Today rather than lazing round the pool, using the hot-tub and sunbathing and then going out, we decided to do it the other way round. :-)
We went to Phoenix Zoo, it was supposed to be great. Well, I've never been so disappointed, the animals were either just lying around if they could be seen at all, the elephant looked ill and the trails were so long that by the time we left we were absolutely knackered. Some parts were interesting, for instance I've never seen giant tortoises before and there was a species of Gazelle which is actually extinct in the wild, but overall it was incredibly disappointing.
On a more positive note, we did go shopping near to the hotel (they run a minibus to some locations and this was one of them). We spent most of our time in a branch of Macy's and I came out with more than I planned. Just clothes, but I did intend to buy clothes.
Will probably post again soon.
Friday, 30 March 2007
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Greetings from Arizona
After some sleep, I've finally woken to a nice sunny day in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Due to circumstances beyong our control , from waking up until going to bed was 26 Hours.
We were up at 6 a.m., a taxi picked us up at 7.45 a.m. and we were checked in before 9 a.m. (as required), however, we were told that the plane was running late and as we'd miss our connection at Houston, Texas we'd have to take the next available flight. Unfortunately, the next available flight was leaving Texas at 10.45 p.m. (Houston Time).
This meant we got into Phoenix at 11.49 p.m. (Phoenix time. 6 hours behind the UK). I eventually got to bed at 2 a.m. Phoenix time i.e. the equivalent of 8 a.m. British time. I find it hard to sleep on aeroplanes and therefore I'd got all of about 15 minutes sleep.
Surprisingly, I awoke at 8.30 a.m. this morning and have been fine all day.
After sunbathing, swimming and using the hot tub this morning we went into Scottsdale Old Town this afternoon.
I wouldn't say "Don't bother" but I would say "Look but don't buy". Unless you know exactly what you want and you can't get it anywhere else, don't buy. The prices they were charging for some everyday item were extortionate e.g. $40-$50 for a belt that would cost you $20 anywhere else or roughly £11-£12 (depending on the exact exchange rate).
Will post again if I get the chance before I get back.
Due to circumstances beyong our control , from waking up until going to bed was 26 Hours.
We were up at 6 a.m., a taxi picked us up at 7.45 a.m. and we were checked in before 9 a.m. (as required), however, we were told that the plane was running late and as we'd miss our connection at Houston, Texas we'd have to take the next available flight. Unfortunately, the next available flight was leaving Texas at 10.45 p.m. (Houston Time).
This meant we got into Phoenix at 11.49 p.m. (Phoenix time. 6 hours behind the UK). I eventually got to bed at 2 a.m. Phoenix time i.e. the equivalent of 8 a.m. British time. I find it hard to sleep on aeroplanes and therefore I'd got all of about 15 minutes sleep.
Surprisingly, I awoke at 8.30 a.m. this morning and have been fine all day.
After sunbathing, swimming and using the hot tub this morning we went into Scottsdale Old Town this afternoon.
I wouldn't say "Don't bother" but I would say "Look but don't buy". Unless you know exactly what you want and you can't get it anywhere else, don't buy. The prices they were charging for some everyday item were extortionate e.g. $40-$50 for a belt that would cost you $20 anywhere else or roughly £11-£12 (depending on the exact exchange rate).
Will post again if I get the chance before I get back.
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Crazy weather in London
The weather seems to be going mad in London. After a particularly warm spell last week with unseasonally warm weather. The following happened
I was off work yesterday so went shopping, when I went out, although there was a stiff breeze it was sunny enough to wear sunglasses. I got back about 12:30 and went out again, by this time it was overcast, then it started hailing, which then turned into a cross between Hail and snow.
I was in Edgware and there was an extremely heavy snowstorm which combined with the wind made an extremely unpleasant mini-blizzard, in about two minutes there were area where the snow was piling up.
After I got home, the snow continued to fall and for the first ever, it was snow in a thunderstorm (with lightining).
I can't remember, however, the last time we had snow in March in London.
I'm off to warmer climes early next week, so I'll either post when I get back, or if I get the chance, I'll post whilst I'm away.
I was off work yesterday so went shopping, when I went out, although there was a stiff breeze it was sunny enough to wear sunglasses. I got back about 12:30 and went out again, by this time it was overcast, then it started hailing, which then turned into a cross between Hail and snow.
