London Expat | Singaporean in London

Secret Cinema - is it worth your time?

2013-05-22T23:34:00.000+01:00

Making babies

"Tell no one" says the email confirmation from Secret Cinema. We didn't know the location until a few days before the event. We weren't told the movie that would be played. Curiously, everyone who turned up were encouraged to take photos and video clips, and post them on social media on the spot. I guess publicity trumps secrecy at the end of the day.

After booking a matinee show on a weekend only to have it cancelled "due to licensing issues", we were given an exchange of tickets for only sessions that ends late into the night. We decided to go for that anyway, got a babysitter and ended up paying her cab fare after that - travel to that remote location takes around 90 min one way. After all, everyone who has been to Secret Cinema's earlier sessions say that we should try it at least once.

It started off badly

It didn't started well. We were halfway there when I realised that we were supposed to bring along certain items. We made a frantic search for them amongst the few shops still opened on a late Sunday afternoon. While queuing in one of the five entrances, I noticed that there was a mention of a pen on the ticket. A quick dash to the Tesco Metro resolved that - its security guard lent me his.

The it became apparent that there was a dress code. Everyone was in formal office wear. The men came decked in suits and ties, and the women in high heels with some sporting one of those Ascot hats. Me? I was in a sweater and jeans. I don't suppose Tesco Metro stock suits, do they?

Anyway, Wife went in through a seperate entrance. That didn't matter because everyone whipped out their mobile phones the chance they have to link up within the building.

And the experience begins...

Depending on how we responded to an earlier survey, we were allocated to different details and given different tasks. In a way, the entire thing was well thought out with different rooms, corners and activities depicting particular scenes on the movie that would be shown later.

The baby making factory

Make way for the dancers!

We went into the dark room and this despairing scene greeted us

Chat with the machine, shout out your order and drop your money in

The entire setup looked like a more coordinated freshman orientation with a theme run very motivated people. Throughout the entire session, there were people dressed up as characters in the movie performing antics to drum up the atmosphere. There were two women catfighting (apparently over a man) and a few others trying to break them up, "security" staff patrolling, men in suits running down the hallways, a man in his boxers surrounded by shreds of paper lamenting his loss, just to name a few. There were a number of interactive activities as well. One of which saw two actors acting out your dreams (which you had written down on a slip of paper), whatever they might be.

Some scenes were even hidden from plain view. I chanced upon a few people dressed in hazard suits playing volleyball (a fleeting scene in the movie) behind a door that said "Do Not Open". Halfway through my exploration, I was "arrested" by a security personnel in riot gear and was black bagged only to be paraded through the entire building and finally released on the 10th floor because of mistaken identity.

Is it all worth it? Well...

If you are looking for a slick setup for the £43.50 ticket you bought, you'd be in for a huge disappointment. Your experience would vary from the next person and depends on your willingness to participate. Wife had her nails painted in the process while I sat through a vulva sale (seriously!) after a shoulder massage. It came to the point where the movie didn't matter anymore.

Everything cost though. I would have thought at least the first round of drinks was free. Nope, even the popcorn went for £2 per bag. And if you fancy a soft drink from the talking vending machine, that would be £1.50.

Rowing a boat in Victoria Park - things to do in London on a sunny day

2013-05-02T06:57:00.001+01:00

The sun is finally out after proving elusive for the longest of time. Nope, it's still not the time to whip off your shirt and lie down on the grass to that much needed tan yet but sun is a relief despite interrupted by foreboding clouds swept across it by gusts of winds.

The sun might even persuade some of us to get step out and head to the parks. The small patch at Islington Green in the heart of Angel was so crowded over the weekend that finding a spot to settle down was just impossible.

For the rest of us in East London, hanging out at Victoria Park sounds like a good proposition. You might even rent a row boat at the West Boating Lake in the 86 hectares park running alongside Regent's Canal. And that was exactly what I was up to over the weekend.

The lake lies just west of Grove Road, which is the only road that cuts through the park, you can't really miss that. You get a choice of having a pedal boat or a row boat - both at £10.50 each for 30min.

Being thoroughly confident of my prowess at rowing, I opted a row boat. Wife was relieved too as there was someone else to blame if we ended up spinning around in the middle of the lake, not to mention that someone would have to hang on to LO should she decides to take a dive.

Why Victoria Park is better than Hyde Park when it comes to rowing

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you prefer a huge expanse of clear water, Hyde Park's Serpentine's Lake is for you; only one small island stands in your way. Victoria Park's West Boating Lake though smaller, boosts two small islands and two bridges. If you, like me, prefers the challenge of manoeuvring through tight water passages while vying for space with ducks and geese, look no further.

Not to mention that it's cheaper too. The last time I was rowing a boat at Hyde Park, we were charged on a per person basis.

As I struggled with the oars trying desperately not to drop them into the water, it all came back to me. What to do and what to avoid when rowing a boat, all the experience that I have acquired from my, wait for it, grand total of three times in a row boat, rushed back in an instant.

Well, just a few things to keep in mind when you are steering a row boat.

Tips on rowing a boat

1) Keep a low profile at all times
Maintaining a low centre of gravity is key. If you have to move around on the boat, keep your knees bent and stay low. Ditto when you are yelling for help. Or you'll find yourself in the water.

2) Face the correct way
If you are rowing alone with two oars, face the back of the boat. If there's no one guiding you, make sure you check where you are heading.

If you have a rowing buddy, each handling an oar, face the front instead, preferably with your master hand closer to the water. In other words, if you are right-handed, sit on the right of the boat.

3) Position your oar
When rowing, make sure your the flat part of your oar is perpendicular to the water surface. Also make sure you stick the entire flat area into the water. If you are not doing both, you are merely wasting your energy.

4) Turning the boat
Assuming you are the lone rower (see above), pedal your left oar and leave your right oar off the water to turn boat to its left. The opposite is true too.

To to a tight left turn, pedal your left oar but stick your right oar in a stationery position into the water. It's a bit tricky so you might want to practice this in open water.

5) Stopping the boat
If you lift both oars up, the boat will eventually come to a stop. I'd much prefer to be a bit more proactive. Still both oars into the water instead.

For emergency stops, pedal in the opposite direction but take care not to overdo it as the boat would just go the opposite way.

Where to get a bite

Just beside the lake is a family friendly cafe - Victoria Park Pavilion, complete with an interior naturally lit by a skylight and waterside benches. Using fresh locally sourced produce, it serves all day breakfasts and lunch from noon. They do a mean egg Florentine.

How to get to Victoria Park

Buses 277 and 425 serves Grove Road, which cuts through the park. The nearest Overground station is Hackney Wick (Zone 2), nearest Underground station is Bethnal Green on the Central Line (Zone 2), nearest train station is Cambridge Heath.

Or if you have some time, take a stroll along Regent's Canal - it's a 15min stroll from Broadway Market.

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The Pump House Cafe (Regents Canal) - just in time for the sunny weather

2013-04-16T07:32:00.000+01:00

The Pump House Cafe
Address: City Road Basin, Regents Canal
London N1 8PZ
Phone: 07883 168376
Opening hours: Mon - Sun (8am - 4pm)
Nearest Tube station: Angel
Londoners are easily contented. Just give them a bit of sunshine after a long spell of gloomy weather and they would be out in open with silly grins on their faces.

That was exactly what happened last Sunday when there was brilliant sunshine over London. We took a walk along Regents Canal towards Angel and the stretch between Wharf Road and Danbury Street felt positively festive with folks sporting sunglasses and flipflops (I kid you not) sitting by the canal, legs dangling over the water, watching the riverboats work their way up the canal lock.

In fact, all we needed was a nice cup of tea and I was telling Wife if only the makeshift cafe in one of the riverboats was there. Then we sported The Pump House Cafe.

Pump House Cafe has just opened up right next to the only canal lock between Danbury Street and Wharf Road. The week old cafe still smells of paint when we stepped in. Three small tables set up outside were quickly snapped up. Two windows within let in some sunshine that flushed the interior with natural light. The perfect setting for spring time's sunny weather with intermittent blustery winds.

The dinosaur cookie - kids will love this for sure

There was a steady stream of people coming in for a cuppa while we were there. For kids, they even do a dinosaur cookie. Now, that's something I've never seen before and LO was quite taken with it. Well, if she's happy, I'm too.

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The Top Art Exhibitions In London of 2013

2013-04-15T06:59:00.000+01:00

London is home to many top art exhibition - photo by otocalpre

This piece is by Lloyd Greenall.

London is one of the most visited cities in the world, and from its amazing culture to the vast historical monuments and architecture, it’s no wonder why millions of tourists travel here each year. Whether you’re coming to London for a business trip, or you’re planning to stay a little longer with your family, there are plenty of things to keep you entertained, and even more ways to get around the capital.

During the summer months, London can get pretty busy with tourists, not only because it’s one of the most popular places to experience in Europe, but also because of its vast entertainment districts and historical museums. From London Bridge and the Houses of Parliament to the Eye and the Millennium Dome, visitors will be able to benefit from spectacular sights in all corners of the city, each as easy to find as your nearest tube station or taxi cab.

