for the venue.  Will keep you posted as it evolves.