17th-20th August
Got back from Ireland - tired. Was meant to work at The Greenman Festival in Breacon but it was raining so I decided to skip on the money to stay in a warm dry house for the weekend. But I had loads of fun anyways - got to see all my friends and play some pool and listen 2 some music. Went to watch my friends new band at the Bont - they are like an electro rock band, loads of guitar and weird sampley things and computer stuff and heavy bass. Anyway went out on the Friday to the Welsh club in Ponty - Clwb A Bont - had fun, there was this group of older people - all in about there 50's in the corner playing and singing to old country and folk guitar which fitted really well with the traditional feel of the pub. We joined in for one or too sing-a-long. After that we went to Dan's bar - the best bar in town I think - away from the Chavs and whatever else - a nice smart but small bar above the Llanover Arms, with funky sofas and wooden floors - a nice social place with mellow background music.
Anyway my friends where all going to Trehafod and lived in the other direction but it was quite late about 2ish so we decided to share a taxi anyway. But at the Taxi rank there was this really drunk old man - about 60 who was legless. Anyway he fell over right in front of us and cut his lip and slip open his head - not the best way to end a night - but he u never know whats going to happen on a night out to Ponty. Anyway the boys looked after him while my very kind brother came and picked me up - I did actually cycle to town that evening and would of cycled back but it wa raining - but it all worked out.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
To Dublin and Beyond
Yes I know I am running late with the updates and all but here is a little review of my time in Dublin (Aug 11-16th)
Friday 11th: Well I was feeling really sick so I went to Dublin a day late - on the day of the uncovering of the terrorist plots at Heathrow - so it was all chaos - so I took the train instead of the bus. Got to Holyhead sometime in the wee hours of the morning - was shouted at by 60 something Granny who felt my skateboard was alittle too close to her sleeping son - it was over a meter away and we had all had along day so no need to take it out on me.
The ferry was big and steady and like being in a house - I was so tired anyway i just feel asleep the whole way - arriving just after 6:00am. Got my stuff and met up with Shane and Noreen (His Mom) they took me through the city and back to their house, which is 3miles out of the centre. I had some much needed coffee and breakfast and we had a chat and did some catching up. We played some pool and skated the waxed curb down the rd.
Not wanting to waste a day just because I was tired we decided to take one of those topless busses around the city. It allowed me to get a feel for the city and view the major attractions without having to do anything to physical.
Sat 12th: Well a good nite sleep does wonders for the body and brain, I was ready to explore!!
Noreen dropped us off in the City and we had lots to see and do, First of all we went to Dublina - which is a sort of interactive museum about the stories of the Vikings who came to Dublin. You also get to walk up this tower and get a great view across the city. We then walked past Christ Church (very beautiful) then down into the trendy Temple Bar, through the market and had a look into the photographic Gallery. Bizarrely in the middle of Temple Bar on one of the side streets there was a plastic duck in a latern which I took a photo of - no one in site seemed to take claim to this duck, pretty random really. Some interesting Irish street performers where out as we walked towards Trinity College, where we view the Book of Kells - written in 800AD. As well as walk through Trinitys very old library. We checked out the local skateshop had a bite to eat and decided to take the bus home. After a late lunch Shane had told me about a new concrete park/bowl they where building about a 20min skate away so we decided to go and check it out and see how far they had to go to completion - too our luck the concrete had dried and there where people skating it, but you had to find your own way in as it was all fenced off, being quite small we found a hole in the fence and managed to squeeze through. The bowl was pretty big - the biggest concrete one I have ever skated - had a cool session though and all the guys seemed pretty friendly. Although was pretty pooped after the long day - another early night I think.
Sun 13th: So we decided we wanted to explore more of Ireland and picked up a map and picked a place that sounded cool that had places to skate and what we found was Galway which was on the otherside of Ireland about a 3hr train trip, so we packed our stuff and headed out that morning and an adventure. It was cool to see the countryside and relax on the train. I enjoy hanging out with other South Africans as they have the same sense of humor - we had fun talking like we where from the Cape Flats although no one else got our jokes. Shortly after arriving in Galway we went through Eyre Square - perfect place to skate!!! Loads of ledges, waxed and stairs etc...anyway we booked in at Kinlay backpackers. Which was clean and colorful and very central - better than the London one and the staff where very friendly too except for on Russian guy who was abit over protective of the kitchen.
Anyway once we had change and packed our bags away we went in search of the skatepark which was situated behind the cathedral in a beautiful little park near a stream where massive Salmon swam up with people fly-fishy - hmmmmmmmm Irish life.
skatepark was basic but fun and had a good session. After that we had some supper and decided to go see a movie so we walked to the Movie Plex getting lost along the way but finding it eventually. After bagging myself a kids ticket for the movie (bargain) we say Nachos Libra - starring Jake Black - very funny - go see it!!! Dry humor though. After that we had a night skate at Eyre square and then crashed out after another long day.