One of the biggest reasons why tourists flock to London, however, is because of the fantastic art collections housed in the city. 2012 was a great year for London, most notably because of the Olympic Games. But art aficionados also took centre stage in the city, making London a hub for famous paintings and upcoming artists from all over the world. Let’s take a look at some of the best exhibitions in 2013.

Manet at the Royal Academy – Portraying Life

As one of the original founders of the impressionist movement, Manet was one of the leading artists of his era. Although many people confuse the painter Manet with the world famous artist Monet, there can be no confusion when it comes to his work, whether you’re a causal gallery visitor or a professional art dealer. Featuring over 60 of Manet’s finest works, visitors will be able to see how this great artist’s paintings influenced exhibition life in Paris during his heyday, and how they portrayed the people’s daily lives.

The Light Show at the Hayward Gallery

Hayward Gallery’s Light Show was previously been used to create some of the most innovative and dynamic artworks in London. This year however, expectations have been raised even higher, with mirrors and a variety of glassworks being introduced to the new show. From the 30th January to the 28th April, make sure you get down to the London Hayward Gallery to experience the latest light show to rock the capital.

The British Museum’s Ice Age Art

Art has been around for as long as man has, and it has also evolved from the lowest forms of humanity to the master collections we see today. Based on the famous Lascaux cave paintings, this exhibition from the British Museum shines light on prehistoric artwork, with portraits, sculptures and drawings from over 40,000 years ago.

George Bellows at the Royal Academy

Best known for his love of boxing, and the artwork that was influenced by the sport, George Bellow was an American realist, and a world famous artist. Sadly, Bellows died at the age of 42, however he left behind hundreds of pieces of art, with 90 of them making up this exquisite exhibition at the Royal Academy.

Lloyd is a freelance writer, who is currently documenting his travel experiences and thoughts on the cultures he encounters along the way. He writes for various blogs as well as his own personal website.

London Science Museum - where to bring your kid on a rainy day

2013-04-12T23:55:00.000+01:00

The odd shaped bubble - only at Science Museum

London Science Museum
Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington
London SW7 2DD
Nearest Tube station: South Kensington
It seems London's entire toddler population has descended in that basement. The screamers with half of the capital's very pregnant mothers are chasing their young ones together with their very exasperated looking fathers.

There is a small area on the corner demarcated as a cafe. That is for families who are fortunate enough to get a table and they are mostly likely to camp there the entire day while the kids run amok. For the rest, they can take a break on the steps just beside the cafe. But of course, they will have to contend with the hoards of school children tucking into their lunchboxes.

If you have not guessed already, I'm talking about London Science Museum. It's a museum, not a mere "centre" mind you for the entire place is stocked with historical artefacts that were hailed as wonders of science during their time. LO was transfixed at the huge steam engine chunking along in its main hall for quite awhile the last time we were there.

But what she really loves is "The Garden", a play area in the basement towards the back of the Science Museum. It baffles me till no end why they call it the Garden for there is not a shred of grass or greenery. The walls might have been painted green but that is the last thing in your mind when you let loose your kid into the area.

The water contraption within is a kid's dream come true. Water flows down from a huge tank through a series of channels and water gates spinning water wheels in the process. Throw in some multi-coloured plastic boats and you have a winner.

In the unlikely event that your kid is bored, there is a miniature playground just beside. Small sandbags can be pulled up from a pulley system (just the thing you'd expect in a Science museum) only to be chucked down through a tube at the other end.

If you can't tear your little ones from the Garden, fear not. There is a twenty minute bubble show at half hour intervals just down the corridor. The chance to poke at some very fancy bubbles would persuade even the most persistent kid.

You can easily spend the entire afternoon in that seemingly small area within the Science Museum. We haven't even touched on the flight simulator, IMAX theatre and the main exhibition area. Guess what? If the kids need more entertainment, the Natural History Museum's dinosaurs next door beckons.

Where do you bring your kids in London on a wet and gloomy day?

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Golden Gate Dessert House - the Chinese dessert shop of a bygone era is up for sale

2013-04-02T09:19:00.000+01:00

Golden Gate Dessert House - possibly the only place selling peanut and sesame paste

Golden Gate Dessert House
Address: 110 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 5EJ
Phone: 020 7494 3840
Nearest Overground station: Leicester Square
It didn't take me long to realise that the Chinese restaurants in London don't do desserts very well if at all. In fact, horrors of horrors, some feature only ice-cream on their dessert menu. Warm desserts, almost unheard of, even in the chilly London weather.

That was how I ended up at Golden Gate Dessert House back then. It's the only place that I know of in central London, which serves pipping hot peanut and sesame paste - my absolute favourites after Dad brought me to his childhood haunt at Old Airport Road back home. Golden Gate Dessert House has since become the default dessert place that I'll end up in whenever I'm in the vicinity.

Cream cakes and buns

To me, food is all about nostalgia and Golden Gate Dessert's fare is no different. Its rows of cake displays reminded me of the tacky cream cakes that I used to enjoy at birthday parties as a kid. I have a penchant for red coloured cream trimmings, never mind that the creams all tasted the same and it's just colour additives. There was always the thing about who gets to have the plasticky flower perched on the birthday cake.

Chocolate cake (aka Mr Strawberry)

LO loves the chocolate cake at Golden Gate Dessert House. She calls it "Mr Strawberry" for obvious reasons. Me? I'm content with a charsiew bun. They now serve "gong zai mian" (instant noodles). It's going for £3 with an egg (sunny side up). The thin noodles is inferior to the more springy ones at Jen Cafe just round the bend but if you're just looking for a warm snack, why not?

Golden Gate Dessert House is up for sale

There is a sign outside Golden Gate Dessert House saying that it's up for sale. I'm just clinging to the hope that the shop will retain its character after the sale. Where else can I get my peanut paste? If you've haven't been there, go now! Who knows? This quaint Chinese dessert shop might not be there for long.

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Hoxton Street Bakery - this quirky artisan bakery is ready for business

2013-03-27T02:08:00.000Z

Barista Tom (left) with owner Matt

Hoxton Street Bakery
Address: 238 Hoxton Street, Shoreditch
London N1 5LX
Phone: 020 7729 7414
Nearest Overground station: Hoxton, Haggerston
Hoxton Street Market is the typical market street in East London. The entire stretch is dominated by two chain stores - Iceland and PoundLand, dotted with a couple of makeshift stalls that spring up during the weekends and more than its fair share of small confectionaries and diners. It's a very functional working street that has its launderette, tailoring shop, butchery and even a library and post office to boot.

The high street stores haven't invade the area. Probably not worth their effort, at least not yet. The fanciest places along Hoxton Street Market is probably Bacchus Pub & Kitchen. Forget about Ginger Pig Cafe, it bears no affiliation to Ginger Pig and it's at best an overpriced diner.

Now, that's not to bad thing at all for it means that rents are still affordable and you can still get the likes of F. Cooke (yep, the eel shop from Broadway Market).

Hoxton Street Bakery just sets up shop opposite St. Anne's Church a week ago. Instead of vying for the 25p gingerbread man market, it sells freshly made artisan bread and pastries. There's even a nice coffee machine that churns out lattes and mochas at £2 per pop.

Tom, the affable barista told me that they open from 7.45am till 4pm everyday other than Mondays. Then again, that's subject to change depending on how fast their almond croissants are flying off the shelves.

Almond croissant at Hoxton Street Bakery - a bit rough on the edges but tastes better than it looks

Chocolate cake - dense and rich

Talking about their almond croissants, they are actually rather good. They're not exactly Ottolenghi's but at nearly half the price (£2), it's much less heavy on the stomach. The chocolate cake is brilliant too. Rich, dense and slightly moist.

If you are in the area, do check them out. Look out for the shop with the odd looking dark red and black curtains. And the single word "Bakery" on its front.

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Emma's Elephant - Author David Seow at Daunt Books

2013-03-25T21:44:00.000Z

Duchess of Cambridge during the visit to Singapore holding onto Blow a Kiss

With a toddler at home, I always appreciate gifts of books instead toys that would just end up in the toy heap at the end of the day. Thankfully, that's not something short of in the UK with the likes of Julia Donaldson and Tony Ross around. LO can easily last an entire afternoon with the stack of Ross' Little Princess she has on her little shelf.

So I was pleasantly surprised when a pal back home passed me Blow A Kiss by David Seow. The book recounts the heartwarming journey of a kiss blown by a little girl just before she is tucked in for the night.

Interestingly, LO was quite taken to Blow A Kiss and she insisted that I read that to her as her bedtime story for a two weeks' stretch. We acted out the kiss' entire journey on one night, named all the items on the pages on another. I did spend some time explaining to her what exactly a Merlion is. She learnt how to count when the single kiss sprouted into several more and would recognise a dolphin by sight all thanks the that book. It's funny how much joy kids can derive from a good book.

