Do you miss me?

I have been away from NZ for a year. I've kept my end of my bargain with myself(!) and it has proven a useful challenge. There have been a couple of times when I seriously considered returning, but having been here this long I feel I have achieved too much to let go and leave. So, England is stuck with me for a while yet....

Which means I get to hang out in Greenwich any time I want... even on a dreary Sunday afternoon when I just feel like going for a walk...

This is the fifth occasion on which I have strolled to Greenwich for a tourist turn, and I am still seeing things for the first time.

The Painted Hall was intended to be the dining room for the residents of the Greenwich Hospital before the entire complex was taken over by the Royal Naval College:


The custodians have provided a very cool mirror on a trolley that one can wheel across the floor, looking down to get a better view of up. The ceiling depicts the triumph of Peace and Liberty over Tyranny:


From the Naval College I decided it was time to see the Maritime Museum. This is the coolest model boat, but I am not really into them enough to tell you what it is or does or any of that stuff....:


On the other hand, sub-sub-sub-aquatic explorer pods are awesome:


After an hour faintly bemused by the collections, I wandered up to the Grand Meridian. I really like the view from up here - The three tallest buildings in Canary Wharf are worth a billion each, but I consider the Navy College, Queens House and the Museum priceless:


Then, I couldn't help but follow my ears to the rotunda at the east of the park and find these guys playing concert tunes. I had been a bit annoyed that a jazz band in another part of the park had been charging £5 to listen, so these guys were even more of a treat:


I bopped along for a bit with a gaggle of toddlers and the assorted grandchildren of the musicians before deciding to head home.

Unbelievably, I have not yet been to the Observatory, the flower garden or the fan museum. It is a good thing I am sticking around.

All gayed out

Brighton Pride is the largest event of its type in England. The first week in August is always full of workshops, debates, and parties. The big finale is a parade and park festival on the Saturday.

I had never been to a Pride Parade before, so was terribly excited. Even more so because Lucy and I were staying the weekend with lovely friends we hadn't seen since their Civil Union back in 2006.

It was a very happy and busy two days. Rather than write about it all, I am just going to post some of my photos. Enjoy.

Mein hostesses:


The parade getting ready to set off:


These people were making very cool music:


There is something VERY gay about men wearing gold waistcoats:


Sailors are pretty gay too:


Drag queens are also very gay, and a bit boring after a while:


It got more girly after that. This was my second favourite float - even if it is just a marketing ploy for some cheap plonky wine.
Hot dancing girls in cages, yum!:


However, I can't deny I'm a woman of the 80s - go Fame Girls!


The parade ended and we made our way to the park.

Oh, dear Lord, the wimmin's tent. This woman was singing a funny song about having a smear. Sigh:


I found some friends, and a pink rainbow cowboy hat - yeehah!!


After all that sun and fun, the beach the next day was very relaxing: