Royal Ascot...Our First Event with the Queen

Every year men put on their best morning suits (tails with grey pants and top hats) and women fancy hats to parade around, drink pims and champagne, oh yeah and watch horse racing :o) The Queen and other royals attend each day and there is a special procession were everyone looks at her outfit and matching hat (they even bet on the color of her hat, she wore a blue hat on Saturday when we went which I guessed). We picnicked outside before the races and then continued the party inside...i was in heaven with ALL the people watching :o)

Picture of us at the Royal Ascot 2010

John and some of his ATK colleagues we went with...it was an awesome time even though we didn't win one bet :o)

London Street Fashion

People in London LOVE animal print as shown above in these fab tiger/cheetah pants. I would estimate that a minimum of 1/10 people on the street have some animal print Incorporated into their outfit :o)

Another 10% of the high street population wears REALLY short skirts, usually with leggings but sometimes just hooker boots as seen above:o) very fun to point these ladies out as we walk along running errands :o)

And then there are people like these two nuts dressed in old time garb accessorized either by an axe or ray bans :o)

Quick Recap since last post

Our First Visitor!!!!!! Laurel came to visit for a long weekend in May and luckily since I hadn't started work yet we got to hang out and see the sights :o) This is us after our tour of the Tower of London with Tower Bridge in the background. We went and saw the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, the royal band (or whatever their official name is) played English classics like New York New York by Sinatra haha. The police officer did a mini kick line which was an added bonus.

My Parents came to visit in May as well and brought the best weather we have seen since moving to London, it was 80 and sunny everyday of their trip. Taking advantage we were outside the entire time enjoying hte parks and taking in some sun. We went to Hampton Court Palace one of the days which is highly recommended if you are in London more than a few days since it is one of the few places you truly get a feel of how it used to be used back in the Tudor days, kitchens and all. Plus they have a hedge maze which we figured out the secret to on the first time I must say...Gibbels you know :o)

John's Birthday was appropriately marked by the beginning of the World Cup and chocolate cake of course. I was almost blinded by all the light coming from the candles..and they weren't even all on there :o)

When-You-Gots-Style

I am not really sure why people always say Italians are the best dressed..... mullets, huge sunglasses, and shirts like these make up a large portion of the populations' wardrobe.



But those that know how to dress really do know how to dress I must admit. (not pictured)

Life Goal: Get a Sweet Terrace

We had an amazing view of Venice from our terrace and took advantage having a bottle or two of wine up there while enjoying the sunshine (nice change from clouds and drizzle of London).

Anchors Away... and other boat lingo

After three days in Venice John felt like he had been on enough boats that he could easily handle captaining his own ship (or small vessel)... I still have my doubts however. We took all modes of transportation around the islands from water buses to gondolas.

Gondola ride!!! They had what were like street signs marking which canals were for only gondolas. We heard our gondolier humming a bit under his breath a bit.... but no singing ones though from what we heard.

I started the day off really strong on our way out to Murano and the other islands near Venice.... but just like in CS105 I fell asleep on the way home. Good thing John was able to take a picture just like Sarah and Grady were there in class to write all over my notes and my arms :o)

While not a boat John also took a ride on a lion during our trip.

PIGEONS???

So this was the scene I remember the last time I visited San Marco's in Venice. Disgusting pigeons flying all over people and it was nauseating thinking of all the germs...ick!!!! There were even a few dead ones laying in the middle of the square!

AND THIS TIME..... PIGEON FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

The whole area was so much more enjoyable to be within and explore without worrying a pigeon would land on your head. I give Venice two thumbs way up for fixing this :o) Plus now those eating at the over priced restaurants along the edges won't lose there lunch either haha :o)