Apparently, the same book was presented to Duchess of Cambridge during her recent visit to Singapore by the Seow's mother. You can actually see her holding a copy of that in the picture above.

Well, I've just got the news that Seow will be coming down to London to promote his new book Emma's Elephant.

Along with other Singaporean authors, Alvin Pang and Colin Cheong, he will be at Daunt Books (Chelsea) on 16th Apr (Tuesday) at 7pm.

Seats are limited so book your free ticket by call Daunt Books at 020 7373 4997. Just ask about "An evening with Singaporean Literature".

Savings Jargon in the UK

2013-03-22T18:00:00.000Z

Choosing a savings account need not be a headache

April is an anxious time for banks and building societies. This is also when millions of savers in the UK shop around for a good ISA (Individual Savings Account) before the start of the next fiscal year to shelter their savings from the taxman. We are inundated with advertisements on the best saving accounts ever single day in the media and bombarded with jagons like AER, tracker, fixed and variable rates.

For most of us, it's still quite a bit to take it. I've listed some of the terms used in savings and what they actually mean. Please bear with me here for some of the terms below can be rather basic for those in the know. Please feel free to add to the list in the comments section if I'm missing any.

Interest

The main point of keeping your money in the bank (or building society for that matter) is simply because they'll be safer there compared to under your pillow. It's a win-win situation between you and the bank - your money is safe and you have reasonable access to it, the bank can use your money to earn more money through investments and lending to others.

As a bonus, your bank pays you part of the profit that it makes, usually through interest payments. This payments can be made either on a monthly, quarterly or annually basis.

Interest rates are often quoted in AER while gross and net rates are sometimes included in the description.

AER

This refers to Annual Equivalent Rate. It assumes that interest would be added to the original sum and then compounded for a year. In other words, if your account pays interest monthly, AER's calculation will add first month's interest into the original sum before calculating the second month's interest and so on. Due to this, AER is the actual interest before tax (more on that later) that you will get.

Gross rate

This is the rate that you will be paid each term, annualised. For instance, if the annual gross rate for a savings account that pays you a monthly interest rate is 12%, you essentially gets paid 1% interest per month. If an account with quarterly interest is paying 2% per annum, you'll get paid 0.5% per quarter. It doesn't take interest compounding into account.

That said, for those accounts paying out interest annually, AER = Gross rate. Like AER, gross rate doesn't take taxes into account too. Regardless, using the AER rate for comparing which accounts is more appropriate.

Net rate

This is net of tax that is currently at 20% (for basic rate taxpayer) or 40% (for high rate taxpayer) and it is deducted at source. That is unless your income is lower than the individual tax free allowance (£8,105 for those under 65 for fiscal year 2012/2013)

Fixed rate

The agreed rate for a specified term. It's usually used together with one of the above described rate. For instance, a "AER of 2%, fixed for 18 months" means that an AER of 2% is agreed upon between you and the bank for a period of 18 months.

In return for a higher interest rate, there is usually a penalty if you wish to draw out the money in advance from fixed rate saving accounts, typically some or all interest will have to be forfeited.

For those who can afford to lock up some cash over a period, you can consider setting up a fixed rate bond instead. In return for higher interest, your money is locked in for a specified period of time.

Variable rate

As opposed to a savings account that offers fixed rates, most savings accounts offer variable rates depending on the competitiveness of the bank you are with. While the bank can unilaterally change the interest rate, your money is not locked in for a fixed period of time

Tracker rate

There is some confusion between tracker and variable accounts. Unlike a variable account that derives its interest rate through the banks' algorithm, a tracker account's interest tracks an index or some benchmark.

For instance, an account that tracks Bank of England's (BOE) base rate (currently at an all time low of 0.5%) can offer 2% plus BOE's rate - that is a total of 2.5%. This is usually for a fixed period of time. Should BOE's rate increases to 1% within this period, you'll get 3% (2% + 1%) instead.

Inflation

Why is this craze over interest rates? Well, to beat the inflation of course! When I arrived in London in the summer of 2007, a pint of organic whole milk was going for 45p. The same pint is now going for 58p. That's a whopping 4.2% increase annually. In other words, if that inflation rate is applied to an item that cost £10 today, it'll be £10.42 next year and £10.86 the next.

That is the reason behind the obsession behind looking for an interest rate "that will beat inflation". As long as the interest rates (after tax) beats inflation rate, you'll be better off. Else, your money will just worth lesser by the day.

Nominal

Huh? Lesser by the day? Surely not? Well, the nominal value of your money remain the same. If you have placed your £100 into an account that pays no interest for a year, you will still have that £100 at the end of the day. That £100 is your "nominal" value.

Real

That's not the end of the story. We have discussed about inflation. What we are really concern about is the "real" value of your money. If inflation is 4% per year, your £100 would be worth around £96 by the end of next year. £96 would be the "real" value even if the "nominal" value remains as £100.

On the same note, if you have placed that £100 into a savings account that gives you 1%, you will still lose 3% of its real value after a 4% inflation. Now you know why there are folks out on strike even though they are given a pay raise - the raise just isn't enough to overcome inflation. As a result, their real salaries are shrinking.

Consumer Price Index

How do we measure inflation? We do it by tracking how everyday items cost. Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the price increases (or decreases) of a pre-selected basket of 600 items on a monthly basis.

The Bank of England sets itself a target of 2% for CPI and its Governor has to write an open letter to the Chancellor if it deviates by more than 1% from this target.

Retail Price Index

Retail Price Index (RPI) used to be the official inflation index before CPI replaces it. Unlike CPI, it includes costs of housing (council tax, mortgage interest payments etc.).

Tax

Being the other thing that is certain in life, we are obsessed about the taxes we pay. Few things irks us more than having our interests whittled away by inflation and taxes. If it helps, taxes for savings accounts are deducted at source so you probably don't feel it that much.

Tax rate

Interest income tax rate depends on whether you are a basic or high rate taxpayer. If your income is between £2,710 and £34,370 per year, your interest will be taxed at 20%. If your income is between £34,370 and £150,000, it'll be 40%. If you earn more than £150,000, it'll be 50%.

ISA

The good news is that each of us can avoid paying tax on interest income by opening up an ISA (Individual Savings Account). For the new fiscal year (2013/2014) we can put away £5,760 in a cash ISA without having to pay any taxes. That amount can be be rolled over to another ISA account when the personal allowance is renewed.

Again, the same terms used for a normal savings rate applies to a cash ISA. Some ISA accounts offer fixed rate interest for a more than a year when your money is locked in while others offer a fixed rate interest for a year and then revert to a much lower rate after that.

Here are some terms that you'd come across when deciding which savings accounts that you should squirrel your cash. What else do you look at when choosing a savings account?

The Audience (Gielgud Theatre) - all hail Queen Mirren!

2013-03-13T22:25:00.002Z

The Audience
Till 15 June 2013
Address: Gielgud Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 6AR
Phone: 0844 482 5130 (24hrs)
Nearest Tube station:
Piccadilly Circus
Leicester Square
Her "dirty dozen", she calls them. The first scene sees her having an audience with John Major (Paul Ritter) her ninth Prime Minister. Totally unlike her public demeanour, the session between the Queen and Major is surprising candid with the latter pouring out his heart to Her Majesty. The setting would not have looked out of place in a psychiatrist's office when the Queen discreetly offers her PM a napkin when he lamented that he has only 3 O-levels and feels totally out of his league with his peers. The Queen consoles him by saying that she, in turn, has none.

The weekly audiences between the Queen and her PM stem from her right to be consulted, right to advise and warn. The sessions are not carved into the Constitution, but rather as a courtesy extended by the PM to the Queen.

These sessions are held with no one else present and no minutes were taken. Peter Gordon could only imagined the relationships between the Queen and her Prime Ministers from Churchill (Edward Fox) in the fifties to Cameron (Rufus Wright) in the present day. He indulges us in our natural curiosity of being a fly on the wall when the most powerful men meet the most influential woman in Britain.

No one would know what actually transpired during those meetings other than the two present. But what really matters is that Morgan made the characters entirely believable. It turns out that they are fallible - from the almighty Churchill (who had ran low on the nation's goodwill to the fiery Thatcher (Haydn Gwynne) and Cameron who almost seems lightweight in comparison.

The star in the how is no doubt Helen Mirren who triumphs again at the reprise of the role of the Queen. She appears on the stage at almost every scene and switches effortlessly from a confident woman to an unsure young regent and back again with a few clever costume changes, play of lights and subtle changes in voice tones, all without stepping off the stage.

Other than displaying her witty yet disarming charm during her audiences, her loneliness and despair being the head of the Monarchy was equally apparent. You could certainly feel her anguish when Major suggested that she decommission Britannia.

Look no further for a show that epitomises the bedrock of Britain. If you were to catch only one show this year, let it be The Audience.

