Hey y'all,
Hope you are alive after the last blog. Yes it was mammoth, but just so many exciting things! :P
Will try and keep this shorter... but no promises!
Nothing like coming off a 16hour flight and being detained in San Francisco airport... perfect.
"Mam, where is your DS 2019?"
"Ah, I don't have it"
"Please take a seat in Secondary customs"...
Of course I forgot some 'important' piece of paper, but really was it necessary?! I needed the DS 2019 to get my VISA and I had my VISA in my water damaged passport and I had a valid passport... so why was it damn necessary? Welcome to The United States of America Margot!
Spent the night in an airport hotel, relieved to have not been put on a plane and deported. I got the CalTrain down to San Jose, a lovely 1 hour ride, starting to get a feel for the California!
I certainly got the cliche travel experience. I was waiting for a train, when a eccentrically frizzy red headed lady started talking to me. She was the kind of character you would expect to have a black cat following her around. Had an Irish background, but had grown up for the most part of her life in South San Francisco. She went on to tell me, "The US is not a safe place for people anymore, if you commit a crime, the Police will charge you for more than you did and you will be imprisoned in a unlisted prison in the desert. No one will ever be able to find you. Your existance will disappear and no matter how much people search for you, you're gone. Property of the State now. But I have a friend. Dennis. He is also Irish, an ex pat. He drives a big Catalac and can get you from San Francisco to San Jose in 35-40mins... you'll be hard pressed to find someone that can do that! If you ever get in trouble with the Police, call Dennis. He will come find you and sort everything out. But his number is unlisted. Never give this to anyone. I will know if you have given it to anyone." Proceeded to write some details on a pre made business card, stating 'Dennis - (and his number)'...
As she was nearing her stop, she said, "if you ever need me, come to (some bar) in town and ask the Barman for Babzilla. He will come find me. I won't give out my real name. Just remember Babzilla"
And she was gone. Surreal. Again, welcome to the US Margot! The first people I spoke to were customs and a loony lady... what was install for me if this was the beginning?!
Arrived at the Campus Village B (CVB) building, my accommodation on campus, the largest of 7 apartment/dorm blocks. The campus accommodates over 3000 students! A little more than I am use to at my humble UWS res with 325 students. The campus was pretty quiet as it was a week before class commenced. I met two other internationals waiting outside for the 3pm entry, an Aussie chick and Swedish guy, so boom - 2 others in the same boat. Perfect. After checking in, meeting a few other Internationals, we took a trip to Walmart to buy our necessities. Was a 4 hour experience, complete with Taco Bells dinner which had a sign saying "WARNING - Chemicals known to the State to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm may be present in foods or beverages served here." Wow.
So I had arrived in the States on the 13th August. Unfortunately a few days before that, I received a phone call from my family, saying my 90 year old Grandad Harry, had had a fall in the bathroom, spent the night of the bathroom floor and amongst other things, went into renal failure, with the doctors giving him days to live. Being a close family, there was no doubt in my mind. I was going home. By the 15th August, I was on a flight home to Sydney. I arrived on the 17th at 6:30am, made it to the hospital and spent the day with Grandad, who was semi unconscious. Being the last grandchild of 6 to visit, when he heard my voice in his room, he opened his eyes, something he had not done for 48hours. At 6:15pm, he passed away, with some of the family and I at his bedside. The funeral was organised with haste to allow me to return to the USA and commence university, so on Monday 22nd we had the funeral, in which my dad and I spoke at. Tuesday 23rd I returned to The States and started class on Wednesday 24th.
It was obviously a hard time for me and the family, however was so nice to be able to spend Grandad's last day together. Something I don't regret for a minute! A lot is going to change back home now, end of an amazing era for an amazing man and for all of his family, its the end of the family home that my Dad has lived in for over 50 years and a place we have all had so many memories in. But you got to celebrate what a fantastic life he had.
Back to the States. Took a few days to recover from a physical and emotional rollarcoaster. Adjusting to a whole new culture, city and university was another challenge in itself. Thea told me a cool quote "life only throws at you what it thinks you can handle"... I guess it was one of those moments.
The two classes I take are Occupation and Physical Dysfunction and Cultural Diversity in OT. I have those classes in seminar style, for 3 hours each once a week. My lecturer is really cool and for those OT kids, she has written a chapter in the Pendretti book, "OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY - practice skills for Physical Dysfunction" Gigi Smith is her name. So learning a wealth of knowledge from her! Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, I attend fieldwork. I am working with kids with special needs in schools throughout the Santa Clara county. So far so good!
The first weekend I was back, our gang of International students got the bus to Santa Cruz, about an hour bus ride from campus. The culture there is like that of Byron Bay I was told, but when I got there, it seemed more like an English seaside town, with its long pier, amusements/rides by the sea, cold water and no one actually in the water! The weather is actually upwards of 30degrees, but the water never seems to warm up. Sunbaking on the beach, I heard the weirdest sounds, to which i had no idea what it was, to look around and see Seals playing on the pontoon by the pier! About 30+ of these huge, ugly, scared seals (Sea Lions I think they actually were)...
The campus takes up from 4th street to 10th street and about 6 streets wide, so is pretty big! Right in downtown San Jose. I've been told San Jose is the 10th biggest city in the US and the 4th safest city! So far since i have been here there has been a shooting (well I've heard more than one when i've been drifting off to sleep) and a sexual assault on campus... What the hell is the rest of the US like then?! a girl on my soccer team even brings pepper spray to training with her kit! Seems like a worthwhile investment!
Was at Las Vegas for the long weekend... but I will save that for my next blog!
Hope all are well! Drop me a line if you are reading these and let me know how you are going.
Margot xoxo
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Thursday 1 September 2011
London & Italia
(Written late - from 25th July - 13th August)
Buongiorno,
Hope everyone is well! Please send through your news and stories so I can keep up to date with everyone :)
Having a fantastic time in the UK. Leaving Saturday and heading to San Francisco, before arriving at my university, San Jose State University (about 45mins drive from San Fran).
I spent a week in London from the 25th - 30th. Travelling on a budget, i decided to take the bus from Leeds to London, a 4 hour bus journey, instead of the 2 hour train ride. Saving of about $25. Well, in retrospect about it, may have been $25 well spent to have taken the train. Bus driver didn't show up, angry passengers stressing about making connections, youth storming off the bus, cigarette in hand, saying "I can't be arsed listening to this" (in regards to the pensioners shouting at the member of staff), traffic jams all around London due to 2012 roadworks... but I can't be too harsh to National Express, as I made the journey in one piece with various delays, not bad for 18quid return.
Headed just north of London to visit my second cousins (my dad's cousin Nikki), her husband Andy and kids Charlie (19) and Georgie (14 going on 20). I spent 2 months living with them when I was on my GAP year after school, so was lovely to spend a short, but sweet time there. Charlie showed me his 2 new snakes and their food, frozen mouse. Nikki had inherited a turtle, that was 30 years old or so... had a near miss when it escaped the garden a few months back and had ended up under their garden shed. The kids had to tell her to get a grip from the never ending tears she shed in the fear she'd lost the thing! Georgie shared me with her passion for Asian pop singers and told me stories of stalking them at various gigs around London, waiting at stage doors for her heroes to exit the building, then showed me photos of the stereotypical Asian hand gesture. One 'Popstar' has even arranged an afternoon tea with Georgie and her friends on the bands next tour!
Tuesday, was a day of rememberance. Or as I'd rather put it, celebration of life. For one Ms Amy Winehouse. So I took a trip to Camden to pay my respects. Along with hundreds of others coming and going. Empty Vodka bottles and Stella Artois cans lined the kerb sides along the flowers and tributes. One lady, who seemed to resemble a similar habit to Amy's, sat peacefully, teary eyed, cigarette in one hand, bottle of vodka in the other, staring longingly at the Musicians house. An appropriate tribute one may suggest. I felt I was not paying my full respect, but I couldn't stomach straight Vodka at 11am on a Tuesday morning.
Spent lunch with my Aunty Bron on the Kings Road at Chelsea in her lunch break. Couldn't resist the sale at Jack Wills, so bought some heavily discounted items and felt like I could mix with the wealthy Londoners, strutting along with my small Jack Wills labelled bag.
Tuesday night, headed to Croydon to meet up with Amy, a friend I met when on a 10 day tour of India back in 2008. We had a few cocktails before meeting up with two of her friends from work, caught up on the latest of what Richard Branson was up to at Virgin, before having a fantastic Vietnamese dinner of fish, quail, squid, duck and white wine - all at an extremely cheap price! Headed back to the cocktail lounge to complete the evening and make it not as memorable as I would have liked... then spent a good 45minutes longer than necessary navigating my way to London Bridge from Waterloo.
