Leigh's space

Glastonbury Festival 2008

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:55:48 GMT

GLASTONBURY 2008

This year my overview of Glastonbury is going to be slightly different, not because the first 2 days are an absolute blur of cider, dancing, fire and music, but because I never really caught the essence of the festival by just explaining what we did on over the 4 days.

VIBE

Glastonbury for me means 4 days of total stress free partying; it’s about learning and appreciating how other people view the world, whether they are hippies, rockers, crafts people or undercover layers.
It’s about moving away from conformity and testing your boundaries. The man in the tutu with the love heart shaped giant glasses might be a dentist or the man wearing a gingerbread man suit may be an accountant. Man, Woman, Child, Glastonbury is definitely the place to play dress ups!
This year I saw Cows, Sheep, Superman, Batman, Fairies, Gingerbread men, Bananas, Elvis, Bin Laden, Ex Presidents the list could go on.

Glastonbury is also very much about harmony. Everybody is there to have a good time and people seem to respect each other more. There must be around 50,000 walking to and from the main stages at any one time during the headline acts, that’s about 35,000 drunk and high people! You would think that’s a recipe for disaster, but not once did I see anyone pushing, fighting or shoving, instead people walk along, weaving in and out in an orderly fashion, sometimes even striking up a conversation to the person next to them.
That’s the nice thing about Glastonbury, situations which would usually end in drama, seem to just seem to be forgotten about in a millisecond and harmony resumes.
With all the negative press shown in the media, coming to a place like this renews your faith in the human race.

MUSIC

Where else on earth can you see international living music legends, buskers, street performers, choirs, bands, DJs, Beat boxers, Kareoke and a whole host of other music types in one place.
Most of us see the line up and decide what we will go and see months before we are on site but not all plans come to light! I saw around 75% of what I wanted to see but I also discovered new music, memorable characters and artistic flair.
Seasick Steve, an old country singer from America who called it Glas-ton-ber-ry was brilliant and it’s very emotional seeing these people who are just so happy and excited to be invited to play in such a special place. Manu Chao, a Spanish reggae band put in a wonderful emotional performance, a band I would have never heard, had I not gone to meet some friends at that particular moment.
The smaller performances are sometimes the best and the most memorable, places you stop in to have a rest and listen to whatever is playing or the music you hear in the background while you’re in your tent.

ANTHEMS

This year’s ‘anthems’ for me are….

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond The last song of his set and a huge sing-along
7 Nation Army – White Stripes Heard this blasting from speakers all over the site
Turn It Up – The Feeling Brilliant new song
Superstylin – Groove Armada Fantastic light show and our last set of the festival

'GLASTONBURY MOMENTS'

I have heard so many references to these from websites, TV, radio and magazines, and it’s not until you go to the festival and have one that you truly understand.
An example of one of mine is on the Saturday afternoon, laying on the grass, my head on Dave’s stomach and looking up to the sky and watching a small plane fly overhead, it was then I first realized for the first time there was not a cloud in the sky, Duffy was playing her beautiful song Warrick Avenue and I just thought ‘This is what life is all about’
Another is one I couldn’t not talk about is Crowded House. When they played the pyramid stage on the Saturday morning, there were so many New Zealand and Australian flags and voices, it made me very proud that my home countries were represented, and did they put on one hell of a show. Simply brilliant.

WEATHER

One of the biggest talking points leading up to the festival is always the weather. 2005 had sun then massive flooding and 2007 we saw rain and bad mud. Typically it always rains at Glastonbury and Wimbledon. The BBC weather forecast seemed to change each day and we had no idea what to expect.
So in went the poncho and wellies as well as the shorts and singlets!
It pissed down as we were walking in and continued into the night. But not enough to deter a late night walkabout and drinking session.
Friday it had all but dried up and was starting to look ok. Clouds still hung over threateningly but the sun did shine through in parts and was very hot.
By Saturday the sky was blue, the sun was shining and all memories of mud and rain had disappeared turning the skeptics around and starting the best Glastonbury in 10 years.
People started taking to the grass, sitting, lying, relaxing and having a great time which made the festival definitely feel busier. The fashion changed and for the first time people didn’t have wellies on but flip flops and shorts. Bloody Brilliant! I still have a red nose!!