The Audience is on a limited run at Gielgud Theatre till 15 June 2013. Stall seats have all but ran out. The seats at Grand Circle are inclined at a rather steep angle and the safety railing is a real bother. There are a few of those left. Your best bet would be Dress Circle seats, which afford a decent view. There is only a handful left so grab them fast. Book your tickets from The Audience Official Website.

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My love affair with a 150 year old dame - the love hate relationship between Londoners and the Tube

2013-03-10T21:52:00.002Z

Rushing through the London Underground

The rocky relationship with the Tube didn't start off on a good note to say the least. Creaking and screeching through the decade old tunnels with flickering lights and newspapers a strewn didn't exactly create a good first impression. At a princely sum of £1.50 back then for the privilege, it was highway robbery.

Fast forward a few years, two free newspapers - London Lite and The London Paper, now defunct, littering problem in the Tube's train carriages has improved. Even though Evening Standard now becomes free, it is more substantial in news and it normally lasts beyond a mere Tube journey. On the flipside, the Tube fare across has increased to £1.90 in central London.

Like many Londoners, a ride on the Tube has become part of my daily routine. I began to seek out the path of least resistance to my destination with the least effort - which exits to take where the crowd is at its thinnest, where to stand on the platform so that train doors open right beside me, the best standing spot in the cabin that will allow me to spread my newspaper. The list just goes on.

I guess there will always be this love hate relationship between Londoners and the Tube, which may sound peculiar to visitors. But there are good reasons for this.

From the open air carriages hardly bigger than coal cars, the Tube has come a long way

The human touch

There is widespread support for Boris' driverless trains when Tube drivers went on strike on Boxing Day last year, their third in as many years.

But I would dread to have the drivers replaced by soulless machines. Just the other day, the driver chuckled and announced that the train would stop temporarily at the middle of Bank's station platform as "a staff is trying to retrieve something from the track". I was trying to imagine what landed onto the tracks. Looking at the others' amused expressions, I wasn't alone.

The "Old Street station lady" is my favourite. There used to be a lady who manned the northbound platform Northern Line at Old Street station who never failed to put a smile on my face with her chirpy announcements whenever I was heading home. She's not there anymore though and is replaced by a chap who would rather be elsewhere.

Lean on me

Installing elevators and escalators were apparently not on the planners mind when the Tube stations were built, especially those ageing ones. But countless of people manage to negotiate the often treacherous staircases, often with the help of fellow passengers. I literally have to fend off good Samaritans whenever I'm out with a buggy - simply because that is really the only exercise I get these days.

After awhile, you tend to be on a lookout for fellow passengers who need a hand. You can't help it, it's almost contagious.

Internet free

Virgin is now giving its customers wifi access in the underground Tube stations. It's a double edged sword if you ask me - access to the Internet is simply a distraction and adds on to the information overload that hits us the moment we are "online".

For those who are fortunate enough not to be with Virgin, the choice to go online is taken out of our hands. We get to devote sometime to our Kindles, novels and newspapers. Or spend our journey in quiet contemplation.

Not too crowded. Serious.

The common grouse is that the Tube is overloaded during peak hours. Seriously? Well, I've not had to wait for more than two consecutive trains to board even at the busiest times in central London. Even at Canary Wharf where the queues look horrendously long clears up pretty fast if you stick to the same line. There's an unspoken rule about forming a line and that works well. Fine, there was once I waited till the third train but only because a joker decided to move his entire life's possessions via Tube.

No matter how bad it is, I'd somehow manage to squeeze in and find space to carry on my reading albeit in a manner that a contortionist would be proud of. Thank goodness I've not had a "face to face" encounter, yet.

There, I did my bit. Hopefully the Tube will still be around in another 150 years. That will be another story altogether.

Manet: Protraying Life (Royal Academy of Arts) - could do with a bit of perspective

2013-03-02T23:30:00.001Z

Manet - Portraying Life (Royal Academy of Arts) (photo by Allan Harris)

Manet: Portraying Life
Till 14 April 2013
Address: Main Galleries
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD
Phone: 020 7300 8000
Nearest Tube station: Piccadilly Circus
This is a guest post by provided by TT. She juggles her time between London's restaurants and museums.

While I am no art scholar I do love a good art exhibition and would make every effort to attend when a good one is in town.

Manet: Portraying Life at Royal Academy of Arts is branded as the first ever retrospective devoted to the portraiture of Edouard Maneteven though portraits make up around half of his artistic output. Manet painted his family, friends and the literary, political and artistic figures of his day, not only as straight portrayals but also at times regarding them as actors mirroring Parisian society of the time.

Reviews have described the exhibition as art worth queuing for and like any other major art exhibition in London you do have to plan ahead to get tickets. Online tickets are sold out in advance and your best chance of getting tickets on an earlier date is to queue at the box office. I went on a weekday afternoon and the queue snaked out into the courtyard. I was told by the staff that it would take about 10 minutes though I reckon I was in the queue for about 30 minutes.

The gallery was also packed. You would have a crowd of people in front of each painting and that does interfere with the enjoyment of the portraits. The description that accompanies each painting is really brief. While I appreciate that more information would be available on the audio guide I reckon that it might increase the tour time by another hour at least and for time scarce visitors it would have helped to have more narrative to better appreciate the art on display. It was also rather baffling to me that while there was a whole room dedicated to the life events of Manet with a map of Paris setting out his key addresses and an album of photos of his friends who often sat for him there was no in depth description about his relationship with his sitters. We knew that Leon Leonhoff who sat for a number of paintings is his wife's illegitimate son (whose paternity remains unknown) but there was no discussion about how Manet's relationship with Leon was. Surely the way a sitter is protrayed is influenced by the relationship between the sitter and the artist and I thought it would help for a layman like me to have some perspective of that.

I particularly like the 2 paintings of Berthe Morisot placed one painting apart. The contrast between Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets and Berthe Morisot in Mourning Clothes was stunning and showed off the skills of the artist in capturing the profoundly different moods of his subject.

Overall I had an enjoyable afternoon and if you have an afternoon to spare, I would urge you to spend it in the company of Manet's portraits. Cass Art is offering its customers an exclusive ticket offer for the exhibition. Receive £1 off your ticket for Friday and Saturday late entry from 8pm to 11pm, just pick up a postcard with your next purchase at any Cass Art store.

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Prima Taste Laksa La Mian (Ramen) - the new packaging presses all the right buttons

2013-02-28T22:49:00.000Z

Prima Taste Laksa La Mian (ramen) now comes in packs of four

Prima Taste laksa was our lifeline when we first arrived in London. Funnily, while I wasn't a fan of laksa back home, I was hooked when Wife brought me to the first Prima Taste restaurant at Centrepoint in Singapore years ago.

I was rather skeptical to say the least. Laksa has always been a common hawker fare that cost $2.50 at most (yes, a long time back). That Prima Taste outlet was dishing it out at three times the price. To make matter worse, they made no pretence of using its vacuum sealed prepacked ingredients. Like I said, I was immediately hooked the moment I had my first spoonful of Prima Taste laksa gravy. It has a thick creamy consistency, not too spicy and yet leaves a tinge of sweet aftertaste.

Needless to say, we stuffed our suitcase with Prima Taste laksa and chicken rice on our flight into Heathrow. Imagine our joy when we found that the Chinese grocery stores at Chinatown stocked them too. When they no longer stock it, we resorted to trekking to Wing Yip store (Cricklewood) that still have it on their shelves.

I first came across Prima Taste laksa la mian (ramen) at the Singapore Takeout event. It was exhibited in a glass cabinet; it must be quite a sight to see the bunch of us Singaporeans almost drooling when we heard that Prima Taste was thinking of bringing it to London.

Two years on, that still didn't happen. But YQ has kindly flown them over from Singapore. Instead of having to contend with a single Prima Taste laksa pack that feeds three, it now comes in a neat pack of four individual packs each with their own ingredients and thick white rice noodle. Think instant noodles with their own thick gravy.

All you need is a pot, some hot water and seven minutes of your time. I indulge myself with a huge chunk of chicken thigh (pre-cooked in the same gravy), a hard boiled egg and some kailan.

I don't think they're sold in central London yet. At least I've not come across any. If they are, I'll make a beeline for them. Until then, I'm relying on my supply from home.

Hampergifts - choosing the perfect hamper the fuss free way

2013-02-25T23:05:00.002Z

Picking presents have never been one of my fortes. In fact, I firmly believe that one ends up buying someone something that one likes best. Over the years, my presents to Wife have always been electronic items without fail. Hers to me would either be shirts or cuff-links. Not that I mind shirts but they're not exactly at the top of my Santa's list. Needless to say, I often spend more time on the gadgets I got for her.

It's an art if you ask me. Like it or not, there's a high chance that gift would be unappreciated. That is the reason why shopping vouchers are one of the most popular gifts - cash is a tad crass and flexibility is always preferred when in doubt.

But vouchers can be rather boring, can't they? Hampers on the other hand are anything but. The thing about hampers is that everything is wrapped up neatly and you can pretty much get anything in them with some fine hampers online. Gone were the days when one hamper fitted all and the items within were haphazardly thrown together; the only difference was the price. These days, there are hampers for every occasion and you can even select the one that fits right in your budget within each category. Brilliant.