Wednesday I enjoyed a nice sleep in.. before navigating around London. Surprisingly I remembered alot more of London than I expected, so enjoy strolling from London Bridge, down and over the Thames, up to Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Soho. Found my regular Chinese restaurant in Chinatown for lunch, unfortunately wasn't the 3 pound lunch special I use to frequently consume. That evening, I met up with my cousins Edwin and Elissa, along with Aunty Bron and we saw 'Ghost' on the West End. Was AMAZING! Technology these days with theatre is truly amazing.
Thursday I decided to get out of London, escape the hussle and bussle. London in the summer is just one big BO problem. And you suffer twice as much peak hour on the tubes! I took a trip to a continually criticised town, Southend-on-sea. London's closest 'beach'. Aka Chav central. It is Essex after all. It really is not as bad as people say, however I wouldn't quite call a beach a place where the towns drainage runs out to the sea, but each to their own. I took a lovely stroll out out the 2.2km long pier, 'The Longest Pleasure Pier' in the world. Being so 'long' it required a train to run out and take the old folk back if they managed the walk out. Just to get the whole experience, I jumped aboard to.
Spent Thursday night in Aunty Bron's local, The Charles Dickens, with Michael and Bron. The night ended with Bron sitting on a 'Boris bike', much to Michael and my laughter, considering she can't ride bikes!
Friday I headed up to Leeds. I had the pleasure to jump on the coach and get stuck in traffic. During the few hours delay on a full bus, coincidently I was sitting next a guy from Newcastle back home! He was also in the UK/Europe for a bit before going to America on Uni exchange. They breed us well back in the Castle of New.
Friday night was Jo's Hen's night. Was a crazy night. Typically Tashi (and I) were 3 hours late, but did have a good stock of alcohol to contribute. Soon after we got there, Jo had spilt a few drinks, so it was time to head out in Leeds. We went to her favourite bar, 'Fab Cafe'... a retro comic style bar, full of comic geeks. Complete with star Wars characters and a fusball machine! By 3am, we had made it home with a very drunk Tashi... who asked me in the morning, "so how did we get home last night?"
Written on 31st August (struggling to remember, but want to finish this blog) lol
The weekend of the 30th July - Aug 1st, Tashi and I went to Liverpool. Of course we didnt end up gettting there until about 3pm in the afternoon, went the original plan was a 9am train... we shoe hunted for a while, as naturally Trash bag still didn't have her bridesmaid shoes for the wedding in 5 days! Unsuccessful again... However, it allowed me to take in the sights and characters of Liverpool. On various occasions I witnessed girls form 16 - 30 years old, walking around with rollers and hair nets on, looking like oompa loompa's in their spray tans, hunting for their latest dress for Saturday night, but in their pyjamas?! Only in Liverpool! To hear the sounds coming out their mouths, i was sure I was on another planet.
We met up with Tashi's mate Freddie and her beau and went for an early dinner by the Mersey River... or sludge pile.
We then headed out to visit some of the Thornleys friends, family and tag alongs... going fmor pub to pub, to eventually clubs in Liverpool. And didnt I feel underdressed! I soon took it in my stride, hit the cocktails and decided to do the traditional 'PLANK' on a famous Liverpool icon, the Lambanana.. (photo on facebook). We headed to a Hawaiian bar with Karen and Nicky, friends of Tashi's mums, and had a pina colada out of a pineapple... quite tropical for Liverpool! :)
Sunday, we were spoilt by a lovely hearty cooked breakfast by Bren, Karens husband, just what was needed. We headed up to Formby, spent the afternoon with Tashi's nan, lovingly referred to as the 'Moron' and Poppa Rodger... Tashi's drunken translation when described her Grandmothers faith of Mormon. Headed on to meet up with Jules (Tashi's mum) and Adrian for a drink before train down to the 'Pool. Well... that was when I truly understood the stereotypes of Liverpool!
Innocently sitting on the train, next thing the group of about 6 boys, about 14-18 sitting spread out of the next few rows, decided that it was about time for a punch on. And then it began. "You f'ing so and so, you bring your mother f'n friends around to my mothers house and i'll f'n stab you, go on, go on, try me.." and with bleeding nose and ripped ear, the train driver stopped the train and came down, politely asking them when their intended stop was, before reminding them that there are women and children on this train... If I was in his shoes, i'd probably kick them off, but hey, maybe thats how they do it in Liverpool?
We visited some friends of Tashi's, before realising we had missed the last train home, so had some chinese in Liverpool's Chinatown, before heading to her Grandparents place to crash for the night.
Early Monday morning train back to Liverpool, Trashi off to work and I met up with Pat (Nikki) and Kat, and we, as well as 10 or so of her Physio mates, went to a high ropes adventure course 'Aerial Extreme' in North Yorkshire. I couldn't believe that the fellow who worked there, was Wil, a guy I worked with at PGL in 2008! Out of all of us there, the Aussie knew someone!
Thursday was the wedding! Joe and Dave - 2 people that worked and met each other at the Queenswood Social Club, where Tashi worked also. Was a lovely wedding, in a small church just outside of Leeds, followed by a LOVELY reception in an old building, decorated beautifully by Jo, for an afternoon and evening reception. There was a massive Hog roast and about 20 chickens on the spit too! Not a sight for the vegetarians. Somehow, I put in a great effort and managed to review what I had eaten and drank that day at 3am...
Friday was a 5:30am wake up for a flight to Venice! Yay! All had been booked by Tashi, as we were going to spend the night in Venice, before heading down to Ferrera, to watch her mates play in the World Tchoukball Championships! I was excited for Venice... A very hungover trip to the airport for me, thankfully it was only a 15min drive that Jules was kind enough to get up to take us.
Tashi is one who loves surprises. She always has grand ideas for peoples birthday and special occasions, however amongst her busy schedule and extravegent ideas, they unfortunately rarely surface. However, she prides herself on those spontaneous surprises... This was one of those....
At Checkin desk...
Jet2 lady: "Welcome to Jet2, where are you flying to today?"
(I was too hungover to talk...)
Tashi: "Venice"
Jet2 lady: "Last names?"
Tashi: "Thornley and Widdup"
Jet2: "I can't find you on the system, did you know your check in code?"
Tashi: "Yes blah blah blah"
Jet2: "I am sorry, but your flight was for yesterday..."
SURPRISE MARGOT!
Tashi refused to believe this, so marched off to find some internet to check. Later coming back with her tail between her legs...
I headed to desk to see if we could book tickets onto todays flight...
"All full sorry"
Me: "are there any other options?"
Jet2: "no unfortunately. However, there are 3 people that havent turned up for this flight, so if you wait around til check in closes, we can book you onto this flight." Eeekkkkk
Needless to say, we were on the flight. I was still a little worse for wear. The run through security was probably not the best turbulence for my upset stomach.
Sunny Venice! Realised later, we got ripped off on the boat ride into Venice, but we made it. Had a pizza lunch. I got my wind back and were off to explore. Headed to San Marco square, walked around the cobble streets, flooded with tourists, beggers and locals trying to sell anything and everything touristy. Tashi bought a gondola boaters t-shirt. I convinced her the matching hat wasn't worth 10pounds.
We had a good chat as we walked around, I explained how the Gondola's were truly an extortionate price for the time spent aboard and its still nice to take the public ferry to be out on the water. I found the scene of the crime, where Brittany had skinny dipped under a bridge in a canal, on a cold December night in 2007. What memories! We passed Gondola's with boaties trying to get us on board, 100euros one guy said, for 40mins! No way. We walked on and before long, another guy offered us 80euros... we declined politely, we walked on and I again went over the vast expenses of the Gondola rides, little did I know Tashi had stopped and was haggling with the guy, next thing I know she's heading back to the Gondola and we are getting on. Surprise #2.
To be honest, it was a lovely relaxing paddle around the back canals, with the guy giving us limited commentary with his broken English on the attractions surrounding. 60 euros for 35mins... Was definitely a nice experience. We explored a bit more of Venice by foot, before stopping to have dinner by a canal.
We got up early the next day, 6th Aug and went up the tower in San Marco Square. A truly spectacular view of the small islands. I didn't realise how many Cruise Liners stopped in! How on earth did they fit? No wonder Venice floods!
Headed south on a train to Ferrera. Arrived with no hotel bookings. No maps. No idea of where the Tchoukball was being played. I truly was on a spontaneous Trashi holiday. And she was loving every moment of the adventure. I suggested instead of just walking away in a random directions from the train station, that maybe we ask a bus driver where the centre of town was and how best to get there. In the end, we pointed to a picture of Ferrera castle, which we knew was in the centre of town.