FOOD

Glastonbury food can be either absolutely great or tasteless slop!
The sheer amount of food stalls is staggering; sometimes you can be wandering around for hours trying to decide what to eat.
A few examples are, Indian, Chinese, Pilipino, Italian, Pizza, Chicken, Burgers, Vegetarian, Fish & Chips, Cookies, Fudge, Salads, Welsh oh the list goes on!
There are thousands of stalls open 24 hours offering food, cold drinks, coffee and sweets.
A few of this years meals included, Chicken Nuggets and chips, Pasta carbonara with potato & salad, a horrible cheese burger, bacon & egg baps, BBQ noodles and a ham and cheese toastie.
Getting to these stalls can sometimes be a huge problem, I say if you want to eat, do it late at night when there are no queues as most of the time the decision on what you are going to eat depends on the queue! They can stretch for miles!

SHOPPING

There are more shops at Glastonbury than Newbury and Thatcham put together!
You can buy anything and everything there. Our first purchase was a new airbed (as it was last year), then some batteries.
The sheer volume of items on sale is mind-blowing and you can find things on sale you wouldn’t dream of buying anywhere else!
Some examples of crazy stuff we saw are multi-colored tutus, mermaid wigs, Giant flags, crazy hats, Kayne West Sunglasses and Bubble makers.
As well as all the festival necessities like ponchos, chairs, beds, tents, hats, sunglasses, clothes and jewellery, there is certainly an array of goods.

OTHER AREAS......

TRASH CITY

We spent a lot of time here as we had a friend working on an installation within this area.
The whole place is a ‘Mad Max’ looking city with sculptures, vehicles, DJ booths and installations made up of trash.

CRAFT FIELDS

I always feel right at home here in amongst the thousands of craft vans and tents. Everything from Stained glass to wood sculpting is here and you can attend workshops and make your own special Glastonbury souvenir.

GREENFIELDS

We all need to take a trip to the Greenfields, and not just to use the showers! Eco friendly ideas and solutions are on show here and give people the tools they need to reduce their waste and environmental footprint. I loved the tiny eco house I saw here, but don’t try to buy a bottle of water!!

GREEN FUTURE FIELD

Dave lured me to a planetarium inside a big tent in the futures field where a nervous man went on for about half an hour about the ancient Mayan people….it was really boring and quite a weird place to be in. The Green futures field is all about modern ways to be environmentally friendly.

THE PARK

We didn’t spend a lot of time here this year, came up in the morning on the Sunday to go up to tower. Then sat near the Park Stage, reminiscing about our time at Glastonbury and having a few beers in the afternoon.

AND FIANALLY......

Glastonbury 2008 was a success, after slow ticket sales, weather worries and a lineup not quite up to scratch the festival blew all that out of the water with the most amazing show in over 10 years. Now we all are back to the office, bills, worries, money problems, and everyday life. If I had my way Glastonbury would be a month long and I would be first in and last out.

Glastonbury really is ‘The Best place in the world’

Rain, Rentals and Random.....

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:28:28 GMT

Well it's been pissing down for days now! It better clear up for Glastonbury in 24 days!!
Our flat has finally been sold so we are going to be moving soon and have been looking all over Newbury at rentals, but are quite fussy as the flat we are in now is really nice and we have a bathroom each so definately want 2 bathrooms!
Think we may go for one at £775 in town.
I got my hair cut again on Saturday and went up to Twist in Kingsclere and after a lovely massage, a glass of wine and a cut I walked out with a fringe!! I love the fringe but really need to grow the rest, to resemble the hairstyle I had before I left Australia.

Glastonbury 2008

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:08:10 GMT

Well we got Glastonbury tickets!! After getting up early and having 3 pcs on the go as well as phoning I couldn't even get through!! Lukily a mate got ours, but surprisingly there are still tickets avaliable, last year they sold 177,000 in around 2 hours!! This year 100,000 were sold yesterday. I blame Jay-Z headlining and the threat of another rain filled year for the low ticket sales. Looking at the weird weather patterns here lately (hottest day so far on Thursday and Snow on Sunday) it's anyones guess at what the Glasto weather will hold....whatever in thrown at us I know i'll have a wicked time!!

