Another sunny afternoon in the garden

With our current hot weather still in place, Siv and I were back out in the garden this afternoon, where we were visited by the Woodpecker (I think I've posted enough of him!), as well as a pair of Songthrushes.

We've also been busy doing things in the garden, Siv's been planting lots of small plants in pots, and painted some wicker baskets and hanging baskets to give them a new lease of life. Also you can see the new step outside the Summer House with some pots, so its not such a drop coming out!

Hot Sunday in the Garden

It was the hottest day of the year today...30c! So Siv and I were in the garden. We started off making a step out of decking boards for the Summer House. Then relaxed in the garden watching all of the garden guests pass through, including a bedraggled looking bluetit, a robin and the Woodpecker (again!).

This Bluetit didn't seem to have all of his feathers yet!

The robin having a dust bath!

Woodpecker from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Sunny Saturday in Greenwich

Siv and I went down to Greenwich to get our hair cut. On the way back, we stopped off for lunch in Greenwich, having walked through the park. The train ride back took us past Canary Wharf. Back home in the Garden, our new visitor the Woodpecker turned up again!

In the evening, the weather was still very nice, so we sat out in the Summer House until quite late.

The longest day....

Its the longest day of the year, and Summer finally seems to have arrived with some warmer temperatures. Siv and I were able to do a bit of gardening in the evening, and we were visited by this Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Work trip to Oslo

I was in Oslo with Luke, Bernard, Patrick and Rune for a couple of days' of meetings. We all stayed at the Thon Terminus hotel, which was very central. On the Monday night we had dinner at the Big Horn Steak House at Aker Brygge, after which we watched some of the World Cup game between Italy and Paraguay out in a fan park set up for the world cup...it was a bit chilly! We watched the second half at The Dubliner, before a few of us made it to the Express Pub near the station for a bit of karaoke!

The view from the room at the Thon TerminusFeeling chilly watching the football!
Rock 'n' Roll!!
A panoramic shot of the meeting room

World Cup football fan park in Oslo from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Trip to Ely

We went to Ely, to see Caroline, Andy, Francesca and Scarlett (and Daisy!). We had a relaxing time, and on Saturday we had afternoon tea down by the river at Peacock's tearoom. Unfortunately we had to leave a little prematurely as I had to get a Sunday afternoon flight to Oslo for meetings on Monday.

Evening at Paul and Anne's

We had a very pleasant evening at Paul and Anne's with Fi and Grae as well there. Lots of chatting until the early hours!

Barcelona - Mercat de la Boqueria

We got up early Monday to have an early 'Churchill' breakfast at Bar Lobo, and on the way back to the hotel passed through the impressive Mercat de la Boqueria, the large covered market in the centre of Barcelona. you can see from the photos what an impressive sight it is. We stopped for a quick coffee in the Placa del Pi near the hotel before doing our final packing and heading off to the airport.

Barcelona June 2010 - Mercat de la Boqueria from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Barcelona - Corpus Christi celebrations

After a trip back to the hotel, we headed out on the metro to The Sagrada Familia church, and its world famous architecture. We headed back to the hotel only to bump into a large Corpus Christi procession taking place by our hotel with large models and lots of music. We finally had a quick drink in a square near the gothic quarter before finishing up for the day.

Barcelona June 2010 - Corpus Cristi from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Barcelona - Trip to Tibidabo

On Sunday, the weather wasn't too good, but we headed up to Tibidabo to get the spectacular views. This required a train journey, a funicular ride followed by a bus to get to the top of the mountain! Once up there, it was worth it, as the views are amazing. We even went up the lift in the church to get even better views, though it was only me that took the spiral staircase up to the feet of Jesus at the very top. We then headed back into town and had lunch at a small restaurant, Rincon de Aragon, where Mum and Dad got HUGE desserts!

Barcelona June 2010 - Tibidabo from martin clinton on Vimeo.