Siesta time. never a great time to arrive in a small town. We managed to get some accommodation when eventually finding the internet cafe... hired some bikes, got a dodgey map, a peddled our little bikes like mad to get to the Tchoukball venue. It was so hot and humid and the bikes were the most dodgey we had ever ridden. Was ace to see Jan and Han and to finally watch one of these games of 'Tchoukball'. After the game, we all rode back to town together, going through a local park, filled with fair events. There was a giant.. and i mean GIANT teddy machine there. I couldn't resist. 1 euro a go. I knew the it was pricey. But the reward was so great. I went in with confidence. I had a wealth of experience and success behind me. I picked out my victim. A pink pig. Was in a great position for my shiny silver claw. 1st attempt... fail, or rather shuffled into a better position. 2nd attempt... picked up and fell out of my claw. 3rd attempt... SUCCESS! A large silver rollardoor opened (about 1m squared) for my new prized possession to be delivered to me.
The day 'Tchouky' the pig was brought into the world. He soon became the GB team mascot.
We joined all the countries for a team dinner, but with poor service and high humidity, we spent more time at the local kebab caravan, before a gelato on the way home to bed.
Sunday was the big day. All the finals of the championship. GB ladies were playing off for 5th place. Was a fantastic game! They won, but it wasn't an easy win. Was all streamed live over the internet for the world to see! We spent the afternoon in a near by pool cooling off from the 40degree heat. What kinda of pool makes in mandatory to wear swimming caps! Joke! So we all looked like complete idiots! Was nice to have 3 or 4 afternoon cocktails by the pool though. We watched the wheelchair Tchoukball, women's and men's finals.. that was certainly an eye opener! What athleticism these Taiwanese men have! They won convincingly, 75-45 or so over the Italians. We stayed for most of the LONG closing ceremony, before cycling back, having a nap, then going out for dinner.
Monday, we were up early to get the train back, to meet our flight in Venice. Venice is definitely the most disorganised airport EVER with the queues unbelievably long! Arrived in Leeds, Tashi repacked her bag and headed off an hour later for 3 days of training with work. Pat, Megan and I enjoyed some rose and Thai for my pre-birthday celebrations.
9th AUGUST! Another year older... 22! ekkkk
Pat took me to the parcel pick up to get my birthday parcel from the family, which was lovely. I got the train off to Liverpool to meet up with Jules and Jake for an afternoon of climbing. Was great fun! Hadn't been climbing in ages and couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday afternoon. Jules had cooked a lovely dinner, got the rose in and everything, but I think the Thai from the night before wasn't so lovely and I spent my birthday out the front with a bucket... funnily enough kinda reminded me of my birthday last year?! Strange.
Wednesday 10th - I got the train back to Leeds, went out for dinner with Tashi to celebrate my birthday and bless her cotton socks, she had arranged a little surprise dinner for me at Thai! Megan, Ste, Pat, Alan, Tashi and I were there, a few others couldn't make it. It was ace to see everyone again and say my farewells...
Thursday I spent sometime packing and sorting out my stuff. That evening, I got a sad call from my family saying Grandad had had a fall, spent the night on the bathroom floor and the family has been called to his bedside at hospital, as he had gone into renal failure. I spent most the night in tears, devastated by the news, trying to comfort myself by remembering he is 90 and has lived a fantastic life.
Friday morning, I finished off packing and got a train down to London. Tashi came with. We left my stuff at left luggage and explored London. Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square mainly. I showed Tashi where I use to work in London and had a nice afternoon walking around. We joined the office workers and had some friday evening drinks, a pizza express garlic doughball dinner and some more sightseeing. Before long, I was on the tube to Heathrow. Got up early for my flight to San Francisco.
Grandad was still kicking on, despite the doctors first thought.
I arrived in America, only to be detained. Just what I needed after a 14hour flight....
Sorry for the length, I have turned this into more my travel diary and I seem to just have all these memories that I want to have written down.. so I apologise if you have ended up waking up hours later with your face on your keyboard... :) xx
Buongiorno,
Hope everyone is well! Please send through your news and stories so I can keep up to date with everyone :)
Having a fantastic time in the UK. Leaving Saturday and heading to San Francisco, before arriving at my university, San Jose State University (about 45mins drive from San Fran).
I spent a week in London from the 25th - 30th. Travelling on a budget, i decided to take the bus from Leeds to London, a 4 hour bus journey, instead of the 2 hour train ride. Saving of about $25. Well, in retrospect about it, may have been $25 well spent to have taken the train. Bus driver didn't show up, angry passengers stressing about making connections, youth storming off the bus, cigarette in hand, saying "I can't be arsed listening to this" (in regards to the pensioners shouting at the member of staff), traffic jams all around London due to 2012 roadworks... but I can't be too harsh to National Express, as I made the journey in one piece with various delays, not bad for 18quid return.
Headed just north of London to visit my second cousins (my dad's cousin Nikki), her husband Andy and kids Charlie (19) and Georgie (14 going on 20). I spent 2 months living with them when I was on my GAP year after school, so was lovely to spend a short, but sweet time there. Charlie showed me his 2 new snakes and their food, frozen mouse. Nikki had inherited a turtle, that was 30 years old or so... had a near miss when it escaped the garden a few months back and had ended up under their garden shed. The kids had to tell her to get a grip from the never ending tears she shed in the fear she'd lost the thing! Georgie shared me with her passion for Asian pop singers and told me stories of stalking them at various gigs around London, waiting at stage doors for her heroes to exit the building, then showed me photos of the stereotypical Asian hand gesture. One 'Popstar' has even arranged an afternoon tea with Georgie and her friends on the bands next tour!
Tuesday, was a day of rememberance. Or as I'd rather put it, celebration of life. For one Ms Amy Winehouse. So I took a trip to Camden to pay my respects. Along with hundreds of others coming and going. Empty Vodka bottles and Stella Artois cans lined the kerb sides along the flowers and tributes. One lady, who seemed to resemble a similar habit to Amy's, sat peacefully, teary eyed, cigarette in one hand, bottle of vodka in the other, staring longingly at the Musicians house. An appropriate tribute one may suggest. I felt I was not paying my full respect, but I couldn't stomach straight Vodka at 11am on a Tuesday morning.
Spent lunch with my Aunty Bron on the Kings Road at Chelsea in her lunch break. Couldn't resist the sale at Jack Wills, so bought some heavily discounted items and felt like I could mix with the wealthy Londoners, strutting along with my small Jack Wills labelled bag.
Tuesday night, headed to Croydon to meet up with Amy, a friend I met when on a 10 day tour of India back in 2008. We had a few cocktails before meeting up with two of her friends from work, caught up on the latest of what Richard Branson was up to at Virgin, before having a fantastic Vietnamese dinner of fish, quail, squid, duck and white wine - all at an extremely cheap price! Headed back to the cocktail lounge to complete the evening and make it not as memorable as I would have liked... then spent a good 45minutes longer than necessary navigating my way to London Bridge from Waterloo.
Wednesday I enjoyed a nice sleep in.. before navigating around London. Surprisingly I remembered alot more of London than I expected, so enjoy strolling from London Bridge, down and over the Thames, up to Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Soho. Found my regular Chinese restaurant in Chinatown for lunch, unfortunately wasn't the 3 pound lunch special I use to frequently consume. That evening, I met up with my cousins Edwin and Elissa, along with Aunty Bron and we saw 'Ghost' on the West End. Was AMAZING! Technology these days with theatre is truly amazing.
Thursday I decided to get out of London, escape the hussle and bussle. London in the summer is just one big BO problem. And you suffer twice as much peak hour on the tubes! I took a trip to a continually criticised town, Southend-on-sea. London's closest 'beach'. Aka Chav central. It is Essex after all. It really is not as bad as people say, however I wouldn't quite call a beach a place where the towns drainage runs out to the sea, but each to their own. I took a lovely stroll out out the 2.2km long pier, 'The Longest Pleasure Pier' in the world. Being so 'long' it required a train to run out and take the old folk back if they managed the walk out. Just to get the whole experience, I jumped aboard to.
Spent Thursday night in Aunty Bron's local, The Charles Dickens, with Michael and Bron. The night ended with Bron sitting on a 'Boris bike', much to Michael and my laughter, considering she can't ride bikes!
Friday I headed up to Leeds. I had the pleasure to jump on the coach and get stuck in traffic. During the few hours delay on a full bus, coincidently I was sitting next a guy from Newcastle back home! He was also in the UK/Europe for a bit before going to America on Uni exchange. They breed us well back in the Castle of New.
Friday night was Jo's Hen's night. Was a crazy night. Typically Tashi (and I) were 3 hours late, but did have a good stock of alcohol to contribute. Soon after we got there, Jo had spilt a few drinks, so it was time to head out in Leeds. We went to her favourite bar, 'Fab Cafe'... a retro comic style bar, full of comic geeks. Complete with star Wars characters and a fusball machine! By 3am, we had made it home with a very drunk Tashi... who asked me in the morning, "so how did we get home last night?"
