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Off the Planet |
Mount Crawford Wellington - 28 November 2025
A lovely day in Wellington before the NZSO concert with the great Joyce DiDonato tonight. A visit to the Point Halswell Reformatory at Mount Crawford prison where Ursula’s mother was the only woman to be imprisoned and sentenced to hard labour at the women's prison during WW2 as a conscientious objector. We had a very enjoyable guided tour and picnic lunch with Patty and Jeff, the current custodians of the site of the prison garden and reformatory, which is now a community garden and reserve with prisoner memorabilia in the greenhouse.
Along the Avon Trail in Christchurch - 23 November 2025
Christchurch Botanic Gardens in Spring - 26 October 2025
It's that time of Year in Otautahi Christchurch - 18 September 2025
London – 20 June to 16 July 2025
22 June – A good part of our third day in London was spent with nephew Rhys and family. Brunch at Islington then a visit to their house.
33 degrees here today – a very warm atmosphere all round. The previous day our first sortie around town included Covent Garden Market and an encounter with a demonstration in support of humanity for Gaza.
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33 degrees here today – a very warm atmosphere all round. The previous day our first sortie around town included Covent Garden Market and an encounter with a demonstration in support of humanity for Gaza.
Select each photo to see full pictures. Then use arrow keys, or tap thumbnails.
23 June – Another very warm summer day in London and a pleasant daytrip by train to Leigh-on-Sea. An excellent fish'n'chip lunch with cider, then a walk up to some views of Southend-on-Sea and its famous longest-pleasure-pier-in-the-world stretching over two km out into the Thames Estuary.
25 June – Yesterday, a book-&-music-shop crawl took us through some iconic highways and by-ways of central London and we ended the day with Evensong at St Paul’s cathedral, just a three-minute walk from our apartment. Today brought an uplifting revisit to the Courtauld Gallery, also just a few minutes’ walk away, with its astonishing collection of well-known paintings. Later in the day we had tickets to ‘Frameless’ – an immersive and spectacular art experience spread over four galleries.
26 June – Hampstead Heath turned out to be a direct bus route from just near our apartment. A walk up Parliament Hill revealed some views over downtown London, then we found a quiet corner for some reading (mine – a brilliant new biography of Rachmaninov – Goodbye Russia). Up further to Kenwood House for a very nice lunch and a look through the house with its surprisingly impressive art collection including paintings by Constable, Turner, Guardi and others. In the grounds, Henry Moore’s Reclining Figure No. 5 was surrounded by fencing in preparation for a big event that starts tomorrow. Oh . . . and a random shot of ‘Saint Martin in the Fields’ in Trafalgar Square from the other day!
28 June – Two rather full days starting with a walk across the nearby Millennium Bridge to the Tate Modern. We’d already seen one of Louise Bourgeois’ giant spiders this time last year in Ottawa – and here was another. Lunch by Blackfriars Bridge was followed by a restful afternoon before a rather ill-conceived production of Bizet’s Carmen at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The short walk home revealed a spectacular and well-lit view of St Pauls. Today a boat ride down the Thames to Greenwich passed by many familiar sights. Our mean time in Greenwich started with a stroll around streets, the market and the park before lunch at the Trafalgar Tavern (on the BBC news this morning because of its seating spilling into public areas). Then a visit to the very beautiful chapel of the Old Royal Naval College before taking the boat to Westminster with its astonishing crowds of tourists.
1 July – Another gloriously hot weekend. Saturday started with Hyde Park and some reading by the Serpentine, then a stunning performance of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession at the Garrick theatre, with simply stunning acting from Imelda Staunton and her real-life daughter Bessie Carter, Robert Glenister and Kevin Doyle – to name those with whom we’re very familiar from films and TV – Absolutely brilliant! Dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant completed an excellent day.
Sunday began by meeting up with nephew Rhys and family for visits to Columbia Road Flower Market, then colourful Brick Lane before we headed over to Kilburn for a very enjoyable performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony from the Peregrine Orchestra and Choirs with four excellent soloists. Among the 1st violins was our friend from Mombasa days – Jacob Keet with whom we had dinner after the performance. Some will remember Jacob and my collaborations between NZ & UK during Covid lockdowns
Sunday began by meeting up with nephew Rhys and family for visits to Columbia Road Flower Market, then colourful Brick Lane before we headed over to Kilburn for a very enjoyable performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony from the Peregrine Orchestra and Choirs with four excellent soloists. Among the 1st violins was our friend from Mombasa days – Jacob Keet with whom we had dinner after the performance. Some will remember Jacob and my collaborations between NZ & UK during Covid lockdowns
2 July – Another catch-up – this time with niece Angie who’s working here in London for a few months. Coffee turned into a two-and-a-half-hour lively and enjoyable chat until we had to give up our table to the lunchtime hoards. Later to the Royal Opera House again – this time a brilliant production and performance of Handel’s Semele with Pretty Yende and Alice Coote among the starry cast.
