Take a punt.

Traveller had the privilege of going to Cambridge last week with 'best gal', her husband and flattie.

{Hubbie was working.}

Cambridge is a town which hosts one of Britain's finest universities.

It was the most perfect fall day and, because it's a fun tradition, we went punting.

Punting happens in a flat-bottomed boat, and you move by propelling yourself with along pole.

Traveller had been punting before with family in Oxford, but that was a much more scary experience! T's brother pushed them from river bank to river bank and they almost capsized!

'Best gal's' husband was a much more proficient punter and had us gliding smoothly along the River Cam. We were so smooth in fact, that T was convinced that it must have been really easy.

So she volunteered her services.

Let's just say, as soon as T got some speed up, her knees would start wobbling and the words 'Man Overboard!' began echoing in her mind.

T quickly past the pole on.

Cambridge is beautiful, though.

Wanderlust.

Traveller has had many exciting and fun adventures over her half-term break. Catching up with 'best gal' was superb and much-needed. One of the most memorable things they did {along with both husbands and another couple} was satiate T's need for travel. We went on a group road trip to Normandy, France and it was fantastic!

We all managed to squeeze into a Volkswagon 'Touran' - a 7 seater car - and yes, T, being the shortest, was in the back seat most of the time! We drove to Normandy via Dover where we caught the ferry to Callais and then drove on to Bayeux. Traveller is a big fan of road-trips. The singing. The emergency bathroom pit-stops. The guilty McDonald's meals. The endless supply of chocolate. The inane car games that just keep going and going. Nothing beats a group road-trip!

Bayeux is a gorgeous little town in Normandy, which is not only beautiful but a great jumping off point for most tourist tick-the-box-hot-spots. We spent one day visiting the D-Day beaches and memorials which were quite sombering and brought World War II to life. The next day we spent visiting the Mt. St. Michel which was quite breath-taking from a distance, but a little bit of a tourist-trap once there. T felt disappointed, although, husband managed to withstand a tremendous queue for the Abbey and he said that this was quite spectacular.

The rest of our time was spent visiting markets, eating French food and drinking French wine. It was a memorable trip, made even more momentous by the company of friends and the consumption of extraordinary French food.

The climb into the back seat

The incredibly large bathroom at the Hotel de Saint Croix

Another Happy Customer

It wouldn't be a trip to London, without sampling London's greatest sandwich.

Traveller, under Hubbie's instruction, took 'best gal' and husband to Fuzzy's Grub.

Traveller was a little embarrassed that she managed to finish {almost} the entire sandwich without hubbie's help.

She'll blame it on the cold weather that is descending on the capital; winter pounds are T's specialty.

Fall Fun.

Traveller is really enjoying having her fave gal here.

They went to Regent's Park today, with her husband, and played in the leaves.

T loves fall. And friends.

Next Stop: Normandie!

Traveller and husband are off to France this weekend!

We are going with four friends, in a seven-seater car, and T couldn't be more excited!

It is the first international trip that T has made since Easter and it is particularly special, because it is with friends.

The boys are excited to see the D-Day beaches; we are also hoping to see the Bayeux tapestry, Mont St-Michel and to eat lots of lovely Camembert (accompanied with French wine of course!).

Husband is also looking forward to some French cider.

French food, fun and friends - sounds magnifique!

photo via flickr

Happy Holidays to Traveller!

To celebrate their running success and Traveller's return to holidays, T and running friend had another spa day, followed by treats at Bea's of Bloomsbury.

Bea's savoury food is delicious, but their cakes are out-of-this-world-yummy! There was much to choose from, such as: truffle cakes, scones, cheesecakes and meringues. However, they are famous for their cupcakes, so we had to try them out {it was practically a neccessity}.

Traveller had a chocolate fudge cupcake and running friend had a red velvet cupcake with cream-cheese frosting! Delicious!

A perfect way to start half-term holidays.

Traveller's best gal.

Traveller is positively bursting with excitement.

In just four sleeps she will see one of her dearest friends - in London!

Newly married friend is on her third honeymoon {yes, you did read that correctly} and is currently footloose in Europe.

Next week she will arrive in London for two weeks!

{sooo exciting}

During this visit, Traveller and husband are also going to do some more travelling...

T will give you a hint as to the destination - Bonjour le fromage et le vin!

T should also mention that, in just two days, she is once again on holidays.

Lovin' London {and it's prep schools!}

Everything hurts. But it was worth it.

It's done!

Traveller has run the Royal Park's Half-Marathon and survived!

Even though Traveller was so nervous on Saturday, she must admit that she really didn't think it was going to be that hard. After all, she and running friend had almost run the distance a few times already.

Let's just say, she was a little wrong.

A half-marathon is 13.1 miles and at 6 miles
Traveller was spent. She (foolishly) went out way too quickly and ran out of steam! The big warning sign was that at the three mile mark, she was 6 minutes ahead of her target time, and then at 6 miles she was 9 minutes ahead!

Oh dear!

At 6 miles she wasn't hurting, and she wasn't puffed... she just had nothing left. Her stomach was growling for food and she was in trouble! A nervous stomach meant that T wasn't quite able to carb-load as much as she should have, and subsequently, she ran out of fuel!

T hates to admit it, but she had to walk a few times between the 7th and 11th mile, and was feeling so weak that she almost fell over.

Then, like manna from heaven, the lucozade table appeared at the 10th mile, and Traveller (ignoring all advice) guzzled the whole bottle and headed for the finishing line.

T was desperate to finish under the two hour mark, and managed it at 1:59:55!

That last mile felt like three!

During the race, Traveller was seriously considering her sanity in signing up for challenge; however, minutes after finishing, she must admit that she felt differently.

It was a serious rush crossing that finishing line.

Perhaps she'll sign up for another...

Who's up for it?

BTW: Everything hurts. Traveller can barely walk down the stairs at school.
T couldn't resist posting some pictures of brother and gorgeous Mimi. Brother was his speedy self in the half-marathon; he came in at just over an hour and a half with little training.

Running friend and T feeling very relieved!

The Last Supper.

Perhaps Traveller is being a touch over-dramatic, but she is ever so excited and nervous about tomorrow!

This evening, Traveller and hubbie had a 'last supper' of sorts with running friend and her husband. The meal was tomato and basil pasta (T has been carb-loading like mad), with fruit and yoghurt for dessert. It was delicious! T has been trying to eat really healthily in preparation for the big run, and she must say that fruit is really sweet and delicious once you take chocolate out of your diet!

Today was a funny day. Traveller has been known to have a nervous stomach. Without being too specific (don't want to make you squeamish whilst blog reading), T, while studying Drama at university would be so nervous during production week that she would have no food left in her at all. And, in regards to today, let's just say that T had her first Imodium pill at 4pm this afternoon!

Today has been full of many last minute errands, like: creating a half-marathon playlist; a neck and shoulder massage (T really needed it, honest); the procurement of mid-race lollies (Barrett's jelly babies) and packing the race bag.

And, in regards to the previous post, T's tiny poem worked! The cold left and T is feeling great. Not all of T's friends who are running were so lucky, she thinks that one will have to pull out, and running friend herself has been sick all week, and won't be at her best. The dreaded London flu is wreaking havoc due to the change in weather.

Well, Traveller is off to (hopefully) catch some ZZZ's before the race. Wish her luck!

Cough. Splutter. Sneeze.

With just over four days until the big event,

Traveller can feel herself coming down

with some sort of dreaded sickness.

Noooo!

She is also racing her fellow teachers

in the 'beep test' tomorrow...

The beep test is a fitness test which many would regard

as horrible and unnecessary, but nerdy T is a little excited.

Please cold
go away.
Traveller does not want you to stay.
Leave at once - without delay!


photo via flickr

Fall arrives in a flurry.

It seems that fall has arrived in London overnight.

Sidewalks that were once clear, are now covered in burnt orange leaves.

A breezy wind has arrived, and the leaves are swirling about in the air.

It is so pretty.

Traveller went for a run in Hampstead Heath, and could barely see the heath floor, for all the scattered leaves.

As her fellow Australian friends grumble and feel somewhat dejected at the darker afternoons and cooler weather - Traveller is secretly excited for all the activities and clothes that fall encompasses.

She is ready for the scarves, the coats, the tights, the many cups of tea, the apple crumble and custard, the boeuf bourguignon, the red wine and the reading under the covers.

She is even ready for the fight against the winter pounds; yes, running will continue after the halfie.

Fall is here!

photo via flickr

Occupational Hazard #1: The Nervous Fart.

Teaching in a school that is heaving with boys has consistently been a malodorous experience for Traveller. There are numerous situations where she finds herself overwhelmed with noxious odours. And, whilst trying to maintain a certain type of 'political correctness', can T remind you of the fact that she teaches in North London. This is a particularly multicultural area where many, many bowls of curry are eaten night and day.

Today, however, Traveller had a particularly fetid experience. It began when a boy in Grade Five approached her, looking notably anxious. T had just posted the cast list for her production of 'The Demon Headmaster' amid a flurry of excited students. Following this, said student mentioned that he hadn't intended to audition for the part and wouldn't be able to participate in the production. The part was small and wasn't at all a concern for Traveller.

What was a concern, however, was the thick cloud of smelly fart that permeated the air around her, in the increasingly narrow school corridor. The boy, whose chin was noticeably wobbling from the fear that he was going to 'suffer the consequences', had dealt T a fate worse than having to re-cast his part.

He had dealt her the nervous fart.

photo via flickr

The Colour Purple.

The race shirt arrived in the post today, along with T's number and chip.

Traveller loves it; it matches her feminine sensibilities perfectly.

However, running friend's husband is quite adamant he isn't going to wear it.

It's too 'purple'!

What do you think?

Two weeks to go!

Foodie Heaven.

London is a city known for its curry, and T has enjoyed quite a few. Recently she found curry heaven at Tayyabs near Brick Lane, and didn't really think that anything could top it. Now, all she can say is, 'Move over, Tayyabs!'

It all came about because a few of T's friends were disgruntled with Brick Lane. Brick Lane is a name synonymous with curry houses. It is a long, winding road in East London which is lined with Indian restaurants. Now, because everyone on the same road is selling the exact same product, they really have to fight for business. To do this they have one member of staff stand outside the restaurant who offers you a 'special price' as you pass them. They often give you free drinks or offer a discount on food.

Our friends decided that they wanted to eat somewhere more unique, where it was less noisy and not so many hagglers on the street. T was a little skeptical - as she really did think that Tayyabs was curry heaven, but she was happy to be proven wrong. The restaurant they chose was 'Mela' which is found in Soho, Central London.

While it wasn't groundbreaking in terms of decor or atmosphere, the risk was definitely worth it. Traveller can honestly say that, after her first bite of Seafood Moilee, she was in foodie heaven. Everything from the starters, to the naan bread, to the mains, was off the charts in terms of taste and deliciousness!

There are close to no photos of the food, because it was demolished in a matter of minutes. Yum!

Children say the darnedest things.

Today, in Grade Eight creative writing, Traveller put this picture on an interactive whiteboard, and asked the children to write a creative response. They had to explain how the man in the wall got there.

T watched as the children made themselves ready for the task; they were opening their books, taking out their pens and starting to write. Traveller continued to watch as one boy stared open-mouthed at the screen. After a couple of minutes of this, he raised his hand.

T went over to him.

The conversation went like this.

'Mrs ___________, I'm a little confused. I can't believe there is a man in the wall. How did he get in the wall? What happened to him?'

T started at him, dumbfounded.

The class are silent. Not even a breath can be heard as they await T's answer.

It finally clicked.

'Sam, that isn't really a man in the wall. (laughter arises)

'Oh, really? I thought he was real,' he replies, sure in his response.

'It's a sculpture, Sam.'

Pause. Followed by muffled laughter from the class.

'Ohhhh'.

Lucky we ran.

Running friend and Traveller have a frequent discussion that includes questions of why they aren't stick thin, with all the running that they do.

T thinks that the answer lies in the above pictures.

They ran for two hours on the weekend {without stopping!} and, after stretching, promptly decided that the weather was too nice, not to enjoy some yummies at the park.

Yes, the sun was shining in London {shocking!}

So, following a salad sandwich, we headed to the park with a bag filled with gorgonzola piccante {delicious}, champagne, strawberries, timtams {an import from mother} and toblerone!

Yum.

London loves Coldplay.

On Friday evening, Traveller was lucky enough to see Coldplay at Wembley Stadium and, quite simply, they were awesome! It was T's birthday present from hubbie, which she was able to enjoy with a few friends from Londontown (hubbie's not so into them).

They had a fairly respectable line-up, including: white lies, girls aloud, and jay-z. As T saw them on a work day, she wasn't able to catch the first two, but did get to see jay-z. Traveller isn't completely into rap, but she has to admit that he was quite the entertainer and his set was actually pretty incredible. She did giggle a few times though at the usual rapper antics.

Coldplay are loved by London, and they proved completely worthy of this love. Their whole set was flawless, and the band were consummate entertainers. Chris Martin was writhing around on stage like a born rockstar; he ran, jumped, spun, laid down, played the guitar-the piano - the harmonica and even sang a bit of MJ's Billy Jean (which Simon Pegg joined in on). The best part was that he looked like he was really enjoying himself, and wasn't taking it too seriously.

The show was pretty interactive as well - with large, yellow balloons hurtling around during Yellow, fireworks being let off after Fix You and at the end, and also a million small colourful paper butterflies flying into the crowd towards the end. All these things added to the atmosphere of the night which, by London standards, was brilliant! (None of the usual pints flying over people's heads, fights between crowd members or unseemly substances arising from over-indulgent audience members.)

The one thing that stuck out to Traveller was that she has never before felt so short! Now somewhere deep down she knows she isn't tall. Being five foot four does sound quite tiny and she does have to stand on her tip-toes to reach most things. But these facts come as second nature now. T had simply forgotten that she was a pint-sized shortie, or let's use the euphemistic 'petite'. That is, she had forgotten, until each of her friends crouched down to her level at the concert and said something along on the lines of, 'Wow, you're view is really crap down here'. As she gazed up to where they were looking from, T realised two things. One - she really is quite short! Two - people notice how short she is.