Written on 31st August (struggling to remember, but want to finish this blog) lol
The weekend of the 30th July - Aug 1st, Tashi and I went to Liverpool. Of course we didnt end up gettting there until about 3pm in the afternoon, went the original plan was a 9am train... we shoe hunted for a while, as naturally Trash bag still didn't have her bridesmaid shoes for the wedding in 5 days! Unsuccessful again... However, it allowed me to take in the sights and characters of Liverpool. On various occasions I witnessed girls form 16 - 30 years old, walking around with rollers and hair nets on, looking like oompa loompa's in their spray tans, hunting for their latest dress for Saturday night, but in their pyjamas?! Only in Liverpool! To hear the sounds coming out their mouths, i was sure I was on another planet.
We met up with Tashi's mate Freddie and her beau and went for an early dinner by the Mersey River... or sludge pile.
We then headed out to visit some of the Thornleys friends, family and tag alongs... going fmor pub to pub, to eventually clubs in Liverpool. And didnt I feel underdressed! I soon took it in my stride, hit the cocktails and decided to do the traditional 'PLANK' on a famous Liverpool icon, the Lambanana.. (photo on facebook). We headed to a Hawaiian bar with Karen and Nicky, friends of Tashi's mums, and had a pina colada out of a pineapple... quite tropical for Liverpool! :)
Sunday, we were spoilt by a lovely hearty cooked breakfast by Bren, Karens husband, just what was needed. We headed up to Formby, spent the afternoon with Tashi's nan, lovingly referred to as the 'Moron' and Poppa Rodger... Tashi's drunken translation when described her Grandmothers faith of Mormon. Headed on to meet up with Jules (Tashi's mum) and Adrian for a drink before train down to the 'Pool. Well... that was when I truly understood the stereotypes of Liverpool!
Innocently sitting on the train, next thing the group of about 6 boys, about 14-18 sitting spread out of the next few rows, decided that it was about time for a punch on. And then it began. "You f'ing so and so, you bring your mother f'n friends around to my mothers house and i'll f'n stab you, go on, go on, try me.." and with bleeding nose and ripped ear, the train driver stopped the train and came down, politely asking them when their intended stop was, before reminding them that there are women and children on this train... If I was in his shoes, i'd probably kick them off, but hey, maybe thats how they do it in Liverpool?
We visited some friends of Tashi's, before realising we had missed the last train home, so had some chinese in Liverpool's Chinatown, before heading to her Grandparents place to crash for the night.
Early Monday morning train back to Liverpool, Trashi off to work and I met up with Pat (Nikki) and Kat, and we, as well as 10 or so of her Physio mates, went to a high ropes adventure course 'Aerial Extreme' in North Yorkshire. I couldn't believe that the fellow who worked there, was Wil, a guy I worked with at PGL in 2008! Out of all of us there, the Aussie knew someone!
Thursday was the wedding! Joe and Dave - 2 people that worked and met each other at the Queenswood Social Club, where Tashi worked also. Was a lovely wedding, in a small church just outside of Leeds, followed by a LOVELY reception in an old building, decorated beautifully by Jo, for an afternoon and evening reception. There was a massive Hog roast and about 20 chickens on the spit too! Not a sight for the vegetarians. Somehow, I put in a great effort and managed to review what I had eaten and drank that day at 3am...
Friday was a 5:30am wake up for a flight to Venice! Yay! All had been booked by Tashi, as we were going to spend the night in Venice, before heading down to Ferrera, to watch her mates play in the World Tchoukball Championships! I was excited for Venice... A very hungover trip to the airport for me, thankfully it was only a 15min drive that Jules was kind enough to get up to take us.
Tashi is one who loves surprises. She always has grand ideas for peoples birthday and special occasions, however amongst her busy schedule and extravegent ideas, they unfortunately rarely surface. However, she prides herself on those spontaneous surprises... This was one of those....
At Checkin desk...
Jet2 lady: "Welcome to Jet2, where are you flying to today?"
(I was too hungover to talk...)
Tashi: "Venice"
Jet2 lady: "Last names?"
Tashi: "Thornley and Widdup"
Jet2: "I can't find you on the system, did you know your check in code?"
Tashi: "Yes blah blah blah"
Jet2: "I am sorry, but your flight was for yesterday..."
SURPRISE MARGOT!
Tashi refused to believe this, so marched off to find some internet to check. Later coming back with her tail between her legs...
I headed to desk to see if we could book tickets onto todays flight...
"All full sorry"
Me: "are there any other options?"
Jet2: "no unfortunately. However, there are 3 people that havent turned up for this flight, so if you wait around til check in closes, we can book you onto this flight." Eeekkkkk
Needless to say, we were on the flight. I was still a little worse for wear. The run through security was probably not the best turbulence for my upset stomach.
Sunny Venice! Realised later, we got ripped off on the boat ride into Venice, but we made it. Had a pizza lunch. I got my wind back and were off to explore. Headed to San Marco square, walked around the cobble streets, flooded with tourists, beggers and locals trying to sell anything and everything touristy. Tashi bought a gondola boaters t-shirt. I convinced her the matching hat wasn't worth 10pounds.
We had a good chat as we walked around, I explained how the Gondola's were truly an extortionate price for the time spent aboard and its still nice to take the public ferry to be out on the water. I found the scene of the crime, where Brittany had skinny dipped under a bridge in a canal, on a cold December night in 2007. What memories! We passed Gondola's with boaties trying to get us on board, 100euros one guy said, for 40mins! No way. We walked on and before long, another guy offered us 80euros... we declined politely, we walked on and I again went over the vast expenses of the Gondola rides, little did I know Tashi had stopped and was haggling with the guy, next thing I know she's heading back to the Gondola and we are getting on. Surprise #2.
To be honest, it was a lovely relaxing paddle around the back canals, with the guy giving us limited commentary with his broken English on the attractions surrounding. 60 euros for 35mins... Was definitely a nice experience. We explored a bit more of Venice by foot, before stopping to have dinner by a canal.
We got up early the next day, 6th Aug and went up the tower in San Marco Square. A truly spectacular view of the small islands. I didn't realise how many Cruise Liners stopped in! How on earth did they fit? No wonder Venice floods!
Headed south on a train to Ferrera. Arrived with no hotel bookings. No maps. No idea of where the Tchoukball was being played. I truly was on a spontaneous Trashi holiday. And she was loving every moment of the adventure. I suggested instead of just walking away in a random directions from the train station, that maybe we ask a bus driver where the centre of town was and how best to get there. In the end, we pointed to a picture of Ferrera castle, which we knew was in the centre of town.
Siesta time. never a great time to arrive in a small town. We managed to get some accommodation when eventually finding the internet cafe... hired some bikes, got a dodgey map, a peddled our little bikes like mad to get to the Tchoukball venue. It was so hot and humid and the bikes were the most dodgey we had ever ridden. Was ace to see Jan and Han and to finally watch one of these games of 'Tchoukball'. After the game, we all rode back to town together, going through a local park, filled with fair events. There was a giant.. and i mean GIANT teddy machine there. I couldn't resist. 1 euro a go. I knew the it was pricey. But the reward was so great. I went in with confidence. I had a wealth of experience and success behind me. I picked out my victim. A pink pig. Was in a great position for my shiny silver claw. 1st attempt... fail, or rather shuffled into a better position. 2nd attempt... picked up and fell out of my claw. 3rd attempt... SUCCESS! A large silver rollardoor opened (about 1m squared) for my new prized possession to be delivered to me.
The day 'Tchouky' the pig was brought into the world. He soon became the GB team mascot.
We joined all the countries for a team dinner, but with poor service and high humidity, we spent more time at the local kebab caravan, before a gelato on the way home to bed.
Sunday was the big day. All the finals of the championship. GB ladies were playing off for 5th place. Was a fantastic game! They won, but it wasn't an easy win. Was all streamed live over the internet for the world to see! We spent the afternoon in a near by pool cooling off from the 40degree heat. What kinda of pool makes in mandatory to wear swimming caps! Joke! So we all looked like complete idiots! Was nice to have 3 or 4 afternoon cocktails by the pool though. We watched the wheelchair Tchoukball, women's and men's finals.. that was certainly an eye opener! What athleticism these Taiwanese men have! They won convincingly, 75-45 or so over the Italians. We stayed for most of the LONG closing ceremony, before cycling back, having a nap, then going out for dinner.
Monday, we were up early to get the train back, to meet our flight in Venice. Venice is definitely the most disorganised airport EVER with the queues unbelievably long! Arrived in Leeds, Tashi repacked her bag and headed off an hour later for 3 days of training with work. Pat, Megan and I enjoyed some rose and Thai for my pre-birthday celebrations.
9th AUGUST! Another year older... 22! ekkkk
Pat took me to the parcel pick up to get my birthday parcel from the family, which was lovely. I got the train off to Liverpool to meet up with Jules and Jake for an afternoon of climbing. Was great fun! Hadn't been climbing in ages and couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday afternoon. Jules had cooked a lovely dinner, got the rose in and everything, but I think the Thai from the night before wasn't so lovely and I spent my birthday out the front with a bucket... funnily enough kinda reminded me of my birthday last year?! Strange.