Upcoming trips....

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:36:25 GMT

Portugal

Fianally found out where abouts in Portugal we are going. It's on the Algarve and is a town called Praia De Luz.

We are going on the 9th of May to the 13th so just for a long weekend.

Robert and Net have got a 8 bedroom villa with a pool overlooking the sea for us all to stay in.

So there's Robert, Net, the twins and the nanny, James, Dawn, Dave and I going.

Italy

Yeah...we have fianally booked our flights to Italy and are going on the 4th of july to the 14th. Plan on going to Naples, Pompeii, Rome, Pisa, Florence and Venbice. So I am busy booking tours, rental cars and hotels!!

We are both really looking forward to this trip and seeing some of the Itallian countryside and eating yummy Itallian food!!

Got a real great bargin on the flights £120.00 each there and back with BMI (my new favourite airline!) and are staying in cheap hotels everywhere except Rome, where we want to stay somewhere nice as we will be doing LOTS of walking so want a cosy bed and facilities to relax in!!

GYM

Dave and I have fianally joined the gym. We joined Northcroft leisure centre and for £28.00 a month we get weights, gym, indoor and outdoor pools, aqua aerobics, badminton and squash courts, sauna, step classes and all the body pump/aerobics classes included!! Bargain!! I am getting a special program done so I can target certain areas and to make sure I am using all the right equipment and doing all the right exercizes. So am looking forward to the results. Bikini body for Portugal!!

Latest...........Snow.......Moving and Valentines

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 13:37:49 GMT

Sorry I haven't been able to update my space lately as we have moved from James's to Dave's Mom's house to save money before we get another house.

It has been great here but I miss cooking and it's too far from town. But again we are right beside the canal so I have walked up and down a couple of times.

27 January 2007 - Chewton Glen Dinner

Robert had organised this dinner at Chewton Glen (Britain's best small hotel) for Net's surprise birthday. It was black tie so Dave and all the other men were in Tuxedos and the woman in dresses and smart pants.

It started in a room where we had champange and canapes and welcomed a surprised Net to her party.

We then moved into the beautiful dining room and had a 4 course meal. Cheese souffle to start follow by roast lamb and a dark chocolate cake for dessert. Baileys and petite fours were to follow.

It was a great night and most of the wedding guests were there so knew some of the people. Stayed at The Old Barn B&B down the road for the night.

8 Februrary 2007 - Snow

Today the South East of England, Wales and Ireland virtually stopped as what was said as probably the biggest snowfall in years hit the UK.

I woke up at 4.30 and the steet was white! Got up really early and took a video and went with Dave up to the main road to see if it was ok.

Dave ended up going to work and Anita and I went for a stroll along to canal to the next village for some lunch. Awsome! Love the snow!

14 February 2007 - Valentines day

Dave and I were only going to get each other cards but we decided to go out for dinner as well. The only place we could find where we could ger a booking was at the Rowbarge, A newly revamped pub in Woolhampton (the next village along from Aldermaston)

Had a drink at the bar first. The place looks just like any old English pub on the outside, but with the canal running alongside it it's much nicer.

Inside it had been completely modernised with beige walls and dark brown leather chairs and coutches and a bevy of modern art pieces. The old wooden beams and fireplace are still there though.

We had a 4 course meal and a bottle of Austrralian champange. The steak was probably the best i've ever had and the dessert was to die for !!

Had a great romantic night.

Skiing at Milton Keynes

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 19:02:30 GMT

Saturday January 13th

Today Dave and I headed up to Milton Keynes about an hour and a half away to go skiing.

We are thinking about going to Switzerland to go skiing and as I haven't skiied since 1998 I thought we'd go along to see if I still had it in me!

We went to Xtreme, a huge complex that consists of indoor ski slope, ten pin bowling, rock climbing, indoor parachute jumping, cinema, ice skating and the list goes on.

The slope was about 170m long and had 3 slopes seperated by huge columns and were different levels of steepness, well just!

It had a Poma lift going up one side and in the middle and a rope tow for the beginners.

