Lazy Sunday Photo- London

Near Hyde Park, London

I took this picture for the car that had stopped on the traffic light.

I am scheduling this post, at this point I would be in UK but not blogging live.

I am Off Soon

Bird in Flight (I clicked this blurred picture of a bee eating bird)

I have scheduled a few posts. Will be back towards the end of the month. Till then would not be able to respond to the comments. Let us see how do I react to the cold?

Friday Flowers, Purple Flowers

Purple Flowers (Clicked in London, November 2007)

If you know the name please drop a line. If you know about a website that lists flower names accessibe to a lay leader plese let me know.

Hopping Over!

Delhi-Dubai-Manchester

This time it is not a direct flight. I am hopping via Dubai and yet hardly any time there. Anyway you will find some pictures of the Dubai airport later. I have once spent 23 hours 40 minutes in transit at Dubai and yet did not venture out then! I wonder if they still give a transit tourist visa at the airport itself.

Soon!

Manchester United Stadium, Manchester

Heading that way soon, slightly further in fact. Let us see how does the winter treat me. I have misplaced the lens cover of th wide angle. I am wondering how to carry that one safely.

Friday Flowers- Daisies Gerberas

Daisies Gerberas at Trafford Center, Manchaster, UK

I got the correct name from Lakshmi.

And while we are talking about UK I got the visa today. A kind colleague of mine collected it too. UK VFS (New Delhi) at the moment allows a third party to collect your passport (see step 8) provided that you give them an authority letter and the documents that have to be handed over for visa collection.

So in all likelihood I may travel to UK sometime soon. It would be cold.

Applying for the UK Visa Tomorrow

This is of course related to work.

But let us see how it goes.

Will keep you all updated.

Friday Flowers- Bell Flowers

Bell Flowers

Clicked at the Botanical Garden, Leeds UK in 2008

Prayers, Hopes and Wishes!

Prayers, Hopes and Wishes! St. Mary's Church, Oxford

Old and New

Old and New- High Street, Oxford, UK

Friday Flowers- Pink Flowers

Pink Blossoms

Clicked at Oxford in May 2009 but no idea what they are.

Sticking Out the Neck!

Sticking Out the Neck- A Canada Greylag Goose at Oxford, UK

Correct name of the bird courtesy Stayendra.

Friday is for Flowers- Tulips and Pansy

Tulips and Pansy at Oxford (Clicked in May 2009)

This one is for Doli who left the following comment on the previous post-

oh no! I saw it today My Friday wont be good :( please post another one! or send me some luck

Friday is for Flowers- Green Flowers

Green Flowers at the Trafford Center, Manchester UK (clicked in May 2009)

Skywatch Friday- View on the Oxford London Route

Sky View on the Oxford London Route, UK (November, 2007)

Watch more pictures of the skies from around the world at Skywatch.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London on a Cloudy Day (November, 2007)

Lazy Sunday Photo- Kirkgate Market, Leeds, UK

Kirkgate Market, Leeds UK

Another Picture of the Kirkgate Market, Leeds UK

Friday is for Flowers-Beautiful White Flowers

White Flowers, Oxford, UK

Unfortunately I do not know the name of these beautiful white flowers.

The Bar at Wagon and Horses, Abingdon, UK

It was Stella Artois for me from the Bar of the Wagon and Horses at Abingdon at UK

Innocent Drinks, UK

Innocent Drink, Smoothies, UK

When we reached Heathrow (May, 2009) we were dazed as usual. We also had a bus to catch in a hurry so that we could arrive at Oxford, say before 10.00 at night. Since our accommodation was a little out of the city in Oxford, it was advisable that we picked up something to eat from the airport itself. I picked up some grilled sandwich like stuff and then I saw it.

Innocent Drink Smoothies! Even without ever having tasted one before I knew so much about them! How? They were the company assigned for an assessment to one of my first year classes at my previous job. And when you have to teach something to first years you invariably end up researching it more than when it is a senior class. One of the classic questions was, "Can we quote from their blog?" In academics we discourage students to quote from 'dubious' internet sources, but then a company blog is OK, if the information is relevant. I am sure more confusion at their end and some teeth grinding, "What does she wants after all?" So many weeks of discussion about a company whose product I was not at all familiar with nor were my students. For example, the story of the launch of the Innocent Drinks Company.

I had to taste one for sure then when I saw it and of course click a picture. I am so surprised at the things that I have thrown at the table along with the drink.

The taste? It was quite OK though a little different than the fruit drinks we are used to in India. I wonder if we have anything like Smoothies in India?

Lazy Sunday Photo- Iffley Meadows, Thames Walk

A Horse at the Iffley Meadows, Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Road Side Sale, London

Colorful Brooches on a Road Side Sale (London, May 2009)

I was drawn to the colors of these Brooches on a road side sale in London. At pound 15 price tag I was quite content to just look at them and other such stuff.

Red Flower

Red Flower- Full of Dew (Clicked at London, May, 2009) Do you know the name?

Excessively Thin Mannequins?

Excessively Thin Mannequins?

I took this picture at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, UK. Looking back I thought the mannequins look excessively thin, particularly the two on the each side. But there is no point in lamenting about the excessively thin figures promoted by the fashion industry. I mean who cares?

Telephones from the Past!

Telephones with a Dial, A Thing of Past (London, May 2009)

I was looking at this picture and it dawned upon me that I have used such phones when I was growing up! And now they end up in antique sale! The way time changes.

Colorful Jewellery at London Streets

From a Roadside Sale in London

I was rummaging through my pictures of the UK 2009 trip and hence this flood of images from UK. And even though I am traveling from Friday, I have scheduled posts, mostly images from UK only.

Road Side Sale, London

And for the stuff in the pictures above, I was quite content to look and take pictures.

