katspeech

Etiquette on the Trains

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:20:09 -0400

As I’ve discovered here, many big cities with train lines have similar problems with etiquette. My biggest pet peeve (people cutting their nails on the train) finally has a poster! Check out the link….

Over Easter, Rob and I took the very quick flight from London to...

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:21:04 -0400

Over Easter, Rob and I took the very quick flight from London to Dublin and then hopped in a car to drive to the west coast. We were amazingly awake after waking up at 3:40 a.m. to catch our early flight and were out of the car doing a short walk by early afternoon. We checked out the Torc Waterfall loop in Killarney National Park. It was lush and green and did not disappoint. Later we opted for a drive recommended by Bernice at the B&B. I successfully got us completely lost and hours later we rolled into a town on fumes (yep, nearly empty gas tank). Fun! But things improved quickly. As the sun came out in the evening we had the most amazing views of the Magillicuddy Reeks (mountain range). The next day we felt well-rested and ready for a longer walk. We decided to hike to the top of one of the small mountains out on the Ring of Kerry. It was challenging to say the least. Stunning scenery, unpredictable weather and then a trek ‘off-trail’ (because we lost the trail). Later, we were able to laugh about the field covered in long, straw-colored grass that concealed massive holes everywhere you stepped. I went hip-deep into one and Rob couldn’t even see me!

The next night we stayed in Kenmare. This was such a sweet little town and I put together a pre-dinner spread of local cheese, home-baked bread and a nice red wine (not Irish, thankfully). We got to bed early and headed further south along the coast to our final stop—the Sheepshead Peninsula. This was going to be our longest walk. After struggling a bit to find the trailhead we set off at the furthest point and made our way back along the northern coast. What a gorgeous walk and loads of sunshine. The coastline is very rugged and beautiful. The last part of the loop brought us along a mountain ridge to the starting point. We successfully did not get blown over the edge and rewarded ourselves with tea and scones. After a large dinner that night at ‘The Snug’ in Bantry, we slept like babies. Day two on the Sheepshead Peninsula had us, at the advice of the B&B owner Mr. Crowley, take a drive on a teeny road to begin a looped walk that would let us go along the northern coast to see parts that we hadn’t seen the day before. After that shorter loop we drove to the top of one of the other mountains and walked up to check out the view. Sustained gale force winds made me change my mind about that walk, and we retreated down the hill to a pub for Guinness and burgers.

For our very last night, we decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner at O’Connor’s in Bantry. (Yes, every place has an appropriately authentic Irish name. Don’t confuse O’Connor’s the restaurant with O’Connor’s Chiropractic Clinic). We ordered a nice wine and tucked in to local seafood including mussels, scallops and lobster. During the meal we chatted with a lovely couple next to us who were visiting her parents (the grandparents were babysitting their 3 kids so these two could have a nice evening out). As they were leaving, Rob went up to pay the bill—only to discover that this couple had paid for us before they left! What a way to end a trip!

As usual, I’ve procrastinated adding to my blog and am now...

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 10:47:30 -0400

As usual, I’ve procrastinated adding to my blog and am now writing about a trip we took two months ago! Waaaay back in February we went on a little European road trip with our friends Matthew and Erin (from D.C.). A quick journey on the EuroStar got us to Paris where we had an entirely different (much better!) experience than our last visit a few years ago. We stayed in a sweet little hotel (Dauphine Saint Germain) that was close to everything and found some great little out of the way restaurants (try out Chez Denise and Vins des Pyrenees). By the end of our few days there, I’d had lots of practice with my French and was feeling confident…just in time to get to Italy and switch languages again! We flew into Bologna (where friends Giancarlo and Emily live) and had an amazing dinner at Trattoria Broccaindosso. Tiny street, nondescript entrance, no menu and AMAZING food! The next day we set off for Florence and showed Mattie and Erin around some of our favourite sites, finishing with dinner at another amazing family-style ristorante. By the next day everyone had a cold but me, but we pushed on to Venice. We decided to spring for the gondola ride and it was well worth it. I’d love to visit this city again and see if we can find the non-touristy parts.

