London, July 2006 update

London, July 2006 update | 18 Jul 2006

May - mid July

The weather has dramatically improved since a damp flat BBQ in early May and I can now once again see the blue sky and daylight after work (and all too early on a Saturday/Sunday morning!).

The atmosphere of London dramatically changes at the fist hint of summer - streets fill, bars overflow onto the pavement, and skin appears in the commons.

There have been the usual flat warmings, welcome/leaving parties, nights out in Clapham, and plenty of birthdays to celebrate at this time of the year. All have provided excellent opportunities to catch up with a broad variety of people and often party in the park. Speaking of which, last weekend (15 July) was the Toast festival - the New Zealand (Saturday) and Australian (Sunday) food and wine festival. Arriving at midday we were entertained with NZ music (Hayley Westenra, Nathan King (Zed)), while enjoying green lipped mussels, Summer Ale, and Macs Gold. The social factor was more overwhelming than predicted - meeting numerous old friends consistently throughout the day. Dave Dobbyn topped the afternoon off with ‘Slice of Heaven’, and of course ‘Loyal’. The day didn’t end there, and it was back to Clapham to party until late on Sunday morning.

Early in June there were the London Sevens, where, after the Kiwis dropped out, I proudly and vainly cheered on the Samoans. I also managed to acquire a couple of front row balcony seats to one of my favourite bands, Tool.

More recently (1 July), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) played the entire Dark Side of the Moon album live in Hyde Park. In one of the best concerts I have attended, we were also treated to other Floyd classics such as The Wall, Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Comfortably Numb, and music from his solo career. Never far from a Kiwi experience, Breaks Co-op also played that afternoon. Last night I also attended a great Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at Earls Court.

Between the above and my overseas travel I have also managed to squeeze in a few London museums and a fleeting trip to Glasgow for work. Work wise, some will be pleased to hear that I am still a ‘monthly drinks’ devotee, and we were even treated to an ‘away day’ of fun and games - who says accounting isn’t fun?

Locations Visited: London, Glasgow, London, Winchester, London

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