Sandy's New Condo - Part 1

I purchased my new condo in September 2010.  It has taken over six months to finalize everything, but I think it was worth the wait.  Let me know what you think.

Everything from the existing unit was gutted and I started from scratch - floor, painting, cabinets, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, closet and furniture.

Kitchen - I have almost floor to ceiling black wood cabinets with stainless pulls.  The appliances are Fisher Paykel, except for the refrigerator which is Kitchen Aide.  The dishwasher is a double drawer model, with cabinet panels covering the drawers.  The faucet is almost three feet high and with the push of a button, it automatically washes everything.

Living Room - The furniture is almost all new.  The TV is a 3D 59" HDTV.  I haven't figured out how to use the 3D part yet.

Dining Room - The dining room table is all glass, and the original one shattered when my bar was being delivered.  But it was replaced and everything is as good as new (see the separate posting to see the bar).

Study - In my old unit, this was the dining room, but the new unit has a wall separating the room from the rest of the unit.  As usual, my desk is a mess.

Bedroom - I was going to use my old bedroom set, but my cousin Sara talked me into buying new.  It really didn't take much convincing.  Everything else in the unit is new, so why not the bedroom.   The dressers are modular and can be staggered anyway you want.  The wall of men is behind my bed.

Loft - There was no way to move my old sleeper couch down from the old loft, so this is my Ikea room.  Everything was super easy to assemble.  This will be my painting loft.  Yes I will get back to painting soon.  The table below was made from leftover granite from my kitchen and two pedestals that I got from Goodwill - probably my first purchase there.

Balcony - The corner balcony has a great view and lots of beautiful flowers.

Master Bath - I expanded the master closet so the master bath is smaller then my old one.  The mirror is lined with the same glass tile that is my kitchen backsplash.

Guest Bath - The table for the sink was made by the same artist who built my bar.  The painting was moved from my old unit.  It covers shelves, which sit on the bathtub.

London - May 11, 2012

On my final day in London, I took the train into town to see what musical I could see in the afternoon.  Most of the matinees are on Thursday in London, but there are some on Wednesday.  There was nothing really exciting at the TKTS booth, so I checked some of the other ticket booths.  I was surprised to get a really cheap seat to Wicked.  I saw it in NYC a few years ago and really liked it, so that's what I'll do this afternoon.

After checking out the restaurant we would have dinner at - Rules, London's oldest restaurant, I decided to walk to the theatre.  I walked along the Thames and got to see all the tourist sites and attractions.

The London Eye

Big Ben and Me

Westminster Abbey

Telephone Booth

The production of Wicked was amazing.  One witch was better then the other.  I have been playing the CD since coming home.  My seat was in the 8th row, just left of center.

Wicked

After the show, I joined Norman and Ann, and their two friends Jon and Manuela.  It was a fantastic meal and a great ending to a beautiful week.

Rules

Rules was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings.

After dinner, Norman and I walked a few miles to work off our food.  We passed this famous building, which survived the Great London Fire of 1666.

Surviving Building from London Fire

The following morning Norman and I headed to the airport.  This was not an adventure to be repeated.  We took the back roads since there was an accident on the motorway.  I think I got to the airport about 40 minutes before my flight was leaving.  I was sure they had already closed the check in counter, but I was the last person to check in.  I rushed to the gate, and enjoyed my business class seat to Miami.



Brighton, England - May 10, 2011

I took a train to Brighton today.  It is on the southern coast of England, about a two hour train ride from Elstree.

First of all, I loved the train station.  This one is even painting material - when I figure out where my paints are.  The lighting was beautiful through the glass ceiling.  I think the pictures in the afternoon were even better.  I've posted four, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

I walked into town and then to the Brighton Pavilion.  I will have to read up on the architecture and why it was built here.

I then went to the Brighton Museum, which had some interesting furniture and clothing exhibits.

Then it was off to the Brighton Pier.  It reminded me of Atlantic City or Coney Island.  There were lots of games to play and rides to enjoy.  Not Disneyworld, but you could probably spend as much on the rides.  The wild mouse was about $4 each ride.

I walked along the beach - no sand, just rocks.  There were people sunbathing, even though it was only 65-70 degrees.  I had fish and chips at a restaurant which was previously used to sell the day's catch.  The waiter was super cute, who cared if the fish was good or bad.

I then went to an art gallery and bought a painting of two London buses.  The artist had just quit his day job about six months ago to concentrate on his art.  I told him I painted and one of the best compliments an artist can receive is when another artist buys his work.

I then walked through The Lanes, with all the upper end shops.  There were a few kitchen shops that I really liked, but passed on the bargains.  I did find a sports clothing shop where I bought a few shirts.  Believe me, there are no bargains in London.

I then walked up and down the shop filled streets, finally ending up at the train station.

The ride home went quickly, and now I'm writing this blog before heading out for Chinese food at The East.  Norman and Ann are at a gallery in London, so I'm on my own.

London - May 6-12, 2011 - Posting One

It has been a long time since I've been overseas. I've spent the last six months working on my new condo. I will post condo pictures and maybe a video when I return to Orlando.

The flight was one of the best one's I've ever had on American Airlines. I can't remember having a fillet mignon perfectly done. There were also three wonderful flight attendants.

Upon arrival I took the Underground to my friends' train station. Unfortunately the first train had severe delays and I had to transfer after an hour. I changed to the Circle Line and then the First Capital Connect from St. Pancras Station. It took around two hours for the entire journey. When I arrived they had removed the pay phones, so I asked a nice lady to use here cell phone - oops, I mean mobile phone. Ann picked me up and I took a short nap.

I walked the property in the afternoon, as you can see from the following pictures. The garden is being planted and the spring flowers are abloom. Ann told me that a peacock had been spotted in the backyard.

That night it was off the The East, my favorite Chinese restaurant in London. The three of us ordered enough for six people, but we finished everything, including my favorite - aromatic crispy duck.

On Saturday I took the train into town to try to get tickets to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musical. Yes I know I just saw it in NYC, but I love the musical. I was very fortunate that I got a ninth row center seat - it must have been a return, and I got it at a discount too. Again I highly recommend seeing the show - either in NYC or London. I can tell you that you will never see hotter men. They all have six packs to die for. Both versions were fantastic, but the actor who played Bernadette in London was amazing. I was sad when it ended.

I returned to Elstree and was greeted by Amber and Mark (Norman and Ann's daughter and future son-in-law). Tonight we were off to meet some friends - Carol and Jeff, who I had met at Alex and Tamsin's wedding three years ago (the son and daughter-in-law). We had Italian food and did not get home until almost 2am. I hope to visit Carol and Jeff when I visit Korea next year.

Oh, I forgot to mention, by now we probably have uncorked six or more bottles of champagne. Norman needs to drive to France to restock the wine cellar.

On Sunday I again returned to the city, this time to see the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of the Wizard of Oz, starring Michael Crawford. The show was fantastic, with amazing staging and special effects. The only disappointment was Michael Crawford as Professor Marvel and The Wizard. He was the least animated character in the show. They wrote about six new songs, and eliminated a few of the originals. Only a few of the new songs were on par with the old ones, in my opinion.

Back at the manor, we left for pizza night. Tonight we were joined by John and Manuela (friends from Switzerland) and Alex and Tamsin. Another night of too much food. I was so tired when we got home, I refused another glass of champagne.

It is now Monday and my day of rest. Tonight I'm making dinner - my famous spaghetti pie. I hope everyone likes it, I'll let you know on the second posting for this trip.