The van Dijks Go On Leave: Winter UK

New Years Day, 2013, Diane and I had stall seats at the The London NYD Parade. One of the World’s great street spectaculars with up to 10,000 performers from across continents, hundreds of thousands of spectators on the streets – and a live television audience of tens of millions.

U.S. of A.

Darth Vader puts in an appearance

Clowning around

Getting Cold...Ice Sculpting Festival, 11-13 January, Canary Wharf, London.

Should have worn scarves/hots/gloves!

Ice creations from international artists

Came 2nd

Canary Wharf and getting colder still...

Inside the Richmond Estate

And the snow arrives, January 18...

Richmond Bridge

Cold face on Old Palace Road

View from the bridge

23 January, Still a bit chilly but wonderful to have seen the snow. Still haven't managed a snow angel as hurt my neck but if it snows again, watch this space!

Snow clearing

Lovely little trip to the Sherlock Holmes museum today after appointment on Harley Street.

221b Baker Street

Sherlocks hat

Mythical Moriarty

London Museum, Royal carriage

Photo awards

Back to visit with the Moesbauers...

Abbi and Suzi

Trina and Harry

and then on to visit more family in Leigh, Greater Manchester...

Aunty Kath and I, and below her boys with families

I had a really lovely day, catching the tubes/trains and heading to the national portrait gallery (saw Kate Middleton's new portrait). Also enjoyed the play (Old Times) and so very cool to see my favourite actress, Kristin Scott Thomas on stage. She is very talented.

The seating was up on the balcony so VERY high and I was proud to have let go of the handrail, crawled down and found my seat and stayed seated (and let go of the handrail even!) for the whole of the play. I did have sweaty palms and sat rigidly for the first part. Crikey I could swing off the chandeliers I was so high!

Ed Sheeran at the National Portrait Gallery

I enjoyed walking around Trafalgar square (and found NZ house) and just mooching around. Tourists everywhere and buzzing.

10 February, St Pauls Cathedral and Tower of London.

A wedding at St Paul's

Tower Bridge

The Shard, seen from Tower Bridge

On duty

Who's looking at whom?

13, February, I've enjoyed catching up with Diane for the London Design museum and the Valentino fashion exhibition

18 February, A Birthday surprise from Liam

Liam sent me a very special birthday video where he had obviously spent a long time going around friends and recording their personal messages...very touching, it made me cry. (karen singing even...) I love it here (and have moments where I could just jump on a plane and go home but I’m sure you all know that feeling) however I do miss seeing nearest and dearest. Thanks to you all for the birthday blessings.

Jeroen and I had a birthday outing yesterday with a walk to a nice cafe for cake and coffee and on Thursday we are off to stay in a country retreat in order to catch our early Friday morning flight to Budapest. We will be there for 4 days.. must admit I didn’t know anything about Budapest beforehand however with some learning, see that it is a beautiful city. I’m looking forward to a thermal soak and float on the Danube River.

I’ve been out on my bike on the big roads and as the weather improves (another gorgeous spring day today) I’m keen to get out more.

Heading out to the crazy roads

22-24 February, we had a great time in Budapest, Hungary.. a city under reconstruction.

Budapest was the extravagant hub of Europe (copied on Paris). We took visits around the city on the bus to Buda Castle, the Labyrinth underworld caves, New York Cafe, the baths and enjoyed Hungarian goulash soup at the Panaroma Restaurant at the Citadel overlooking the city

Budapest Parliament buildings

World famous New York cafe

Keleti Railway station

View from St Matthias Church

View from the Citadel

St Matthias Church, c1015

St Matthias was extensively restored in late 19th century.

Cruising on the River Danube

14 March, into London for a couple of appointments (visa and feet) and then had lunch with Diane. Nice. I had to wait for an hour to get my passports/paperwork returned from the lawyer so I had a hot chocolate at a little cafe. I sat outside in the sun and read my book and looked up to see The Shard! What a fantastic looking building.. can’t wait to go up it for the views...will have to be a good day though.