Dirty Dancing.......maybe tame tangoing

Last night Krista & I finally went and saw Dirty Dancing in London. We were ready to have the time of our lives, and not be stuck in a corner. The singing and dancing was great and they followed the movie to the detail, but you can only fit so much into a stage performance. It felt a bit rushed only having minutes to act out important scenes, maybe if some had been cut out and reworked it would have been better. Johnny was good, so tall his legs seemed to go on for about 5 metres. I'd have to give him a 3 out of 5. The chick that was playing Baby was not good at all. She did the lines and hit the steps but there was no emtion from her especially in the emotional scenes. So pretty disappointed with her performance. Penny was great as was Baby's sister. She was so funny in her dance at the end. SO not sure what the big fuss is about and why they are booked out until October next year but it was enjoyable. Pretty chessy but true to the story.

Let's hear it for the boys......

What an amazing musical.

After work I headed down to London (again) to meet up with Annabell to go see the show. Once I arrived in Kingscross I realised that the underground was blocked due to over crowding. I ended up walking down to Euston to meet her but Euston was closed as well. Turns out there was an Arsenal game (Thats soccer). You would think they would have buses or a system worked out to get all the fans there by now but no. So after a bit of walking around trying to find a taxi, we managed to get onto a bus and head down to Charing Cross. We made it to the Playhouse Theatre with 10 mins to spare.

It was sooooooooooooo worth the struggle of getting there. Brilliant performances by all, my favourite was Rusty, she had an amazing voice. All the memories came flooding back with each song played. We had awesome seats as well, 5 rows from the front in the dead centre!! An encore and then it was over.

Bit of pain getting home due to engineering works. We got the train from Kingscross to Stevenage, a bus to Royston, then another train to Cambridge. Got in at 1ish so feeling a bit tired today. Although I am doing it all again tonight as Krista & I are going to see Dirty Dancing! Excited about that too.

Julie & Matt

On Friday Julie (my bro in law's sister) and Matt arrived in England. After a few days of sightseeing I was able to catch up with them both in London last night. We met at Covent Garden, I was a bit worried I wouldn't recognise her but no fear, she looks exactly the same! We then headed down to the Walkabout pub there and had burgers all round with a nice catch up session. Unfortunately I was still feeling under the weather and had to head back about 9.30ish. It was like I had just seen Julie even though it's been years, it was really nice to see them both. And very jealous of their travelling plans.

Monkey World

Friday afternoon Mila & I headed down south to Poole for our trip to Monkey World. A dream run of only 3 & 1/2 hours and we arrived at Helen's parents house with pizza waiting for us. Unfortunately I'd gotten ill that day so was coughing & had a runny nose. Luckily I had all the girls looking after me.

Saturday morning came and after a good brekkie, Helen, Mila, Lucas & I headed to Ethan's 4th birthday party. Lucas (2yrs old) had a great time playing in the ball pit and watching the air push the balls around. The kids then had lunch followed by icecream & cake! We were starving just watching them. After the festivities, we were on our way to Monkey World.

AWESOME!! Just like the tv show (Monkey Business) I was able to pick out certain monkeys. A fantastic habitat, extremely realistic for each enclosure. As it's a charity run operation it wasn't expensive and was soooo much fun. I think I had more fun than Lucas! We spent hours walking around and managed to get round the whole park before closing. The sun was out shining so it was a fantastic day.

Sunday it was sunny in the morning and Helen & Mila gave me a tour of Poole, their old stomping ground. A beautiful place, the beaches were great and reminded me a bit of Cronulla. Lunch was at Mila's parents house and it was a full Sunday roast! I nearly didn't want to leave. A lovely afternoon trying to get a few stories about the girls from Mila's parents and then it was time to leave. The trip home was fine and now today (Monday) it's pouring down with rain.

Did I actually go on holidays?

Well it's been a week now since I got back from my holidays and it feels like I never left. The only indication I was in the sun are the tan lines I have. A huge struggle the first week back with jetlag but after a relaxing weekend I managed to catch up on all my sleep.

Saturday I was in bed till 2pm and only got up to watch the Wallabies crush the Welsh in the rugby, then it was early to bed. Sunday I caught up with Jules for brunch, a full english breakfast was on the cards. Then went and saw Run Fat Boy, Run with Charlie, Zach & Steve. Very funny and it was weird to see our friend Pippa in it. Although she was only in it for about 20 seconds it was great to see her. Early to bed Sunday night.

