Brighton Beach Visit.

We visited Brighton last Friday.

We had visions of Brighton being rather dull.  Dark sea water, freezing winds, large pebbles on the beach.  We were right on one suspicion - the large pebbles on the beach.  I'm not saying it wasn't cold because it was rather cool, but not freezing.  And the water actually looked sublime.

I have only visited a handful of beaches in England over the years but this was my first visit to the famous Brighton Beach, about a 50 minute train ride south of the middle of London.  Monet thought she deserved an ice cream after such a journey.  Well how could we deny a request like that?

We walked along the beach front towards the Pleasure Pier where I indulged in some lovely hot donuts which went down a little too well.  *heehee*  We walked along the length of the pier and back, stopping to look at some of the 'amusements' and playing a ridiculous game of popping 10p into a slot and trying to knock off more 10p coins into the slot.  *Ridiculous I tell you*

We ended up making our way back to the town center for a delicious Italian late-lunch which included a starter of assorted breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which was very yummy.  

We were back in our hotel a couple of hours later, all exhausted after our day out at the sea-side (of sorts!)  Monet and I spent the evening at my sister and her partner's place (and enjoyed the surrounds of their newly refurbished apartment) whilst Lyndon went out on the town with an old friend of ours.  

Last Thursday's Stroll Around...

Can you imagine our delight last Thursday, when going to meet my sister after work, when we spotted this...

Even Monet herself pointed it out.  

After meeting my sister we went to a pub/brewery situated opposite the Borough Market, a famous fresh produce market where many 'celebrity' chefs shop themselves ie. Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson.  We did actually see a film crew filming a chef/cook making something but we didn't stop to watch.  Lyndon was too busy trying to spy where the brewery was!

We had had a great day last Thursday.  First of all we walked up to High Street Kensington (our hotel was quite near there) and had a look around in some of our favourite stores.  After lunch at our (favourite) Burger joint in Earl's Court we made ourselves Regent Street bound. Wandering north along the street, we strolled along Carnaby Street and caught the tube to near St. Paul's Cathedral.  We strolled along the Millennium Bridge towards the Tate Modern, stopped for a pint (well, not for me) at a pub over looking the Thames, then onwards to that Brewery and some tucker.  

Sometimes life cannot get any better.

Seven Days, Six Nights in London Town.

We're back.  

London was fantastic as usual.  I love that city.  I really do.  I love the hustle, I love the bustle, I love the sites, I love the food, I love the shops, I love the transport, I love where we stay, I love that my sister and her partner's flat is close by, I love seeing new stuff and I love revisiting the old stuff.  (I'm not a big fan of the tourists though.)

Monet handled London like an old pro, after all, it was her third visit to the city - little show off.  

There's Buckingham Palace.  Do you think the Queen might see me?  

Oooo I can see London Eye through those buildings!

There's Big Ben.  Gong....gong....

And she even started doing impersonations of the woman who does the voice over on the Tube.  The next stop is Earl's Court.  Mind the Gap please, mind the gap.  This train is a District line train to Richmond.  (You have no idea....)

However she was disappointed (once again) in going to Piccadilly Circus and not discovering what she thought was there; I love carnivals, she mentioned to me when she asked where we were headed.  

She was very keen on seeing a real live soldier, 

...on seeing the lions in Trafalgar Square and visiting the Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum (which just happened to be a short 15 minute walk from our hotel.) 

The three of us had a terrific time away and saw many things - some for the first time, some for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time.  (Maybe even more)

We can't wait to do it all again some time down the road with a baby in tow... 

If you've never visited London, you must.  

(Click on any photos to enlarge)

Glad I am Pregnant...

...or otherwise I could have been talked into joining the neighbours on Friday as they played in the first annual Abu Dhabi Touch Rugby Tournament.  And I think Lyndon was grateful he works nightshift so he wasn't involved either.  But we did go along to support our neighbours.

In blaring 40 degree heat (a 2pm kick off can you believe?) the teams of eight fought three games of 6 minute halves (something like that anyway).  There were dozens of teams and the team we were supporting, The Abu Dhabi Falcons, didn't win a game but they did all enjoy themselves.  

