2012: Week 27

Celebrating the end of music exams with some classic British bunting., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Celebrating the end of music exams with some classic British bunting.

For Week 27, I'm choosing this image. As we hurtle toward the end of term-- sports days, summer concerts, exams-- I think it's important to have a snap that marks all the hoopla. I took this snap as my son and his best friend walked toward their celebratory lunch after they had finished their brass exams.

The bunting is a bonus, which seems to be going up everywhere in London in preparation for the Olympics. (I saw some men putting some up last week on a local street at 9:30 p.m. Madness).

2012: Week 26

Blue skies over London, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Blue skies over London

I was having a hard time deciding which picture I wanted to use for week 26-- this one or a gratuitous Olympic rings shot, taken at Heathrow airport (once I got through the very long queue at immigration). In the end, I went with this one. I'm sure I'll have plenty of more opportunities in the coming weeks to get Olympic pictures. But who knows when we'll have sunny skies over London again...

2012: Week 25

Opa!! Flaming cheese anyone?, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Opa!! Flaming cheese anyone?

When I worked in Chicago a lifetime ago, there was a great Greek restaurant right down the street from our newspaper. My friend Joel and I made it a habit of always ordering the flaming cheese, officially known as the saganaki. As time marched on, we came to depend on the Flaming Cheese. If one of us was having a particularly bad day, the other would e-mail, "Flaming Cheese Today?" and off we would go. There's nothing like a bit of fire and tableside theatrics to brighten up your life.

Although it's been awhile since I could e-mail Joel and ask him if it was a Flaming Cheese Day, it still holds a special place in my heart. So when I went to Yia Yia Mary's in Houston with my brother and his family, I knew it was time to introduce people I love to the wonders of Flaming Cheese. Yum.

2012: Week 24

Sunrise over Houston., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Sunrise over Houston Texas.

2012: Week 23

A Royal Jubilee knees up! Another round of God Save the Queen. Roll on fun., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

A Royal Jubilee knees up! Another round of God Save the Queen. Roll on fun.

During the course of the Jubilee weekend, we attended five Jubilee parties. I had to go on a cake detox when it was all over, but it was great just the same. This picture was taken at a street party in Royal Hill in the Royal Borough of Greenwich during the Royal Jubilee. Is that enough Royals for you?

2012: Week 22

The Diamond Jubilee @thamespageant through my trusty periscope (in a slightly enlarged version)., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant through my trusty periscope. Sure, I had to sell a bit of my soul to the Daily Mail to get it, but it was worth it.

We battled the crowds for hours in order to get the best spot, and we still were about six people back from the river, but at least my trusty periscope allowed me to see some of the action on the River Thames. It was a very soggy Jubilee Sunday, but we had a brilliant time just the same.

2012: Week 21

At last Spring has arrived. #nofilter, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.


It has been, it has to be said, a most rubbish spring. Rain, more rain, and then when we thought we couldn't take it any more, more rain. 


I took this picture in Greenwich Park on my way to Thing 2's sports day. It was an absolutely glorious day. I even got sunburned and was even, dare I say it-- hot. Needless to say, the rain resumed just in time for Jubilee weekend. What are you going to do. We just got on with it, regardless of the rain.


When I took the picture, I didn't realizse that I had lined up the sun and the bloom. I only saw that once I got home and downloaded the picture to my computer. For those of you who don't know what the #nofilter hashtag means, that's just a fancy way of saying, "I didn't monkey with this picture at all to make it look like this." 

Happy Birthday Thing 2!

Happy 9th Birthday Thing Two!

Another year has passed, and it's another milestone. This one is the last single-digit birthday he'll ever have. Time flies when you're having fun.

Just as I do every year, I went back to see what I wrote about Thing Two a year ago, to see how much has changed, and how much  has stayed the same.

The more things change:

1. We went through a huge "Tudor phase" this year, such is the pitfalls of living in England, and particularly in Greenwich, the birthplace of King Henry VIII. We visited Hampton Court Palace twice and the Tower of London, all within six weeks. I'm proud to say that I can now name all of Henry's wives and what happened to them. (Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.)

2. He certainly has learned how to travel and get around. The other night, when I asked him how he would get from Heathrow to home by himself, he said, "I'd hire a taxi." Well done.

3. His sense of humour and sarcasm is extremely robust. The other afternoon, we walked past a young child whose balloon had just popped. Apropos of nothing, he said, "The balloon popped. And so did someone's happiness."

4. He's becoming a more adventurous eater. The other day he wanted to try sushi, "Just to try something different," he said. (In the end, he opted for the safer option: The sausage sandwich.)

The more they stay the same:

1. He is still, and will probably be forevermore, Mr. Movie.

2. He is still, I'm very happy to report, Mr. Math.

3. He still loves to help me in the kitchen when I'm cooking. Even better, he now occasionally wants to cook for everyone. Happy days.

4. Green is still his favourite colour, tigers are his favourite animal, and Arsenal is his favourite team.

5. His tenacity in trying to get better at the things he can't do is pretty impressive. He's not enthusiastic about it all the time, but at least he gives it a go.

Happy Birthday Thing 2. May you have many more.

