MEMORIES

Quote of the Day -

"One of those made me an Ozzie."

Followed by - "Our first home."

SQUIRRELS & DOGS

SCENE: A couple romantically lying in Hyde Park on a beautiful autumn Sunday amongst trees with leaves which are just beginning to turn yellow, red and brown.
There are people everywhere - playing soccer and other games, picnicking and sleeping on the 1 1/2 inches of soft grass, walking dogs, skating, and generally enjoying the last cloudless sunny day. Snuggling on the picnic rug enjoying the sunshine the Wayward Child and partner quietly lap up the sounds of the park whilst gazing around at the sun drenched panorama. Relaxed the Wayward Child decides to narrate an unusual interaction to partner whilst his eyes are closed.

Wayward Child: Just imagine a white jack Russell, with a brown patch on it's back, sniffing and scurrying eagerly amongst the surrounding long grass. 20m away is a squirrel bounding around appearing to check his various buried stashes.

DOG: Run, run, run. Pant, pant. Run.
SQUIRREL: Nuts, nuts, nuts.
DOG: Run, run, run. Pant, pant. Squirrel?
SQUIRREL: Nuts, nuts, nuts. DOG!!!!
DOG: Run, squirrel run, run. Pant, pant. Squirrel. Run.
SQUIRREL: Run! DOG! Run!
DOG: Squirrel run. FUN. Pant, run, run. Pant, pant. Run.
SQUIRREL: Run! Tree. TREE! Run up tree...
DOG: Run, run, run. Pant, pant. Run. Squirrel. Tree.
SQUIRREL: pant, pant. I love tree.
DOG: Pant, pant. Squirrel gone. Tree. Pant. Squirrel gone. Tree.
SQUIRREL: Nuts, nuts, nuts. Dog. Dog under tree. No nuts.
DOG: Under tree? Run, run, run. Pant, pant. Run.
SQUIRREL: Nuts, nuts, nuts.
DOG: Run, run, run. Pant, pant. Run.
SQUIRREL: Nuts, nuts, nuts.
DOG: Run, run, run. Pant, pant. Squirrel.
SQUIRREL: Nuts, nuts, nuts. DOG!!!!

SCENE: The above repeats for the next 15 minutes.

Death Themed Party

In October I was invited to another themed party. 'Death' was chosen as the party was close to Halloween but provided a twist on the tradition.

Oddly this theme was well received after they potential participants put their minds to what they could be.

As you can see some people took this theme literally (Grim Reaper) whilst others saw it as people who inflicted it on others. (Dr Death, Werewolf, Jason, the Mafia Boys and Vampires).


A few more decided that they would offer a look at those who'd experienced it (Undead Hooker and a Mummy) or emulated it (Goths).

The Black Friar Public House

This pub is absolutely fantastic!

Its non descript on the outside and situated in a busy junction not far from Blackfriars Station. However, once you walk in the door you are greeted by a dimly lit bar. It’s so dim you actually think its candlelight.

Once your eyes have adjusted you begin to discern that this is a tiny (I mean tiny) place. There is a maximum of 12 tables with barely enough room for 3 seats.
The actual bar takes up most of the space and segregates the seating area into three cosy alcoves. The bar itself is a combination of wood and brass. Above it is a beautiful depiction of friars working .

On one wall nestled in an arch is a scene of friars singing.

Whilst the roof is arched and inlaid with patterned tiles. At the junction between the roof and walls are sayings i.e. Wisdom is Rare, etc The lights are held by imps with prayer times (evening, midday, etc) engraved under them.

To add to the darkness the only window light is muted as it is painted so that it illuminates the a friar outside in the sun.

All in all it’s one of those places you’d take people just for the decoration. As an added bonus the food is lovely; especially the pies.

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=154

Retro Girl

Recently I and a few others decided to celebrate the 80's in true retro style.

Party goers were looking like rejects from TV Shows (Miami Vice), music videos (Madonna/Cindy Lauper/Tina Turner/George Michael) and popular sit coms of the genre.

We thought we were original but it appears that retro 80's is fashionable. Several party goers managed to get items for their costumes from a leading high street stores rather than trawling through op shops. Whilst others still had items in their closests which they wore regularly.

Another fact which reinforces this theory is the fact that we walked towards the party along a major road, past quite a few pedestrians. No one blinked an eye nor did we receive any jibes.

Since going to the 80's retro party I've noticed quite a few people who wear retro clothes for various eras (50's, 70's, 80's, etc). These people aren't going to a party but are clearly living in the era they've decided to dress for. Not once have I seen heckling (or any other victimisation ) of these retro dressers. Nor have I seen them be anything other than confident.

Common Adventures
For giggles we decided to explore Wimbledon Common; one of our local parks. Its quite a big space and you can easily get lost. Though that's not hard for me!

I didn't think that there were windmills outside Holland however I was wrong as this common has a windmill (http://www.wpcc.org.uk/windmill.html).

It has quite dense wooded areas with tracks through as well as lightly populated forest areas.

Even in open areas it was thick enough to give you the impression that you are completely and utterly alone.

Just a few metres in the background are people walking along the tracks yet you can't see them and only bearly hear them.

It was wonderfully tranquil and energy enfusing stepping out of the dark streets and urban landscape for a few hours.

There is also a pond which we sat around for a while just to enjoy the calming effect.

H O B B I T S

I've been told that Hobbits originated in New Zealand or at least the famous ones. I would like to dispute this as I believe I've found a lone London hobbit.

He/She lives under Wandsworth Town overground station and has cunningly disguised their distinctive circular entrance with broken signs for Homebase.