There were a few stretched groins and hamstrings in our team, but at least no one suffered from Heat Stroke.  Well, Monet's little pal Holly (whose dad was playing) did become hot and tired and apparently had a 'power chuck' in the car on the way home.  Her and Monet had been earlier playing on the jumping castle and Holly had been scoffing down the free pop corn on offer mixed with sweets and crisps.  Not a good combo.

We enjoyed ourselves and Monet got into the sprirt of the game by supporting loudly on the sideline; clapping, cheering.  

It isn't everyday you get to participate, nor support good friends in the shadows of Tower cranes and The Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi...

Relief.

With great relief I can tell you all that I have got Monet into a School for the new school year. 

She begins KG-2 (like Aussie Prep) come August 30th, (which is during this year's Ramadan over here) and will be an orientation day for all new children and their parents; school tours, teachers met, school uniforms purchased.  I can tell Monet is looking forward to it already.  She got a *glowing* report from her Nursery School Director which I am sure helped.  (I have to tell you, it is very hard to get children into school over here - there are limited places everywhere it seems - and these schools are not cheap.  All international schools here are private.  The company Lyndon currently works for, will pay a certain amount for Monet but the rest we have to fork out.)

It will be a hectic time for us with Monet starting school, her 5th birthday the following week and baby #2 due.  

Speaking of, Monet took this photo yesterday of me, so for all of you who want to spy a 23 week pregnant woman look no further;

Monet was busy trying on her 'winter' clothes for London next week.  We had to purchase some new threads for her on the weekend as her legs seemed to have stretched over the past few months and she didn't have a winter coat, which will be needed going from 40+ degree days into the low teens.

(I can't help but look at that above photo and see that she's looking 'grown up'. When did that happen?)

Things are moving ahead, per usual.

Making The Most Of It...

One thing we have noticed without Monet being 'constantly' around, is our new found freedom.  As horrible as I might sound here, it is nice to go shopping without dragging around a 4 year old who would like this and that.  It is nice to be able to 'browse'.

I have even been to my first 'bottle shop' in the UAE this week.  As Monet is not allowed in I have never been in either.  Bottle Shops/Off License are here in the UAE (as many may not believe, as being in a Muslim belief country where drinking is (meant to be) prohibited).  They aren't 'advertised' and nor do they have big adverts displaying what's on special outside the magic doors.  You are meant to have a 'liquor license' to purchase alcohol which you buy (depending on the police you buy it from at the time, you are looking at about $150 AUD for a license valid for a year.)  One thing we do love about these shops is your alcohol is put into big black bags, so no-one knows what exactly you've bought.  

(And no, I have not had a sip of alcohol since finding out I was pregnant.)

On Wednesday, Lyndon and I visited Hamden Street in the city, as Lyndon wanted a new pair of work boots.  This is Hamden Street.

Lots of jewellery shops, bargain stores, bits and bobs shops - you get the picture.  I figured I'd buy a few little UAE souviners for myself, as I hadn't since moving here.  Monet was rather thrilled to find the things I bought when she returned from Nursery School in the afternoon...

I don't know how long she played with the 'Russian Dolls' but I can tell you it was a while!

Yesterday, Lyndon and I did some shopping online.  We bought ourselves (and Monet) return airline seats to London town in less than two weeks time. (London is a seven hour direct flight from Abu Dhabi - beats the 24 hour trip we took to get there last year!!)  Lyndon has managed to wrangle a week off work and Monet has a mid-term Nursery School break.  

It will be nice to see my sister and her partner and their newly renovated apartment and stay in our favourite hotel (already booked).  I won't be able to enjoy a pint or two (bummer) but I will be able to enjoy the charms London town offers...

Hair Stylist In The Making

We went out for lunch today, to our friend's place, who reside in a city apartment.  (It was nice to go out and have a home cooked meal cooked by someone else for a change...)

Monet insisted on doing her own hair before we left, which had Lyndon and I grinning from ear to ear.  I couldn't miss this photo opportunity now could I?

Cool eh?