Got changed and hired some ski pants and grabbed our skis etc. Now it's been 8 years and things have changed, skis have gotten shorter and now have curved edges to make carving(turning) easier. My skis at home are 185cm, the ones I got were 140cm!

Got on the slope at 11 for 2 blissful hours of skiing. I was very nervous on my first run as I was scared the skills of a sport I love had escaped me and Dave made me go straight to the top without a practice! I have to admit the slope was equivelent to the average learners slope up the mountain anyway! But just like riding a bike I was off in a flash and had it straight away. It was so great to get back on skis, but the place was not challenging and you could'nt go really fast and there were no jumps. I think part of the fun of skiing is exploring new terrain and finding new jumps.

All in all well worth the money we paid and great to get a bit of excercize..........Switzerland here we come!!!

link to Xcape site www.xcape.co.uk

PS: In the video I appear from about half way up the slope from the right and I am wearing a blue jacket.

Christmas 2006

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:02:05 GMT

Christmas 2006 - Events

Dec16 - Alan's Party

When Alan came back from Malasia, Kerry threw a dress-up xmas party. Dave went as Albert Einstein and I wore a red wig and a mask. There were people dressed as Jesus, Elves and faries, The Village people (see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa57R2ZESTM ) Pirates and all sorts. Was a great party with loads of drinks and food and dancing.

Dec 20 - Vodafone launch party

This was held for all theose people who had worked on the new website (http://online.vodafone.co.uk). There were about 80 of us and we dined at Lock Fyne in Reading. Very nice three levelled seafood restaurant on the side of the canal. I had mussels in a white wine sauce for starter, Steak for main and a choc brownie for dessert. Drank loads of wine and was great to catch up with everyone.

Dec 23 - Swan Football dinner

This dinner was held for the Swan pub football team and friends and partners. About 30 attended and paid £20 a head for 3 courses and drinks.

Started with Spring rolls, then roast traditional turkey and christmas pudding for dessert. The night was a real laugh and the football lads told loads of jokes and puns were flying all over the room.

Dec 25 - Christmas Day

James, Dave and I went to Anita's for xmas day and started off with opening presents( the best bit!!) I recieved loads of makeup, CK perfume, clothes, chocolates and more. Great to see everyone liked our gifts!

Had a traditional roast turkey christmas lunch with all the trimmings and I tried mulled wine - not to my liking but at least I tried it!!!

Watched a Peter Kay DVD that we had bought James which I did'nt find that funny as it was all English humour which I don't really get!

Played a game of pictionary which was hilarious and had a chat to Mom on the phone. Was a great day but so different to what I am used to.........better in Australia I think because xmas is in summer you can go out and do things instead of staying indoors all day.

Dec 26 - Boxing Day

Dave, James, Dawn and I went down to Robert and Net's in the New Forest for boxing day. Was pretty casual as Net and the twins have only been home for a week. Net's parents were there as well and helped Robert to make a beautiful lunch of cold meats and salads. Chatted loads and played Who wants to be a millionaire DVD game - men Vs woman!! Great to see them all again and to see things gettinmg back to normal for them slowly.

Dec 29 - Winchester

Dave and I went up to Winchester to go ice-skating at the Cathedral. Went up at 6.30 for the 8.30 session. Had a look around and a pint at a pub nearby then lined up for about 20 minutes.

The boots were a cross between ice-skates and ski boots and were uncomfortable. Got on the ice and was great but too crowded so had to dodge people a lot. Dave was so cute when he skated!! The best thing about it was the backdrop of the Cathedral that had a dim yellow light below it emphasising it's arches and carved walls.

Simon's 21st in Manchester 02.12.06

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 12:57:33 GMT

Well what can I say about Si's 21st?

I never ever thought I would see all those people in one room again!! Simon, Sharpey, Gaz, John, Grainnie, Deb, Iain, Chilla, Andy, Pete and Tazzie. Was so great to see you all.

Simon's 21st started off with all of us at his house along with friends and boyfriends that had come along, drinking beers and watching Si open his presents. Then a feed of pasta which his Mom had made.......yummy!

