G J Hutton Travel Log

I hope you are well. I am back in London after an extended weekend away. We were in Mallorca ( or Majorca - as it can be written) which is the largest of the Spanish islands in the Mediterranean. We had a great time and caught up on some sun that we have both been severely lacking. We have come back like lobsters and I was asked repeatedly at work yesterday why I looked so embarrassed. The weather was perfect and we didn't see a cloud until the day we left. We ate great seafood and drank excellent Spanish wine. The Med is still very very cold though.

The day before we left we went for a day trip on a train into the mountains which line the west cost of the island to a village called Soller. It was a perfect picturesque village with Olive groves and Orange trees everywhere.

So, now we are back in London, back to the 9-5 grind. Things are noticeably warming up here though, and the work load is quieting down for summer as I have been told it would. It needed to.

Have a great week.

Unas pocas fotos de Mallorca, España

2009-03-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

... he aquí algunas fotos de un largo fin de semana en Mallorca, la isla mas grandes de España. Habrá mucho más por venir.

This time last year...

2009-02-20T10:13:00.001-08:00

...I was leaving Wellington on a jet plane. How the time flies, it feels like only yesterday.

Just a quick note to say I'm thinking of you all this Friday evening.
Our flatmates are making sushi for us tonight then we might head into
Camden Town.

There is nothing very travel related to post at this point. I let it
slip that we are going to Istanbul next month. I'm terrible with
secrets.

Here is a picture from the the 14th of Feb on the lake in Hyde park.

Enjoy you weekend.

Snowy

2009-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

Some Photos from the best snow fall in London for 16 years...

MHG

2009-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

Its been a very busy week here in London this week. Mid week all employees were told that there will be possibly 500 people being made redundant in the coming 6 months. that's quite a chunk out of the 3700 employees that work there. I couldn't help but feel I would be one of the first to go being that I'm here on a 1 year working visa. The thought of that does put a smile on my dial. Life is far to short for water and pipes. Its made me take the job not so seriously (which is what I needed) knowing that there is a chance I could be booted out the door soon.

It has been absolutely freezing here today and Lou and I had to buy clothes when out and about just to keep warm enough to push on. Last night we were out in Camden with Paul. We were feeling every minute of it today. We went back to the Natural History Museum today to look at Dinosaurs after visiting Buckingham Palace. A boring waste of my life.

Lou and I have been having some difficulty in deciding how to fill in the gaps that make up our lives. Holiday gaps that is.

So we are now playing the Mystery Holiday Game. Or MHG.

We will take alternating months to book a surprise extended weekend away for the both of us.

We each get four countries from which we can choose our holidays. ( This was to stop us both booking holidays to Rome etc).

o after a fierce game of paper, scissors, and the rock Lucy got to choose the first of her four countries. She went for the obvious first choice of Tunisia....

So, Lucy's countries are: Tunisia, Greece, Portugal and France

...and mine: Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Iceland.

The first holiday is booked! I have March which is going to be a busy one with my MYSTERY holiday booked for the 27th March to a very very exotic location ( I wont make it till then without letting it slip). we are going to Majorca for 4 days at the start of the month too.

Lucy has April...I think we are going to Tunisia aye Lucy aye?!?!

Have a great week! Love G

...here is a video of some people who were enjoying Buckingham Palace more than I was...

18th of January 2009

2009-01-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon here. Very nice day in London. I'm watching the BBC and Lucy is baking a cake for dinner at Hannah and Troys tonight . Here are some photos from been out and about yesterday. Lucy and I went to the Natural History Museum in the afternoon followed by a delicious chinese meal in Chinatown.

We went to Lucy's friend from Christchurch's birthday afterwards which was at a bar in town.... followed by ice skating at the very surreal venue of Somerset House ( pictured above). I was the bag man and stood in the rain and watch though as my ankle is still wanting to crackle.

Not much else to report. Merry Monday to all.

