About a month ago, a friend from G’s office mentioned a Boots commercial that characterizes the British Summer…click here to see it.
20124That’s a bit like our Bank Holiday weekend on the Southern Coast of England this weekend. As we still await our visa renewal, we stuck domestic for the 3 day weekend. When we arrived to our destination Saturday, it was a bit windy and cool, but we tucked away behind some glass at the pub for lunch and the clouds cleared a bit. We then walked up the beach and found a couple comfy rental chairs and in the end covered up with blankets to keep warm! On August 23! Goodness. Next stop, shopping for a sweater or two for G…he had brought a bathing suit and short sleeves!
20118We stayed on the 4th floor (5th by American Standards) of a second row hotel on the cliffs of Bournemouth with a view overlooking the sea…(don’t be impressed…we booked last Wednesday and had to take the leftovers). But as the 4th floor was the attic floor, our room was a bit awkward and out by its lonesome. As a storm blew through town, we could FEEL the wind and hear the rain from both sides of our room. We could actually feel the room settle and hear it creak between drafts 🙂
20139That said, when we woke Sunday, we found blue skies and warmish (70 F) temperatures and decided to walk the beach up to Sandbanks (and area with water on both sides–the Bay on one and the Channel on the other). It was beautiful. And we enjoyed playing our games in the posh hotel at the end…and that’s where our ‘portrait’ was taken. And we had a great blue sky day. Walked back down the beach toward Bournemouth, stopped to read our books before heading back to change for dinner.
20134This morning, we woke and found gloomy weather again…so we decided to head out of town early after doing a bit of shopping.
20149During our entire three days, our mission was to keep under cover…no exposed skin. Not only did we NOT get into the frigid water of the English Channel…we never even stepped into our bathing suits. Though some braveheart locals did.
20154We’ll definitely holiday along the English Coast again, but we’ve learned a few lessons:
1. Pack a windbreaker and fleece no matter what!
2. Absolutely pack jeans and pants
3. Don’t stress about taking multiple bathing suits (no one will ever see it :))
But all this said, it’s easy to start thinking back to beach holidays in America…and idealizing them when you’re freezing on a beach with wind and rain along the English Channel. It’s true that G and I have had our share of beautiful weather, blue sky beach holidays along the US eastern seaboard. But, this also brings to mind the trip that began all our international travels…
After our first anniversary, we took an amazing trip to Colorado. What a great trip! Then, G started grad school and our trips were confined to the summer season…and so young, we had a timid budget for travel. SO, as G loved his childhood beach holidays so much, we traveled north to Rehoboth Beach to spend a week in the place that his family so loved.
We took along our bikes, had plenty of picnic supplies, our own beach chairs, new bathing suits…the works. And though we were staying in a budget hotel far from the sand, our room cost a fortune (especially given our budget at the time). It rained ALL week. And though it was the first week of August, it was a cold rain. We were covered in towels with umbrellas and hot chocolate all week long.
Then and there we decided that we’d break ties with traditions and start our own…some things are beautiful memories, but when relived pale in comparison to the original.
So in some strange way, I guess we can thank Rehoboth for setting us on our way to London because without it we may never have taken our first joint trip to Europe in 2004. So…since our last stormy beach holiday gave way to such a grand idea, we can’t wait to see what will be inspired by this one 🙂
Posted inLife in London|Comments Off on The English Summer
Right now we are sitting on the beach in Bournemouth. Without our passports at the visa office, we decided to try out an English beach for the bank holiday weekend. And this is another live post from my iPhone.
When thinking about the beach in August, I imagine warm sun, 80-90 degree F weather, crashing waves, sunscreen and beach umbrellas. It is a bit different here though. The brisk wind on top of the 60 degree F temperature is amking me wish I had long sleeves and glad I am wearing jeans. After a while we had to pull out our blanket to keep warm.
