15th - 17th July

It’s amazing how productive your days become when you’re travelling. Friday morning, Robin and I set out to Canary Wharf Crossrail, to see the Queen Elizabeth Line rooftop gardens. An old industrial area has been revamped for a new train line, and sitting on the rooftop above it all is a lush, green garden, complete with foliage identification and sculptures. One sculpture, a business shirt, hung Christ-like above the garden. It was called “Boardroom Sacrifice”. Having seen the hundreds of high-rise office buildings in London central, the piece seemed appropriate for a city with a feel of big business.

We set out across the Greenwich foot tunnel; a tunnel opened in 1902, which goes under the River Thames, linking the Isle of Dogs with Greenwich. It’s long, damp, and has amazing acoustics. I threatened to shout a coo-ee, but to Robin’s relief, didn’t follow through. The buskers sounded great, a note for future reference.
In Greenwich I had the obligatory photo on both sides of the timeline, and we had a quick look around the Royal Observatory. Onto the market, where we met some talented artists, and then to the old Royal Navy College. At this point I was fairly hungry, and perhaps didn’t take as much in as I could have. It’s impossible not to be impressed by the Painted Hall and the Chapel, despite the hunger pains. The Painted Hall is a giant room, with giant murals covering the walls and ceiling. It reminded me of the Cistine Chapel, but of course, not to the same scale. The Chapel dates back to 1751, and the naval motifs cast into the ceiling are hand carved. The theme is Wedgewood coloured; so typically English!
Greenwich is also home to the Cutty Sark tea clipper. This long, large boat, once carried tea to England from China, and also wool from Australia. Not being a sea person, I have great admiration for anyone who sailed a ship such as the Cutty Sark as far as Australia in the 1800’s.
From the Cutty Sark we caught a ferry back up the Thames, where we met Andy for a much anticipated afternoon tea. Being the foodie I am, I’d discovered a vegan ice-creamery near Picadilly Circus, where I dragged Robin and Andy in the afternoon. A double scoop of choc-orange and violet, topped with brownies and choc ice-magic sauce, and I was the smiliest person around. In case you were

wondering, the violet ice cream had real violets in it, and according to Andy, “tastes like your grandmother’s perfume”. Only, sweeter, I thought.

Off to the National Portrait Gallery, where some of the paintings were so realistic, they could have been photos. Others captured the essence of a person with a few abstract brushstrokes, and overall, I’ve decided that it’s time to start painting again when I get home.
Andy took us to the pub, where I downed a cider and marveled at the number of people spilling onto the streets in front of the pubs, where there was standing room only inside. The pub had a wall covered in drink coasters, each depicting a different beverage. I lost count of how many different companies make alcohol, and wondered about the liver health of London.

We took a trip around Liberty, one of the oldest design stores in London. The stock in store was creative and quirky, as was the giant clock with a carriage which pulled up, on the hour.

Robin and Andy treated me to a meal at Mildred’s; a vegan/vegetarian restaurant with amazing food, excellent service and terrible acoustics. But who needs to make conversation when there are bellies to fill? I went to bed a satisfied foodie that night.

Saturday morning began with a rush to the Wanstead Flats parkrun. Robin kindly drove me there, but due to a bus blocking the intersection, I arrived mere seconds before they started. I caught up, ran two laps and came in as the third female, although not a PB time. The entire track is off road, and at parts is so narrow, only one person can move along, with no space for overtaking. It was still a buzz to run my first UK parkrun.

In the afternoon, I was finally able to meet with my aunt, uncle and first cousins. A lot has changed in five years. My oldest first cousin is now married with a baby, and another on the way! I was able to meet new husbands, boyfriends, and catch up on everyone’s news. They took me to an Italian restaurant which was vegan and coeliac friendly. It was so nice to see everyone again, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again soon.

Sunday I was able to catch up with my friends Derek and Ria, and their two kids. Derek and I met by chance on an airplane in 2003. We made friends, and stayed friends ever since. On one of the warmest days so far, we took the kids to a large park for a birthday party, and spent the afternoon in the backyard, playing guitar and watching the kids play. The best thing about some friendships is, aside from catching up on news, the warmth is still there, despite time and

distance. Who would have thought that the random Irishman on my flight thirteen years ago would be hosting me in London in 2016?
I’ve introduced their kids to koalas and Mem Fox, and explained all about drop bears. One day they’ll visit Australia as a family, and it’s important to be aware of drop bears. Too bad I’m a dreadful liar…

I write this from York, where I’ve now arrived today, and am yet to eat dinner. Updates to come.
Photo credits for many of this entry come from Robin – thanks Robin!
Haven't included many from family/friends visits, this blog is splattered over the internet and privacy matters. Love you guys, you know who you all are <3