I was in Edgware and there was an extremely heavy snowstorm which combined with the wind made an extremely unpleasant mini-blizzard, in about two minutes there were area where the snow was piling up.
After I got home, the snow continued to fall and for the first ever, it was snow in a thunderstorm (with lightining).
I can't remember, however, the last time we had snow in March in London.
I'm off to warmer climes early next week, so I'll either post when I get back, or if I get the chance, I'll post whilst I'm away.
Monday, 19 March 2007
JLGB bands at the RAF
Yesterday, Sunday 18th March, JLGB bands (Hendon Bugle Band and Redbridge Band) were invited for a training day at RAF Uxbridge.
Although I'm a non-playing member of staff, I went along for the experience.
The journey was smooth and to our surprise we actually arrived at an event early. The day started with an introduction followed by a tea break and then the bands played some of their music to demonstrate how well they could play.
We quickly split into separate sections - i.e Percussion, brass and woodwind and the bands were given new tunes to learn.
After lunch we were going to do some drill practice on the Parade ground but it started raining, so it was postponed, when we finally got out it was absolutely freezing and therefore we didn't stay out too long:
We then played as an entire band whilst the younger, junior members were taken for a separate training session by the RAF's horn player.
Whilst I beleive it was an extremely worthwhile visit for the members, I won't be going again unless we are extremely short-staffed.
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Champions League Football
Sorry to bore those of you who have no interest whatsoever in football but I just have to say congratulations to Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U for getting through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and commiserations to Arsenal who were knocked out.
The Quarter- final draw is as follows:
AC Milan v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool
Roma v Manchester United
Chelsea v Valencia
If we beat PSV then we could face Chelsea in teh semi-finals (again!)
The Quarter- final draw is as follows:
AC Milan v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool
Roma v Manchester United
Chelsea v Valencia
If we beat PSV then we could face Chelsea in teh semi-finals (again!)
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Our much maligned public transport system
Whilst I'd agree that most public transport outside London (with a few exceptions) is shocking, I must take exception with the opinion that London's public transport system is bad.
We have the Underground system (including the Docklands Light Railway - DLR), which is the largest in the World and is being expanded as we speak.
We have an extensive bus system which has become more regular with more buses in recent months.
We have the National Rail lines in and around London.
And recently TfL (Tranport for London) has taken over the North London Line giving us the Overground trains.
Whilst I disagree with Ken Livingstone on a lot of issues he has improved public transport in London.
As a regular user of the Underground, buses and National Rail lines I have definite views:
1. As a whole the Tube is far better than it's detractors give it credit for. I've rarely experienced a delay on my most regular journey (Jubilee Line), even when severe delays were cited at my starting station the journey was only five minutes longer than normal (20 rather than 15). The information given about other lines is clear and concise and the boards at stations are kept up-to-date on a regular basis giving information to passengers wher they might encounter problems.
2. The whole ssytem works well so when one route is blocked another is available. For example on 7 July 2005 (7/7 terror attacks on London) it only took me 15 minutes longer to get home than normal despite the fact there were no National Rail or Tube services running (took two buses).
We have the Underground system (including the Docklands Light Railway - DLR), which is the largest in the World and is being expanded as we speak.
We have an extensive bus system which has become more regular with more buses in recent months.
We have the National Rail lines in and around London.
And recently TfL (Tranport for London) has taken over the North London Line giving us the Overground trains.
Whilst I disagree with Ken Livingstone on a lot of issues he has improved public transport in London.
As a regular user of the Underground, buses and National Rail lines I have definite views:
1. As a whole the Tube is far better than it's detractors give it credit for. I've rarely experienced a delay on my most regular journey (Jubilee Line), even when severe delays were cited at my starting station the journey was only five minutes longer than normal (20 rather than 15). The information given about other lines is clear and concise and the boards at stations are kept up-to-date on a regular basis giving information to passengers wher they might encounter problems.
2. The whole ssytem works well so when one route is blocked another is available. For example on 7 July 2005 (7/7 terror attacks on London) it only took me 15 minutes longer to get home than normal despite the fact there were no National Rail or Tube services running (took two buses).
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