Chapter 10 - Painting in Beckton

My first ever piece with the scraps of some of Chris's paint! Don't look at my rabbits eye tho, I was trying to make it sparkle but didn't really work

Chapter 9 - Christmas in LONDON

London really comes alive at Christmas. This was in Leichester Square. 

Christmas shopping with Sarah at Camden markets

CHRISTMAS DAY

Our little christmas tree. There were some presents but we opened them the night before.

We had 2 roast ducks, a bunch of german food that Alex and Martin was kind enough to prepare for us, dessert, and sooooo much cheese. I was so full it hurt, but I guess thats what christmas is all about!

Chillaxing after christmas lunch. 

Then on to the cheese and lambrusco 

BOXING DAY

Ice skating at winter wonderland in Hyde Park 

The tube on the way home

                                        Megan, Martin, Alex
                                     And Chris

Chapter 8 - Mutate Britian

FIRST LEVEL.

Lots of crazy mechanical animals and other strange shiz

SECOND LEVEL


Cute little Japanese lady selling sushi

Tessa, you have to check out these guys website!     www.tattooglass.com , Right up your alley

NOT TO SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE THIRD LEVEL

This was on the roof of the building. I still can't get over how the sky is constantly pink in London. It also reminded me of being on the roof at Granada...

FORTH LEVEL
As you were walking up to the 4th level, just as you reached the top of the stairs there was this massive poster of a train in a tunnel. Good effect, felt like you were walking into the tunnel.

There were paintings everywhere, all through the staircase as well. Really cool exhibition.

South of France part 1- Marseille

Arriving in France at 10 on Friday morning, Joanne met me at the airport. We went back to her and Thomas's parents house who kindly put me up for the weekend. Joannes' cousin William came to say hello and we drank tea and smoked cigarettes all afternoon. That evening we went to one of there friends house for racket (not to sure of the spelling) but it is basically a little electric grill that you place on the dinner table were you grill cheese and pour it over a combination of potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, anything that takes you fancy really. Was delicious, but Im a huge fan of grilled cheese on everything. So after an evening of grilled cheese and wine I had the best nights sleep.

 

In the morning we headed off to Marseille for Joanne's brothers birthday. It is roughly 2 hours by car along the coast from Nice. It was quiet hard to rise for all of us especially as we needed to be there by around 12. But once we got there and hard a few aperitif's we were well on our way. The afternoon was cake and champagne as you would expect when your in France. I had to take a photo, this would be very rare in Australia. For a decent bottle of Champagne you would only have to pay around 12 - 15 euros. I even brought a bottle back to London with me. New Years Eve I think...

Throughout the day I needed to use the bathroom, of course. Joanne pointed me in the right direction, but I got confused as I thought there was only a male toilet. When I asked where the females were they showed me the same toilet. It was rather amusing to everyone that I had to be shown how to use the toilet. They are apparently Turkish style toilets and were quiet common in France at one stage.

Playing Petanque.

I had a fair idea of how the game worked. You have large metal bouls that you try and get as close to the little wooden ball as you can. I was half right, only I had no idea how to score or even the fact that we were playing in teams... If there was captains and they were going to pick there teams, Im pretty sure I would of been the last one to be picked :) You can see the concentration on my face.

I think its quiet a serious game in France, especially in Marseille were it originated. Lucky for me there was no grudges held.

After a long day everyone retreated home to have a nap and then venture on to Joanne's brothers house for drinks. I was exhausted, but so was everyone else thank god. So it was a rather chilled out party.

Marseille is a dirty city, but I really like it like that. A lot of the buildings are black from the pollution. Lots of graffiti, Chris would of loved it.
The only thing that I was sorry about was that I missed my good friend Remi. So if you read this Remi, I hope your exams went well and I will be sure to meet up with you in Africa around March some time.

South of France part 2 - Let it snow

MONDAY - A DAY TRIP TO THE ALPS...

So on the Monday Morning me and Joanne got up extremely early to make the train into Nice were we could catch a bus to a ski station called Auron on the Alps.Only the trains seamed to be on strike so we missed the first bus.... To many dramas for that time of the morning, Joanne was telling me that there is always lots of strikes in France. And everyone is use to it. Thats how they get the government to listen to the people. I think we should all take a page from that book.

So we wondered around Nice while we waited for a bus. It is such a pretty city. Many people with plenty of money. 

Did you know that during the summer period 1 in 10 people that arrive at the booming Nice airport do so by privet jet!!!!

On the bus towards the snow while Joanne slept, I just kept taking photo after photo. It was really cool to see the scenery change as we went up the mountain. There were tiny little villages all the way. Very romantic. I couldn't believe the bus fair was only 1 euro!

Making a Snow men with a kitty. 

Big Ups to Joanne and Thomas for looking after me. Was greatly appreciated and had a great time. Thanks a lot xx

Chapter 7 - Tate Modern

First trip to The Tate Modern. I really enjoyed, just rolling around the free areas. We weren't allowed to take photos in side, tried, but they were onto it pretty quick, so wrote down some of the artist's that I liked and googled them for you.

WANGECHI MUTU

THOMAS DEMAND - this was a gigantic photograph were the seen was made completely out of cardboard and paper. Thats why all the colors look so saturated.
TOBY ZIEGLER

Grey Miserable London. I think the top temp that day was 7 degrees!