Change of Guards- Buckingham Palace, London

Change of Guards at the Buckingham Palace, London (May 2009)

Monday Blues!

Blue Ceiling at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, UK

But to me this signifies Monday Blues somehow today. I hardly ever get the Monday blues but today is an exception!

Friday is for Flowers- A Basket of Lilies and Roses

Blue Roses and White Lilies (Clicked at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, UK)

Friday is for Flowers- Wisteria Vine with Purple Flowers

Wisteria Vine with Purple Flowers

Clicked this one in Oxford near the Christ Church College. Wish I had the zoom lens then, this has been taken with a wide angle lens and then cropped, cropped and then cropped some more!

Purple Berries

Purple Berries at Oxford, UK

I was looking at my 2007 pictures from the UK trip and found this one of the Purple Berries. By looking at the other pictures in the proximity this has to be from the Oxford Brookes University campus. And I don't even remember taking this and it has been just two years!

And this is another of those pictures which I thought was not good enough but with time I am liking it better.

I managed to click red and yellow berries on the same trip.

A Still from a Show at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK

Solo Act, Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK

He had a booming voice that could depict a thousand emotions.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Charing Cross Bridge, London

Charing Cross Bridge at Night, Central London

Oxford at Night

Oxford at Night

I usually put my camera inside my shoulder bag at night. After looking at the picture above I think I should use it more. What do you say? Let it remain inside the bag?

Manchester United Stadium- My Experiences of the Guided Tour

I was reading about the loss and win of Manchester United in the EPL, and I decided it is about time I wrote about my experience of taking a guided tour of the Manchester United Stadium on May 13, 2009. I wish to record the date so that when I read this 10 years later I would know when was I there!

I was visiting my school friends in London and Manchester and I met them after 20 years. My friend in Manchester saw to it that we went to the stadium. She herself was not coming and my friend from London had seen it before. But she decided to see it with me again.

Outside the Manchester United Stadium

We were being lazy throughout the day and only around 3.45 pm we realized that if we do not moved we would miss the last guided tour of the stadium. The last guided tour of the Manchester United Stadium departs at 4.30 pm and we barely made it by reaching at 4.15 there. The person at the ticket counter was quite friendly and I think he gave us some discount or the other on the tickets. Then he hurried us along to the place from where the tour begins.

The name of our guide was Stewart Brown (I have a feeling that he spelled Stewart differently but I do not remember the correct spelling) and he had been at it for the last 14 years. When I asked him if he was a Manchester United fan, he said he would tell me by the end of the tour.

I also have to say that my interest in Football is because of Brat 2. He watches it like religion and many a times I just watch along. He is a Arsenal fan and he told me I should have gone to the Emirates Stadium. I said I had very little time in London and he was pacified. But both Brat 1 and Brat 2 watched my Man Utd pictures with great enthusiasm.

Access to Seats, Manchester United Stadium

The group taking the tour on May 13, 2009 (4.30 pm) was about 30-35 strong. And while we were walking, Stewart took a deliberate circular path and about 20 people followed him exactly like a sheep in the herd! We at the rear end took the more straight one and Stewart turned back and winked.

It was quite fascinating to be inside the stadium and see the notices put for the fans and the spectators. There was a tray for sticking chewing gum but my pictures of the same have not come out well.

Manchester United Stadium

When we reached inside the stadium Stewart asked our group to take a seat. He then asked how many of us were Manchester United fans and only a few hands went up. The rest of us were just curious. He also asked for our countries and the globe was quite fairly represented in our tour group.

Disabled Supporters Association, Manchester United Stadium

The thing that impressed me most was the arrangements for the people with disabilities at the Manchester United Stadium. Their is a ability suit for them at the stadium. I mean for us, it took a Stephen Hawking to get a ramp at the Taj Mahal.

Another View Manchester United Stadium, Red for the Red Devils

There was no way I could get a panoramic picture of the stadium, in that sense the tour felt hurried or maybe I was just too caught up in the then and there. If I ever visit it again, I would go high up in the stands and try to click a different picture.

The Player's Dressing Room, Manchester United Stadium, is Part of the Guided Tour

The tour includes a visit to the player's dressing room, something I didn't expect and found quite exciting. The shirt on the walls tell the tentative position players like to take when they are inside the room. Stewart didn't mention in which part the shoe flying incident between Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham took place and I didn't ask. Ronaldo's shirt must be gone from the room by now I guess. All of us got pictures taken and I have one sitting under Tevez's shirt.

Notices for the Players, Manchester United Stadium

I was quite amused with the notice to the players about not being allowed to wear their jewellery. I think I have seen Ronaldo using tape over his earrings even though this notice says it is not allowed. Bart 2 was also quite amused with this picture and said but the players still wear some jewellery.

The Munich Clock, Manchester United Stadium

I was not aware of the Munich tragedy that stuck Manchester United in 1958. A plane carrying their players and supporters along with others crashed after its third attempt to take off from Munich. There is a plaque and a clock to commemorate the event.

The Player's Tunnel, Manchester United Stadium

Soon it was our turn to come out of the player's tunnel and once again it was quite exciting. There was a teen aged lad who was grinning from ear to ear when we were in this area. And they can get ambulances right next to to this tunnel in case of any emergency.

Stewart Brown, Our Guide Acting as a Referee on the Guided Tour of the Manchester United Stadium

While we were standing before the tunnel Stewart played the referee and treated us as the players diving us into the home and the away teams. He went around shaking hands with the grimmest possible expression and it never changed however much we giggled. And I did giggle a lot, a thing I am not much prone to!

Manchester United Stadium, Player's Stand

We were finally led out to this area at the end of the tour. We went to the player's stand and got our pictures clicked. While we were coming out of the tunnel there are notices asking to keep away from the grass and not to pluck it. I can imagine that people may like to take it with them as a souvenir!