Wednesday 10th - I got the train back to Leeds, went out for dinner with Tashi to celebrate my birthday and bless her cotton socks, she had arranged a little surprise dinner for me at Thai! Megan, Ste, Pat, Alan, Tashi and I were there, a few others couldn't make it. It was ace to see everyone again and say my farewells...
Thursday I spent sometime packing and sorting out my stuff. That evening, I got a sad call from my family saying Grandad had had a fall, spent the night on the bathroom floor and the family has been called to his bedside at hospital, as he had gone into renal failure. I spent most the night in tears, devastated by the news, trying to comfort myself by remembering he is 90 and has lived a fantastic life.
Friday morning, I finished off packing and got a train down to London. Tashi came with. We left my stuff at left luggage and explored London. Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square mainly. I showed Tashi where I use to work in London and had a nice afternoon walking around. We joined the office workers and had some friday evening drinks, a pizza express garlic doughball dinner and some more sightseeing. Before long, I was on the tube to Heathrow. Got up early for my flight to San Francisco.
Grandad was still kicking on, despite the doctors first thought.
I arrived in America, only to be detained. Just what I needed after a 14hour flight....
Sorry for the length, I have turned this into more my travel diary and I seem to just have all these memories that I want to have written down.. so I apologise if you have ended up waking up hours later with your face on your keyboard... :) xx
Saturday 23 July 2011
PGL reunion, Amsterslam, 'Slutwalk'
"Hi Slutwalker" (was how I was greeted today - i'll explain later)...
Well what a MASSIVE 10 days its been! Theme of the 10 days.. DEJA VU!
Tuesday 12th I got a train down to Weymouth, to embark on a 3 day reunion adventure of PGL mates back on site at Osmington Bay. So surreal to be in Weymouth with Thea. Deja Vu to the max! After stocking up on vodka redbull, eating some food (because we all know Lauren would never let us eat dinner - "eatings cheating"), we jumped in a good ol' Fleetline cab and got PGL staff discount ride up to centre. Driving down onto centre was nuts, so many memories, anecdotes and stories shared, before arriving at the gates and being met by Carlos and Lauren. Before we could put our bags down, we were discussing the important decisions in life, "wine or vodka?"
After a drink or two, Hannah Taylor, Shaun, Finchy, Sophie 'Big toes', Carlos, Charlie, Alex PB, Kate Manners, Growler, Lee and other staff had joined us. The goon sack and vegetable game was in full swing!
Tuesday night - what a massive night out in Weymouth... (hardly). The Lazy Lizard had the 15 or so of us bombard them. Before not long, a rather savage (to put it nicely) lady came over and told us to "shut up or f**k off"... oh Weymouth, how I have missed you! We ended up in Rendevous, had a lovely chat with some Army boys, before just getting to the chippy on the way home. I swear the lamb was the reason for the 4 vomits in the early hours of Wednesday morning!
Whilst some made it to breakfast in town on Wednesday, I preferred the lie in...
By midday, Hannah Taylor, Big toes, Finch, Shaun and I headed down to the venue for the 2012 Olympic sailing, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy or where PGL conducts watersports. (Thea preferred to nap) The idea was really not inviting, to be riding on a windsurfing board, tied to the back of a boat, with a stomach as fragile as mine (food positioning of course), nevertheless, it certainly did help my hangover in the 15degree water.
We chillaxed in the arvo, all had a nap. You could certainly tell we weren't the vibrant 18 and 19 year olds we once were! 21 is just so much older! We headed off to my favourite pub ever, 'Smugglers Inn' for dinner. Thea and I decided to take it easy, as we had 250 miles to ride on the weekend.
Thursday we made it to a PGL breakfast before saying an emotional goodbye and headed to the train station. Thea and I got on different trains at Bristol, Thea headed off to York and I to Liverpool. I met Tashi and we went to a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant met up with her family for her Dad's surprise 50th. Always enjoyable getting your dinner thrown at you.
The birthday party headed off to a few bars in Liverpool, watched her dad smash 3 Jager Bombs before I got my 1 down. It reinforced to be where Tashi gets her drinking skills from. Tashi and I got the 12:01am train back to Leeds, getting to Leeds by 2am, repacking and packing for Amsterslam and getting to bed by 4:30am... probably not the best idea for a 5 days 400km bike ride.
'Amsterslam' is a 250mile (400km) bike ride from York - Amsterdam and back, organised by a volunteer run organisation 'Chairty Adventure' raising funds for 'Jessies Fund' charity - music therapy for kids with disabilities. If you haven't already, please sponsor us on http://www.justgiving.com/Amsterslam2011
Deja Vu again. All the same, just a year on. We all met in York, 36 cyclists, 4 ride guides and 1 support car driver. Met up with 'Team Seagrass', Thea, Loz, Prue and Kat. Four Western Australians that had joined Thea in wanting to join me to complete the ride without breaking legs! The sun was shining (a nice surprise for the UK) and we were all so cheerful setting off, dry shoes, dry and clean clothes, passport in the satisfactory condition for immigration and clushty bottoms. Soon to end.
We cycled about 40km before stopping at the pub for lunch. A lovely cycle through the country roads and farming areas of the Yorkshire countryside. Was on good time with only 1 punctured tyre. After lunch we approached the only hill of the ride, a piddley rise which has nothing on Tyrrell Street, The Hill! We reached the sea side and rode along the coast, under the famous Humber Bridge of Hull, with the sight of the Cruise boat ahead. Always a massive excitement getting on the boat and hitting up the buffet. Although I feel like I let myself down a little by not eating in the correct order, going straight for the English roast dinner! Had a few drinks, listened to the on board band and met the other riders, before getting to bed.
Always a pleasure to be awoken by a loudspeaker announcement at 6am in 3 languages telling us to get up. As if saying it one language wasn't annoying enough. Packed the room, stocked up on breakfast to ensure I had plenty of calories to burn off. Was a long ride ahead, 120km. Its such a cliche ride, rode past windmill after windmill, deers, canals, locals riding bikes with clogs on etc. Lunch break was at the infamous Valcomburg (incorrect spelling)... aka where I broke my legs last year. The weather was definitely not as tempting for a swim, so both legs are intact. We cycled on, along a long canal passed the airport, in which the thought crossed my mind of, "we could've just flown to Amsterdam". Arrive on good time, 6pm, showered, thawed out, had dinner and went downstairs to the bar. It was Happy Hour, free shot with every drink. Great. Before I had any normal alcoholic drink, Tashi had near enough rammed 3 shots down my throat. 6 Jager shots for 10euro's... in for a big night! Bottle of Rose down and we were heading for the Red Light District. Thea, Loz, Kat and I got amongst it, great night life, had a few drinks in a pub and walked around. Tashi joined later, we ventured around, then was home by 3am. Tashi without her phone... typically lost, somehow.
Day 3 - Had a lovely sleep in til 1pm. I could definitely justify this sleep in. We ventured out to get food, Thai was the obvious choice. Purchased an umbrella on the way in an attempt to stay dry for the on off rain. Loz, Kat, Prue, Thea, Tashi and I did a canal cruise for 75mins, budget one obviously, so had no commentary of any sites or buildings, but was still lovely. Came back from to the hostel for dinner, nap, then Thea, Loz, Tashi, Dave and I ventured back out to the Red Light District. Enjoyed some of Amsterdams finest and got back by 2am. Probably not the best idea before a 6:30am start of a 120km day.
Day 4 - stuffed in some breakfast. Watched Loz feed her face with 'Scary Movie Strong Hands' and then watched Thea and Prue near throw up. I was in stitches of laughter. Another 120km in torrential rain and massive headwinds... something i'd come accustom to on this ride. Smashed the last 8km to the ferry, where we were allowed to breakaway and sprint there. Arrived to the pub to meet the others, had a few pints and hot chips. Everyone was stoked to have finished the hardest leg of the ride. Tashi managed to have 3 triple Malibu's and coke in 40mins... so she struggles to remember riding onto the ferry, but she was laughing the whole way on. All us Aussies enjoyed the buffet, then crashed out to sleep to the rougher rock of the waves on this crossing.
Day 5 - So... Oops.... I kinda got my passport wet and the photo has smudged, made it in the UK OK when I explained what happened. Anyway, sent passport off now to get a new one, so lets hope all goes well. More wet weather and a few punctured tyres, but made it back to York from Hull. What a relief it was riding into York, of course with a near miss crash between Thea and I... all caught on film. A few teary goodbyes (cough Thea cough) and we headed back to Leeds for some Thai takeaway and unpacking some very wet and smelly clothes.
