Today is the opening of the 2012 Summer Games, the Games of the XXX Olympiad, officially begin today. We haven't been too involved in any events around the city so far (haven't taken in the Torch Relay or gone to any cultural events), but we're excited nonetheless. The majority of news stories over here so far have been about transport woes and labour relations, but I think that once that Olympic flame gets lit, once the Games are officially underway, we'll be in for a great two weeks of national pride and sport! Sarah, Chris, and I will be sure to be cheering on Canada in all our events!
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So I know Bryan mentioned that we spent a few days in Majorca getting some sun and relaxation, but what he didn't get into was the myriad of strange people we were surrounded by. First up, and probably the most irritating for me, was the couple that I like to refer to as "touchy McFeel-my-boob". It seemed that no matter where around the pool Bryan and I sat, there they would be, right in front of us in the pool, just asking to be told to get a room. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice romantic spot and I am not against some PDA's in moderation. What made this particular couple give me the he-bee-gee-bee's was the fact that they would make out in the pool with their eyes wide open and occasionally fixed on Bryan and I. It felt just a little too close to an invitation I wasn't interested in.
Next there was the only other couple in the entire hotel from England. They decided that the rules of pool side chair reservation didn't apply to them. Every morning Bryan and I would go down to the pool early and put our towels and books on our pool loungers and head in for breakfast, then we would have a great spot for the day, much like many of the guests in the hotel. However, unlike some guests Bryan and I did actually use them all day. For one unlucky German couple who had reserved seats in the morning the seats were not waiting for them when they returned at around 4 in the afternoon (I know, kind of cheeky if you ask me to not use them all day...). The English couple had moved the towels to a small table and had been sitting in the seats for several hours. It became a very awkward disagreement for everyone around the pool and I felt really awful for the lifeguard of the hotel who was forced into a mediation position in a "he said, she said" situation. Finally, there was the evening that Bryan and I sat on our balcony and watched as a husband was forced to take about 30 photos of his wife as she positioned herself over and over. After each shot she would look at the result and shake her head... I am not sure how many pictures she thought it would take before she somehow appeared as a supermodel and not herself. I felt badly for the husband, but I felt even worse for their son who was stuck in his stroller. Although, perhaps Bryan and I shouldn't judge, we took all of 4 photos for our trip. Today is Christopher's 1st birthday! Wow! It's almost hard to believe that he's been with us for an entire year. He's such a big boy now! We had a very small celebration, just me, Sarah, Debby, and Chris. We really had a good time, starting the day in Wandsworth Common where Chris opened his presents and got the grass under his feet as he went exploring. (We've finally had sunshine, so we wanted to make the most of it, that's why we went out). He really liked all his presents and was totally spoiled. After the three us adults had nice bit of lunch/dinner (a fabulous Sunday roast) which the little guy slept through, we came home for birthday cupcakes. Chris managed his very well, and was also very lucky to be able to FaceTime with his Great Grandma, Grandpa, cousin Alexis, Auntie Kim & Uncle Ray, and Nana & Grandpa. What a superstar! He had a great birthday and is now in bed sleeping with sweet dreams of what the next year will bring. Today I went for my first full bike ride. I actually had tried to go for a ride yesterday. I had my route all planned out (under advice from Anna & Perry) and was ready for a good bit of exercise. But I made a wrong turn and on my way back around to the right street, I hopped the curb. And that's how I found out that you shouldn't hop the curb on a road bike - by trying it out and popping my rear tyre. (How do you like that English spelling there?!). So without a repair kit, I ended up walking home 3 Km after after a 10 minute cycle. It sucked.
This morning went much better. I met Perry by the mall and off we set for Richmond Park. By the time we arrived, I felt almost spent and wondered if I really wanted to do the route around the park after all. But after a short rest and some encouraging words from Perry we set off. It was a good thing he'd endeared himself a bit and given me those encouraging words though, because the first bit of the route involved a climb up a hill so steep it had switchbacks, and I was very cognizant of the fact that we were the only two going up this hill, as I watched numerous other cyclists zoom past us on their way down! But I made it, and after that I really enjoyed the ride. Richmond park is quite large and open, and it was a nice change from Battersea Park or Wandsworth Common. The two of us went all the way around the park and then home, and I was again glad that I had a more experienced cyclist leading the way! There were a number of one-way junctions that I hadn't considered before setting off, and I don't think I would have been able to correctly navigate if Perry wasn't there! I made it home safe after about 2 hours and covering roughly 25 Km - with some very sore thighs! But I did enjoy my ride and am looking forward to the next one already! Sarah and I needed some time off to relax, so last weekend we really got away, and left the country! We had planned this trip, it wasn't very spur of the moment, but we figured that while we had a good (& free!) babysitter for four days, this was the time to have a city break all to ourselves.
We jetted off to Majorca, Spain, and enjoyed four days of incredible heat, blue skies and sunshine, and beach. And really, that is just about all there is to report! (At least from me - Sarah has a few comments to make about the place we stayed and its "visitors," but that's a separate post). We did absolutely nothing for four days but sit by the pool and read. We ate when we needed to, and had a few cocktails, but that was it - and it was glorious. Sarah and I both finished three books in the four days (no regular feat for me) and completely unwound. Sorry there's no huge story about exploring a new place or going somewhere new and exciting that we've never been to, but it was exactly what we were looking for. Sarah can tell you a bit more about these weird people that we spent our days with, but that's it for me! ~Bryan Well after a long while (nearly a year to be honest) I finally purchased a bicycle today. It's not that I've been too picky, it's just that I've developed a sense of "frugalness" in the UK, and I've been loathe to spend too much on a bike. But I began looking again in earnest a few months ago, and despite that fact the that the weather still isn't summer over here, I'm really looking forward to cycling through the city - and out of it. Perry & Anna are going to show me some routes to get out of London and into a bit more countryside, and some routes through some of the parks nearby as well. I'm looking forward to it! (Hopefully it helps me shed the pounds as well!)
We had a great time last weekend, celebrating the nation's birthday in style in Trafalgar Square! There were lots of Albertan cowboy hats, some street hockey, and plenty of Molson Canadian and poutine for all who wanted it. We enjoyed the party, although through quite a mixture of weather - cloud, rain, and sun all at various times. Even Chris was decked out with his Canadian gear, as were his mom, dad, and granny. (Rosie unfortunately was out of luck as her wardrobe is rather limited) We met Perry and Anna there, and we all took in the Canadiana surrounding us. Then, later that evening Sarah and I went out to Leicester Square and went to a club to celebrate some more. It was great to have free babysitting (i.e., Debby) at home to watch over Chris, and we danced to the wee hours of the morning. When were on our way in were taken aback by all the celebrating Spaniards in the streets. Spain had, earlier that evening, won the Euro 2012 championships, and it seemed as though half the country had relocated to London for the celebration. It was a madhouse, but they were all very well behaved and just enjoying the fact that they had won their third championship! Well, again - Happy Canada Day to you all! Happy Canada Day all! We're off to Trafalgar Square soon, to enjoy good 'ol Canadiana (including Gordo Campbell!). You can check out our plans here, and we'll post about them tomorrow! http://www.canadadaylondon.com/
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