The next day was a very enjoyable daytrip by train to Hastings on the South coast where the stoney beaches of England made a simple paddle impossible, but with the temperature a few degrees below London’s 34.7 there were some benefits. A climb up to the ruins of the historic castle surrounded by its 1066 history also provided great views over the beach and town. Then a late lunch in the old town. A perfect day to visit the seaside in the UK’s ongoing heatwave.
The next day was a very enjoyable daytrip by train to Hastings on the South coast where the stoney beaches of England made a simple paddle impossible, but with the temperature a few degrees below London’s 34.7 there were some benefits. A climb up to the ruins of the historic castle surrounded by its 1066 history also provided great views over the beach and town. Then a late lunch in the old town. A perfect day to visit the seaside in the UK’s ongoing heatwave.
4 July – Too much to do and post! But two magnificent and awe-inspiring buildings were a feature of one day. The National Gallery not only houses a vast array of iconic artworks (a few sample highlights below), but the building itself is glorious throughout. A revisit to Evensong at St Paul’s was very worthwhile, especially for a recital by the Cathedral Choristers after the service. A stroll across Tower Bridge under the watchful eye of four police helicopters, and another riverside lunch, then, last night, it’s impossible to put into words just how truly brilliant the new production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver at the Gielgud Theatre is. Matthew Bourne’s choreography is absolutely extraordinary in its detail, imagination, originality and vitality, and the performances were mind-blowing – simply amazing!
6 July – Some of the last couple of days included a thorough visit to Kew Gardens with its array of indoor and outdoor displays, tree-top walk, and much else. Kew is under the Heathrow flight path, so every forty seconds brought a low-flying jet. The District Line back to town revealed a great view right down the train. Then, if we happen to be at ‘home’ in the early evening, watching Wimbledon live on either of two BBC add-free channels is a nice bonus.
To North Greenwich, the cable car, various enormous outdoor sculptures (including Damien Hirst’s Demon with Bowl – 18m tall), a view of the Thames Barrier, and the O2 Stadium, which also houses an enormous circular shopping mall and restaurants – pizza and prosecco seemed good at 11.30 in the morning. Then a direct bus ride to Blackheath Halls for an excellent performance of Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria by Trinity Laban opera and orchestra, once again with our friend Jacob (from Mombasa days) in the 1st violins. After which we had a further catch-up drink with Jacob before heading back up the river.
To North Greenwich, the cable car, various enormous outdoor sculptures (including Damien Hirst’s Demon with Bowl – 18m tall), a view of the Thames Barrier, and the O2 Stadium, which also houses an enormous circular shopping mall and restaurants – pizza and prosecco seemed good at 11.30 in the morning. Then a direct bus ride to Blackheath Halls for an excellent performance of Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria by Trinity Laban opera and orchestra, once again with our friend Jacob (from Mombasa days) in the 1st violins. After which we had a further catch-up drink with Jacob before heading back up the river.
8 July – Next couple of Days . . . A slightly cooler day, so visits to Tate Britain (Turners, Constables, Moores, etc.), and the Victoria and Albert (a focus on a British ceramics exhibition among its vast collection), then the start of a thunderstorm as we cross home on Blackfriars bridge.
The next day a train trip to Canterbury and its glorious cathedral, then . . . well, chatting to some people at Kew the other day, they mentioned Nicholas Hytner’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre (South Bank by Tower Bridge), so last night we saw one of the most astonishing pieces of theatre we’ve ever encountered. A simply mind-blowing experience – a riot of acting, physical theatre and, when required, singing that it’s impossible to describe – not so much making Shakespeare relevant, as finding its relevance and throwing it at us – absolutely joyous!
The next day a train trip to Canterbury and its glorious cathedral, then . . . well, chatting to some people at Kew the other day, they mentioned Nicholas Hytner’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre (South Bank by Tower Bridge), so last night we saw one of the most astonishing pieces of theatre we’ve ever encountered. A simply mind-blowing experience – a riot of acting, physical theatre and, when required, singing that it’s impossible to describe – not so much making Shakespeare relevant, as finding its relevance and throwing it at us – absolutely joyous!
10 July – A daytrip to Cambridge on the train – punting, strolling, eating.
The next day, a visit to the National Portrait Gallery proved more interesting than expected (can you recognise some of the subjects?). It was also good to actually see Trafalgar Square which, up to now, had been the site of various events, with fencing, staging and other stuff hiding its famous features and spaces. Then lunch near Charing Cross Road and home for a rest before tonight’s third opera at ROH Covent Garden – this time Verdi’s Il Trovatore in a brilliantly sung and played performance and rather quirky, but engaging production.