Then on to the Stayleybridge Rugby club which was decked out in balloons, streamers and random embarresing photos of our Simon in dresses and things. Si's Dad was DJing and playing a lot of cheese that I'm sure everyone knew.

He was very good and even included a SoccorAM Soccerette catwalk complete with the real music! Chilla and Tazzie were happy to go up and strut their stuff and we screamed so loud for them I lost my voice!! Chilla came out on top with the moonwalk and won.

After pleanty of beverages we all managed to get up on the floor and danced in a circle with our arms linked while Simon danced in the middle - a moment I will remember for life. Anyone remember what the song was ?

Official 21st over we all taxied to Stayleyvegas - a street near Simon's house lined with bars. Went to Pavillion and drank, danced and recieved a rose from Dave before he snuck outside to the Chinese shop for ribs!

Even Simon was on the dancefloor with not 1 but 2 woman........go Si the black suit did it for you mate!!

Back to the house around 4 for leftover pasta........and Gaz and John attempting to get everyone to play drinking games with straight Jim Beam!! We wern't scared John - just tired!!

The next morning I woke up in Si's room (alongside Dave!) with 3 bodies on the floor and went downstairs to see bodies on the coutches, under the dining table, on chairs around 14 in all!!

Had a great feed of bacon & egg baps and said our goodbyes.

A huge thanks to everyone who came and especially to Simon's family who took us in (not knowing who we really are!) and showed awesome English hospitality. Whose birthday is it next???

Barcelona 18/11/06 - 21/11/06

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:49:20 GMT

Saturday

Met Susan at Gatwick at about 2.30 and had a quick beer and jumped on the plane. Flight took about 2.3 hours and arrived at night.

Caught the train to the street we were staying on and had no trouble finding the hostel which was on a really nice street where there were loads of designer shops and restaurants.

Popped out for a drink and dinner. Most menus were in English as well as Spanish and Catalonian so we had no trouble reading but some things we ordered were not what we had read on the menu!

Sunday

Up early and jumped on the Bus Touristic (a jump on and off bus) and headed off on the red North route. First stop Sagrada Familia. Stunning sight and the place is huge. Its a cathedral started in 1882 and still has 30+ years untill it is finished.

Looked around the inside then took an elevator way up to the highest towers for an absolutely fantastic panoramic view of the city.

The cathedral has beautiful but weird columns, statues, staied glass windows and facades. http://www.sagradafamilia.org/

Back on the bus and next we stopped at the famous Park Guelldesigned by the same artist as the cathedral (Antoni Gaudi)

The park is really pretty with famous sculptures, columns houses and gardens. Also great views over the city from here and loads of steps.

Bought a scarf from a vendor at the market therre for only 3 euros! http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/gaudi/park-guell.html

Changed over to the blue South route after the park and visited the 92 olympic park and also went up to the top of the Columbus monument down by the sea. It was bloody scary as the thing was moving in the wind!! http://www.bcn.es/turisme/english/turisme/llocs/02.htm

Went to an Itallian restaurant for dinner then on the an English pub!!

Monday

Went on the bus again the second day to do all the things we had missed or that had been closed. Went to Neu camp first for a tour.(Barcelona's football stadium) which is the largest in Europe and third largest in the world seating 100,000 fans.

Saw the pitch and some of the football team including the captain practicing, thew dressing rooms, commentary boxes and museam.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/historia/historia/campnou.shtml

Next went up Montjuic hill where Susan got a cablecar to the World trade center and I walked down the hill as I was too scared to go on the cablecar as it was very high!

On the bus again and next stopped in Barri Gotic which is the oldest part of the city where we saw Roman type biuldings and small plazas with fountains. Visited the cathedral here and were able to go on the roof where we had more great views.

That night we went back to Sagrada Familia to see if it lit up at night. It was'nt so tried to get some night photos of it.

Went to the bar at the hostel where I met some Aussies and had a few drinks.

Tuesday

Got up really early and put our luggage in storage at the hostel then headed up to the bus station and jumped on a tourist bus to the Monserrat Monestry up in the mountains.

Went up a twisting and turning road and it took about half an hour to get there. We then had free time to explore the area. Took loads of photos of the amazing view and had some lunch.