One of the joys of living here has been our amazing...

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:05:12 -0500

One of the joys of living here has been our amazing neighbours—Ash, Melanie and baby Ruben. Not only were they the ones who baked Rob his very own stadium cake for his birthday, they also gave him this amazing gift. This is homemade tomato chutney, made by Ash from his own tomato plants! Delicious!

Somebody is thirty! Rob’s other birthday surprise was a...

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:04:47 -0500

Somebody is thirty! Rob’s other birthday surprise was a pub crawl (okay, we only made it to three) with friends from London. The big hit was a toy tattoo kit from friends Quincy and Lock. After finding out how difficult they were to wash off, many of us were thankful that we had not gone for the ‘teardrop under the eye’ tattoos, and stuck to the more coverable body parts. The night ended, appropriately, with a curry and rounds of Cobra beer on Brick Lane. East side!

Rob's 30th Birthday

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:59:21 -0500

Rob's 30th Birthday:

Rob, a very lucky boy, got an amazing surprise for his 30th birthday. Long time friends Will and Christian surprised him and spent the weekend with us on a mission to visit as many pubs as possible. Check out the link (on Will’s flickr page) to see the video of his surprise!

After just three days of work following Christmas, Rob and I...

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:57:13 -0500

After just three days of work following Christmas, Rob and I hopped on another flight to Barcelona to celebrate the New Year with our friends Paul and Jen from Austin. We raced from the airport to get to our cute rented apartment in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood and were changed and out just in time for midnight. After meeting what must’ve been Barcelona’s toughest barmaid (she ran into the street with some form of wooden club to chase off thugs) we decided to relocate to a bar down the street. And there I experienced my introduction to the fine art of pickpocketing that is alive and well in Barcelona. Fortunately, we managed to come home with all of our valuables, but others were not so lucky! Barcelona is a very pretty city and offers the chance to see some amazing architecture (and eat some great paella). This cathedral, Sagrada Familia, considered one of Gaudi’s greatest works, has been under construction since 1882 (according to Wikipedia) and it’s not even close to being finished. Amazing!

Okay, so Christmas was over and Rob and I had a long flight and...

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:49:37 -0500

Okay, so Christmas was over and Rob and I had a long flight and even longer day at work ahead of us. At the gate, they pulled us aside and took away our boarding passes…only to be replaced by business class seats! We were beside ourselves and, I’m afraid, made it all too obvious that we had NEVER been in business class seats. Conversation: Flight attendant: ”Excuse me sir…” Rob: ”Oh, we got upgraded!” Flight attendant: ”It happens. Now may I take your coats?” Before the plane started moving I’d already opened my goodie bag, read the menu through at least three times, debated which glass of wine would go best with my meal, reclined my seat into a bed and back up again, etc. Now, we just have to make some serious money so we never have to mix with the plebs in economy class again!

Clearly there is some catching up to be done! This year our...

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:34:14 -0500

Clearly there is some catching up to be done! This year our Christmas was spent back in the States—hanging out with Rob’s family, my sister and her husband in PA. We had lots to pack in: Olive Garden, Sonic, Pizza Perfect, etc. I must’ve gone to the grocery store every day we were there, just to look around at all the products like ranch dressing and cornbread mix that I miss. This photo comes from one of the finer moments….the world famous Johnson Family game of Wine, Lose or Draw. ’Wine’ is not a typo.

Yes, as most of you know, I took the plunge and chopped off the...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:52:19 -0500

Yes, as most of you know, I took the plunge and chopped off the locks for Locks of Love. It was a great decision. If you want to do the same, check out their site: http://www.locksoflove.org/

Rob and I laced up our shoes and donned matching Santa suits for...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:48:50 -0500

Rob and I laced up our shoes and donned matching Santa suits for this year’s Santa 6K held in Battersea Park. The running was made much easier by the fact that we were surrounded by a sea of nearly 2,000 other Santas. And the best part—seeing the VERY confused faces of the little kids in the park.