Hampergifts offers just that. Categorised by type, price and occasion, you're bound to find just the right hamper for your purposes.

Remember the last time you were cracking your head over getting a gift for your colleague with a newborn baby? Well, I ended up getting some onesies and, wait for it, some vouchers. Not exactly inspiring, I'm afraid. Hampergifts offer beautiful new baby gifts including a colour-coded hamper for the newborn - with organic baby care products, clothing and accessories essential for a young baby. Top it up with a cuddly teddy and even chocolates for the mother - all that in a handy wicker basket and you got yourself a winner.

Come summer, Hampergifts' beer hampers would come in handy. Lagers from Italy, Peru and Czech Republic, and ale accompanied with fuitcakes, roasted almonds, chocolate cookies and biscuits. Housed in a reusable magnetic box, all your mates need is a picnic mat and they would be good to go. I'm sure they'd have you in their minds as they bask in the sun while getting tipsy.

It doesn't stop there. without a doubt, Hampergifts luxury gift hampers are the top of the line. And there is something for everyone in this section if you can afford to splurge. From Cuban cigars & whisky to champagne & gourmet food and The Royal, which is crammed with cognac, champagne, port, wines and the likes fruits in syrup, Belgian chocolates, Pheasant pate, preserves, honey, roasted nuts - the list just goes on. Suffice to say that it would be more than just a pleasant surprise.

There need not be a special occasion to get someone a hamper. Even a simple Tea & Coffee Break hamper would delight with its cherry, coconut and honey flapjacks, double chocolate muffin, chocolate coated macadamias. With a brew of a Scottish breakfast tea or freshly grounded breakfast coffee, it can put a smile on the faces of the folks at the office even when the going gets tough.

Picking a present need not be difficult. You just have to know where to look I suppose.

Pitfield London lifestyle store - where one eats, shops and explores

2013-02-22T12:30:00.000Z

You are not quite sure which items are for sale at Pitfield London

Pitfield London
Address: 31 - 35 Pitfield Street
London N1 6HB
Phone: 020 7490 6852
Nearest Tube station: Old Street
The East end of London is always known for its quirkiness. The graffiti art along Redchurch Street, the Hoxton Street Market where Iceland and Poundland still reigns, hip dining areas like MEATmission, Tramshed, Pizza East and Story Deli all lie within a one kilometer radius. This is what makes us fall head over heels in love with Hoxton and Shoreditch patch.

So when Pitfield London opened its doors in Dec 2011 at Pitfield Street, it is right at home. It is a gallery of sorts, a shop that specialises in luxuries too eccentric to be displayed on Harrods shelves, and even a cafe area that actually serves a rather decent flatbread and salad spread.

Pitfield London

To get an idea of what its shop offers, imagine a £1,750 vintage Guillerme et Chambron chair next to a £6 ceramic plate, a £95 glass paper weight and even a wooden rocking horse for just under £200. While you don't really get a sense of how much some of the items cost (I heard some noticeable gasps when some took a closer look at the price tags), the almost haphazard display is a treat.

A curious mix of furniture for sale at Pitfield London

More wares at Pitfield London

An octopus greets you at the entrance

Pitfield London cafe - empty on a weekday morning

Brie and tomato flatbread (£4.50 for eat in)

A huge octopus installation demarcates the shop from the cafe. It was packed at noon on the Sunday when we were there. It was still packed when we passed by in the late afternoon that very same day. While Pitfield London's cafe isn't exactly Ottolenghi, it offers a spread of salad options that allows for mix and match. I stole a bite from the brie and tomato flatbread that we got for the little one and ended up almost finished the entire piece.

Oh, Pitfield London sells fresh flowers at their doorstep too.

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Singin' in the Rain (Palace Theatre) - a splashing good time

2013-02-19T00:41:00.002Z

Singin' in the Rain on a rainy day... (photo by garryknight)

Singin' in the Rain
Palace Theatre
Address: Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 5AY
Phone: 0844 412 4656
Nearest Tube station: Leicester Square
Singin' in the Rain, a musical adapted most faithfully on an MGM classic, currently occupies Palace Theatre located prominently at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. A host of colourful umbrellas lie on top of the entrance, you just can't miss it.

What the audience said is true: those poor souls who so unfortunately splashed out for the stall seats would end up being very wet indeed. Well, brace yourself if you're seating in the first four rows. If you are seated on row A-B Seat 1 to 15, bring along a raincoat. Since the actors are mostly right legged, these seats lying on the right of the stage tend to get the brunt of the splashing.

I've not got the chance to watch the original 1952 movie but look no further if you need some cheering up. Set in 1927, Don Lockwood (Ad Cooper) and Lina Lamont (Katherine Kingsley) were the stars in the silent movie era when movies with sounds broke into the scenes. These movies or "talkies" threatened the livelihoods of actors whose vocals weren't particularly endearing. It hit Lina Lamont whose heavy Bronx accent would soiled her onscreen sex goddess image.

Enter upcoming actress Kathy Shelden (Scarlet Strallen) whose clean voice would gladden any heart. Lockwood fell for Shelden and Lamont felt threatened. When the producer decided to dubbed Shelden's voice over Lamont's without consulting the latter, it further incurred her wrath.

And the splashin' begins...

The sets were nicely done with many scenes featuring the entire cast doing swing numbers. The entire 1.5hr first half was all hyped up with almost non-stop fast paced singing and dancing. Then again, this is a musical, isn't it? But who are we kidding? The audience was waiting for just one scene.

The skies lit up with distant lightning, taps were turned on and the rain scene was up at last as Lockwood walked Shelden back to her home. As the iconic scene that gave the show its name started, Lockwood twirled around the stage and belting out Singin' in the Rain.

What could have ended the first interval on a wistful note became a game of splash instead. Cooper sidestepping around the stage kicked the puddles of water towards the audience at every chance. Those up front were futilely avoiding being splashed while the rest of us were just thankful that we weren't them an laughing at their misfortune. Their ordeal didn't end there. There was an even bigger splash at the final scene of the musical when the entire cast all joined in.

There were some memorable tunes: Strallen's playful and sultry My Lucky Star, Cooper and his sidekick, Cosmo Brown's (Daniel Crossley) catchy Moses Supposes and even Kingsley's bitter What's Wrong with Me. But I thought the musical would be remembered for just one scene and for the wrong reasons - all wet ones. For it was quite clear that when the taps open, all the audience care for was whether those unfortunate rows up front got sprayed.

If you are getting tickets for Singin' in the Rain, avoid those stalls within Leicester Square tube station itself. Instead go to the TKTS at Leicester Square instead. The stall seats (face value of £65) are sold for £57 at the tube station stalls but only £39 (+£3 admin charge) at TKTS. However, if you want to pre-book tickets at the comforts of your home, call the box office directly or buy online at London Theatre Direct.

For a quick pre-theatre bite that wouldn't bust your budget, check out 5 cheap places to eat at Chinatown (Leicester Square).

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London budget travel - how to stretch your dollar

2013-02-16T00:41:00.001Z

Tourists will be spoilt for choice in London

London is one of the world's most popular tourist destination for a number of reasons. Most of its tourist attractions are within easy access once you are in central London (all thanks to the Tube). Depending on your plans, London can be your gateway and launchpad to continental Europe. More importantly, it has something to offer for those who can afford to splash out or the those who are determined to stretch their budget.

So you have booked your accommodation through HostelWorld Language, which hostel beds are available from £10 per night. With rock bottom prices like that, you would be surprised to know that the hostels are actually near Paddington, London Victoria and Piccadilly. If you don't mind travelling to Docklands or Hammersmith, the prices can go down to £8 per night.

It doesn't mean that your London experience would be any lesser if you are travelling on a budget. You just have to know where to look. Here are some other ways of how to go about that.

Zipping around London using a Travelcard

All the major tourist attractions are within walking distance from a Tube station. The bad news is that London's public transport is one of the most expensive in Europe. But getting yourself a Travelcard puts a cap on how much you'll spend zipping around London.

An Oyster card is a must even if you are not getting a travelcard

A travelcard allows free and unlimited travel on the Tube, buses, Overground, DLR and even National Rail within London. Refer to Transport of London's website for the costs of travelcard.

One thing to note though. If you are arriving through Heathrow airport (in Zone 6), don't get all excited about getting a travelcard that covers Zone 1 - 6. As you are most likely to be spending your time in London within Zone 1 - 2, just get an Oyster card at the airport, top up enough for a trip into central London (£5 for peak time, £3 for off-peak) before buying a travelcard (for Zone 1 - 2), which is tagged onto the Oyster card you're holding on to at any Tube ticket station in central London.

How to get cheap theatre tickets

What if I were to tell you that you can get theatre tickets for just 10p? That's exactly what the Royal Court Theatre at Sloane Square is offering for restricted standing view. You have to buy it on the day itself at the theatre though. For more details, give the theatre's box office a call.

Besides that, Almeida Theatre at Angel Islington offers £8 tickets for restricted view seating. They aren't that bad to be honest; most are blocked by just a slender pole. Also, Wicked the Musical offers 24 front row seats from just £15 each every day. Again, these are available only on the day itself and are sold from 10am.

These are just some of the theatres that offer cut priced tickets. I would recommend that you call the theatre's box office directly (number can be found on the theatre's websites themselves) and ask for more details.

The best museums are free

Steeped in history, museum lovers will be pampered in London. What's best is that unlike the world's major cities, London is not short of quality museums that offer free entry. In fact, the best museums in London are all free.

The British Museum, one of the most visited by tourists

Some of my favourite such museums in central London would be The National Gallery (Western European painting - 13th to 20th century), National Portrait Gallery (portraits of famous people in British history), Museum of London, Imperial War Museum and the British Museum. Others include Tate Modern (contemporary art, also offering one of the best view along River Thames) and Tate Britain (British art from 1500 till present day). If you have time a bit further to Greenwich, the Royal Observatory where the Greenwich Mean Time line stands beckons.

5 Free apps that will make your life easier

1. Timeout London - Arts, entertainment spots, pubs, bars, films, cinemas and restaurants nearby all at a touch of a button. The app will automatically detect your current position to point you to the nearest spots saving you time and anguish.

2. London Bus Live Countdown - waiting for a bus in a bus stop with no bus arrival time indicator? This app will tell you exactly which bus will arrive at what time at your bus stop.

3. WiFi FastConnect Hotspot Locator - Free wifi to be had at thousands of spots in spread out across London. All you have to do is to register for a free account.

4. Hailo - no one knows the streets of London better than London black cab drivers. Lost in the streets and alleys in London with no transport in sight? No worries, Hailo will zoom in onto your location and send you a black cab. You can pay the metered fare either by cash or card at no extra charge.

5. London Tube Map - does exactly what it says. Sometimes you just need a quick peek at the map to plan your route. Sure beats having to look for the crumpled map that you thought you had in your back pocket.

Grab a Barclays Bike

Since their inception in 2010, the light blue Barclays bikes have become part of London's landscape. With docking stations spread across central London, they have become one of the main means of transport for Londoners and visitors alike.

The ubiquitous Barclays Bike docking stations

All you need to do is to pay a token registration fee (£2 for 24hr usage) using a credit or debit card and you're good to go. If you return your Barclays bike to another docking station within 30min, there will be no further charge. Refer to Barclay Bike charges for more information.

If you have not figure out already, as long as you plan your route and travel at 30min spurts, all you have to pay is just the initial £2 registration fee each day. That is a bargain considering a Tube ride costs at least £1.90. To better plan your route, download the Barclays Bike app. This will not only tell you where the nearest docking station is, it will help you plan your route there as well as displaying how many bikes are available at the station.

Have you got budget travelling tips for London to share?

Spending Chinese New Year in London - some tips to help you along

2013-02-07T23:28:00.002Z

Red lanterns abound along Chinatown's Gerrard Street

The folks at work are never surprised that I'm always in during Christmas. With my family in Singapore, there's really no reason for me to take that period off. Since much of Europe is shut during then and the weather isn't exactly brilliant, I'd rather save my leave days for something more worthwhile.

But they are surprised that I'm in London during Chinese New Year. I've heard of the mad scramble for flights back to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan just before Chinese New Year. The fares can be quite ridiculously priced if the tickets are bought at the last minute.

I've never been back home during this period for the last six years for a very practical reason. Most businesses and essential services in Singapore are shut for Chinese New Year, some of which are closed up to two full weeks. As we rely on the local dentist, GP and even optician for general maintenance, planning visits then just won't do.

But after spending the last couple of Chinese New Years in London, I notice some things on the run up to the festival.

1. Never leave buying till after the festival

Contrary to what some might believe, prices of Chinese New Year goodies (snacks and pastries) are fairly consistent as the festival approaches.

If you leave buying these provisions till after the New Year thinking that the prices would plunge, you'd be sorely disappointed. They are literally cleared away immediately after at every Chinese supermarkets. I'm not certain whether they are sold out or simply removed to deter bargain hunters.

2. Where to get your new year snacks and goodies

Huge range of Chinese New Year snacks at Wonderful Patisserie

When it comes to getting Chinese New Year snacks, look no further than Wonderful Patisserie. It has begun peddling its own brand of snacks range some years back and have been doing a roaring business ever since. In fact, some of the other stores along Gerrard Street are selling Wonderful Patisserie's wares too.

3. Where to get your roast meats

While there's a trend of having reunion dinners at Chinatown's restaurants, many still prefer to intend to have theirs in the comforts of their homes. Most (I for one) would get takeaway roast meats from the restaurants.

Four Seasons at Gerrard Street remains my top choice for "three roasts" (roast pork, charsiew and roast duck). It's surprising quiet if you get yours at before 5pm. Now that there's another branch at Wardour Street, it's just so much more convenient.

4. Where to get the freshest horfun

Without a doubt, Lo's Noodle Factory offers the freshest horfun around. Tucked within the back alley along Dansey Place, there's a tiny factory churning out horfun and chee cheong fun. If you're into lor pok gou (carrot cake) or wu tao gou (yam cake), they have it there too. These are perfect for the Chinese New Year's breakfast.

With the Chinese New Year's eve falling on a Saturday, having reunion dinners would be much less of a hassle. Regardless of how you are spending the festival, here's wishing you a prosperous new year!

Snow in London - the mini whiteout

2013-01-20T21:37:00.000Z

Even Hitchcock is catching a cold

There was a light snow shower in central London earlier on Friday. By light, I mean some trains are delayed but public transport in central London remained largely unaffected. It stopped snowing quite early on and kids started gathering whatever snow they could find and pelting snowballs at each other in the local park. Much of the snow melted by the next day. So much for the "blizzard" I thought.

Then it came. It started snowing on Sunday morning. Great, I thought. I can finally get some photos when the sun is out. Well, the sun did come out but the snowing just refused to stop.

The one thing about snowy days is that it's just so tempting to stay indoors the entire day. My problem about staying at home is that I tend to eat non-stop. I did run out of crisps eventually and was forced to step out to stock up.

This same spot in Shoreditch Park was sporting some rather convincing snowmen on my way back

Snow or no snow, a walk along Regents Canal is a must for some

As you can see, the camera was hardly any good with the constant snowing - I was frantically wiping it dry after every shot. Well, if you have to know, I was waylaid by the display outside Blacks in Angel. Ended up with a pair of snow shoes instead. Those make my feet look like a hundred bees have descended on them. But at least they are warm and comfy. The small spikes beneath come in handy too.

The newest North Face addition to my collection - the waterproof equivalent of Uggs?

A pal told me that he often thinks of our sunny isle whenever the wintry January hits. That hasn't happened to me just yet. That said, I'm looking forward to spring. Meanwhile, stay warm and watch those slippery icy pavements once the snow clears.

Cost of Nanny in London - breakdown of the real costs

2013-01-14T23:45:00.001Z

Providing one to one care for the little ones costs a fortune (photo by World Bank Photo Collection)

Many of us are fortunate enough to have our a parent (mothers more often than not) staying at home when we were kids. Even though we were sometimes bored stiff having being cooped up at home for the entire day, there was at least someone by our side at all times. Someone to constantly keep an eye on us, someone to cuddle us when we fall and to reassure us when things weren't going our way.

The irony is that with rising standard of living and perhaps expectation itself, we no longer can afford to have a spouse stay home to look after our kids. I guess the closest to that level of care would be having a nanny who will provide the one to one care, which we took for granted when growing up.

I did a comparison of cost of childcare in London across the different options sometime back. In that, the nanny option is the most expensive at around £8 - £12 per hour in central London. But that is at best a ballpark figure. Here's a list of the real costs of nanny in London.

1. Nanny agency fees

There are a number of free access websites that connects parents to nannies. Many parents turn to free sites like Gumtree or Childcare.co.uk, the latter being a childcare specialists of the former. The downside of using these free sites is that you got to sift through a multitude of applications. You'll be surprised how many people would ignore your requirements (OFSTED registered for instance) and apply all the same.

There are of course more reputable sites such as nannyjob.co.uk that charges £25 for a job posting. But you still need to go through a number of CVs before going through the hassle of contacting the applicants yourself.

Nanny agencies, on the hand, do the groundwork for you. They make sure all your requirements (or most of it anyway) are met before sending you the CVs. The agencies are supposed to do the background checks (qualifications and CRB or Criminal Records Bureau certs). Their job basically ends the moment they help you fix up the interviews between you and the nannies.

Their services don't come cheap though. Once a nanny accepts your offer, the nanny agency will require a fee equivalent of 6 weeks of the nanny's wages plus VAT. Let me put that in numbers. If you have a nanny for five days a week, 10hrs a day at £10 per hour, you are looking at a nanny agency fee of £3,600. In most cases, they'll only be a partial refund if the nanny leaves you within six weeks. If she leaves you after that, tough.