Also have been back in the kitchen on Saturday baking. I made 36 cupcakes, 24 vanilla with buttercream icing, 12 vanilla with raspberry icing. Monday morning there were 8 left!!!! I'm thinking I might have to ration everyone.

Haven't managed to get back to the gym yet (whoops) but intend to next week. I have dinner on Thursday night at Carrie's house and then I head down on Friday night to Poole as Saturday I'm off to Monkey World.

Jetlagggggggggggggggggggged

So tired still! The time difference has been a killer this time. It's easier coming back from Australia than the US I've decided. Luckily it's Friday 4pm so only an hour left before I can go home. Going to watch the Rugby World Cup tonight, England vs Sth Africa. Saturday we have the mighty Aussie's vs The Welsh. Sunday going to the movies to see Run Fat Boy Run.

Got an extra special surprise from Mila last night. For part of my present she has organised for myself, Mila, Helen & her nephew to drive down to Dorset next Friday, sleep over at her parents house then we are going to MONKEY WORLD!! www.monkeyworld.co.uk I am so excited as I am addicted to their show on Animal Planet. It's a refuge for abused monkeys and it's also a breeding program for endangered species. I've always talked about going but had no way of getting there. I'm soooooo excited.

New York, New York

Friday morning saw us all heading to the airport for our short flight to La Guardia, New York. We arrived and got to our apartment on the corner of 8th & 53rd Street. A bit on the dodgy side but 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and a huge lounge room. An ofcourse air conditioning. I headed off to the Bovis head office on Park Lane where I met up with Carole and friend of mine I met at Springboard a couple of years ago. She showed me round and I was very jealous. Next it was back to the apartment to get ready for RENT!!! I was so excited to be seeing my favourite show on Broadway. Texted Charlie when I was in there and she was sooooo jealous. A fantastic performance with 2 of the original cast members in the lead roles. AWESOME.

Saturday we headed off to FAO Schwarz for the morning to wander around. A fantastic time had by all, not just Lucy. The amount of stuffed toys they had, and all the lego. Sooo much to choose from. After looking around we headed down to FAO Schweetz for lunch and dessert. A tasty salad followed by a banana sundae with mint chip icecream, strawberry icecream, caramel sauce and choc chips!!!! SOoooooo amazing. Fiona & Andrew had a volcano to share. They finished their's but I struggled with mine.

A stop by Tiffany's, what a bling fest. I nearly had to wear my sunglasses in there it was so bright. So many beautiful rings, soooo little money.

Sunday we headed to the famed Magnolia Bakery for their famous cupcakes. Pretty tasty but I think Fiona's are better. A walk around Soho and we headed back to the apartment. Fiona & Andrew headed off to Flushing Meadows to see the US Open Mens Final and I got to babysit Lucy. The first time I was going to be alone without the back up of Mum or Dad. Ofcourse Lucy & I got along fantastic. After she woke up, we headed over to Central Park and the Zoo where we saw polar bears, penguins, monkeys, seals and heaps of birds. A great afternoon just me & Lucy cruising around. We then headed to the Fresh Market to pick up dinner. A quick wash in the sink and Lucy was good to go. A little crying but once I went in and rubbed her back she was back off into dreamland!! Fiona & Andrew showed up about 9ish after a sensational match with Federer winning (7-6, 7-6, 6-4).

Monday was my last day in New York and we headed to Union Square to see their fresh market. Breakfast was at Max Brenner (the Bald, Fat Man). I had a plate of scrambled eggs with bacon & tomato's with raisin toast and chocolate sauce on the side. Fiona had banana chocolate waffles and Andrew had something equally disgusting! It was a delicious chocolate shop with the restaurant inside. A must for anyone with a sweet tooth.

We packed up the apartment and headed to the Hilton where the Thoms were going to be spending the next couple of nights and after Lucy's nap we caught the subway to the World Trade Centre. Not much to see anymore as it's a huge construction site now. We walked down to Wall Street and I couldn't resist taking my picture in front of Trinity Church...... I think only Auntie Bernie will get the significance of that!! Think National Treasure, Nicholas Cage.