The Souvenir Shop, Manchester United Stadium, Last Stop of the Guided Tour

The tour leads us out to the gift shop of Manchester United and it is the strategic last stop. Thankfully I didn't had to buy anything because Brat 1 and Brat 2 are not Man Utd fans. My friend bought a few things for her kids. Brat 2 had given me strict instructions to buy something about West Ham United, a fascination he developed after watching the movie Hooligans. I could only get him a scarf though he was quite happy with it.

Notices a Plenty, Join the Waiting List for Season Ticket at the Manchester United Stadium

I found it quite funny (shows how little I know about the world of football) that the notice invited the fans to join the waiting list for season tickets! When I started reading it in the shopping area I thought it was about buying season tickets!

Manchester United Stadium, Manchester, UK

And when I was showing my UK 2009 pictures to Brat 1 and Brat 2 they refused to see anything more beyond the Manchester United ones! And till date they have not asked to see anything else.

I wonder what it would be like to be in the stadium when a match is being played! And I of course forgot to ask Stewart at the end of the tour if he was a Manchester United fan or not.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Ferrari Store, Regent Street, London

Ferrari Store, Regent Street, London

No I didn't go in, just took a peek from the door and clicked a few pictures.

More Friday Flowers- Pink Rhododendrons

Pink Rhododendrons (clicked at Oxford, UK)

I had clicked purple rhododendrons at Leeds, UK

Lazy Sunday Photo- Paintings on St. Mary's Church, Oxford, UK

The Walls of the St Mary's Church, Oxford

Friday is for Flowers- Garden at the Christ Church Cathedral Premises, Oxford, UK

Garden on the Christ Church Cathedral Premises, Oxford, UK

Different Shades!

So Many Colors!

Harcourt Hill Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford UK (May, 2009)

Feeling Hungry!

Thai Rice and Vegatables at Chiang Mai, Oxford, UK

I wonder why do I have to look at food that I have enjoyed in the past when i am feling hungry!

Mustard Fields on the Oxford-London Highway

Mustard Fields on the Oxford London Highway

I took this picture of the mustard fields from a moving bus while going back to London from Oxford. And what the eyes saw was much better than what I could capture with the camera. I have also discovered that however much I try to stay awake and take in the scenes I sometimes fall asleep on the way, like on this bus ride. And then I wonder what did I miss!

Hummer Limousine at Oxford!

Hummer Limousine at the Oxford Streets, UK

I saw beautiful car pictures from Houston Art Car Parade by Steve. Then Max talked about Hummers and Yukons in his post, so I thought why not me.

I was walking down the Oxford streets in May 2009 when I saw this car. First time around, I could not take a picture, the car just vanished. But soon enough it came back again and stood at the red light. And I gladly clicked away, all the time worried that the light would turn green before I could get out the camera and click.

If you get a Hummer Limousine in Delhi, I think the only suitable place to drive it would be the runway of the IGI/Palam Airport.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Taking a Closer Look

Taking a Closer Look- Geese at Thames, Oxford UK

Friday is for Flowers- Tulips at Harcourt Hill, Oxford, UK

Tulips at the Harcourt Hill Campus, Oxford Brookes University, UK

PS. Feeling too tired for words!

Grey London Day!

Victoria Memorial on a Grey Day, London

The day I was roaming around in London in May 2009 was completely grey, cold and at times there was a light drizzle too. No, I am not complaining but all the photographs have a well, grey look. And I had just this one day in London. What gave me comfort is that many face this problem. I was reading Phil Coome's Blog on the BBC and one of their award winning photographers talk about grey days, sunny days and traffic accidents too-

I had seen the 'English garden' hoarding before, but always on grey days, and had thought to myself that I would stop sometime when it was
sunny. "That day (a year ago this week) I was driving past and saw the
cumulus clouds and blue sky - so I indicated and filtered into the right turn
lane. ...

Manchester United Club, They Catch them Young!

ManU Baby Wear for Sale at the Manchester United Club, Manchester, UK

They Try to Catch them Young!

London Train Announcements

London Train Announcements

I unfortunately misplaced my 'mind the gap' file while I was moving it on my cell phone (Nokia 6275) so that I could copy it to the computer. Here is something that remains in another audio file but as I said, unfortunately, no mind the gap. Maybe if I go to London ever again I will make sure to get a good recording and save it safely.

As usual for visuals I am rotating some pictures.

Carfax Tower, Oxford

Carfax Tower, Oxford, UK

I have never been to the top of this tower, in fact didn't even know one could go to the top of the Carfax Tower inspite of being around it thrice!

Canada Geese at Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Canada Geese at Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

The geese along the Thames Walk are so used to tourists that they can chase you for bread crumbs. They also let you come quite close to them. This picture was taken with my wide angle lens but with cropping the image and using the sharpen feature in Picasa I could get this result.

And this flurry of birds is due to the interest that Alger (the naturalist at Taj Safari Lodge, Banjaar Tola) managed to create for wild life.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Trafford Center, Manchester, UK

Trafford Center, Manchester, UK

Trafford Center is a shopping Mall in Manchester and I have to admit I am not very fond of shopping malls. But this place is so huge and for a first time visitor so colorful that I have clicked pictures every two meters probably.

I was roaming around with my school friend (I met her after 20 years) and she picked up a map of the center. She passed one to me too. As I have said earlier, maps always seem like unsolvable puzzles to me. So, after pretending to master it for a while, I tossed it in a bin. And went back to photography. My friend was so amused with it that she told everyone what I do with maps!

Scorching Hot Weather!

Ice Cream Van Near London Eye

It is so scorching hot in New Delhi at the moment that all I could think of posting is the London fog and ice cream van near the London Eye. I mean my brain is trying to shut down, even though I can handle summer quite easily. Can't believe it that just a month ago I was cribbing about the weather being too cold at UK.