Had a good sleep in and 5 loads of washing on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday just chilled. Saturday Tashi was roped in through work at the Students Union to do a 'SlutWalk' - a protest march that takes place in cities across the world after a Policeman in Canada told a girl after she was raped that it was her fault 'for dressing like that'... Protests aren't really my thing and marching around Leeds was the last thing I intended to do on a Saturday afternoon chanting, "2 4 6 8 love sex hate rape", "i said hey, i said ho, sexual abuse has to go", "its a dress, not a yes" etc etc. All for a good cause. Protest finished in Hyde Park where 'Unity Day', a community (rather Hippies filling a park drinking cheap cider, smoking weed and listening to Jamaican tunes), but nevertheless, a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Plans:
- London for a few days
- Italy for Tchoukball World Games (if my passport arrives)
Hope all are well.
RIP Amy Winehouse.
Peace out.
Margot x
Well what a MASSIVE 10 days its been! Theme of the 10 days.. DEJA VU!
Tuesday 12th I got a train down to Weymouth, to embark on a 3 day reunion adventure of PGL mates back on site at Osmington Bay. So surreal to be in Weymouth with Thea. Deja Vu to the max! After stocking up on vodka redbull, eating some food (because we all know Lauren would never let us eat dinner - "eatings cheating"), we jumped in a good ol' Fleetline cab and got PGL staff discount ride up to centre. Driving down onto centre was nuts, so many memories, anecdotes and stories shared, before arriving at the gates and being met by Carlos and Lauren. Before we could put our bags down, we were discussing the important decisions in life, "wine or vodka?"
After a drink or two, Hannah Taylor, Shaun, Finchy, Sophie 'Big toes', Carlos, Charlie, Alex PB, Kate Manners, Growler, Lee and other staff had joined us. The goon sack and vegetable game was in full swing!
Tuesday night - what a massive night out in Weymouth... (hardly). The Lazy Lizard had the 15 or so of us bombard them. Before not long, a rather savage (to put it nicely) lady came over and told us to "shut up or f**k off"... oh Weymouth, how I have missed you! We ended up in Rendevous, had a lovely chat with some Army boys, before just getting to the chippy on the way home. I swear the lamb was the reason for the 4 vomits in the early hours of Wednesday morning!
Whilst some made it to breakfast in town on Wednesday, I preferred the lie in...
By midday, Hannah Taylor, Big toes, Finch, Shaun and I headed down to the venue for the 2012 Olympic sailing, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy or where PGL conducts watersports. (Thea preferred to nap) The idea was really not inviting, to be riding on a windsurfing board, tied to the back of a boat, with a stomach as fragile as mine (food positioning of course), nevertheless, it certainly did help my hangover in the 15degree water.
We chillaxed in the arvo, all had a nap. You could certainly tell we weren't the vibrant 18 and 19 year olds we once were! 21 is just so much older! We headed off to my favourite pub ever, 'Smugglers Inn' for dinner. Thea and I decided to take it easy, as we had 250 miles to ride on the weekend.
Thursday we made it to a PGL breakfast before saying an emotional goodbye and headed to the train station. Thea and I got on different trains at Bristol, Thea headed off to York and I to Liverpool. I met Tashi and we went to a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant met up with her family for her Dad's surprise 50th. Always enjoyable getting your dinner thrown at you.
The birthday party headed off to a few bars in Liverpool, watched her dad smash 3 Jager Bombs before I got my 1 down. It reinforced to be where Tashi gets her drinking skills from. Tashi and I got the 12:01am train back to Leeds, getting to Leeds by 2am, repacking and packing for Amsterslam and getting to bed by 4:30am... probably not the best idea for a 5 days 400km bike ride.
'Amsterslam' is a 250mile (400km) bike ride from York - Amsterdam and back, organised by a volunteer run organisation 'Chairty Adventure' raising funds for 'Jessies Fund' charity - music therapy for kids with disabilities. If you haven't already, please sponsor us on http://www.justgiving.com/Amsterslam2011
Deja Vu again. All the same, just a year on. We all met in York, 36 cyclists, 4 ride guides and 1 support car driver. Met up with 'Team Seagrass', Thea, Loz, Prue and Kat. Four Western Australians that had joined Thea in wanting to join me to complete the ride without breaking legs! The sun was shining (a nice surprise for the UK) and we were all so cheerful setting off, dry shoes, dry and clean clothes, passport in the satisfactory condition for immigration and clushty bottoms. Soon to end.
We cycled about 40km before stopping at the pub for lunch. A lovely cycle through the country roads and farming areas of the Yorkshire countryside. Was on good time with only 1 punctured tyre. After lunch we approached the only hill of the ride, a piddley rise which has nothing on Tyrrell Street, The Hill! We reached the sea side and rode along the coast, under the famous Humber Bridge of Hull, with the sight of the Cruise boat ahead. Always a massive excitement getting on the boat and hitting up the buffet. Although I feel like I let myself down a little by not eating in the correct order, going straight for the English roast dinner! Had a few drinks, listened to the on board band and met the other riders, before getting to bed.
Always a pleasure to be awoken by a loudspeaker announcement at 6am in 3 languages telling us to get up. As if saying it one language wasn't annoying enough. Packed the room, stocked up on breakfast to ensure I had plenty of calories to burn off. Was a long ride ahead, 120km. Its such a cliche ride, rode past windmill after windmill, deers, canals, locals riding bikes with clogs on etc. Lunch break was at the infamous Valcomburg (incorrect spelling)... aka where I broke my legs last year. The weather was definitely not as tempting for a swim, so both legs are intact. We cycled on, along a long canal passed the airport, in which the thought crossed my mind of, "we could've just flown to Amsterdam". Arrive on good time, 6pm, showered, thawed out, had dinner and went downstairs to the bar. It was Happy Hour, free shot with every drink. Great. Before I had any normal alcoholic drink, Tashi had near enough rammed 3 shots down my throat. 6 Jager shots for 10euro's... in for a big night! Bottle of Rose down and we were heading for the Red Light District. Thea, Loz, Kat and I got amongst it, great night life, had a few drinks in a pub and walked around. Tashi joined later, we ventured around, then was home by 3am. Tashi without her phone... typically lost, somehow.
Day 3 - Had a lovely sleep in til 1pm. I could definitely justify this sleep in. We ventured out to get food, Thai was the obvious choice. Purchased an umbrella on the way in an attempt to stay dry for the on off rain. Loz, Kat, Prue, Thea, Tashi and I did a canal cruise for 75mins, budget one obviously, so had no commentary of any sites or buildings, but was still lovely. Came back from to the hostel for dinner, nap, then Thea, Loz, Tashi, Dave and I ventured back out to the Red Light District. Enjoyed some of Amsterdams finest and got back by 2am. Probably not the best idea before a 6:30am start of a 120km day.
Day 4 - stuffed in some breakfast. Watched Loz feed her face with 'Scary Movie Strong Hands' and then watched Thea and Prue near throw up. I was in stitches of laughter. Another 120km in torrential rain and massive headwinds... something i'd come accustom to on this ride. Smashed the last 8km to the ferry, where we were allowed to breakaway and sprint there. Arrived to the pub to meet the others, had a few pints and hot chips. Everyone was stoked to have finished the hardest leg of the ride. Tashi managed to have 3 triple Malibu's and coke in 40mins... so she struggles to remember riding onto the ferry, but she was laughing the whole way on. All us Aussies enjoyed the buffet, then crashed out to sleep to the rougher rock of the waves on this crossing.
Day 5 - So... Oops.... I kinda got my passport wet and the photo has smudged, made it in the UK OK when I explained what happened. Anyway, sent passport off now to get a new one, so lets hope all goes well. More wet weather and a few punctured tyres, but made it back to York from Hull. What a relief it was riding into York, of course with a near miss crash between Thea and I... all caught on film. A few teary goodbyes (cough Thea cough) and we headed back to Leeds for some Thai takeaway and unpacking some very wet and smelly clothes.
Had a good sleep in and 5 loads of washing on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday just chilled. Saturday Tashi was roped in through work at the Students Union to do a 'SlutWalk' - a protest march that takes place in cities across the world after a Policeman in Canada told a girl after she was raped that it was her fault 'for dressing like that'... Protests aren't really my thing and marching around Leeds was the last thing I intended to do on a Saturday afternoon chanting, "2 4 6 8 love sex hate rape", "i said hey, i said ho, sexual abuse has to go", "its a dress, not a yes" etc etc. All for a good cause. Protest finished in Hyde Park where 'Unity Day', a community (rather Hippies filling a park drinking cheap cider, smoking weed and listening to Jamaican tunes), but nevertheless, a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Plans:
- London for a few days
- Italy for Tchoukball World Games (if my passport arrives)
Hope all are well.
RIP Amy Winehouse.
Peace out.
Margot x
Sunday 10 July 2011
Leeds - the randomness continues
As they say in England "Hiya"...
Well this week has not had the hussle and bussle of Glastonbury - nevertheless, a week of rest and drinking - that I did and did (kinda) need.
