Sept 2010 a

Thu 02 Sept 2010
Jen suddenly randomly has a day off work, to use up some of her time-off-in-lieu. Decides to take tuition at a swanky salon, in styling her own hair. Next, off to see the BP portrait prize at the National Portrait Gallery - which was really inspirational.
Then, across to the Saatchi gallery. Below is the entrance to the gallery, with a quirky installation of a pair of legs dangling from a suffocating bunch of red helium balloons... well that's what it looks like (pictured, right). 

Much of the artwork in this gallery really wasn't Jen's thing, so she wandered through pretty quickly. This particular work, below, (using 300 speakers) was somewhat lost on Jen for some strange reason  :-)

 
 

 
 
Above: renaissance style paintings but completed almost entirely using fluoro paint - fascinating!
After work Steve and his colleagues headed off to the pub for a few pints.

Fri 03 Sept 2010
Off to the pub after work for Jen with her workmates.
This afternoon, a friend from Tasmania (Ciaran) comes and stays with u for a few days... he's having himself a 3 month travelling stint through Europe, so hell be back twice more also.

Sat 04 Sept 2010
Today Steve had to go to work for four hours, only told about it last night! Today we've got Deb & Clancy around to help us out with our DIY problems in the backyard. So at the end of the day we now have a back gate, hurrah! We also have a new floor in the shed, which is also now lockable, hurrah! Furthermore, the trellis is back up and secured (although still needs a little work for permanency).

 
 

Once home, Steve cooked a lush dinner for us all and Dan & Elizabeth, 7 of us! Well we're all feeling a bit tired and hard worked. Dinner was great - chestnut soup; pork skewers with ginger and chili as the main, and cherry-bread pudding with ice-cream for dessert.

Tue 07 Sept 2010
Last night Jen set the alarm for an hour late - aaarrgghh! We both arrived late, but also because of a tube strike today.

Wed 08 Sept 2010
Today is our guest's birthday (Ciaran) and tomorrow he's off to explore more of Britain. This afternoon we get a new visitor Kiriel, flown in from Geneva, to cook us all a nice dinner! Ha ha, well actually Steve was feeling poorly so gave hints to Kiriel in the kitchen, who was all too happy to play with food, this being her favourite thing to do (or is it shopping?). Dinner was the very tasty classic, duck in cherry sauce.

Thu 09 Sept 2010
After work Jen has a pamper session at a Spa in Canary Wharf, including aromatherapy massage, facial and manicure. It was an OK experience but not mind blowing.

Fri 10 Sept 2010
Jen was unwell and came home from work early.

Sat 11 Sept 2010
Today Jen's feeling better and does some fun shopping with Kiriel. VIsited the markets, and the early music store in town, plus various clothes and food shops. Steve cooked up chicken poulards in orange sauce for dinner, nice one!
Below, right: happy cooks in the kitchen...


Sun 12 Sept 2010
Today Jen's completely lost her voice and decides to rest at home. Steve and Kiriel go out for lunch with other friends..... Later we farewelled Kiriel as she headed back home to Geneva.

Mon 13 Sept 2010
Back to work. Jen worked from home, to give her voice more of a rest. Visited the doctor, it's official, Jen has acute tonsilitis and has been prescribed a course of amoxicilin (penicillin) for a chest infection, which only started this morning.

Wed 15 Sept 2010

Happy birthday Steve! Very pleased to get exactly what he wanted - StarCraft II computer game.