At 12 I went to see the magical black madonna then at 1 listened to the quior sing in the monestary church, it was amazing.

Back down the hill and spent 3 hours exploring the surrounding shops and La Rambla shopping area.

Then off to the areoport and back to the UK.

Great city and like Paris loads to see and do. The Spanish are really lovely too and had no trouble whatsoever so always felt totally safe.

Guy Fawkes in Lewes

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:26:45 GMT

Saturday

Dave and his friends had been telling me about the Bonfire Night in Lewes all year so we decided to go. Phil caught a ride there and we were to meet Kerry, Ben, Sarah and Mike in Lewes.

About a 2 hour drive right around the outside of London and then south.

Waited in a big queue of cars to get into Lewes but was'nt as bad as previous years i was told!

Found a cul de sac on the main road into town and parked there.

Walked down the street and it was still early so went to a pub and had 3 pints and played on the ITBOX (Pepsi music quiz)

Walked around and tried to get a good position to watch the parade from. Ended up standing outside the bank on the main street near a pub. I managed to get up on a windowsill sna had my feet on a tiny step supported by Dave - uncomfortabel but I could see! By now the footpath was 5 to 6 rows deep!

Tha parade started with all the different bonfire societies marching through with burning barrels and stakes, chanting and singing. There was also the usual brass band and bagpipes. The different groups were all dressed up differently as Greeks, Romans, Eyjptions, American Indians and other random chartactors like Elvis.

Some of them dragged huge figures on trollies (I assume to burn) up the street, one was of Steve Irwin and on his back was a tribute to his life. There was also George Bush and other well known figures.

After the parade the 3 of us (we never ended up meeting our mates) and the other 1000s of festival goers went to one of the bonfires (each of the societies have a seperate fire and fireworks and try to out do each other)

It was on a huge field behind Tescos and there was the biggeset bonfire I had ever seen in the middle. We stood about 200 metres away from it and still felt the heat on our faces (but it was about 5oC!)

The fireworks for this fire started about 11.00 (there was fireworks from other fires going all the time) and they were absolutely amazing!! We stood right under them and they felt so close and were so big, beautiful and loud, sometimes there were so many of them going the whole sky lit up as if it was daytime!!

All wrapped up around midnight although there were still fireworks and fires going in the distance and still loads of people around.

Surprisingly fast trip home and arrived back about 1.30am

http://www.lewesbonfirecouncil.org.uk/ The Lewes Bonfire Councils Homepage

http://www.travelblog.org/gmaps/map_2gA.html Route map

Paris October 14th - 17th

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:21:49 GMT

We had a fantastic time in Paris last weekend and spent the whole 3 days sightseeing, eating and drinking!

Went to the Eiffel Tower at night - a stunning sight from the top, on the first night.

Sunday we did Sacre-Couer and the Montmarte markets then jumped on an open top bus and went around the city. Went into Notre-Dame and did a river cruise up to the Champs Elysees where we strolled around all the magnificant buildings and statues.

Went out that night to bars and restaurants near the Moulin Rouge.

Monday we got on the bus again and went to the Musee De Louvre. Very impressed by the architecture and the painted ceilings. Saw the Mona Lisa and various other famlous works of art.

Went to the cemetary to see Jim Morrison's grave and have a look around - impressive place.

Went to the Arc De Triomphe that night and had a great view from the top, then went for dinner and a bottle of wine along the Champs Elysees.

Last day we did all our souvineer shopping and went to the tower for photos during the day and checked out the shops.

Si vous allez jamais n'importe où, vont à Paris la ville pour des amoureux.

http://www.travelblog.org/gmaps/map_29c.html

4 Mile Beach Port Douglas

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 18:29:03 GMT

Free file hosting from File Den!

Manchester 07.10.2006

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:58:55 GMT

Last weekend Dave and I went upto Manchester to a flatwarming party with some of the people we worked with at "Smart" in Brisbane.

Have'nt seen them in over a year and was so great to catch up.

Picked up Deb who caught the train to Newbury from Bath, and left around 1.30. Stopped for Burger King. The traffic up near Manchester was bad due to an England game being played at Old Trafford. Watched the first half of the game in a pub.