Regent Street, London, Underground

Regent Street, London, Underground

The last day in London (May 2009 trip) was such an overcast and Grey. My friend from school and I still decided to brave it out. This shot is of Regent Street in London. I liked the stark colors of the day and the contrast provided by the Underground sings and the red buses. What I didn't notice at that time was that only one lamp was glowing above the underground sign! And what a cold I caught by the end of this trip!

UK 2009 Pictures

Piccadilly Circus, London

While I am posting some pictures from UK, I am off to trek in Himachal Pradesh tomorrow. Rarely do I get to travel like this!

Unfortunately things have been so hectic that I am not able to schedule any posts. So more when I come back.

Flying Over Hindukush Mountains

Flying Over Hindukush Mountains

Flying over the Hindukush Mountains is such a great feeling. Though this is the first time I managed to click pictures!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Big Ben, London

Big Ben, Picture taken Near Westminster Underground Station (May, 2009)

I like walking out of the Westminster Underground Station. As you walk you are looking at enclosed walls and then when you are out, suddenly this huge and magnificent structure stares in your face. I had done the same in 2007 and being November I remember the cold blast that greeted me along with the grand structure as well! You can see in the picture that even in May it was Grey, cloudy and a little wet and along with a thin sweater I had borrowed my friend's jacket too!

This time I found using the underground a little easier. I realized that if I quickly scan the Victoria line and the Jubilee Line I would be fine. I need not even look at the others. But I learned a new fact about the underground. Even if you have a valid ticket sometimes the entry/exit gates would not open. Then I had to approach an officer in the green vest and after looking at my ticket they would give me one of their own and viola the gates would open again.

Changing the Guards at the Buckingham Palace, London

The Video of the Guards Coming Out of the Buckingham Palace, Changing the Guards

After my official work in Oxford was over I was visiting and staying back with two school friends whom I was meeting after 20 years. It is really amazing that we found each-other via the internet. again And friends with whom you went to school from KG to 12th, it is amazing that you can exactly pick up from where you left! I went to my friend's place in London and then we left for Manchester the next day. Stayed there for one day before returning to London in the evening. So it was my last day in UK that was for roaming around in London with my friend. We had no set plans, and when I suggested my friend to look up for changing the guards at the Buckingham Palace she found that we could go and see it.

The Friendly Policeman on Duty

The website says the changing takes place at 11.30 am in May. They also advice you to take your place by 11.15 am. Both of us could not figure out why. We took the underground, got down at the Green Park Station and walked to the palace. And then we realized why they wanted us to come in a little early!

The Change of Guards at the Buckingham Palace, London

If you do not reach early enough, you will see the changing of the guards only in someones display screen! When we reached there all the places near the railings of the plaace had a thick crowd. So we decided to stand near the Victoria Memorial. You can change places easily around the circle and see the bands walking in. Once the bands enter the palace, the Victoria Memorial however is not the place where the action is. So both of us walked towards the palace and could see what was happening inside only in someone's LCD.

We then came near the ropes, there was less crowd. And the friendly policeman was chatting with the crowd. He told us that his horse was due to retire in a year. When someone asked where, he said, "Hopefully with me." Then she asked, "So will you retire too?" He said, "No, 7 more years to go, it has been 30 already!" He told us, "The first band to come out will walk to the right but don't move, the next will come this way." A lady in the crowd asked if she could take a picture with him after the bands were gone, he said, "Unfortunately I would have to go with the bands." But a while later he said, "Go ahead, you can take one now." He also remarked sometime, "This is not such a good job during the winters and the change happens even when there are no tourists." True enough the schedule mentions all kinds of weather exceptions.

We were second from the rope (on the other side from the railings of the palace), waiting for the guards to come out. The two girls in front of us got a call and decided to leave. My friend and I quickly took their places. Ad that is how I managed to make the video and saw the guards coming out. Oh and it was a typical London day, Grey, cold (to me) with a light drizzle. And I enjoyed it a lot.

Punting at Oxford

I finally managed to go punting at Oxford on my third trip! I had read about it a lot, I had seen people do it but I never dared to try it myself. You are supposed to do it on your own and I did not feel brave enough. When I went through websites this is what I would find-

'Chauffeur' punters are available on request, with a minimum 2 weeks notice.

Punt Boats at Cherwell Boat House, Oxford

So what do you do when you go punting? You take one of these boats and try to steer it with a very long pole. It is possible because the river bed is quite shallow and the pole hits the ground quite easily. There were six of us in the boat. I was the only woman. So while all the men went to fetch the equipment I was assigned to look for boat number 69. It was not too difficult to spot it.

Coming Back after a Punting Session

While we were on the river we could spot a lot of people having a good time. There were four girls who looked to be out there for the first time and they always managed to get stuck on the bank of the river and then were rowing themselves out! They also give you a paddle to row out if you get stuck on the side of the river

The Pro- You Never Know what your Professors are Good at!

We were in safe hands as the professor was a pro at punting. I asked him, "How long have you been doing this?" And he replied with a smile, "Far too long!" When one of our conference college tried to punt, he got us stuck on a bank within no time and then managed to turn the boat the other way round! The pro professor had told us at the beginning, "Oxford and Cambridge row from the opposite ends." So when the boat turned around, we were told by our friend, "Now I am doing the Cambridge style!" We also had to duck many times to avoid the branches as we drifted to a side when one of us was rowing.

The Pro, The Rookie and the Cambridge and Oxford Style Punter (sitting)

I was the last person to try my hand. And one of us refused to try. He was a young academician from Thailand. I was very scared that I would let the pole drop into the river! But I managed to do quite OK. Did not turn the boat around, or stuck it at the bank. But that was more because the professor actively helped me out. And you can see from the picture that I really had a lot of fun trying my hand at punting. I sat down to some clapping from my fellow friends, they must have been really scared when I insisted that I want to try out for sure!