It is a bit strange to think that this is summer beach weather here when everyone is wearing pants (trousers) and jackets. A few brave ones (or perhaps hardy locals) sport swim suits and dip their feet in the freezing water. The serious ones don wetsuits.
There are at least two people that are happy about the wind. A pair of kite boarders were zipping across the water. It looked like a lit of fun. We’ll have to try it — someplace where the water is warm!
So, last Sunday friends invited us to play ‘Rounders’ in Regents Park–we showed up and played the British version of American Baseball…almost. It was crazy! You have to make a home run in order to get a point (4 bases on a single hit)–otherwise you just run the bases for the exercise and when you hit home, no point 🙁 So, our American friend and I decided we needed to change the rules to be more inclusionist…and almost played the British game 🙂 In our version you scored a point no matter how many bases you ran in one go so long as you came home (ie baseball). In the end, we hit the ball so hard that we broke it and had to quit. Oh, well.
But, we did meet some new friends and bought tickets to attend a ‘Freak show’ with friends from the games tonight. There was the magic hula hooper, the lady who swallows swords and table legs, the transvestite announcer, an amazing songstress…tons of great performers. And all with new friends AND margaritas. Who can ask for more. After walking home…we’re now making dinner at 12:18 (yes, after midnight–unhealthy, I know). And I’m posting as the pasta cooks.
Then tomorrow, we’re off to Bournemouth along the British coast. Our wings are still clipped as our visas are still out for renewal (our passports are with immigration) so hopefully the British weather will be kind to us as we travel domestically this weekend. Goodness…since we’ve had a whole 10 sunny days this summer, I’m a bit pessimistic of our chances for a sunny weekend. Fingers crossed…we will see.
Look again Tuesday of next week for an update on how we fared on the English seashore.
At work these days, I’m on holiday cover for both my boss and my main client, hiring new staff and trying to bring a couple new folks up to speed. It’s been busy, but manageable up until…the global client requested that we develop two more e-marketing training sessions. The good news is that they’re willing to pay for the production of this allotment…but this also means that my regular work’s on the back burner for the minute. Doing the math, they’re paying the firm crazy amounts per minute of e-learning commentary. More than worth my time in preparing the material (just wish I got paid more as a result :))–heck, I bet G would be willing to outsource me for a permanent speaking role if I brought in that kind of rate per minute!
But work chat is boring–SO–I’ll talk more about what else we’ve been up to. On Friday night, G and I treated ourselves to oysters and champagne at the Covent Garden night market by his office. And, it would seem that London’s starting to shrink a bit–we actually saw someone we know 🙂 Then, I got up bright and early Saturday to attend a stained glass class in Stoke Newington. I’ve always been curious on how the glass comes together–it was very entertaining and educational–hence the post head…
20112First, we learned to use the tools and cut glass. Next, we developed a pattern. Then, trimmed glass to the pattern. And, finally, how to work with the leading in order to have it all stick together. Very enligtening, really. Perhaps I could have a future in stain glass–that is if only I liked to get my hands dirty (like caked in black shoe polish dirty…) 🙂
So, to the right you can see my creation from the day. We were limited to make a pattern with 9 pieces or less–I think I did pretty well…everyone else stuck with straight lines. In fact, the instructor was reluctant when reviewing my pattern, but finally relented. And I like all the curves (though they were a pain to get right at the time.
Now, we just need an old Victorian so that I can continue my hobby by making shadowbox highlights 🙂
Then, we treated ourselves to Chinese food and watched the Open Ceremony for the Beijing Games on the BBC iPlayer. Wow! Quite spectacular.
Today has been a bit of a lazy day…we’ve done chores, I’m making muffins and generally recharged for the week ahead.
Yesterday, we romped about London. First, a bit of a touristy event–we toured Parliament (the buildings attached to Big Ben :)). It was both an inside look into the building to marvel at its grand architecture and a lesson on the British political system. Apparently, their political system is broken into two parts: The House of Lords & The House of Commons. Lords are selected by the monarch, etc based on their expertise and are set as advisors to those who are elected by Commoners to represent them. The Lords can’t vote–but they do serve as a check to balance the will of the Commons.