2012: Week 20

Happy 9th Birthday Thing 2!, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Happy 9th Birthday Thing 2!

2012: Week 19

2012: Week 19, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

A view from Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.

Sure the Bank Holiday weekend was wet, grey and miserable-- like most of the spring in England this year-- but we had a good time just the same.

2012: Week 18

My first election voting as a British citizen. Exciting times!, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

My first election voting as a British citizen. Exciting times!

Sure, the polling station was empty, with a slight air of resignation and boredom. But after securing our British Citizenship a year ago, I didn't care-- this was the first time I got to actually vote in an election after living here for more than 13 years. This was a big day for me, and definitely my highlight for Week 18.

2012: Week 17

The Queen at the Queen's House, Greenwich! (Not pictured: Her Majesty waving at me!), a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The Queen at the Queen's House, Greenwich! (Not pictured: Her Majesty waving at me!)

I waited with a friend for about 45 minutes-- though it seemed shorter-- for the Queen to appear following a day of visits in Greenwich, London. I don't know if you can see from the picture, but it was absolutely POURING WITH RAIN. But the result was I got to see her after 13.5 years of living in the U.K.

PS: I know I already posted this, but to be consistent with the 52 weeks project, I'm posting it again.

The day I got to see Her Royal Majesty, The Queen

When we first moved here, 13 1/2 years ago, I naively thought we'd be tripping over the Royal Family in London. Let me assure you, that is not the case. I had a false alarm in 2005, when I THOUGHT I saw the Queen at the Marathon Expo, when I was collecting my number, but it was not to be. So I've never seen anyone remotely royal. I've never even seen a minor royal, like Princess Michael of Kent.


(I'm not counting the time I got my picture taken with the picture of the Queen when we earned our British citizenship last year. Or, for that matter, any millions of times I've seen the queen on money or on stamps. Those times don't count.)


That all changed today.


Queen Elizabeth II was in Greenwich to reopen the Cutty Sark, go the Maritime Museum and finally to have lunch at the Queen's House. The queen to which the name refers is not her, but instead to Queen Anne, James I's wife. But I do think it's a nice bit of symmetry when the Queen is at the Queen's House.


I thought I was going to miss all the hoopla, because I had an exam scheduled for the late morning, bang in the middle of all the visits. But my friend and I were on our way back when I saw a group of people waiting out front of the Queen's House. I also spied this police motorcade security detail, so I figured she hadn't left yet. We made a beeline over there. Thinking I had missed my chance to see the Queen in person in the morning, I was thrilled that I was actually going to see her in the afternoon.

It was a nice group hanging about at the end of the Queen's visit. I'm sure most people went to the Cutty Sark celebrations and then returned home. The rain also arrived with a vengence, so I think that also contributed to the "We're all in this together" spirit while we waited for Her Majesty to appear.


Among the group was this really sweet girl who wanted to deliver this bouquet of flowers. She was hoping the motorcade would stop at the end of the gate so she could deliver them. The police officer in charge told her that was very unlikely, but she still remained optimistic. (You might be able to get an idea of how hard it was raining by looking at the umbrella.)

After a 45 minute wait, which actually didn't feel that long, the Queen finally emerged from the Queen's House and got in her special Range Rover with the special flag, indicating that she's inside. Here they are, making their way up the path in front of the Queen's House. She is in the back seat, on the left-hand side, wearing red and a fetching hat. My heroine.

I didn't take a picture of her actually passing by, because I wanted to concentrate on actually seeing her and waving, as opposed to taking a picture. Prince Phillip was on our side, and I have to say, he looked very good, particularly after his heart scare at Christmas.


So I've now seen the Queen, and in her Diamond Jubilee year to boot. It was worth getting absolutely soaked to do so. 

2012: Week 16

The Cutty Sark sails again!, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The Cutty Sark sails again!

For this week's picture, I'm featuring the born-again Cutty Sark clipper ship in Greenwich, which had a preview for locals on Saturday. After a very long and expensive restoration project-- not to mention one devastating fire-- it was fantastic to see it in all its glory again.

The Cutty Sark reborn was definitely my highlight for week 16.

Rain, rain, go away.

Thing 1, rain and The Shard. #nofilter, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

We have started referring to the British drought as "The British Drought" (making the motions of quotation marks while we say it) this week because it's been raining. A lot.

This is a snap from today of Thing 1, a train, rain and The Shard. #nofilter

2012: Week 15

2012: Week 15, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

My first wisteria! After 6 years and 2 different plants, I am VERY proud.

In Greenwich, where we live, you can't move for all the beautiful wisteria that's around. There's the Wisteria House on Gloucester Circus, there's the Wisteria House on Hyde Vale, there's the wisteria awning you can walk under on Crooms Hill. For years we've wanted our own wisteria too.

This week we were finally rewarded. It's a very small start, but I couldn't be more happy about it.

2012: Week 14

A sunset in Norfolk, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

We spent Easter weekend on the coast of Norfolk. Even though it wasn't beach weather, we still enjoyed being able to walk to the beach from our rental. This was a snap I captured on Saturday night.

