Saturday 24-05 - Barhain

Bahrain is a posh little airport, kinda like Hong Kong. Our flight consisted of 90% men. It was a touch unnerving, but at least the service was good.

We got into the airport and the topdeck guy was waiting for us. He took us straight through getting our visas and onto a mini bus to the hotel. We hardly had to wait at all or talk to anyone. Being tired, our english would have been little better than our arabic.

Once refreshed in our room, we decided to get money changed. As we walk out a man starts walking with us. He tries to explain that he was at the hotel desk and we were probably too tired to remember. He wasnt really. But we chatted and he showed us how to get to the Sheritan Hotel to change money and get a map.

He said not to go the Hotel, as they would rip us off, instead we should use the city center. The city tourist office, he said, would have cheaper maps (15egp instead of 30egp at the Sheritan).

Then he took us to the ;tourist office;, run by his friend. His friend sat us down near some other perthians he was shmoosing. While he was talking to them, he gave us some tea (the tea was actually quite good). As I drank the tea, I eyed the door, trying to figure out at which point we should excuse ourselves. At last the friend came over and sat down, before promptly trying to sell us papyrus prints and perfume. We listened, asked a few questions then excused ourselves.

At the Sheritan we got US and Egyptian money, then found a map for 15Egp.

This part of Egypt is the type of area where you dont look at anyone in the eye, or they try to sell you something.

We walked down the road to this food place (that also sold papyrus and perfume) and got falafel. It had salad and mashed beeans and falafel in pita,and cost the equivalent of 30 cents.

Friday 23-05 - Farewell, Dr Jones

Saw Indiana Jones. Really liked it into the end. Damn George Lucas.

Then we flew out after some creamy strawberry cocktails.

Oh yea, I also picked up my new travel companion, whose name is Malfi. He´s a real stand up kind of guy. In fact, he can´t be knocked over.

Wednesday 21-05 - Tate

In the morning we went to the tate with Karen and Aiden. We wanted to introduce the little bub to the great turbine hall, so that he would grow up a museum kid. The hall was closed for preparations for the weekend, but the surrealism exhibit was still open.

In the evening we went to La Tasca to get Paella and sangria.

Tuesday 20-05 - The Fountain

In the afternoon we were invited by Dani to observe what she first called a friends art project. I later found out that this project wasnt a project, so much as a few friends filling Russel Square park fountain with clothes dye and detergent. We finished dinner late and thought we were going to miss them. Fortunately when we arrived the group was still gathered, drinking wine and trying to work out how it was to be done.

The first dye was blue, but didnt break. Dani flatmate had to wade into the fountain to break it into the centre. He came out covered in blue. It wasnt too spectacular.

The next as the red dye, which again had to be broken into the fountain manually. The colours were vibrant this time and seemed to stay around for a while as a bubblegum pink.

The detergent took some time to work and eventually foamed out the sides. The end result was a foaming pink fountain. People walking past stopped and smiled and took photos. It made me feel like we had brought a little beautiful and joy to the world.

Monday 19-05 - The University

We went to Cranfield University to check out the place where Josh will be spending a year. We had to catch the overland train (which is an actual train-like train, very different to the tube). The countryside in that area is really nice, lots of yellow flowers. We then took a bus. There were two buses we could take. One went straight to the uni. We took the other one. It wound around every country parish and hill and took 45 minutes to travel 9km.






The uni is nice, with an enormous air field a few metres away from the engineering building. The dorms are really new and nicely designed. The ´social club´ building has a pub and pub food. Very important for a uni.




We gave up on the bus back and took a cab back to the station, which was the same price in the end.

Sunday 18-05 - Iron Man

We woke up late and made our way back to Karens. Then to see Iron Man, which I had wanted to see for a while. Was quite impressed and maybe that facial hair will come back into fashion now?

Saturday 17-05 - Party

Saturday night was the triplet celebration party.

We walked around everywhere looking for Jagermaester. None of the off licences had any. We decided to check a final one in the area before getting cheap chinese take out. I asked if they had jager and they just looked at me confused. Then I noticed the bottle sitting behind him. When I pointed out the bottle he replies that the bottle is gin. He thought the jager was just some gin! So we did manage to find in the end.

The party was small, more of a get-together, but was buckets of fun none the less. Dani stuck on an amazing music mix off classic dancing tunes and classic triplet hug tunes.

At one point we ended up on the roof. Alex flatmate tried to get everyone onto the next door roof. Most the girls were wearing dresses or skirts and had to decline.

It was nice meeting some of Danis uni friends, kato and setsuke. They were good fun and not at all afraid to dance through out the night.

Wednesday 14-05 - Dance night

During the day Josh and I attempted to brave the crowds on Oxford street to do a little shopping. Shortly after vowing to never brave it again. Its crowded with tourists who are loud and stop in the middle of the foot path so you keep smashing into them.

We ended up buying Josh 2 tops, nothing for me though.

Then we parted ways and I met up with Dani for a dance night. We went to this club called Metro I think. It was like the amplifier but I knew less songs and there was lots of cider everywhere. The club only opened at 11-30ish which seems late for a Wednesday, then again it is London.

Met these guys who are english but lived in Perth for 10 years and called us amplifier girls,or something like that.We danced around and drank cider and they played The Black Kids ¨Not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance..¨ twice!!!. Which is pretty darn good.

Then back to our flat at 3ish where we giggled loudly and ate cold left over chinese omelet.

Tuesday 13-05 - The Enthusiastic Train.

