Category — London

Normally the venue for the worlds greatest pop and rock stars, for one week only, last week, the crowds that came to our O2 Arena here in London came to see not the great stars of rock/pop but of tennis in action, and it proved to be a treat for all involved with a number of worthy and breathtaking matches on show from the worlds top eight single and double tennis players who qualified for the final of the Barclays ATP World Tour Series.

This weekend is a massive sporting weekend on both sides of the Atlantic. You’ve got Superbowl XLII in Phoenix, Arizona .We’ve got the opening matches in the 2008 six nations rugby tournament involving Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy. In both events the media hype for the games is massive with players taking on the status of warrior gods in these clashes of titans.

The build-up is very much the same both sides of the pond and will remain so until a few minutes prior to kick off when it’s time for the National Anthem. In Colorado the crowd will unite with Jordin Sparks (sorry I don’t know her either but she won “American Idol” if that means anything to you) and stand proud in the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. In the rugby matches a sub competition occurs at this point when each nation involved sings its own anthem. It’s a proud moment with the power to bring tears to the eyes. I know I’m not the only one.

British Airways have ordered two Airbus A318 aircraft to operate the route from London City airport in London Docklands to New York. This all business class will be a twice daily flight for 32 passengers. Willie Walsh, BA’s chief executive said “We will offer a 15 minute check-in for customers in both London and New York. London City’s size means that it is a quick and easy airport to use and, with a maximum of 32 passengers onboard, getting on and off the aircraft will be a smooth process. Once onboard, customers will experience all the benefits of our business class cabin including a fully flat bed.”

The long awaited exhibition of Russian and Russian owned French art from the period around the Russian Revolution opened in London this week. For months the Russian Government threatened to pull the plug on this exhibition until guarantees were put in place by the UK government that would prevent the seizure of some of these paintings by individuals who claimed that they were obtained illegally by the Communists during the revolution. Whatever the origins of some of these paintings, the exhibition is without doubt the Art Highlight of the year for London.

Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Kandinsky, Tatlin, Malevich are all represented in this exhibition and with highlights such as The Dance by Henri Matisse it is sure to draw in the crowds.

In common with millions I enjoy a good TV period costume drama. I don’t know how many versions of “Pride and Prejudice” I’ve seen ( I’ve watched the 2005 film version at least three times – perhaps Keira Knightley in the role of Elizabeth had something to do with that!). ” Do you Dance Mr. Darcy?”….. “Not if I can help it!” My answer to Keira would have been rather different. But then of course I’m no Mr. Darcy

As both my daughters now live in London I find myself visiting frequently, generally using the underground to get around. On my last visit however, my eldest who has only just moved there, persuaded me to buy tickets for one of the hop on hop off CitySightseeing buses (that we actually sell here at myguideBritain).