December again...
I realize my posting frequency could still be described as "abysmal". Here is another short update.
Let's see.. I had a small celebration during the last week of October, because the company is doing pretty well. I then got invited to a Hallowe'en party or two, but declined, because my energy level was not too good. A birthday party on Saturday I had been invited to got cancelled. I went to Amsterdam on Sunday but did not stay very long.
I put some thought into my trip to the UK. Add comparatively many and long private emails and some very busy time at work, and you'll see why there is very little to tell about the next few weeks until my vacation.
My journey on Monday November 17th was sort-of okay, though it was annoying that I had a three-and-a-half hour delay on the way to Brussels; I eventually arrived in London two hours later than I had planned. I had a brief look around the Thames before travelling on to Guildford, where I found my hotel.
Tuesday I spent together with an internet friend who lives in the vicinity there. This was mostly a quiet day, which suited me fine, since I had been fairly tired.
On Wednesday I got picked up by another friend who drove me to Chawton (where Jane Austen used to live), which was very nice, and further into Hampshire to Portchester (where we picknicked and investigated the castle) and Portsmouth. I have to say this was really a fantastic day.
On Thursday I ended up doing some small things in and around Guildford, such as looking at the cathedral.
On Friday I really got to see some parts of London as friend #2 showed me some of the sights, such as Westminister Abbey, told me about the subway system, walked with me through St. James's park, helped me with some shopping and was an all around wonderful companion. After she got her train back home, I found myself some dinner in London before heading back to Guildford.
On Saturday I returned to London and spent more than three hours at the tower, had a walk through the city, took the subway, saw the 'posh' shopping area around Regent Street, walked back to and through St. James's and on to Tate Gallery, where I examined the Turner expositions.
Sunday was mostly a travel day, though I returned to Tate Gallery because there was still more to be seen before checking in for the Eurostar back. I was home around 21:15.
I kept mostly quiet during the few days after, before returning to work. The rest of the week was mostly catching up (both at work and privately). I did pick out some fotographs for enlargements to be used as wall decorations (finally).
On Saturday evening I went to a film evening in Amsterdam (which was good fun, though the movie wasn't so great). On Sunday I had dinner with my parents.
Also, the shogi evenings have become a bit more interesting again lately (more--and more interesting--games; and a player that had been absent for a long time returned).
We are now heading towards St. Nicholas' Eve again.
Let's see.. I had a small celebration during the last week of October, because the company is doing pretty well. I then got invited to a Hallowe'en party or two, but declined, because my energy level was not too good. A birthday party on Saturday I had been invited to got cancelled. I went to Amsterdam on Sunday but did not stay very long.
I put some thought into my trip to the UK. Add comparatively many and long private emails and some very busy time at work, and you'll see why there is very little to tell about the next few weeks until my vacation.
My journey on Monday November 17th was sort-of okay, though it was annoying that I had a three-and-a-half hour delay on the way to Brussels; I eventually arrived in London two hours later than I had planned. I had a brief look around the Thames before travelling on to Guildford, where I found my hotel.
Tuesday I spent together with an internet friend who lives in the vicinity there. This was mostly a quiet day, which suited me fine, since I had been fairly tired.
On Wednesday I got picked up by another friend who drove me to Chawton (where Jane Austen used to live), which was very nice, and further into Hampshire to Portchester (where we picknicked and investigated the castle) and Portsmouth. I have to say this was really a fantastic day.
On Thursday I ended up doing some small things in and around Guildford, such as looking at the cathedral.
On Friday I really got to see some parts of London as friend #2 showed me some of the sights, such as Westminister Abbey, told me about the subway system, walked with me through St. James's park, helped me with some shopping and was an all around wonderful companion. After she got her train back home, I found myself some dinner in London before heading back to Guildford.
On Saturday I returned to London and spent more than three hours at the tower, had a walk through the city, took the subway, saw the 'posh' shopping area around Regent Street, walked back to and through St. James's and on to Tate Gallery, where I examined the Turner expositions.
Sunday was mostly a travel day, though I returned to Tate Gallery because there was still more to be seen before checking in for the Eurostar back. I was home around 21:15.
I kept mostly quiet during the few days after, before returning to work. The rest of the week was mostly catching up (both at work and privately). I did pick out some fotographs for enlargements to be used as wall decorations (finally).
On Saturday evening I went to a film evening in Amsterdam (which was good fun, though the movie wasn't so great). On Sunday I had dinner with my parents.
Also, the shogi evenings have become a bit more interesting again lately (more--and more interesting--games; and a player that had been absent for a long time returned).
We are now heading towards St. Nicholas' Eve again.