Despite teasing her about her lack of view - her friends were also very kind and made sure that they moved her into the best spots. Even particularly tall strangers looked at her and made sure they didn't stand right in front of her.

Oh well...T was made short for a reason and she will embrace this newly found perspective.

Positive point # 1 - she can wear really high heels and still never be taller than her hubbie.

Below are some pictures of the concert; unfortunately there are no pictures of the band, due to aforementioned physical affliction.

Traveller on the Run.

On the weekend, Traveller, along with running friend and brother, ran the Richmond River Run; a 10k race in, you guessed it, Richmond.

While the weather was chilly and we had to get up at a ridiculously early 6:30am on a Sunday morning, it was quite the fun warm-up race for the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

Traveller really wanted to run the 10k in 50 mins, however she was silly enough not to wear a watch...and couldn't really monitor herself. Alas, she came in at 53mins on the nose. Running friend, who is still running whilst feeling (and unfortunately, being) sick - impressed us all with her gutsy determination. We celebrated with a much deserved full English breakfast with our husbands, who so graciously came and cheered us on!

The countdown is now on for the half-marathon - less than four weeks to go!

Traveller's Kitchen Disasters.

How did this....

turn into this?!

Now, T knows that you can't really see it very well for all the steam, but consider yourself lucky!

T had an absolute shocker in the kitchen on Sunday night.

So bad that she kept apologising to hubbie for hours;
Even though he'll eat anything.

It all started with a yummy, autumnal, Jamie Oliver recipe of Tomato and Bread Soup and turned into something you would see on Ramsay's Kitchen Disasters.

It was red. Looked like sludge. Tasted like sludge. Had a faint hint of tomato and basil. Traveller almost wants to puke just thinking of the texture in her mouth.

Boo.

The worst thing was that Traveller has had this soup cooked for her before, and it was delicious.

Is she that incompetent in the kitchen?

She followed the recipe religiously.

So sad.

Nothing worse than seeing an hour's work go down the drain. Literally.

The upside?

Ice-cream for dinner!

photos courtesy of one very depressed cook.

Husband time.

This weekend, Traveller got to enjoy lots of time with hubbie.

We had date night on Friday, where we went to a Spanish Tapas restaurant called Meze.

Many restaurants in London have amazing deals at the moment (because of the economic situation), so Traveller and hubs are trying to get out there and experience as many of the them as possible. The food was pretty good, but the cocktails were the shining star - yum!

On Saturday we had a DVD night and watched 'State of Play'.
So good!

And on Sunday, Hubbie got up at 6:30am to cheer on T at the 10K race in Richmond. The race was a warm-up for the half-marathon...which is in 4 weeks!

Husband time makes a happy Traveller.

Back in the Game.

Traveller has had a good day.

Make that, a great day.

A great three days really.

Being back at school is like coming alive again. Along with the holidays, teaching brings a real sense of satisfaction and happiness to Traveller. Last year was T's first year of teaching in England, her first year of teaching only boys, her first teaching position with extra responsibility and her first year of teaching children under the age of 12. It was hard. Some days it was really hard. The English prep school day is longer and the lesson times are shorter, so you really feel like you are running around in circles. But now, after a year of experience, Traveller (so far) is loving it!

She knows the children. They know her. She planned much of the curriculum last year, so now it's about tweaking it and improving it. Her smartboard is also an absolute life-saver! Last year, anytime T wanted to use a powerpoint, play a DVD, listen to a song or view a webpage with her class, it required a lot of re-arranging for all involved. Now, she can do this every lesson! It is absolute bliss.

She is also blessed with seriously small classes. Her largest English class has twelve children in it. Her smallest has six! The Drama classes are larger, but that is definitely the way that T likes it.

So, even though the days are long and there's more to do once T gets home, she's enjoying herself so much she has to stop herself from skipping down the street.

No one likes to see a girl in her late 20's skipping.

It's just weird.

photo via flickr

Is it over already?

Nine weeks of holiday have passed, and Traveller is back in the classroom tomorrow.

She's a little nervous.

Nine weeks is a long time.

Nine weeks of sleeping in, enjoying novels, watching films, seeing old friends and learning new things.

Now she has six weeks (before two week's half-term holiday).

Six weeks of teaching, marking, using her smartboard (woo!), planning and learning new things.

She is a little excited to see the kids tomorrow.

To hear of their holiday adventures, their new experiences and their goals for the year.

She hopes she can manage to get out of bed before 6:30am.

Better set the alarm.

Wish T luck.

She hopes to back soon.

photo via flickr