This past week highlighted to me that English culture states that all social meeting involve alcohol. Thats fine. However the liver has copped a beating.
Thrsday 1st saw Tashi and her two Tchoukball friends Jan and Han and I spend a lovely evening having dinner at 'Jamies Italian' - a Jamie Oliver restaurant in Leeds. Unfortunately I didn't see Jamie, although the food was just splendid! Spent Friday in the the sunshine, drinking and eating with Kat Manklow (a friend who spent some time in Australia).
Tashi and I spent the weekend in Scarborough, 1.5hr train ride from Leeds.
Scarborough - "provides the perfect seaside holiday venue for people of all ages, with it's safe beaches and numerous other attractions"... to breakdown the definition, "all ages" - full of old people trying to keep their youthfulness, "safe beaches" a beach with no waves and brown sand, "numerous other attractions" amusements that rob you - teddy machines that are rigged! Every time I had a hold of the teddy, it would rise holding the teddy 20cm in the air, then BOOM - falls! Shattered described my emotion. Shattered because I've got the reputation of winning near every time in Australia.
Whilst in Scarborough, we drank and sang along to the band at the local pub, ate fish n chips, walked along the 'cleanest coastline in Britain' (which reminist the Brisbane River after the floods in January), we played 'Pirate mini golf', in which Tashi felt it necessary to say "arrgghhh" after sinking her ball each hole and trying to convince me that the person with the highest golf score is the winner. Poor lost soul. I did have an ace time in Scarborough, but its hard for an Aussie to love the English seaside, we are just too spoilt at home!
Tuesday saw the arrival of Kate Morris, a friend from uni who was travelling Europe for 6 weeks. We caught up and drank at various bars in Headingley. Wednesday was the big day! STATE OF ORIGIN! There had been a great build up of excitement for me, after being at Game 2 and managing to pack 2 blue wigs and t-shirts and banners in my 19kg backpack, just for this one game! 10am we set off for the pub, with 30 other Aussies. Thankfully majority of them Blues supporters.... moving along.
The afternoon saw Kate, Rhys (Tashi's Aussie housemate) and I heading off to have the dead skin eaten off our feet by fish - a highly ticklish and awkward experience, but I am sure I was 10grams lighter after leaving. We ventured onto Primark. A massive (and I mean MASSIVE) fashion outlet at Kmart/Target prices. It gave us great entertainment running around the store, finding the most hideous outfit for each other for 6 pounds. Rhys sure suited his pink summery dress, but was a bit worried about the potential for strap marks creating tan lines...
Wednesday evening, a white Leeds Met Uni van turned up outside, we smelt burning rubber almost immediately and surprisingly Tashi got out of the drivers side door. She'd been trying to drive with the handbrake on... Anyway, we headed into Headingley and met friends from Amsterslam 2010, Mark, Alan and Alice for dinner, 6 bottles of wine later, we were on our way into Call Lane, the nightlife of Leeds. The first bar we went to, Kate and I were chatting, stupidly we left Tashi in charge of choosing what to drink, we turned back to the bar and Tashi had a cheshire cat grin on her face, we looked down to see 18 shots! 18 SHOTS! What was she thinking?! There was 3 of us!!! 10 minutes later, they had been consumed... And the night went on.
Megan, an Irish lass moved in Thursday. I helped Jan and Han move house Friday.
The 31st Kirkstall Abbey festival was on Saturday. We met up with Megan's mates and ventured round with a glass of Pimms and Lemonade. A lovely day in the sun.
Australia vs Sweden in the Womens World Cup on Sunday, couldn't miss it! So got the local pub to change the TV channel and sat having breakfast in the pub in my Wallabies Jersey. Between Tashi's games on solitare on her iPod, she was inspired enough for us to jump in a taxi, go to a local sports shop and she bought some soccer boots, ball and a pump and we spent the arvo playing soccer in the park. I couldn't resist and bought a rugby ball, so i've almost got my Johnny Wilkinson impersonation down to a T!
Upcoming week:
- PGL reunion in Weymouth 12th - 14th
- AMSTERSLAM 2011! 250mile bike ride, York - Amsterdam, 15th - 20th July. A charity bike ride, please sponsor if you haven't already http://www.justgiving.com/Amsterslam2011
Hope you are well.
Muchos loveos
Maggot x
Well this week has not had the hussle and bussle of Glastonbury - nevertheless, a week of rest and drinking - that I did and did (kinda) need.
This past week highlighted to me that English culture states that all social meeting involve alcohol. Thats fine. However the liver has copped a beating.
Thrsday 1st saw Tashi and her two Tchoukball friends Jan and Han and I spend a lovely evening having dinner at 'Jamies Italian' - a Jamie Oliver restaurant in Leeds. Unfortunately I didn't see Jamie, although the food was just splendid! Spent Friday in the the sunshine, drinking and eating with Kat Manklow (a friend who spent some time in Australia).
Tashi and I spent the weekend in Scarborough, 1.5hr train ride from Leeds.
Scarborough - "provides the perfect seaside holiday venue for people of all ages, with it's safe beaches and numerous other attractions"... to breakdown the definition, "all ages" - full of old people trying to keep their youthfulness, "safe beaches" a beach with no waves and brown sand, "numerous other attractions" amusements that rob you - teddy machines that are rigged! Every time I had a hold of the teddy, it would rise holding the teddy 20cm in the air, then BOOM - falls! Shattered described my emotion. Shattered because I've got the reputation of winning near every time in Australia.
Whilst in Scarborough, we drank and sang along to the band at the local pub, ate fish n chips, walked along the 'cleanest coastline in Britain' (which reminist the Brisbane River after the floods in January), we played 'Pirate mini golf', in which Tashi felt it necessary to say "arrgghhh" after sinking her ball each hole and trying to convince me that the person with the highest golf score is the winner. Poor lost soul. I did have an ace time in Scarborough, but its hard for an Aussie to love the English seaside, we are just too spoilt at home!
Tuesday saw the arrival of Kate Morris, a friend from uni who was travelling Europe for 6 weeks. We caught up and drank at various bars in Headingley. Wednesday was the big day! STATE OF ORIGIN! There had been a great build up of excitement for me, after being at Game 2 and managing to pack 2 blue wigs and t-shirts and banners in my 19kg backpack, just for this one game! 10am we set off for the pub, with 30 other Aussies. Thankfully majority of them Blues supporters.... moving along.
The afternoon saw Kate, Rhys (Tashi's Aussie housemate) and I heading off to have the dead skin eaten off our feet by fish - a highly ticklish and awkward experience, but I am sure I was 10grams lighter after leaving. We ventured onto Primark. A massive (and I mean MASSIVE) fashion outlet at Kmart/Target prices. It gave us great entertainment running around the store, finding the most hideous outfit for each other for 6 pounds. Rhys sure suited his pink summery dress, but was a bit worried about the potential for strap marks creating tan lines...
Wednesday evening, a white Leeds Met Uni van turned up outside, we smelt burning rubber almost immediately and surprisingly Tashi got out of the drivers side door. She'd been trying to drive with the handbrake on... Anyway, we headed into Headingley and met friends from Amsterslam 2010, Mark, Alan and Alice for dinner, 6 bottles of wine later, we were on our way into Call Lane, the nightlife of Leeds. The first bar we went to, Kate and I were chatting, stupidly we left Tashi in charge of choosing what to drink, we turned back to the bar and Tashi had a cheshire cat grin on her face, we looked down to see 18 shots! 18 SHOTS! What was she thinking?! There was 3 of us!!! 10 minutes later, they had been consumed... And the night went on.
Megan, an Irish lass moved in Thursday. I helped Jan and Han move house Friday.
The 31st Kirkstall Abbey festival was on Saturday. We met up with Megan's mates and ventured round with a glass of Pimms and Lemonade. A lovely day in the sun.
Australia vs Sweden in the Womens World Cup on Sunday, couldn't miss it! So got the local pub to change the TV channel and sat having breakfast in the pub in my Wallabies Jersey. Between Tashi's games on solitare on her iPod, she was inspired enough for us to jump in a taxi, go to a local sports shop and she bought some soccer boots, ball and a pump and we spent the arvo playing soccer in the park. I couldn't resist and bought a rugby ball, so i've almost got my Johnny Wilkinson impersonation down to a T!
Upcoming week:
- PGL reunion in Weymouth 12th - 14th
- AMSTERSLAM 2011! 250mile bike ride, York - Amsterdam, 15th - 20th July. A charity bike ride, please sponsor if you haven't already http://www.justgiving.com/Amsterslam2011
Hope you are well.
Muchos loveos
Maggot x
Thursday 30 June 2011
Leaving Aust, Glastonbury, Leeds
So I'm totally new to all this blogging stuff... so I apologise if I bore you or my literacy isn't up to scratch. Lol.