...from Bruges to Amsterdam

2009-01-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hi. Just thought I would give a quick run down as to whats been happening since Christmas. We had a great time in Bruges which was beautifully chilly. So cold in fact that you couldn't really go outside in the night time no matter how many hats and gloves you wore. Our days were filled wandering the streets, or hobbling in my case due to my very sore ankle. We were staying above what could be described as a very cozy pub if they were to turn the heater up 2-3 more degrees. It was cozy enough to knock back a couple of Leffe blondes by night though with the local flem's and tourists.

Brussels for new years was a bit of a non-event with riot police everywhere due to incredible protests against the Israel bombings. Funnily enough we ended up watching the new year been celebrated in London...

We had a great time in Amsterdam. We were tourists like everyone else. I saw some very impressive Van Gogh's. One that was a painting of sunflowers....

I really liked the city despite the tourist factor. Its got a great energy. Looks like we might be heading back there in a few weeks (Feb 14th) as Lu is hooking up a ballet audition for a company there. I amsterdam.

Been back in the 9-5 grind is a bit tough at the mo with an incredible amount of work to be done. At least I can leave it at work. We are trying to plan a weekend break in the coming month or so, and maybe take a week off in total at Easter time. We are um'n and ah'n between Morocco and Greece. Neither are bad options.

Well, that's about me. Dinner time.

Bruuuuges its cold up here.

2009-01-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

Happy NY and all of that. I hope you are well and healthy after the silly season. I'm back in London as of last night. Its surprisingly great to be back. It has taken a break from London to realise that I have got it pretty good here. Things aren't as grim as I would have you believe. I almost enjoyed work today... Its icy cold here at the moment and I woke up to a semi snow covered street this morning, with snow falling until around 11am. Excellent to be back in our cozy flat. I'm not sure if I mentioned that our flatmates Pete and Jess ( Sth African and French/English) who are actors moved to Sth Africa for summer to work. A few weeks back there house was robbed and Pete was shot at, tied up, then had everything they owned stolen in Capetown. What a story yea.

Its been a cracking Christmas break over here. Jesus has been very kind. Christmas was celebrated with a NZ leg of lamb and a roast. Christmas eve was celebrated with Carona.

To be continued...I'm tired.

A Very Merry Christmas To You All

2008-12-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hi.

I hope you are well. Thought I would give a bit of an update as to what's been going on...

I've been quite the ill the past few days, as has Lucy. I took Monday off work ( just two days into my new contract...not a good look..). Everyone I'm around is a bit fluey at the moment with winter getting into full swing, so its easy to get sick. The weekend got off to a bang with a West Hamstead bender out with Lucy's brother Thomas. I have been feeling ill ever since. It was mohito madness.

On Sunday we had the Wellsie's family Christmas. Which was made up of Hannah and Troy, Lucy and I, Thomas and Jen, and Troys sister Lauren. It was the last weekend before Troy and Hannah go back to NZ for Christmas, and Thomas goes to Spain to start his new rugby contract. Hes going to be playing for a team a couple of hours west of San Sebastian. It was a cracking day despite my illness.

The Saturday prior we went to Biarritz. It could have been anywhere really and we would have been happy just to be out of London for a breath of fresh air. Biarritz would normally not be for either us, but we had a great time. Its a touristy coastal town, and seeing it in winter is not seeing it in its glory really. We really loved the food /wine, and our our french was perfectly fluent -always.

San Sebastian was brilliant. I could become quickly addicted to Tapa bar culture. I think I'm a snacker at heart.

So we are both just counting down the days until our holiday really. We are having Christmas in London as Lucy has to work on the 27th. We then Leave for Bruges (...and if you haven't seen the Colin Farrel movie 'In Bruges',it's definitely a good watch) on the 28th for 3 nights. We will be in Brussels for a couple of nights over New Years, and then onto Amsterdam.

What a time we will have.
What a year it has been.

A very Merry Christmas to you all.
Love G

A Few Snaps

2008-12-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

A few snaps from Biarritz and San Sebastian...

Otekaieke in bright lights

2008-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Who ever would have have thought Google would take the time to come and visit Dr Creek Rd - but they did!

Dad, I thought you might enjoy this. You should check out Roseneath as well. Sarah is parked in the driveway. Classic.

You can scroll around the picture below to see Otekaieke in all its glory. Well, its actually a pretty dreary day.

View Larger Map

Liam Finn

2008-12-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

Wow what a night last night was witnessing a future legend of New Zealand music. Lucy and I got asked along to see Liam Finn at the last minute yesterday. It was a brilliant gig and the songs were still ringing in my head at work today. It was his last week of touring for "I'll be lightening" (a must have album for Chrsitmas) at Scala in Kings Cross.

Quite a sight to see one musician replicate the sound of an entire band with a looping pedal. He is a very clever chap.

I was a wreck today. Im off to grow a beard like Liam.

This is 'Second Chance' by Liam.

Out and About in Camden Town This Morning

2008-11-30T06:32:00.000-08:00

I Will Possess Your Heart

2008-11-29T05:54:00.000-08:00

Brilliant. I love the slices of Cambodia here and there.

Good News.

2008-11-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

Good News, I've been offered a permanent contract with Thames Water. I'm pretty lucky when it looks like only me and possibly 2 others out of the 10 people that started together will be offered roles.

Funnily enough we are Kiwis and Oz'ers.

So the possiblity of being sponsored at the end of my 2 year visa is looking more realistic....but that is a long way off. They were a bit hesitant with my visa being a working holiday, but I got the all clear on Friday. Its quite a relief.

More good news, I got my leave confirmed today for France next Saturday week! Its a big weight off my mind and I cant wait to get out of London for a few days. Ive also been granted leave for Christmas time.

Its been a bit of a boozy weekend here in London. We went out and watch the footy with Troy and Hannah on Saturday night....at the Speights ale house near Trafalgar square. Goodnight had by all, apart from Lucy who now has tonsilitis.

I met up with Will Murry( old Kakanui school mate) and Isaac Newbury on Sunday for a few rounds at the London Bridge. Isaac left for France today before flying to Colorado to go snowboarding with Josiah for a few months.

Sad to see him go.

Love g

Show Slides

2008-11-15T02:42:00.001-08:00

Isaac

2008-11-13T10:39:00.001-08:00

Isaac has arrived in London from Paris. Hes here for a couple of weeks before heading back to France to go rock climbing and camping in the south.

We caught up lastnight in West Hamstead and had a blast talking about the glory years. I learnt today that it is is impossible to do my job with a hangover. Its been a very very tough day.

GREAT to see Isaac. He's the first Oamaruvian I have seen since I left.

Here a few pictures from the evening....and here is the album below...

Isaac

The Albert with Tom and Jen

2008-11-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

It is Tuesday evening here and I am tucked up in bed after a long day at Thames.

We met up with Tom and Jen on Sunday for Lunch and ended up spending the afternoon and early evening parked up in the The Albert (pictured here amongst the skyrises) in Westminster drinking Guiness, cider and the occasional beer.

It is quite possibly the coziest pub I have ever experienced and with the terrential rain outside and the wiping London wind, it was a much better way to spend a lazy Sundy afternoon.

...so yesterday turned into a sick day for both of us. Thats not to say we were leglessly incoherent the night before - we just thought we were deserving of a sleep in on Monday morning.

Not much to report asides from that...I expect to be carving up the streets of Camden with a Mr I Newbury sometime very soon. It will be most enjoyabe.

Enjoy your week.

A New Addition to the Hutton Family...

2008-11-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Prudence and Michael had there third child. There 3rd boy by the name of Cooper.

I love the name and it has a real homely Otago feel about it.

Its a shame Im not there to greet the new family member.

Not much to report here. Lucy is at Work ( on a Saturday...) but I think we are going to meet up soon and watch the AB's at work in Scotland.

The tickets are booked for Christmas and we train to Bruges on the 28th, and fly back from Amsterdam on the 4th of Jan.

I hope to be posting some new videos in the coming months, and years maybe. You can view them here, or on the Youtube channel.

Enjoy your weekend ....but shame on those that brought Roger Douglas and the extreme right into power.

A picture of a very attractive Oscar. Courtesy of Layton Robertson.