2. Nanny tax

As the nanny's full time employer, you are liable to pay both employer and employee taxes as well as her National Insurance (NI). The amount you pay is a sliding scale but for the above example of £500 nett per week, the taxes and NI amounts to £235. A whooping figure of £735 per week.

3. Nanny payroll agency

You get a payslip for your job, so should the nanny. There are nanny payroll agencies around that will do not only that but calculate your taxes, remind you to pay for it and issue a P65 when your nanny leaves. All that for a fee of just over £100 per year. Considering what you pay your nanny, this is a spit in the ocean but still an expense nevertheless.

4. Nanny paid leave

The number of paid leave is to be agreed between you and your nanny but having 20 days per year is the norm. Ten of which would be decided by you while the remaining to be taken at the nanny's discretion.

That means between you and your partner, you got to set aside 20 days of your annual leave for this.

5. Food, heating, toys and activities

The fee paid to a nursery would pretty much covers everything. With a nanny at home, it's a totally different matter. Some nannies eat whatever your child eats. That'd bump up the costs of food by quite a bit.

As there will be long periods when the nanny stays at home with your child especially during the winter months. That means extra heating costs. While it may not be astronomical, it all adds up.

Not having the benefit of toy pools in a nursery means that you would have to indulge your kid with more toys. Before long, your place would look like a private nursery.

Of course, to further engage your child, you'd sign her up for sing-along, dancing, art, swimming classes during the day. Guess what? They don't come free either.

6. Sick leave and time off

If your nanny is sick, you'd very much prefer that she would rest for the day and not pass it onto your child. That means taking emergency leave on your end.

The nanny might request for time off (say an hour or two) to attend to some personal matters. Of course, you're not obliged to grant that if it's requested at short notice. But seriously, if your child is under her care, you are pretty much held hostage.

Evening Standard (3rd Jan 2013) published that the average Londoner couple spend a crippling 51% of their after-tax income on childcare. With parents across the UK feeling the pinch when childcare benefit for those earning above £60k per year gets axed as of 7th Jan 2013, the costs of having a nanny is prohibiting. However, with the cost of private nursery care in central London hitting £1,500 per month, it might work out to be the cheaper option if you have more than one child.

Do you employ a nanny? How do you find it?

London to Whitstable weekend trip - a well trodden path

2013-01-07T01:41:00.001Z

Where oyster (shells) go to die - re-stabilising the oyster bed

What a difference a few years make - to be more specific, pre-kid and post-kid. During our early days in London, we rely on a Lonely Planet guide on England for places to go over the weekends.

I recall flipping through the guide and stopping at a random page on a Friday evening before heading there the very next day. England is well connected by rail and many places worth visiting are always within walking distance from a train station. Being based in London, that's a bonus.

That was how we ended up visiting Whitstable. The only thing we knew about the place was that it was known for their oysters. We did find a couple of other things as well and actually posted about what to do at Whitstable.

Fast forward to 2013 with a screamer who is adamant that she should perfect her terrible two's role, we quickly realise that the 1hr 20min train ride is a torment. Even moving to the first four carriage of the train (only they go to Whitstable) is an uphill task with a buggy at hand.

We persevered nevertheless. It was a windy day with a slightly depressing air at the beach. To be honest, London wasn't faring too well either; the only comforting thing was that at least the sea breeze was a tad fresher. We even toyed with the idea of renting one of those beach huts for the night if we decided that the return train trip would be too painful to be borne on the same day.

Whitstable hasn't changed much over the years - even the oyster shells recycling point seems frozen in time. The breakwaters protecting further erosion of the beach still stand, effectively segmenting the beach line.

Dividers to protect Whitstable beach from the waves' onslaught

Men scouring Whitstable beach with metal detectors

Whitstable's Wee Willy Winkle Kitchen - where 99 flake ice-cream really costs 99p

Whitstable Harbour at low tide - somewhat depressing, the overcast skies didn't help

The only thing that I noticed is that the Whitstable Harbour Books has moved to another location, it is no longer in business. A pity that's true. But still, we managed to reserve a table at the renowned Whitstable Oyster Company this time round and the platter of Whitstable Native Oysters alone is well worth the trip.

Whitstable, which has been harvesting oysters since the Roman times, is also a tourist destination since the Victorian times (for more on its history, check out Whitstable Revisited). If you have a bit more time, the historic cathedral city of Canterbury is a mere 20min bus ride away. Or you can stay for a night at one of those beach huts, which is exactly what I'll be doing the next time round.

How to get to Whitstable from London

By Train

London Victoria Station runs an hourly (5min past the hour) service to Whitstable. The journey will take around 1.5hr. Be sure to be seated in the first four coaches. If in doubt, check with the train conductor who will be coming round to check your tickets the moment it departs from Victoria station. Whitstable Station is a 15min stroll to the town centre.

A return ticket costs around £25 at the time of writing with considerable discount if you have a railcard. Get your ticket here.

By Coach

Coaches run from London Victoria Coach Station to Whitstable on a less frequent basis. The journey takes around 2hrs. Each trip (to and fro) costs just under £10 - there is no return ticket discount. Get your ticket here.

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Why I am staying put in London for the time being

2013-01-01T02:12:00.001Z

Of all the things that I can get from the airport...

I came across an interesting read on the Straits Times awhile back during one of visits to Singapore. It was written by a Singaporean in London lamenting about the lack of childcare in London compared to Singapore and how Singaporeans are taking things for granted. In the page long article, she wrote about the high costs and inflexibility of London's childcare.

Having a young girl of my own, I understand exactly where she was coming from. But I'm amused about what was left unwritten - why was she still in London then?

With the start of 2013, I thought that it'd be apt to take stock of why we are still here. After all, it was supposed to be a six month stint when we arrived in London in summer a couple of years ago.

1. Childcare

Ironically, the lack of childcare is one of the main reasons why we're still in London. Granted that we don't have access to cheap domestic help that is available in Singapore and with our parents halfway across the world, even emergency childcare is not an option.

But that means we have become very hands on parents. I gave the little one her first bath, changed her first nappy, cut her nails for the first time. It was not delegated simply because it wasn't an option. We end up spending alot of time with her simply because we have to, which isn't a bad thing when you come to think of it.

And because of the lack of flexible yet cheap childcare options in London, we are forced (for the lack of a better word) to schedule our work around it. Employers in London (or at least ours) are by and large more understanding when it comes to working from home when your child is unwell or having to attend a school meeting or performance.

Your kids probably wouldn't fancy going out with you when they are teenagers so why waste any opportunity to spend time with them now? After all, isn't that the whole point about having a child? I'll be the first to admit that it's hard at times but it's definitely worth it.

2. Anonymity

I had an interesting chat with another Singaporean at work. She's here for over ten years and asked why, she hesitated and uttered, "anonymity".

There's this strange allure of being immersed into a huge city with totally no context nor baggage, where anything seems possible. Since we're not from around here, the divide between social classes doesn't really affect us. That's especially true in London where over 300 languages and dialects are spoken with people hailing from all over the world. Because of how cosmopolitan it is, the London's vibrancy is unbelievable (Trafalgar Square is the de facto venue for the respective national day celebrations). That shows up in its cuisines as well (now, that's another story altogether).

Coming from an island state with a cohort of a mere twenty thousand in each school year admission, that is absolutely liberating.

3. Theatres, museums and a bit of fun

The best things in life are free and that's especially the case in London. I love the fact that British Museum, National Gallery and Museum of London are just a short bus or Tube ride away. Mingling with the throngs of tourists, I sometimes get a bit ahead of myself and feel smug about not having to travel halfway round the world to view the exhibits that they are in a hurry to cover; I'd just come back the next day if I want to.

To be honest, we can't decide whether it's our girl or me who enjoy Natural History Museum or Science Museum more.

Theatre tickets from quality plays at the West End can be cheaper than going to the movies. Furthermore, London isn't short of plays for the young ones too. Ballets, operas and contemporary dances are available throughout the year. A great number of those would fit the budget of most audience quite nicely.

Of course, we decided to head to the Thames Barrier in a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) one day. That was fun. I'd wait till the weather is a bit dryer before going for the O2 roof top walk.

4. The media

I love the BBC. The documentaries alone are worth the £145 we paid for TV licensing fee per year. And the there are the dramas. While I'm not exactly a fan of Eastenders, The Hour, Sherlock Holmes, Call the Midwives are just some that kept us glued to the TV every week.

Then there are the newspapers. Each offers a rather different take on the same issue depending on which ideology they subscribe to and the political party they are aligned with. I value the journalists' opinion. If I want mere facts, I can jolly well go read Bloomberg or Reuters. To me, having access to views from different perspectives allows me to form an informed and independent opinion of my own.