In keeping with British traditions, the surroundings of the Lords are quite grand while those of the commons are quite bland. To be fair, this is due in part to the House of Commons having been destroyed by a bomb in the war, but apparently it was never so grand as the House of Lords. The Lords’ surroundings are amongst the grandest we’ve seen (and we’ve seen lots of palaces, etc). They’re opulent, gilded in gold, the portraits are absolutely gorgeous. The Parliament tour was well worth the effort to get there…now, later this year when they’re back in session, we hope to go back into the observatory to see things in action.
Next, we took a Doubledecker through Trafalgar Square and Camden to make our way to Regent’s Park for the Innocent Fete. Fete is the word they use for festival here and many big brands (Innocent juices amongst them) sponsor festivals of their own and charge a nominal entrance fee for the fun. There were Innocent juice tastings, feret races, dog agility shows (ie whose dog runs through the obstacle course the fastest), duck herding, live music, herb and organic growers vending their wares & dancing and enough British-style fair food to shake a stick at 🙂 We stayed for the afternoon and had a great time camped out on the grass. I even one a postcard book at the Lonely Planet stand for being able to identify landmarks in European cities (I had easy ones…Paris & Madrid).
We had a great day. Now, for the chores…this morning, I’m cleaning as G does finances. We’re hopeful that the rain will pass as I need to go shopping (argh…I hate shopping!) and we hope to pick blackberries in the park. And tonight, we’ll go to church for the first time since we arrived. Sources say that the Church of England is very similar to American Methodist…fingers crossed that the congregation isn’t too posh for us (those darn Hampstead property owners can be a bit pretentious) and that the service is good. So far we’re encouraged because they have services for Families on Sunday AM and a more informal service on Sunday evening…that fits our style.
Last year at about this time, I was working on my dissertation. And slowly coming around to the idea of going back to the office full-time. By the time I was serious about the job search, I was well honed. But there’s still this little bit of nervousness in the back of your mind as you go in to meet folks for the first time (as an interviewee).
Now, I’m on the other side of the desk as our client increased our retainer this Spring and we now have approval to hire (hiring another Digital AD, an AM, an AE, a PM & a SPM if you’re interested….anyone? London’s calling…)
But, wow. I’ve interviewed candidates before…and found it to be fun. But in Raleigh, you know the back story on most candidates before they walk through the door. You can generally interview two-three candidates and pick the best. Not so in London. It’s hard to get the back story. And there are lots of duds that look good on paper.
Yesterday was the guy who announced that he ‘did research online about our client and the agency’s work’ only to then offer no examples when I questioned his favorite recent campaign. Today was the potential ax murderer with so much pent up frustration and hate for account people (he wanted to be a SPM) that he fumed for the entire hour on the topic. My colleague and I transitioned to become counselors by the half hour mark. It was AWFUL! Then, there was the AD candidate a couple weeks ago who was SO obsessed with numbers that she couldn’t see the forest for the trees!
As I’m currently on holiday cover for my major client and boss, all this time on recruitment is hard to spare. There’s so much I’d rather be doing–but really, it’s a good experience. Now, I KNOW that interviewers who call you in are rooting for your success. They want you to show up with a beautiful, happy disposition, a well polished smile and loads of perfect experience to discuss. Of course they do! You’re what stands between them and the next overworked firestorm and over-enthusiastic poser to come.
I’ve also had an idea. I regularly get calls from recruiters who hope to poach me for given account roles elsewhere. Next time instead of awkwardly getting across that it’s not a good time (I sit just across from my boss!!!), I’ll turn the tables on them and ask for their best candidates…the first one to fill my roles gets my CV next go around and referrals forevermore 🙂