The next day, a visit to the National Portrait Gallery proved more interesting than expected (can you recognise some of the subjects?). It was also good to actually see Trafalgar Square which, up to now, had been the site of various events, with fencing, staging and other stuff hiding its famous features and spaces. Then lunch near Charing Cross Road and home for a rest before tonight’s third opera at ROH Covent Garden – this time Verdi’s Il Trovatore in a brilliantly sung and played performance and rather quirky, but engaging production.
12 July – After the bus stopped near the Fire of London Monument, an 8.00am coffee & croissant at the nearby Sky Garden building (commonly known as the Walkie Talkie because of its shape) gave us some amazing views over another sun-drenched London morning. See the picture showing the location of our apartment. A planned hour turned into two-and-a-half at this spectacular high-rise location. Then home for a rest and lunch before sauntering across the Millenium Bridge to . . .
. . . well, if I said that the Globe Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet was set in the Wild West, you might wonder, but this production is so beautifully judged and stunningly acted that all of Shakespeare’s wit, repartee, poetic genius and heart-rending tragedy is brought to extraordinary life. After all the humour and vitality of the first few scenes, the death of Mercutio was more moving than I could have imagined. The London heat (31 today) saw several people fainting in the standing area and taken out with heat exhaustion, but our seats were perfectly situated in the shady part of the middle gallery.
We’re now slowing a bit as the last days of our trip count down – a wander around central London and a lovely evening dinner with nieces Angharad and Kiri and friends at Naughty Piglets in Brixton where nephew Ethan is doing a chef residency – very nice food!
Last two pics below: Kiri, Raj, Ethan, Tony, Ursula, Angharad, Chris
. . . well, if I said that the Globe Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet was set in the Wild West, you might wonder, but this production is so beautifully judged and stunningly acted that all of Shakespeare’s wit, repartee, poetic genius and heart-rending tragedy is brought to extraordinary life. After all the humour and vitality of the first few scenes, the death of Mercutio was more moving than I could have imagined. The London heat (31 today) saw several people fainting in the standing area and taken out with heat exhaustion, but our seats were perfectly situated in the shady part of the middle gallery.
We’re now slowing a bit as the last days of our trip count down – a wander around central London and a lovely evening dinner with nieces Angharad and Kiri and friends at Naughty Piglets in Brixton where nephew Ethan is doing a chef residency – very nice food!
Last two pics below: Kiri, Raj, Ethan, Tony, Ursula, Angharad, Chris
14 July – 30º again! Today a walk along the Victoria Embankment close to our apartment gave a few new perspectives on familiar sights. Then lunch with Rhys and Louis – dim-sum in Chinatown (near Trafalgar Square). We had to walk to meet them because a big police and ambulance problem caused the bus route to close; and back by subway in time to watch the very surprising Wimbledon women’s finals.
Sunday morning – a saunter across Blackfriars Bridge and along the Southbank to the Jubilee Bridges. Lunch near the National Theatre, then back again on Victoria Embankment. Wimbledon men’s finals in the afternoon, then off to the Barbican for a fabulous concert performance of Strauss’s opera Salome with the London Symphony Orchestra (107 players in this performance) and a world-class cast (Asmik Grigorian was extraordinary as Salome), conducted by Antonio Pappano – As the final chord sounded, the audience was on its feet cheering.
Sunday morning – a saunter across Blackfriars Bridge and along the Southbank to the Jubilee Bridges. Lunch near the National Theatre, then back again on Victoria Embankment. Wimbledon men’s finals in the afternoon, then off to the Barbican for a fabulous concert performance of Strauss’s opera Salome with the London Symphony Orchestra (107 players in this performance) and a world-class cast (Asmik Grigorian was extraordinary as Salome), conducted by Antonio Pappano – As the final chord sounded, the audience was on its feet cheering.
16 July – Last two days! Monday – a visit to Golders Green in north-west London to catch up with our friend Shul, here from NZ to visit her mother, and overlapping with our London adventure by just two days. Her mum is a very knowledgeable music and theatre follower and had seen much of what we had been to. Also, lots of art in her house, and Shul had prepared a very nice lunch. The upper deck views on the bus trip back home provided excellent views along Abbey Road with its famous recording studio and iconic road crossing with tourists trying to replicate the famous album cover at every gap in the traffic. Then past 221B Baker Street with many nearby shops promoting themselves as if its former resident was real.
Today (cloudier and nicely cooler) – the bus to Primrose Hill with distant views over the city, then a long saunter down through Regents Park and neighbourhood, a late lunch at an excellent Turkish restaurant, then back to collect our bags and off to the airport for our 10.00pm flight home.
Today (cloudier and nicely cooler) – the bus to Primrose Hill with distant views over the city, then a long saunter down through Regents Park and neighbourhood, a late lunch at an excellent Turkish restaurant, then back to collect our bags and off to the airport for our 10.00pm flight home.