5. The pace of life

I met up with a friend who was visiting before she flew back to Singapore. I asked her over dinner what left the deepest impression of her trip to London. "The work-life balance," she answered without a moment of hesitation. That's coming from someone who's literally a tourist.

After the last couple of years, I sort of taken that for granted and would still do if not for her timely reminder. Long lunches and breaks are not part of the typical London work setting. It's common to have lunch on one's desk but more crucially, work is normally completed during office hours so that quality time can be spent with the family after that. Of course, that depends on one's job nature but I sure get to see Wife more often when we are in London. Heck, I even have time to start up two blogs - London Expat and London Chow.

London may not be the greenest city but there are large swaths of greens if you know where to look. Everyone has their favourite park where they can settle down to read a book or have a little kick around in their leisure. A walk along Thames or even Regents Canal that cuts through central London is always welcomed.

Coming from a land of shopping malls, I'm not too keen on the two Westfields. My all time favourites are the Columbia Flower Market, Broadway Market and Camden Market.

On the flip side...

Things in London aren't a bed of roses either. Costs of living has crept up over the years. Childcare is still expensive. Healthcare though free, it can be sorely lacking in certain areas. In time to come, we would have to consider our girl's education as well. While state schools are free, their availability and quality varied depends on where one lives. Private education is exorbitant not to mention having to arrange for after-school care. London's economy isn't the best at the moment. How it will turn out in the next few years is still up in the air.

The capital may feel right for us now but our priorities may change in the future. Regardless, we're still sticking around for the time being and enjoying every bit of what London can offer. The grass is always greener on the other side. Now that we're on the other side, it's indeed greener. At least for the time being anyway.

Well, here's wishing you a happy new year wherever you might be!

Free things to do in London - some of the more popular ones

2012-12-30T21:57:00.000Z

The National Gallery - one of the top tourist spots in London

Donna Steck gives a low down of a couple of her favourite things that you can do for free in London.

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and there is no doubt about that. Nonetheless, there are several attraction for your to visit that is no cost at all. These special tourist spots are popular and shall give you a first-hand experience of the local British culture and traditions as they are now and decades ago. These range from places which showcase the British architecture, history and culture. It is quite an educational journey for the curious traveler.

First on our list is Tate Britain. Here you shall find yourself viewing the ancient British masterpieces of the 16th to the late 20th century. At Tate Britain you shall have thematic tours of one hour or a fifteen minute talk on paintings and painters all for free. You shall find a world of knowledge to gather from these sessions. Coming right up is the modern sister half of Tate Britain, known as the Tate Modern. This is beautiful building that houses a brilliant sixty thousand exhibits that free to view for the public. These exhibits are famous works of Pollok, Warhol, Rodin, Matisse and the likes. Do not forget to visit the café upstairs, not for a coffee, but for an excellent view of the river Thames. Next on our list is the Natural History Museum. This museum is a lovely Gothic revival building from 1880. It houses a fast catalogue and collection of natural things. A diplodocus dinosaur skeleton welcomes you at the entrance. Be sure to visit the T-Rex and the Darwin centre while you are there. A beautiful wildlife garden is open for viewing from the months of April to September.

London is beautiful capital city that has much on offer for every kind of tourist. If you want to make the most of all these lovely attractions, you shall need more than a week of stay in this gorgeous city. And when you have had a fulfilling and educational day at the above places, you can relax back in your hotel room or accommodation and play British best loved game of Bingo. Play online bingo at famous and trusted online bingo sites to win money and special prizes. Experience the fun and excitement of playing the traditional British 90-Ball Bingo games.

While you are in London, do not forget to visit the National Gallery. The National Gallery is the only building that receives the maximum tourist visits each year on Trafalgar square. The gallery has over two thousand European classics by Van Gogh, Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and the likes. If you want to avoid the rush hours, visit the National Gallery week day morning or Wednesday evenings after 6pm. It is one of the best free places to visit in London.

The British Museum is one of London’s top attractions and is absolutely free to the public. There are over seven million items of wonder to view and learn about at the British Museum, including the Rosetta Stone, Aztec Mosaic masks, Lindow Man etc. There are special tours called ‘The Eye Openers’ which span a duration of twenty or fifty minutes and are offered for free!

No tour of London can be complete if you have not visited the Houses of Parliament. The Palace of Westminster which is home to the Big Ben or the Clock Tower is a neo-Gothic wonder of the 19th century. It comprises of the House of Lords, the Hour of Commons and several other houses. If you want to enjoy some special antic during fiery parliament sessions, you must make sure to reserve ahead.

What's your favourite free thing to do in London?

Nespresso Regent Street boutique - flagship store satisfying your addiction

2012-12-27T19:44:00.001Z

Nespresso flagship store at Regent Street

Nespresso boutique - Regent Street
www.nespresso.co.uk
Address: 54 Regent Street
London W1B 4DY
Tel: 0800 442 442
Nearest Tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Opening hours:
Mon - Sat: 10am - 8pm
Sun: 12pm - 6pm
It's never the machines, it's always the capsules themselves, which are getting us hooked and in the process make the folks at Nespresso rich. Not that I'm complaining though, at just over 30p per pop, it costs a fraction of what high street cafes are charging.

If you are like me who cannot possibly function without the morning coffee fix, you'd be overjoyed to find that Nespresso has opened up its flagship store at Regent Street.

No longer confined to the small Brompton Road boutique and counters at the likes of Harrods and Selfridges, Nespresso's new flagship store, which opened since mid 2012, is one impressive setup. Featuring an entire wall with its colourful capsules and a dedicated tasting area, not to mention an array of those neat looking Nespresso machines, it is set to be one of the most popular store at Piccadilly Circus.

The next time you're at the West End catching a play or doing your groceries at Chinatown or Japan Centre, know that a galore of Nespresso capsules lining up to satisfy your addiction is just round the corner.

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Camden Market - London's best market if you ask me

2012-12-17T23:01:00.002Z

Horse Tunnel Markets - a labyrinth of shops

There was a spot of sunshine today and I thought I'd hop onto the Tube and head to Camden Market. It has been quite some time since I've been to the market, which is a two minute stroll northwest along Camden High Street. Named after the Camden Lock (or Hampstead Road Lock), one of the many locks along Regents Canal, it is more commonly known as just Camden Market by Londoners and is fast becoming my favourite London market.

Camden Lock along Regents Canal - the lock that gave the market its name

Besides opening seven days a week, Camden Market operates a weekly night market on Thursdays. First established in 1974, the market gradually increased in size and now covers over six market sections - Camden Lock Village, Camden Lock Market, Camden Buck Street Market, Camden Market Hall, Camden Stables Market, Inverness Street Market.

Offerings along Camden High Street

As you step out of Camden Town Tube station and make a right up along Camden High Street, you'll walk past the row of stalls on both sides of the street peddling goths fashioned street wear, tattoo services and souvenirs.

Camden Lock Village - rejuvenated after the 2008 fire

Camden Lock Village was devastated by a fire in 2008. Reopened in 2009 after a major renovation, the market on the bank of Regents Canal was given a fresh lease of life. With stalls selling a mixture of clothing and souvenirs complemented by a handful of food stalls, the market is characterised by its trademark Vespa chassis lined up along the river that served as seats for those grabbing a bite.

My favourite is no doubt Camden Lock Market itself. Hosting a large food stall section, it is one of the largest collection of international street food stalls in London. Offering Ethiopian coffee, Polish sausages, Turkish kebab and falefel, Brazilian churros, Pakistani roti, Chinese dimsum, Spanish paella, Peruvian lomo saltado, Japanese sushi, along the likes of mulled wine, fish & chips, grilled meats, fruit fondue, curries, cakes and pies, and I am only halfway through the list.

Food market at Camden Market - a convenient pitstop

Always playing second fiddle to Notting Hill's Portobello Market (all thanks to Notting Hill [1999] by Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant) and Borough Market, Camden Market has its own charms. Unlike Portobello Market's increasingly genteel image, only in Camden Market can you find artisan jeweller, with full body piercings, bending over his desk working on intricate earrings located alongside a smiley teenager selling t-shirts with angry punk messages. Right next to her is a stall with broken bits of Star Wars collectibles with the owner nowhere to be found.

The giant horse head is one of the favourite photo props at Stable Market

Stables Market, located on the site of a former Pickford Stables (1854) is an underground maze full of vintage offerings, goths and cybergoths, handicrafts and memorabilia. The warm yellow incandescent that lit up its corridors give the entire floor almost a mystical feel.

Stables Arch at Stables Market

If you are in London for the first time and have time for only one market, I would gladly recommend visiting Camden Market. One thing to note - as most stalls (especially those selling food) take only cash, make sure you bring enough. Although there are cash machines dispersed throughout the market, it charges you a transaction fee of £1.88 at the time of writing. Fortunately, there are a couple of free cash machines (thanks to HSBC and Barclays) near Camden Town Tube station's exit.

For more stories on Camden Market, check out Caitlin Davies' Camden Lock and the Market. Which is your favourite section within Camden Market? Have you any stalls to recommend?

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