Our summer of sport

When summer arrives in the UK, the Brits cram as much summer 'outdoor' sporting activities into 3 months as they possibly can.

This year we've had a particularly sporty summer.  For those who know me well, this is quite unusual but I've actually had a great time.  S has been loving life with all the sport.  Here is what we've been up to:

• Ascot Races - watching Black Cavier win by a nose hair.
• Wimbledon - we lined up in the infamously long queue to watch some night time matches.  We saw a women's doubles game and couldn't believe how close we were to the action.  We were also sitting next to Emilie Mauresmo!  We then snagged Centre Court tickets to watch Nadal win against Rosol.  It was a pretty amazing experience!
• Henley Royal Regatta - we went with friends out to gorgeous Henley-Upon-Thames, sat river side with a picnic and watched the rowing.  It was very apparent that this was a 'college student' activity.  Hundreds of them getting absolutely trashed in their college blazers and girls in the highest heels and shortest skirts I've ever seen.  They were there to party rather than watch the races.
• One day international - Australia vs England at the Oval: S went with 20 other boys to (unfortunately) watch the Australians get beaten :-(
• FA Cup semi final: S went with the boys to Wembley to see the semi-final between Liverpool and Everton.  Lucky for him, one of his good friends works for the FA.

On top of this we are loving the Olympic vibe and are looking forward to our many events (beach volleyball, weight lifting, handball, hockey).  S went to the boxing today and had a great time.  I was pretty impressed with the Opening Ceremony.  It's pretty amazing being in London while the Games are on and quite amusing listening to the BBC British commentary which has quite a different view from the Australians.

Enjoy some photos below.

E&S
xoxo

Things I've come to realise...

I've neglected the blog for about a month now. Whoops. I have plenty of exciting updates but in the meantime, here are some things I've come to realize, learn and notice about living in London:

• the UK has the most amazing flowers in the world. This equates to my idea of heaven.
• 18 months is a long time to be away from home. Big things start to happen in people's lives, like friends/family being pregnant and having a baby in the time you've been gone.
• When the sun shines in London it is absolutely magical but it can also feel very hot. The sun hits the pavement and slams you in the face and the pollution becomes a bit of an issue.
• I never thought I would eat pigeon and actually like it! Don't judge me, it's an English delicacy.
• You aren't a real Londoner until you own a pair of converse and ride a bike with a wicker cane basket.
• Sainsburys' home brand digestive biscuits are the best.
• A dim sim is actually a dim sum, a zucchini is a courgette, a capsicum is a pepper and the things you wear on your legs are not pants, they are trousers!! Pants are underwear and I learnt the hard way one day in the dry cleaner.
• London has an obsession with pop-up restaurants and gastropubs (meaning a posh pub that serves top notch food).
• When something is "so hot right now" it is very hot and you will have to wait weeks to see that show, eat at that restaurant or get into that gallery.
• The Heathrow injection does exist.
• It's very convenient being able to buy alcohol in the supermarkets.
• The Tube is gross but ever so useful.
• London can be cliquey.
• "Off the West End Shows" are sometimes much better than the West End productions.
• You can tell where a Londoner lives by how they dress. There is a definite divide between East End cool and West End posh.
• The footpaths are not wide enough and Londoners take great joy in walking straight into you, especially with an umbrella.
• Everybody smokes and it is awful.
• Being able to eat the most sumptuous, flavoursome raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries makes up for the rainy, cold weather.
• There were two weeks at the start of this year where it was so cold it actually hurt to be outside.
• I now shop at Reiss, COS, Jack Wills, Hobbs and Odd Molly instead of Country Road, Cue, Zimmerman and Allanah Hill.
• I will never ever be bored living here. You name it, you can do it in London.
• London is one of the most exciting places in the world and I am so lucky to be able to live here and experience it.

Xoxox
E&S