Posts filed under 'London'
As some of you will know, I was recently in Boston. Not Boston, Lincolnshire here in the UK but Boston MA where the Spring weather was frosty and the temperatures around a cool 0° C (32 degre
e fahrenheit). At times like these there is one thing that is sure to warm you up; a good cup of tea! Boston is renowned, of course, for the Boston Tea Party of 1773 where riots erupted due to disagreements over the taxation of tea, so I was sure to find a good cup of the stuff in Boston! Or so one would think. As I wandered the city, every corner I turned seemed to be home to another Starbucks or coffee house but alas, there was not a good tea shop to be found… I was horrified. A city with no tea!? So I got to thinking about the English obsession with tea (we have our own tea council!) and where the tradition comes from and thought I would share with you some places in the UK you can find a guaranteed quality “cuppa” when you visit.
April 30th, 2008
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.
February 1st, 2008
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.”
February 1st, 2008
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.
January 31st, 2008
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
January 22nd, 2008
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).
January 16th, 2008