Arrived at Simon's around 7pm and picked up him and John (over from Liverpool) and went to geet booze (2 bottles of Jim Beam and 40 cans of Stella!!)

Arrived at Tazzie's house and met up with him, Pete , Rick and Susie from Smart. His flatmates had heaps of mates there as well.

Had some decks set up in the lounge which people took turns doing sets.

Had a really great night and got loads of great pics, just wish some of the others were there.

Ended up crashing in the car with Dave about 6 or 7am!!Long trip back on Sunday and was feeling very ill...............

http://www.travelblog.org/gmaps/map_26o.html [to see map]

Barcelona..........

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 17:43:02 GMT

Well it's all go from here on in............

Susan asked me to come to Barcelona with her in November and how could I refuse?

Got cheap as airfares and I have nothing better to do!!!

Now have to look at hostels and tours and try not to spend to much cash in Paris so no designer gear for me................boo hoo!!!

Trying to also get to Switzerland in January to stay with Sue in the alps and do a bit of skiing so HAVE to get work after I finish at Vodafone at the end of October or i'll be up shit creek with no paddle!!!

Paris, Work and New Forest

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 21:41:17 GMT

Hello all, Looking forward to going to Manchester for a Smart reunion at Tazzy's housewarming on the 7th of October. Really hope everyone can come as we really miss all the Vodafone crew.

Speaking of Vodafone, I have been asked to stay on for anouther month at my job in Theale - bonus!!!!

Looking forward to going to Paris next month also and have been looking at sites and have booked and paid for accomodation and flights.

Has a lovely lunch with all Dave's family in the New Forest, at an Italian Restaurant. Lovely meal and company, always great to see Robert and Net and she is getting so much bigger - still 3 months to go though - I think it's a girl and a boy???

Cool Painting

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:12:32 GMT

Amazing Spray Painting - video powered by Metacafe

Bath

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:01:00 GMT

Bath is a beautiful city with absolute Shit roads!!!

Took about an hour to get in from the highway turnoff as the traffic was at a crawl!!

Fianally found a car park and only had to circle it once to get a park. ( that was cause there was a sign saying the park was full outside!!) probably to put people off!!

Walked through the streets and past a French market in the park, and past the tall buildings( reminded me of London) all looking the same and squashed together, with doors that go straight down to the street.

Found the inner town center and stopped in a tiny pub and had lunch (Bacon and Brie baguette & salad) the others had a huge fry up each - yummy. Had a lovely glass of Pinot Grigio also!!

Found the Roman Baths - Baths most popular tourist attraction - and only lined up for about 15 minutes, I think due to the time as it was near on 3pm by the time we went in.

Walked around and had a listening device (like the ones at Stonehenge) where you press for a commentary on things when you see corresponding numbers. The Baths were so lovely and didn't smell at all like people have said.

I would have loved to sit around the bath in the sun & just hang out but not enough time!! Learnt a bit about when they were made and Roman customs etc. Very spectacular with all the statues, columns, hidden pools and ruins.

After that we strolled down to the river Avon and the view was amazing. The Pulteny Bridge is beautiful with it's arches and old charm. The buildings along the river above the park are old and have columns which make the whole look very grand and hard to describe!!

Went on a 1hour boat cruise up the river which was relaxing but very boring. Saw people punting and a few stuck in trees and having all sorts of trouble. Saw and old church where some guy who took the first fleet of convicts to Australia is buried.

Strolled back to the carpark via the ice-cream shop and Royal Cresent.

http://www.cityofbath.co.uk/

Burial Chambers, Stone circles and White horses

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:25:39 GMT

On Sunday The 3 of us got up early and set off for Bath with a few stops along the way.

First we stopped at Silbury hill which is a huge burial mound along the highway but unfortunately you can't climb it but it's so huge you can't miss it!!

Across the road from Silbury hill and over the field is the West Kennett Long Barrow which is a Neolithic burial chamber built in 3500BC. When they excavated it, it contained about 50 bodies of all ages.The chamber, which extends 10 metres into the mound, consists of five seperate chambers, two on either side of a narrow passage, which then opens up into a further chamber at the far end. Like many of these passage graves, the entrance was flanked by a semi circular forecourt, which framed the dark opening, although this is now partially obscured by the huge stones used to seal the tomb. It is really eerie going in and I got some really cool shots inside.