Departed Australia on 19th June, had a lovely send off from the family and Maddy at the airport... thankfully mum held back the tears. After 3 joyous flights I arrived to one Miss Tashi Sophia Thornley at Manchester airport. We headed to Leeds and spent all of Monday and Tuesday buying tents, alcohol, food etc for GLASTONBURY! :)
Tuesday night, we drove overnight to Glastonbury, arriving 5:30am to join the queue for the gates to open at 8am. The trek through the muddy fields in the rain, dragging along a 25kg suitcase on a trolley, with a backpack in tow, made you question whether this was going to be such a great idea. After setting up the tents in the the pissing rain and all huddling under a tent for the torrential downpour to pass, the first ray of sunshine gave all the festival goers a reason to start the party... so the beers were cracked open.
When I say 'we', there was Tashi, her old housemate Sarah, Tashi's school mates Kirsty and Halpin, Fay - who Tashi met on holiday in Cuba and Will her BF, Fay's uni mates Sazzle, Kate, Matt, Lewie, Alexis, Paul, Mike and Sophie - later to be named pee pants, after an unfortunate 'She-wee' mishap (or should I say misalignment..)
We spent Wednesday and Thursday venturing around the Glastonbury site with the other 180 000 people, through deep puddles of mud that i didn't even realise were possible. The 'Greenfields' and 'Craftfields' were filled with dreadlocks and hairy legged hippies, all bringing their wacky crafts and folk music - almost gave the Medieval feel.
Friday was the official beginning to the festival. The sun decided to rear its head each morning to sauna everyone out of their tents and get them down to the festival - to then rain on everyone... Standard English weather - always inconvenient. To name a few, we saw Two Door Cinema Club, Biffy Clyro, U2, Example, Darwin Deez, The Wombats, Mike Posner, Cee Lo Green..
Saturday was Tashi's birthday. With our custom made "Happy 22nd Birthday Tashi" t-shirts.. we ventured around the festival, hoping to get free drinks from strangers to help us celebrate Tashi's birthday... very unsuccessful. Today's flavour was Coldplay, Tinie Tempah, Paolo Nutini, Jessie J (who performed with a broken leg - I felt a common bond), Newton Faulkner (who I sung a duet with... arm in arm... he even gave me the decision as to what key to sing it in... being the adaptable vocalist that I am... I insisted he decide - our rendition of Happy Birthday to Tashi can be found in my FB vids). We stayed up til 4am celebrating Tashi's birthday - mostly sitting on a bench outside a toasties van... but Tashi gave everyone a wake up call when stumbling home over peoples tents at 6am, falling asleep with her hat and 'wellies' (gum boots) on... A Scousers sign of an enjoyable birthday.
Sunday was the last day of the festival. The hottest day by far! Probably only mid twenties. Always amuses me watching the English roast themselves in the sun and soak up their dehydration with beer. Tashi being one of them. To draw the show to an end, Beyonce brough the house (or farm) down... So much criticism leading up to it, with it being a strange choice for her to close the festival, but she was outstanding. I chose not to go in the mosh pit, as Pendulum had played the set before it.. Tashi however was 4th row from the front, with a large orange beach umbrella on the hope to make it on TV. Later on we found out the beach umbrella did... she didn't. Much to our amusement... she faked passing out to be lifted over the barrier by security and given medical assistance, purely so she could run to the Other Stage at watch some of Queen of the Stoneage set. That day, we also saw Plan B, Laura Marling, Don McLean (the guy who sings " Bye bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevi to the levi by the levi was dry...", James Vincent McMorrow (definitely Youtube him!) and walked around the festival seeing other weird, wacky and very Glastonbury sites.
Monday we hung around the festival til late afternoon, before going into the township of Glastonbury - a similar place to Nimbin or Byron Bay, to wait in a pub for Tashi's Dad to pick us up and drive us all home. What a legend John was! I ended the festival with a black eye... Tashi was feeling a bit violent and when she stumbled on my outstretched leg whilst walking along, she turned, swung and connected with my already 'bog' eye, knocking me flat to the ground. Thanks mate.
Back in Leeds now, recovering and catching up with people. I spent Wednesday teaching 4 lessons of Aussie Rules to PE classes at a high school in Leeds. I think I taught more Australian slang terms to the kids then Aussie Rules Football, but the kids still had enough fun for them to warrant asking for my signature. They now all want to move to Australia to be able to ride Kangaroo's to school - just like I use to!
Sorry for the lengthy read - i'll be amazed if you are still reading this now!
Margot xx
Departed Australia on 19th June, had a lovely send off from the family and Maddy at the airport... thankfully mum held back the tears. After 3 joyous flights I arrived to one Miss Tashi Sophia Thornley at Manchester airport. We headed to Leeds and spent all of Monday and Tuesday buying tents, alcohol, food etc for GLASTONBURY! :)
Tuesday night, we drove overnight to Glastonbury, arriving 5:30am to join the queue for the gates to open at 8am. The trek through the muddy fields in the rain, dragging along a 25kg suitcase on a trolley, with a backpack in tow, made you question whether this was going to be such a great idea. After setting up the tents in the the pissing rain and all huddling under a tent for the torrential downpour to pass, the first ray of sunshine gave all the festival goers a reason to start the party... so the beers were cracked open.
When I say 'we', there was Tashi, her old housemate Sarah, Tashi's school mates Kirsty and Halpin, Fay - who Tashi met on holiday in Cuba and Will her BF, Fay's uni mates Sazzle, Kate, Matt, Lewie, Alexis, Paul, Mike and Sophie - later to be named pee pants, after an unfortunate 'She-wee' mishap (or should I say misalignment..)
We spent Wednesday and Thursday venturing around the Glastonbury site with the other 180 000 people, through deep puddles of mud that i didn't even realise were possible. The 'Greenfields' and 'Craftfields' were filled with dreadlocks and hairy legged hippies, all bringing their wacky crafts and folk music - almost gave the Medieval feel.
Friday was the official beginning to the festival. The sun decided to rear its head each morning to sauna everyone out of their tents and get them down to the festival - to then rain on everyone... Standard English weather - always inconvenient. To name a few, we saw Two Door Cinema Club, Biffy Clyro, U2, Example, Darwin Deez, The Wombats, Mike Posner, Cee Lo Green..
Saturday was Tashi's birthday. With our custom made "Happy 22nd Birthday Tashi" t-shirts.. we ventured around the festival, hoping to get free drinks from strangers to help us celebrate Tashi's birthday... very unsuccessful. Today's flavour was Coldplay, Tinie Tempah, Paolo Nutini, Jessie J (who performed with a broken leg - I felt a common bond), Newton Faulkner (who I sung a duet with... arm in arm... he even gave me the decision as to what key to sing it in... being the adaptable vocalist that I am... I insisted he decide - our rendition of Happy Birthday to Tashi can be found in my FB vids). We stayed up til 4am celebrating Tashi's birthday - mostly sitting on a bench outside a toasties van... but Tashi gave everyone a wake up call when stumbling home over peoples tents at 6am, falling asleep with her hat and 'wellies' (gum boots) on... A Scousers sign of an enjoyable birthday.
Sunday was the last day of the festival. The hottest day by far! Probably only mid twenties. Always amuses me watching the English roast themselves in the sun and soak up their dehydration with beer. Tashi being one of them. To draw the show to an end, Beyonce brough the house (or farm) down... So much criticism leading up to it, with it being a strange choice for her to close the festival, but she was outstanding. I chose not to go in the mosh pit, as Pendulum had played the set before it.. Tashi however was 4th row from the front, with a large orange beach umbrella on the hope to make it on TV. Later on we found out the beach umbrella did... she didn't. Much to our amusement... she faked passing out to be lifted over the barrier by security and given medical assistance, purely so she could run to the Other Stage at watch some of Queen of the Stoneage set. That day, we also saw Plan B, Laura Marling, Don McLean (the guy who sings " Bye bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevi to the levi by the levi was dry...", James Vincent McMorrow (definitely Youtube him!) and walked around the festival seeing other weird, wacky and very Glastonbury sites.
Monday we hung around the festival til late afternoon, before going into the township of Glastonbury - a similar place to Nimbin or Byron Bay, to wait in a pub for Tashi's Dad to pick us up and drive us all home. What a legend John was! I ended the festival with a black eye... Tashi was feeling a bit violent and when she stumbled on my outstretched leg whilst walking along, she turned, swung and connected with my already 'bog' eye, knocking me flat to the ground. Thanks mate.
Back in Leeds now, recovering and catching up with people. I spent Wednesday teaching 4 lessons of Aussie Rules to PE classes at a high school in Leeds. I think I taught more Australian slang terms to the kids then Aussie Rules Football, but the kids still had enough fun for them to warrant asking for my signature. They now all want to move to Australia to be able to ride Kangaroo's to school - just like I use to!
Sorry for the lengthy read - i'll be amazed if you are still reading this now!
Margot xx
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