Today we went to see our auntie, who live somewhere in the suburbs of London. We ride the train, Josh, my mum, my bobba and I, all the way out. The stop before our stop sits there for 10 minutes with the doors open. After a while we didn´t know if we had caught the wrong train. Eventually it leaves and gets to our stop. My bobba has knee problems so we help her out first, as soon as the door opens. It gives us only a few seconds and the moment she is out the door, it slams shut. Not even the open button worked. Before we know whats happening the train is speeding off with the rest of our group in it - looking bewildered and watching a bewildered gran shrinking into the distance.

And arrive in

But by this time my mum is laughing so hard she can barely breath. So we catch the next train back.

Finally gave baby presents to Karen and the little one. Which was a collection of Dr Seuss books and a large copy of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Then babysat for some friends of Karens for the cutest kid I have ever met. He knows more about fish than anyone I know. He knows the maximum lengths of almost any fish, plus loads of other info. Also we were given some wine. Yay!

And the Israel hostels are booked (except or Eilat and Beersheva, which I couldnt find anywhere).

Sunday 11-05 - The park

Woke up in Dani´s house. Finished watching movie we started the previous night but fell asleep by the end of. We went out and bought lunch bits to construct in the kitchen. For me lunch was yummy roll with tuna and three beans, plus some sun dried tomatoes.

Then to our hotel to shower. Then on to this picnic Dani had heard about. To get to the planned picnic spot, we had to take two different train lines with long waits. As we leave the station we get a call saying that the picnic had been moved to somewhere in hyde park. So we get back on the trains and switch another two lines to get to the new location. Including getting on the wrong train and finding a way back. The new picnic spot was 5 easy stops away from our hotel. Grrrr. Eventually we get there and despite being 5-30 in afternoon, it is still hot.



We all sit in the tall tall grass and drinking pear cider (now obsessed with) and enjoy the fleeting London summer.

Saturday 10-05 - Protest and Peach Schnapps.

Went to Somerset house (after getting quite lost). It was nice except for the small protest rally on the street beneath us. Karen explained that most rallies in London start here. It makes me wonder what they would do with a clashing timetable.


We took the rest of the day easy and then Dani and I made our way to her place for the evening. We watched Harvey Birdman and Flight of the concords. We also managed to down an entire bottle of peach schnapps. So very classy. Then some of the boys´ wine. Watch half of ´Girl´ then to sleep. I forgot how much I loved that movie, like a fairy tale for music loving teenage girls.

It was great just hanging with her, something I havent done in a while.

Friday 09-05 - The doctor and the night out.

Went to the doctor who exhibition at Earlś Court Centre It was pretty interesting. I was expecting a little more old stuff but oh well, still good. A nice way to spend the morning with mum and Josh. The ´Blink´ angels were especially creepy. Saw the maid outfit Kylie wore in the xmas special. Realised I hear size and could probably wear it, but decided not to try it on with people watching and security and all that.









Then pasta at a cafe for lunch.

Then pasta at a restaurant for dinner. But you can never have enough pasta I say.

Went to Daniś and drank strongbow from a tall can. Then to Watch out Mother, this indie dance night. When we got there the place was deserted. It didn´t start to fill up at all, so we left.


Instead we went to popstars at Sin instead. Which is this funky little gay club night. But the music was awesome and we danced until 3ish. Then walked back and stopped for Chicken Cottage chips.

Wednesday 07-05 - The park

On the day after the baby arrived we took him to the park near the flat and had tea and coffee.



Then we went over to Coramś field, which is a 200 year old park held in trust as a place for children. You can only get in if you are accompanied by a child or baby, to keep out all the creepy types. The grass is so green and so soft there that you never want to leave. And there is a petting zoo! With these sheep that just wander where ever they like.






Sooooo green.

For lunch we walked down to Brunswick centre and had sushi. I had mochi for the first time since I was in Japan. Tasty bean paste.



At night we watched TV.

Tuesday 06-05 - The Homecoming

The baby came home today. It sat for a long time in the taxi, breathing in its first taste of polluted London air. Earlier that morning we had set up Banners and balloons and the like in the flat to make mother and bub feel welcome.


And set up a welcome basket with all the things mother had missed during pregnancy.


The baby slept.

Monday 05-05 - The Octopus.

We were at Daniś house and decided to get take out, which ended up being from the near by Chinese place. Dani casually asks her housemate if she can pick up anything. To which he replies ¨a shop down the road has an octopus in a jar. Can you buy one for me.¨ And so we do. We find this small jar of oil filled with four or so small whole (raw) octopuses.

On top of that, he shows an octopus to a second housemate, who mistakes the show and tell gesture for one that means ¨try this¨. Second housemate promptly takes a bite out the little cephalopod. Good times.

Sunday 03-05 - The futniture

We made our way over to Dani´s house (after getting off the bus far to early and walking up half of Hackney). Then we put together her cupboard shelf thing. Well, Josh did most of the work.

Then we went for lunch in Hackney, which turned out to be a huge all day brekkie. I could never finish all the food on that plate. Tasty food. There were two different types of bubble n squeak.


Then to the hospital to see the baby. All our London family was there in the coffee room, as well as our israeli family who have flown over. We infested the room and scared the other, smaller, family waiting there. Little baby boy is still adorable.

We needed an electric drill to finish the shelf so we went to the Holbourn flat to borrow one. Only to get back to Dani´s to realise there were no drill heads. Ach. Luckily Josh is an engineer and good at these things, so was able to improvise. We put the desk together and drank pear cider.



Dinner was Cafe Pasta with mum and bobba. In a large deserted restaurant, we were seated right next to the 60th birthday party. We talked through out their speeches. Then back to ours to watch the 5th element and hit the remnants of our jetlag.