And if I keep academics aside, that is one huge advantage of conference, you get on an organized tour of things that seem to be too difficult to carry out on our own. We did this trip on the Cherwell River which is far away from the center of the city. I was told that most of the tourists do it on the Magdalen River Boathouse.

In the beginning I was asking the professor, "So how do people learn punting?" And pat came the reply, "By falling down in the river!"

Blue Roses at the Trafford Center, Manchester

Blue Roses at the Trafford Center, Manchester, and these are Real

I am back finally and it feels good. I would any day prefer this sweltering hot weather than the perennial cold that is present in UK.

• I saw the Manchester United Stadium
  
• Clicked more than 500 images
  
• Yet only 10 seem to be good
  
• Did manage to go for punting this time, will pick this one up tomorrow
  

Plans for Today!

It is not everyday when my daily plans include visiting Manchester United Stadium. And that too hassle free because my friend's are taking me around.

The days are beautiful and sunny, only the wind at night seems like winters in India rather than summer.

Hi from UK

I am in Manchaster today, catching up with some school friends.

It has been so long without blogging that it feels a little strange writing this.

Will have to catch up with all this once I come back later next week. And to think of it I almost missed this trip due to my passport. I have taken pictures but not tons of it. But then I will still spend a day in London too. So will make up for that!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Where did the Time Go?

Clock at Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

I had anything but a lazy Sunday. Too caught up with some deadlines that got messed up because of running around for the passport. 

I don't think I will be able to put a few auto posts this time but I will try. 

Leeds, London and Oxford in Pictures

Leeds, London and Oxford in Pictures

Entrance to Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK

Entrance to the Royal Armories Leeds, UK

Lazy Sunday Photo- Pictures from Two Monuments

Royal Armouries Leeds, UK

Peacock Green Colors at the City Palace Jaipur

Lazy Sunday Photo- Digging up from Old London Photos

The Red Sightseeing Bus- London

I have taken a tour on the Red Bus in Oxford but not in London. I must say it is a nice concept but why take a bus when you can walk? I have walked a lot around Oxford and a little around London. And if I was ever to do it again, I would like to walk even more.

I have slogged and slogged in January, and went to Gwalior for work. Let us see how I fare in February, I have no complaints with slogging but I wish I will be able to pull of a weekend trip this month.

Hi from Bangalore- Merry Christmas

Wish you a Merry Christmas

Lazy Sunday Photo- On a Rainy Day Somewhere in UK

Rains on the Street- Through a Bus Window, Somewhere in UK

I borrowed this picture from Anil (I am posting it with his permission) as he had borrowed my camera for his recent trip to UK. Now I think that is a fair bargain!

Colorful Berries- Red and Yellow

Those Long Walks!

Stranded Ship Boat on Thames Walk, Oxford

I am quite fond of walking and it has landed me in all kind of interesting situations.

Another View on Thames Walk, Oxford

Took my niece to a park which was sufficiently big, and I felt like running after a long time! Did not do it, as I had just stuffed two Paranthans and my niece was of course on the swing trying all kind of stunts. Otherwise, since I left athletics never felt like running again. However, ask me to walk and I am always game for it.

Blues!

David Hockney Gallery at Saltaire, UK

The British Museum London

British Museum London

I took this picture at the British Museum in November 2007. The exhibition 'First Emperor' was at the museum but the entry fee to that particular section was low double digit pounds (was it near 17 or 12, can't remember) and I gave it a miss. Also, I had so little time at London that I have hardly glanced through some of the sections of the museum. And to be honest, after a while I start craving to get outdoors!

More Flowers- Lazy Sunday Photo

Red Roses in a Bunch, What Lovely Flowers!

I know some people who like flowers more on the plants rather than in a bunch but when I find them already in a bunch I love clicking them. About myself, I do not mind occasionally holding them in my hands too, but yes they look much better on the plants.

Flowers at Covered Market, Oxford

And once again I do not know the name of the flower above. I had clicked both the pictures at Oxford in June. In fact two of my colleagues are heading to UK today and I wonder what pictures they would capture of the winter there. In fact, I took so much time clicking pictures of the flowers kept outside the flower shop that I was afraid that someone would come out and ask me to go away! It has never happened though till now though.

Card and Souvenir Shop, Oxford, UK

Card and Souvenir Shop, Oxford, UK

I was playing with Picasa 3 and trying to add water mark to a picture. While doing that I realized this picture in Oxford is something I would like to post on my blog too, the colors are so nice.

What do you say? Is the watermark taking out too much from the picture? I feel I will like to add such a mark to all my pictures.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Iffley Meadow at the Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Lazy Sunday Photo- Christ Church College, Oxford, UK

The Christ Church College, Oxford, UK

I took this photograph at the sunset. There is actually an entrance fee to visit the Christ Church College (but not the Christ Church Meadows) premises in Oxford. But there is a roped off area just in front of the entry gate up to where you can walk and take a peak at this magnificent building. This picture was taken from the roped off area. I immediately looked at the picture on the display of the camera and went wide eyed as the reddish glow was all the more prominent on the smaller camera display screen. The guard in front of the building gave me a smile looking at my wide eyed expression. I am sure he must be watching countless wide eyed tourists like me in the course of the day!

Big Ben and the Parliament House at Night, UK

Big Ben and the Parliament House at Night, UK

I have seen a lot of pictures of the UK Parliament House and the Big Ben on the net and in many of those I would find the bridge featured on the right in this picture. I had completely forgotten its existence and would wonder how did I miss it. I re-looked at my pictures and sure enough, I too had photographed it. Well, it was so wide that I quite forgot that it was here I spent quite some time standing and freezing in the cold weather yet enjoying every minute of it.