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/aa/westkennet_longbarrow.html See more here

Next stop was Avebury which is a small town in the middle of a huge stone henge. It is older and of course bigger than Stonehenge. The stones are huge and about 27 of the 90 odd are still there. There are mounds around the site too which provide great photo oppertunities. Along the road is the stone Avenue which is an avenue lined with sarcen stones which is thought to lead from another stone cirlce. Went to the tiny giftshop and old thatched pub. Well worth the £0 to go and have a look!!

http://www.sacredsites.com/europe/england/avebury.html See more here

Next we stumbled on a site when Dave was looking at the hills behind us instead of the road!! But as we were talking about the many white horses in Wiltshire we stumbled onto one!!

Looking at a monument on the hill we saw a white(grey) horse on the hill below some castle ruins. Got some cool pics and were glad we saw one of these famous horses. It was the Chervill horse we later discovered.

http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/cherhill.html See more here

Stonehenge & Old Sarum

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 08:55:54 GMT

On Saturday Dave,Susan and I went up to Stonehenge. Dave and I had been there before on a winters day at the beginning of this year.

Every time I go over the hill and see it for the first time I am enchanted at the sight, its so cool!

Took the oppentunity to get some cool pics and enjoy the sunshine. There were more people there this time and the bloody price has gone up to £5.90!! Still an awesome site though.

Also dsecided to go and see Old Sarum.........didnt know what it was or how big it was but it looked interesting in photos!!

As we came down the motorway a huge mound (obviously man-made) loomed in frount of us - must be it!!!

Up the hill to the car park and then over a very high bridge to the main area where we discovered the ruins of a castle - only the basement and some steps were there. Must have been somew sort of show before we arrived as there was a trench set up in the ruins and there were WW1 soldiers all over the place and the sounds of guns and bombs going off.

So old Sarum was raised by the Iron age people and later used by the Romans, Saxons and the Normans as a fort , castle & cathedral.

The view over the patchworked fields was great (although no crop circles) and you could see the ruins of the cathedral on the lower part of the mound.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ For more information on these sites

Also popped down to Sailsbury and looked around the pretty old town and went to the cathedral which has the tallest spire and the largest cloisters in Britain.

Timer - to see how much time u have wasted here........

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:30:45 GMT

How long have you been here?

Photo Album: 08 April

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:27:39 GMT

08 April

Brighton 2008

Dance Village - Glastonbury 2007

Glastonbury 2007

Global Gathering 2007

Italy 207

Italy 2007

Wales 2007

Photo Album: Barcelona - November 2006

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 19:26:20 GMT

Barcelona - November 2006

Window inside Cathedral

Up on the roof of Sagrada Familia

View over Barcelona

Gaudi's famous Serpent at Park Guell

Gaidi's Spanish Villa

View over Barcelona

Park Guell columns

View from Monserrat Monestry

Inside Monserrat

Mountain and Cable cars

More Photos...

Photo Album: Paris October 14-17

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 21:52:35 GMT

Paris October 14-17

Arc De Triomphe

Ceiling in Lourve

Dinner on Champs Elysees

Inverted Pyrimid - The Lourve

L & D Sacre-Couer

Leigh & Dave Eiffel Tower

Leigh at Eiffel Tower

Leigh at Moulin Rouge

Lourve

Notre-Dame

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Photo Album: London - Easter 2006

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 08:52:06 GMT

London - Easter 2006

St Pauls

Big Ben

Tower Bridge

Tower Of London

Tower and Bridge

Leigh & Dave

Red Phone Box

Guard

Tower of London

Natural History Museam

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Photo Album: Holidays - Australia & NZ

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 16:40:15 GMT

Holidays - Australia & NZ

Dinner at Berados - Noosa

4WD Fraser Island

Rough Road!!

Lake MacKenzie

Swimming

Beautiful Bodies??

Our Apartment

Auckland City - NZ

Sky Tower - NZ

Marae - NZ

More Photos...