Diary entries for March, 2006

A day in Oxford

March 15th, 2006 by Annalena
On the bus to Oxford

Today was very exciting, and very tiring. I went all the way from Catford to Oxford and back today, just to have a few hours playing with Kate and her kids. But it was definitely worth it.

The trip from Catford to Oxford took such a long time, with train cancellations and a long coach trip. But I had fun anyway, strapped into my own seat, and watching all the passing scenery.

Kate and kids in Oxford

When we got to Oxford we went to a lunchtime parent’s group, with lots and lots of other kids to play with. My dad met his old friend Kate, who he hadn’t seen in many years. She has two fabulous children: Danny, who is almost 5, and Leila, who turns 1 tomorrow. We all had so much fun together, playing outside in the sun for a while (yes, the sun does shine in England), and then going to the Children’s Library where we read lots of stories. But, unfortunately, we had to leave and head back to London - another gruelling 3½ hour trip on coach and trains. At the end of it only a very cute puppy could make me smile.

 

I’m more fun than the art

March 17th, 2006 by Annalena
Helping mum with her work

I stayed home with my mum yesterday and helped her with her work while my dad went back to the Natural History Museum to see the awesome giant squid. I was sad that I couldn’t go too, but at least he brought back some excellent video of the squid for me to watch.

Today I went out with dad, back to Giraffe for lunch, where I made lots and lots of friends again, and read some great books. We then went into the Hayward Gallery, to see Dan Flavin: A Retrospective. Although we weren’t supposed to take photographs we managed to steal a few surreptitious snap shots. I had great fun at the exhibition, crawling and rolling around on the floor, playing with the other children who were there. But the art didn’t do much for me (I think Asher’s is a lot more interesting). In fact, other people at the exhibition commented that watching me have fun was much better than looking at the exhibition.

I've come a long wayHayward GalleryThe best exhibit
 
 

Videos!!

March 17th, 2006 by Annalena

I’ve added an album of short videos to my Photo albums.
Check them out here.

Instruction for watching videos:

You will need to install the Xvid codec from here to view these clips. You will need to download the correct Xvid codec. If you use Windows the latest file is here - download the file then install Xvid by running the .exe file by double-clicking on it.

It may also take a minute or two for the clips to load, during which time the video screen will be black. So please be patient, especially if you have a slow internet connection.

Sent to Coventry

March 21st, 2006 by Annalena
Guinness

I’ve been sent to Coventry. Well, I’m staying at the University of Warwick, where my dad is attending a conference. Here we are in the local pub on our first evening at the University - I’m sharing a Guinness with my dad.

 

Today I did some sightseeing around Coventry with my mum.

CoventryThe Guild Hall tapestryA Coventry path
 
 

Cute

March 22nd, 2006 by Annalena
Tired in CoventryUniversity of WarwickWith Wibbly Pig
 
 

Oxford

March 23rd, 2006 by Annalena
Gourmet Breakfast
Sleep-in

We spent last night at the Randolph Hotel in the middle of Oxford. Famous for the Morse Bar, where Inspector Morse used to enjoy a pint or two after a hard day solving mysteries. We slept really well, and then had a really yummy breakfast.

 

We did a bit of sightseeing, passing by Broad Street and the Bridge of Sighs. Then my mum went to the Bodleian Library.

Broad StreetBridge of Sighs
 

At lunchtime we caught the bus up to Wolvercote, where we walked down the canal with Kate, Danny and Leila to their beautiful houseboat. We had a yummy lunch on the boat with Kate, Rumi, Danny and Leila, and then we played in the forest next to where their boat is moored. I had a lot of fun in a very fancy car.

With Kate & kidsGoing for a spinBrrrmm, brrrrmmmmm
 
The Morse Bar

We then went back into Oxford, had a quick drink at the Morse Bar, and headed to catch the train back to London.

 

Gothic Nightmares

March 24th, 2006 by Annalena
Gothic Nigtmares

I went to see the Gothic Nightmares exhibition at the Tate Britain today, while mum was busy presenting a talk at her conference. It was an absolute scream!

We then met mum after her conference and went for dinner at a really nice restaurant, where the waiters were very friendly to me.

 

Barcelona

March 27th, 2006 by Annalena

We are in Barcelona, and like everyone says, it is fabulous! I can´t add any photos to my albums at the moment, so you´ll have to wait a few days. Then I promise I´ll post some super photos of us enjoying delicious food, visiting amazing cathedrals and, of course, the big adventure high up in sky in Gaudi´s famous Sagrada Familia. It is just so fabulous, and much warmer and friendlier than London!

Back in London

March 30th, 2006 by Annalena
Sagrada Familia

We are back in London, and it is cold and grey and certainly not as fabulous as Barcelona. But we are still having fun. In two days we leave London and drive up to Cambridge, and a few days later we begin the long trek home.

There are so many stories to tell, and lots more photos to show, but I don’t have the time or energy to say much now. I have added a few photos and videos to my albums, to give you an idea of what we’ve been up to - the visit to the famous Sagrada Familia was one of the highlights, especially the trip up high in the towers where one of us became quite scared.

 

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