A mad dash back to the hotel for a quick shower and change and it was goodbyes and off to JFK. Flight home was okay, a bit of turbulence which was scary but back home in one piece and in work at 12pm. Sooooooooooo tired, heading home for an early night.

Charleston, South Carolina

Tuesday morning Fiona dropped me off at the Greyhound bus station for my trip down south. A late bus and a 4 hour trip and finally I have arrived in Charleston, South Carolina. I arrive at the only hostel in town (just on the outskirts of town) to be presented with a run down old house. I check in and everyone seems really friendly. Not happy that the toliets/showers are downstairs but oh well at $22 a night it's a bargain. I headed off for a walk and something to eat. Had a delicious Pad Thai at a restaurant called Basil. Deee licious! I had a quick wander around town then caught a bicycle taxi back to the hostel. (The pic on the left is of a typical house in the Battery area of town not my hostel! I wish).

An early morning and I had breakfast at a place called Hominy Grill. Fantastic, butter milk pancakes a must place to go for breakfast. I then got a horse drawn carriage ride around the historic old town. A very pleasant way to spend over an hour, then I cycled (i hired a bike from the hostel) to the wharf to catch my ferry. Well guess what..... I got a flat. Luckily though I made it in time and spent and hour & a half watching Charleston go by. After that I had to lug the bike to the repair shop, 5 blocks away in the heat. Once I was fixed up it was back to the Aquarium for a look around. I think I spent more time in the gift shop than looking at the actual exhibitions. A wander down to the south east peninnsula and I sat in the park for a couple of hours reading my book and eating pineapple! I then joined the local ghost tour walk. A fun 2 hours spent wandering around in the dark being told heaps of ghost stories. Unfortunately none popped out so I guess maybe next time. Then dinner at the reknown Poogan's Porch. I had some to die for crab cakes!!! Scrumdillyumptious!!!! Got back to the hostel about 11pm all hot and sweaty but pleased with myself for seeing so much. A well deserved rest.

This morning I was up early again, breakfast at the Hominy Grill, then a wander down King Street the major shopping drag. I found the best place! It's called Cupcake and they make up to 25 different flavours of cupcakes. I couldn't decide so bought 1 of each (there were 9 to choose from) and decided to bring them back to Wilmington for us all to try. Back onto the Greyhound and it was smooth sailing back up the coast until George Town, Sth Carolina. The bus broke down. Thank goodness there was a mechanic across the street and we were back on our way in a little over an hour. Now it's bed cause tomorrow we are all heading for NEW YORK!!!

p.s. It's nice not to have to share a room with 4 strangers (men & women) and not having to wear my thongs in the shower!!

Labour Day Monday - HOLIDAY!!

Well technically I'm already on holiday's so it doesn't count for me. But Andrew had the day off so after a lazy morning of watching telly, we all headed out to Wrightsville Beach for a swim. Unfortunately everyone in Wilmington had the same idea. We finally found a patch of sand and I ran straight into the water. The water isn't as cold as in Sydney but still lovely to swim in. Lucy enjoyed herself with Andrews sandcastle making abilities. A great arvo, followed by a realxing evening as I'm off to Charleston on Tuesday!

Katrina Julie Lamberton Born 2nd September 1976

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! 31 TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A wonderful breakfast of pancakes, syrup, sugar & strawberries woke me up, whipped up by Fiona, cooked by Andrew and eaten by Lucy & I. A great start to the day, I got an Ipod from my parents and Andrew, Fiona & Lucy bought me a speaker docking station for the Ipod so I can play it at home! I was actually going to buy one so it was perfect. Off to church, then we headed to The Oceanic down on the beach. I had a really nice lunch of grilled seafood & vegies. We then had frozen custard (quite bizarre) and then headed home. A quiet afternoon chatting to the neighbours and then off to bed. Another year, another birthday!

Fort Fisher & Ferry Ride

On Saturday we all headed out to Fort Fisher, one of the last standing forts during the civil war, where the Confederacy battled against the Federal Army. The Confederates lost and many artifacts have been found and are now displayed at the information center there. A look around the canons, then it was off onto the ferry across the river for lunch in a little town there. We ate at The Pharmacy Restaurant. A tasty lunch, a stroll through the antiques stores then back into the car for the drive home. A big day was coming up tomorrow!!!