Sheldonian Theater, Oxford, UK

In fact, the last year same day I was in Oxford, roaming around the town on a Halloween night. And enjoyed every minute of that too.

York Police Band Playing at Royal Armories, Leeds, UK

York Police Band Playing at Royal Armories, Leeds, UK

I watched this performance last year (November 2007) in UK when I went to Leeds to attend a conference on tourism. I went to an academic conference after a gap of four years. I remember there was Champagne before the dinner at the Royal Armories (a fabulous place) and even though I was alone I decided to celebrate that conference with Champagne.

I also very clearly remember saying to someone that I wonder what is round the next bend, it can't always be Champagne. I really wonder what is round the next bend! I wonder how 2009 turn out to be. Remember I said I would swap the December mood with October!

Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Thames Walk (Oxford, UK) Video, It was So Serene

This is a less than a minute duration video but I really like it. It was such a peaceful day and unlike India most of the time I could feel I was alone on this walk and yet always felt safe. The only botheration was because of my own fears. Long stretch of road, river on one side and wild open fields, what more could I ask for? Well, if I be honest I would ask for the Himalayas in the background.

A Small Video of the Covered Market in Oxford, UK

A Small Video of the Covered Market (Established 1754) Oxford UK

The videos that I made with my point and shoot Nikon camera have a .mov extension. Windows media player would not open it and for last 3 years I never downloaded any other player that would play it! So the few videos that I uploaded on this blog, I would guess which one it would be, then upload on Youtube and then I would watch them and if I had guessed correctly then I would embedd them on my blog! No wonder there are so few videos on this blog!

Not anymore, I downloaded quicktime and it plays the .mov extension without any sweat and now for some days you are going to see a lot of videos uploaded here.

The video quality is not really good, it is a combination of my skills and th capabilities of my point and shoot camera but then ...

So here is what I was doing one day in June 2008 in Oxford. There were so many flowers that caught my attention!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Forbidden Berries and Fall Colors Oxford, UK

A Lovely Tree in Oxford

As my last trip has been to Oxford, UK I keep thinking about it. The tree in the picture was full of red berries and this is from my October-November stay. I loved the fall colors. And I was given strict instructions not to eat the berries!

Remembering the Cold Weather in Oxford

Bus Stop, Harcourt Hill, Oxford

Last year at the end of October, I was waiting for a bus at a stop in Oxford. It was damn cold even during the day but the saving grace is that almost everything is heated and you really do not need heavy woolens indoors. I had gone to the University (not the Oxford) and was waiting for a bus along with a colleague outside. For some reason or the other the bus was taking some time to come and I don't know why I did not had my thick jacket (the one I am wearing in this blog's profile picture, it is a real old one, faded and all, but it is quite warm). Maybe I didn't carry it because I would always get the bus quickly and I did not wish to carry the extra jacket around. I remember I was literally jumping up and down to keep away the cold.

The Warm and Cozy Bus

Thankfully the bus came after a while and I really liked the hot air that would circulate on my feet if I would sit on the left hand side of the bus at the top. Also this time in June I remember one of my British colleague asking me if I found the bus uncomfortable! I asked him if he has ever been to India and been inside a bus? As he has visited India, he immediately got my point. I mean, a heated or air conditioned almost empty bus and uncomfortable??

Little Travel This Year

All Souls College in the Background, Radcliffe Square, Oxford UK

This year I have hardly traveled! June was last when I ventured out to the UK for a short trip and after that nothing! Partly my fault. And now once again Sesha is going to trek and I can't because of all stupid things I fell ill. OK, enough of cribbing. So, my dear readers you are stuck with my old travel accounts, there seems to be nothing on the horizon as of now, travel wise.

OK, why I picked up the picture above. This is from my October-November 2007 trip to UK. At that time I saw this young lady eating something in the beautiful Radcliffe Square and the image remained with me. This time of course I took two of my meals sitting exactly at the same spot! And enjoyed the experience.

Lazy Sunday Photo- A Little Bit of London

Trafalgar Square, London

Tower of London

Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral, London

The London Eye at Night

Hyde Park, London

The Marble Arch, London

The Gates to Buckingham Palace, London

Butler's Wharf, London

When in Rome ... A Few Things that Scare Me!

I have been abroad only a few times and every time for work, I don't think we have the courage (nor do I have a big salary) to spend that kind of money on a vacation. So, I never know when will I manage to land up in a new/foreign country next! That probably keeps the charm alive but I wonder if I traveled abroad often would it ever become routine for me?That reminds me of a friend who was made to travel so much that he told his manager "you are moving me around like a piece of luggage" and he was complaining about being sent to Hawaii again!

So to put the record straight I love to travel a lot and I also like to travel abroad if I get an opportunity even if it is for work. But then there are some aspects of foreign travel that feel so strange!

London Underground

I am so used to the hustle and bustle of the Indian railway stations that when I encounter a platform like the one in the picture above, I used to freak out. I remember waiting for a train in Bologna that would go to Venice. I read the information board and proceeded to the platform at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time only to find it completely deserted. I was so confused that I actually went and rechecked if I was at the correct platform! When the train finally arrived not more than 10 people would have boarded it. So, now when I encounter a scene like the one above I do not get dazed but calmly wait for the train to arrive and it always does.

Tower Bridge, London, UK

Hanging on to the passport is another thing that becomes an obsession with me. I mean even in really beautiful areas (I liked the Tower Bridge area) you hang on to the hand bag that contains the passport with all your might.

Once when I was taking a flight to Amsterdam from New Delhi, I was filling some form and took the passport out to fill the passport number. And then I went to exchange some currency. In the line for currency exchange there was a gentleman ahead of me and the young lad at the counter asked for his passport. A bell went in my head and I immediately realized that I had left my passport at the place where I was filling up my form! I ran back and I had panicked quite badly. I stood at the spot desperately trying to locate my passport but could not find it. Then a kindly voice called, saying "Are you by any chance looking for this?" and he was pointing a finger to the passport that was lying exactly at the same place where I had left it, right in front of my eyes and yet I was unable to see it! Imagine if that happened at a foreign airport!