My grandfather loved taking pictures of sunsets on the Flordia beach after he retired. Until now, I never really understood the appeal of a sunset snap, but now I think I do.

2012: Week 13

Trafalgar Square, on a beautiful spring day., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Trafalgar Square, on a beautiful spring day. With added attraction of new Fourth Plinth!

It's been a fantastic week for spring weather. I found myself basking in the sun in Trafalgar Square two days in a row, which was brilliant because (a) it was warm enough in March to do so; and (b) I don't often have the time to do it. But I did, and I'm glad. Happy Spring, everyone.

One for the Grandmas: Daffodils 2012

It's that time of year again: Time for our annual picture in front of the Queen's House and the daffodils. I wonder if they'll come back from university to get the picture taken....

2012: Week 12

The Great London Easter Egg Hunt seems to be missing an egg. Maybe they've hidden it in a harder to find location than Trafalgar Square., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The Great London Easter Egg Hunt seems to be missing an egg. Maybe they've hidden it in a harder to find location than Trafalgar Square.

It turns out-- no big surprise here-- that it was stolen. Maybe it will make a surprise appearance when they bring all the eggs together in Covent Garden in April

2012: Week 11

Heroically defending his patch of blazer., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Heroically defending his patch of blazer.

My husband and I had lunch at the PItt Cue Co. in Soho, and these are the chits they use for your tab. We got a soldier, but we could have also ended up with a cow, a sheep or another farm animal.

We liked our valiant solder, though. We also loved our southern BBQ in the heart of Soho.

2012: Week 10

10:2012, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

This isn't the most exciting picture in the world, but it's a good reflection of my Week 10 in 2012, which was consumed by paperwork-- reading it, writing it, analysing it. I'm thrilled that I can now file this massive pile away. On to 11:2012!

2012: Week 9

9:2012, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Happy 44th Birthday to my husband, who was only two days away from being a Leap Year Baby when he was born on 27th February 1968.

Hard to believe the iPhone could do birthday candles in a dark room. The focus leaves a little to be desired, but it's not bad.

The cake is Orange Cassata cake, or, as we call it, "Sophia Loren Cake." It's a firm favourite in our house and utterly delicious.

HOORAY! This photo got picked by The Guardian in its weekly roundup of photos for the week. You can see the others that they picked by clicking through this hyperlink sentence (now that is a sentence with SKILLZ.)

Oscar Night 2012!

Oscar Night 2012!, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

I'll be here for as long as I can stay awake. I deeply regret not appreciating being on the same continent all the years we lived in the U.S.

Getting ready for the Olympics

At the London Prepares diving competition, which is testing out the Aquatics Centre for the Summer Olympics., a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

At the London Prepares diving test competition, at the Aquatic Centre. It seems as though there's still a lot of work to do in the Olympic Park before July, but it's definitely getting there.

2012: Week 8

8:2012, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Having fun with the new fish eye lens for my iPhone produced this picture. It helped that it was an absolutely beautiful day in Greenwich Park.

2012: Week 7

I see you. I see me. #ilovelondon, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

We did a huge amount of fun things during half term, all of which produced some interesting pictures. Funnily enough, this picture, taken on the DLR during a gorgeous sunset, turned out to be my favourite.

HOORAY! This photo got picked by The Guardian in its weekly roundup of photos for the week. You can see the others that they picked by clicking through this hyperlink sentence (now that is a sentence with SKILLZ.)

Royal Borough of Greenwich

Greenwich became a Royal Borough over the weekend. I don't know quite how this is going to benefit us. I have been checking the post faithfully every day to see when my crown is going to arrive, but I've yet to see one arrive. However, Greenwich now has some spiffy new street signs that say "Royal Borough of Greenwich", as well as some nice banners on the street between the station and central Greenwich.

They had parades and fireworks throughout the borough during the weekend to celebrate. West Greenwich was last to celebrate, on Sunday. We got to ring in the new status amid the snow, which was pretty, but also pretty cold.

Thing Two got to march in the parade with his Royal Lantern. Here's a nice snap:

After the parade, there were some Royal Fireworks. I thought this picture was of a W (just like the climax in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" but my friend pointed out that it was probably a crown. I think he was right.

2012: Week 6 SNOW!

This isn't the picture I uploaded to the 52weeks group on Flickr-- I went with the Royal Borough of Greenwich fireworks snap-- but I had a hard time deciding. The weekend was notable for the SNOW on Sunday, which was gone by Monday afternoon. We had a terrific time sledging in the park, and I'm thrilled to report that Thing Two's tolerance for sledding has now extended to 2 hours, up from 45 minutes last year.

We're hoping for some more snow though before the end of the winter.

2012: Week 5 (Revisited)

I know I posted the other Spot picture for Week 5, but upon further reflection, I decided I wanted this one to be Week 5 because it was just so unique/mad/only in London picture.


This was one of several gum art installations between the East India DLR station and the gallery at Trinity Buoy Wharf showing the "Gum Art" by artist Ben Wilson. It was about the size of a 50p coin. This is one instance where the iPhone camera really works well because I could get it about three inches away from the gum to get the shot, rather than having to use a macro lens.