Thanksgiving (okay, so I’m a little late posting). This...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:46:44 -0500

Thanksgiving (okay, so I’m a little late posting). This year I cooked my first turkey and, thanks to the advice of Rob’s Gram and Elaine, it came out perfectly! We were lucky enough to have our dear friend John in town from NYC to celebrate with us and were also joined by Londoners Penny and Will.

To counter getting too caught up in the daily grind, Rob and I...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:44:52 -0500

To counter getting too caught up in the daily grind, Rob and I are trying to get out and do things in London each week to take advantage of living in such an amazing city. This week we went to see an art installation in Trafalgar Square (thanks Ashley!). The square was full of these huge stumps of trees that had been cut down in the rainforest in Ghana and the project hoped to raise awareness about deforestation. An amazing sight!

Ah, the joy of translation

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:55:04 -0500

I was looking for an apartment rental in Fano, Italy for next summer and came across a cute little website. I’m guessing the owner had typed the ‘rules’ in Italian and then hit the Translate button. Here are a few of my favourite results:

Entry allowed the only bicycles and motor mopeds extinguished

You invites alone to the closing of the curtains and of the electric windows during the night and in case of maltempo to avoid damages.

Use of the barbecue is to arrange with the other guests, it delegates the use to the adult solos with the charcoal use of firewood and specific products.

Rob had me rolling on the floor laughing at this picture of his...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:57:48 -0500

Rob had me rolling on the floor laughing at this picture of his old belt…that he had been wearing, in this condition, to work for weeks. Good news though—got a new belt last night!

Believe me—these ARE the world’s best pancakes. See...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:55:09 -0500

Believe me—these ARE the world’s best pancakes. See link for your very own recipe.

via kottke

Ah, Scotland. We had been looking forward to this trip for a...

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:47 -0500

Ah, Scotland. We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and Scotland did not disappoint us. After flying up to Inverness, Rob took the wheel (for the first time in the UK) and we headed to Invergarry for the night. At the Invergarry Castle Hotel, we had a big dinner and spent the evening drinking wine and playing Scrabble in front of the fire in the Library. A perfect start! On our second day, we hopped in the car and drove a few hours west and across the bridge to the Isle of Skye. Winding down one-lane roads and avoiding sheep and cows, we made our way to a small house called Ramasaig that marked the start of our first walk. No pictures…because it was pouring rain! But we toughed it out and made our way to The Hoe—the highest point along the cliffs overlooking the ocean. But after our “waterproof” shoes filled with water and the wind blew me to the ground (more than once), we decided to head back to the car and make our way to Carter’s Rest B&B in Upper Milovaig. The next morning marked an end to the torrential rains and we managed to see the Niest Point lighthouse and later climb the trail up to see The Old Man of Storr—a tall rock teetering at the top of a hill. Throughout this trip places like this made Rob and I feel like we were in some mystical fairy tale! The hike to and from The Storr also included a dense forest that completely sheltered us from the rain. We took advantage of our last half day by going for a walk at Glen Affric (not far from Loch Ness), getting ourselves lost, and then finding that we’d actually just taken an amazing shortcut. Yes! Plenty of time to catch our flight home.

Oktoberfest was sooooo fun! We only spent one day there and owe...

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:26:42 -0400

Oktoberfest was sooooo fun! We only spent one day there and owe lots of thanks to Geoff for hosting us and Justin and Donna for speaking the German and doing all the sweet-talking. If you ever get the chance, definitely go, but be sure you get a table in a beer tent because that is the key to having the most fun. And work on those arm muscles because you’ll be expected to cheers your heavy LITRE of beer about every 5 minutes!

Today was the London SkyRide which meant that a huge number of...

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:36:23 -0400

Today was the London SkyRide which meant that a huge number of streets in central London were closed to cars and open only to cyclists. It was a gorgeous and sunny day too! I loved this part—cycling up to Buckingham Palace.

It took me a while to figure this out in my phone…but...

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:18:25 -0400

It took me a while to figure this out in my phone…but apparently the last time I went to this place (yeah, so maybe it was after a few beers) I decided not only to enter their number for faster takeaway next time, but was also so smart that I entered which meal to order. Hence the ‘Order F.’ I should do this with all my address entries!