What Do You Do When You Don't Travel Much?

Walk Near the Church at Saltaire, UK

You of course look at the older travel pictures!

This one was taken in October end last year. At that point of time the view was so fresh in my eyes that I didn't appreciate ithe picture much. But I find it quite soothing now.

PS. It was such a hectic and exhausting week that I hardly found any time to blog. And the comments on the previous posts are unanswered too! But then I have the weekend to catch up.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Harewood Garden Walk, Leeds, UK

Harewood Garden Walk, Leeds, UK

It seems like ages since I walked for 10-12 kilometers and I am missing it.

Entrance to the Central Library Leeds

Entrance to the Central Library Leeds

Lazy Sunday Photo- Glass Structure at Thames

I rarely click modern structures but I liked this one near the Tower Bridge in London. Unfortunately I do not know the name of the building (can see Norton Rose written in front) but this one is quite close to Thames River.

Update- As Sunil has pointed it out in the comment section, this seems to be part of More London. Thanks Sunil.

The Oxford Story at Gonomad.com

Carfax Tower, Oxford, UK

My Oxford Story is now up at the main Gonomad site. Have a look and tell me how do you find it. Here is a small piece from the article-

Initially, due to my pathetic sense of direction I was quite scared to walk alone but I gradually realized that there are sufficient arrow marks and signposts on the street and whichever road I would take sooner or later an arrow would point me towards the city center and the Carfax Tower again.

I can assure you if I did not get lost in the city chances of anyone else getting lost are really really slim.

The Leeds Corn Exchange

The Leeds Corn Exchange, June 2008

I have been to Leeds twice but the first time I missed visiting the Leeds Corn Exchange. This time Kullukid from Indiamike had kindly volunteered to take me around, I visited this beautiful building. My picture does no justice to it.

Here is an aerial view of the Corn Exchange at Leeds.

Another Blogger writes about the Corn Exchange, Leeds, UK.

I have to do a post on Leeds in Pictures!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Cycles Will Be Removed, A Common Sign In Oxford

Cycles Will Be Removed, A Common Sign In Oxford

Oxford in Pictures

Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, UK

St. Mary's Church, Oxford UK.
The View of the City from the Top is Wonderful

I Just Love Clicking Flowers, Covered Market, Oxford, UK

Radcilffe Square, Oxford, UK

High Street, Oxford, UK

Punts at Magdalen Bridge, Oxford, UK

Christ Church College and Christ Church Meadows, Oxford, UK- In Pictures

A Goose Swan and its Reflection on a Canal Next to Christ Church Meadows, Oxford, UK

The Main Building of the Christ Church College, Oxford, UK. Currently Benazir Bhutto's son is a student here.

Tourists Like Me, Thought They Were Not Afraid of the Ducks/Geese, Christ Church Meadows, Oxford, UK

Geese Family on Walk, Thames River Near Oxford, UK

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford UK. The Dining Hall inside is used the Harry Potter Movies as the Hogwart's Dining Hall. I have not been inside yet (there is an admission fee) but if there is a next time this is on agenda.

The Christ Church Meadows, Oxford, UK. The Walk is Beautiful but now I am yearning for a proper trek.

Automobiles or Walking?

A Small Car Advertising City Sightseeing Tours in Oxford, UK

For me, when it comes to taking a bus tour or walking the choice is very clear. I love walking and I will any day pick up walking (reasonable distance and I consider 20km in one long day quite reasonable particularly on flat terrains) over taking a bus tour.

I have done both in Oxford. The City sightseeing red bus tour is good to get an orientation of the city. The charge is 11.50 pounds and on both my visits it was arranged by my official hosts. It is fun to sit on the top of the bus and take in the city passing by. It even makes for a few good photography angles too. On top of it you can hop off the bus at any point and board the bus later from the same spot. The tickets are valid for 24 hours after all! But when it rains (as it often does) the lower portion of the bus becomes suddenly quite attractive!

The Actual Red Bus, City Sightseeing Bus Tours in Oxford, UK,

But I guess I like walking so much because I am in total control. Oxford is anyway a small city and I can stop any where I wish and click endless pictures! Also all those heavy meals that I tend to eat, walking is the best way to burn them off!

But there is a bigger reason as well. I guess my brain functions only when I am walking and I tend to think earth shattering things only after I have walked at least 10 kilometers and find a flat stone (if unavailable then even a pavement will do) to sit. Sounds strange? But that is how it is with me. Put me on a bus and I will fall asleep, sometimes on the shoulders of the next person too, much to my embarrassment later when I wake up.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Staying with Colors

I took these pictures in the covered market in Oxford. It is a old (established 1774!) place that is quite charming. I was drawn to this fish stall because the colors were eye catching, otherwise I do not eat fish and I have no interest in looking at it in a market. I was taking these with the point and shoot camera so you can see the flash getting reflected in these pictures.

Colorful Fish in the Covered Market, Oxford, UK

I was also going through a lot of pictures on Picasa that belonged to someone I know. I was quite amazed to see the way people approach places and photograph them. I mean in an entire trip I may take 500 to 600 pictures (I delete many later) but you would not find me in more than 5 to 6. The camera does not love me when I am in front of it, it is kinder when I am behind it, or so I think. I also almost completely ignore the modern stores even though they are very colorful at times. I am sure I am not going to get in the front of the camera too often but for variety I can try to capture some of the modern stuff too.

Radcliffe Square- The Most Beautiful Place in Oxford

If you ask me, I consider the Radcliffe Square the most beautiful area in the entire Oxford (OK, whatever I have seen of it). It is right in the center of the town. Walk on the High street towards Magdalen Bridge and take a turn on your left near the St. Mary's Church and there you are!

Radcliffe Camera and the Colleges Surrounding it

It is a small square but walking around it is such a pleasure or just sit on the sidewalks and see others hurrying past!

St. Mary's Church

At one front of the square is the St. Mary's Church. The building is beautiful to watch from the outside but if you want a lot of peace and quiet all you have to do is to get inside (the entrance is free, they charge 3 pounds if you wish climb to the top of St. Mary's Church, which I did this time) climb the stairs and sit in the pew in a corner. Suddenly there is a lot of peace around you disturbed only occasionally by other tourists. I sat inside the church at least twice and it was cool and beautiful.

Gate to All Soul's College

Another very beautiful building in this square is the All Soul's College. Of course, the Christ Church is the most famous college in Oxford and it is very beautiful no doubt but All Soul's is equally stunning to look at!

View of Radcliffe Square from the top of St. Mary's Church

Then of course you can go to the top of St. Mary's Church and admire the uninterrupted view of the city. And then there is Brasenose College also but then I somehow have not clicked a decent picture of it.

Them Doggies on Countryside Walks in UK

The Kings Arms, Sandford Lock

I stumbled upon two very pleasant countryside walks in Oxford. I love walking and these were the kind of walks that just keep going straight, there is very little chance of getting lost, my kind of walks. I will talk about them in detail soon. What I wish to write about today is them doggies. I know Sidhu is a huge fan of dogs and he will view this post very differently.

Imagine walking serenely on a path with the Thames on one side and open fields on the other. You will meet people strolling, cycling or running from time to time. There are flowers to be clicked and admired, in that order. The weather is mild (gave me a mild sunburn later as I was not using any lotion) and all is at peace in the world! Right? Wrong.

It is them doggies. In the countryside, people let their dogs off the leash. And that is a source of unmitigated terror to me! I am really truly afraid of dogs, even the tiny miny ones. So, on this walk when I faltered for the first time, predictably it was when I saw a huge dog let of the leash (Labrador, I deep down know they are harmless). I looked to my right and asked a young lad if it would be alright to walk ahead and if the path leads somewhere? He gave his go ahead. Then he asked me something from afar and cycled around for a while but finally vanished. The dog owner could probably sense my tension and told me they were going for a dip in the river. The dog of course was running towards water without even sparing me a glance and that is the best thing he could do.

Then there was another man throwing a Frisbee to his dog, thankfully in the opposite direction. And of course the dog was quite interested in the game. Again I hurried past. This was the last of the doggies on the Oxford-Sandford walk. Lucky me? Not so soon.

Kennington Bridge, Oxford to Sandford Walk

The day after I did the Oxford Sandford walk, my original plan was to do nothing. That means walking around aimlessly around the accommodation in my lexicon. After wandering for a while I remembered a wooden gate that I gave a miss during my previous visit to Oxford. Not to make the same mistake twice (maybe not really a mistake as in October 2007 the sunset was really early around 4.00 pm and in June really late around 9.00 pm) I walked through the gate. The walk seemed promising till I encountered my nemesis.

On the narrow path there were two ladies on two tall horses with their dog running ahead. Of course he was interested in me and I for sure was not. Not willing to offend anyone, I politely put my small shoulder bag in front of my legs and the intelligent dog understood my gesture. He went his way and I thanked my stars. Too soon, it turned out.

Countryside near Harcourt Hill, Oxford

Can you see the serenity above? I was walking without a care a few minutes later and then heard some footsteps running furiously. I turned back and my heart stopped. There was a dog taller than me (or so I thought) being chased by the dog who had gone away a while ago. I was silently telling my self, "You had it, who the hell asked you to walk alone?" A moment later I realized the tall thing was a deer outracing the dog with an effort that clearly bored him to no end. Did I turn back? No, because as one of my professors aptly remarked that I like to "walk with a vengeance."

Next were two really tiny miny dogs and as they bounded with glee towards me, I said in a croaking voice to their oblivious owners, "Please call them back, I am quite afraid of dogs." There faces contorted with surprise but they did call the dogs back. Was this the end? Did I turn back? Not quite.

I walked ahead for quite sometime and met no dogs. That gave me courage on my way back to venture into a forest like area to my left. I was desperately trying to remember the way full of mild turns. After a few turns I decided if I got lost my colleagues would have no sympathy for me. I turned back and there he was. It had a crooked front leg and a dirty color. The collar round the neck gave me some confidence, I resorted back to my shoulder bag trick but this one took offense and while running away started howling furiously from a safe distance. Heart thudding in mouth, I negotiated my way. He kept barking after my shadow and finally decided I am way too far away to do any more bag tricks.

The end of the country road was almost in sight. There were two ladies on their high horses (literally, no pun intended) again. But these lovely ones had no doggies with them. What sweet ladies. I considered this a good omen and made a dash to safety of my room.

Them doggies!

Purple Rhododendrons

Purple Rhododendrons

I saw these Rhododendrons in Leeds and I had to stand back and take notice. There were two reasons for this. One, I love Himalayan flowers and these Rhododendrons reminded me of the treks I have done. Two, I had never seen a purple one before! I have seen red Rhododendrons, even white and their variations but never purple.

When I shared the pictures with my colleagues, one of them came running to me and told me, "How did you manage to make the Rhododendrons purple? Aren't they red? I have never seen a purple one." Now that is something because he belongs to Uttrakhand and has lived for considerable time in the hills.

But then in Leeds these purple Rhododendrons were growing with glee!

Oh! and VJ shared his pictures of Oxford with me and take my words for it, they are brilliant.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Thames Walk, Oxford to Sandford

The Path, Thames Walk, Oxford to Sandford