Mon 14th - After breakfast we made some veggie burgers and packed our stuff and checked-out. We made our way to the skate park and had a long skate session and got to know some of the locals. Near the skatepark we found a wide 3 set with a hubba and a really waxed up step which we had fun grinding on. After that we walked over the bridge and watched the fly fishers for a while trying to catch the huge Salmon swimming upstream. We decided to see what the town (well city) was all about and explored some of the shops and down, loads happening, bustling pubs and street performers. Eventually the street took us down to the river that connect to the sea by the Spanish Arch - there was also a set of 4 stairs which we skated - I just ollied them but shane flip em. At this point i was pretty stiff form all the skating and tied, we had a chill in Eyre square on the grass and at about 6:00pm we boarded our train back to Dublin after a good two days in Galway.
Tues 15th - Ahhhhh my last proper day in Ireland and guess what it's raining - but no fear because what i hadn't done yet but still had to do was luckily indoors - The Guinness Factory!!!!! We went on the tour and it was you know so-so, I mean brewing beer is interesting but not as much as drinking the stuff. We had some Guinness chocolate whilst we read half of the information and made our way up to the bar. Looking like a 13yrs old I went armed with my passport, yet still had uncomfortable stares by one of the staff, anyway had my pint of Guinness which I did not finish but atleast I had one!!! Since it was abit cold and wet we decided to go for some warming soup and headed to Temple Bar where we enjoyed some tomato and Basil soup and some homemade rustic bread - yum yum. We took the bus back which once again I bargained a child ticket. It was Noreen's birthday today, so she took us out (it should have been the other way round though) to a very nice restaurant - I had a yummy Greek salad and some red wine - what a nice way to finish off my stay.
Weds 16th Another early departure - 7:30am. This time I was taking the swift and not the Cruise - the swift only takes 1hr 30 as oppose to 3 and a half hrs but the ferry is alot smaller and moves a whole lot more. so after saying my goodbyes I faced the sea sickness and made my way back to Wales. In one Nauseas piece. It was nice because on the way up it was dark and I did not get to see much of the Welsh Countryside but even though I was tired I didn't want to miss the North, We went along the coast passed Cowny and Boring sorry Bangor and then passed the place with the longest name in the world something something something ......GoGo that's all i know. But wow Wales is so beautiful - it really is one of the most stunning places in the world. I really want to spend some time in the North.
Anyway I arrived in Cardiff at about 2:30 making it to home just after 3:00 - long long day. But had a great time, but it was now time for a nap (hmmmmmmm I'm getting old hahah)
Friday 11th: Well I was feeling really sick so I went to Dublin a day late - on the day of the uncovering of the terrorist plots at Heathrow - so it was all chaos - so I took the train instead of the bus. Got to Holyhead sometime in the wee hours of the morning - was shouted at by 60 something Granny who felt my skateboard was alittle too close to her sleeping son - it was over a meter away and we had all had along day so no need to take it out on me.
The ferry was big and steady and like being in a house - I was so tired anyway i just feel asleep the whole way - arriving just after 6:00am. Got my stuff and met up with Shane and Noreen (His Mom) they took me through the city and back to their house, which is 3miles out of the centre. I had some much needed coffee and breakfast and we had a chat and did some catching up. We played some pool and skated the waxed curb down the rd.
Not wanting to waste a day just because I was tired we decided to take one of those topless busses around the city. It allowed me to get a feel for the city and view the major attractions without having to do anything to physical.
Sat 12th: Well a good nite sleep does wonders for the body and brain, I was ready to explore!!
Noreen dropped us off in the City and we had lots to see and do, First of all we went to Dublina - which is a sort of interactive museum about the stories of the Vikings who came to Dublin. You also get to walk up this tower and get a great view across the city. We then walked past Christ Church (very beautiful) then down into the trendy Temple Bar, through the market and had a look into the photographic Gallery. Bizarrely in the middle of Temple Bar on one of the side streets there was a plastic duck in a latern which I took a photo of - no one in site seemed to take claim to this duck, pretty random really. Some interesting Irish street performers where out as we walked towards Trinity College, where we view the Book of Kells - written in 800AD. As well as walk through Trinitys very old library. We checked out the local skateshop had a bite to eat and decided to take the bus home. After a late lunch Shane had told me about a new concrete park/bowl they where building about a 20min skate away so we decided to go and check it out and see how far they had to go to completion - too our luck the concrete had dried and there where people skating it, but you had to find your own way in as it was all fenced off, being quite small we found a hole in the fence and managed to squeeze through. The bowl was pretty big - the biggest concrete one I have ever skated - had a cool session though and all the guys seemed pretty friendly. Although was pretty pooped after the long day - another early night I think.
Sun 13th: So we decided we wanted to explore more of Ireland and picked up a map and picked a place that sounded cool that had places to skate and what we found was Galway which was on the otherside of Ireland about a 3hr train trip, so we packed our stuff and headed out that morning and an adventure. It was cool to see the countryside and relax on the train. I enjoy hanging out with other South Africans as they have the same sense of humor - we had fun talking like we where from the Cape Flats although no one else got our jokes. Shortly after arriving in Galway we went through Eyre Square - perfect place to skate!!! Loads of ledges, waxed and stairs etc...anyway we booked in at Kinlay backpackers. Which was clean and colorful and very central - better than the London one and the staff where very friendly too except for on Russian guy who was abit over protective of the kitchen.
Anyway once we had change and packed our bags away we went in search of the skatepark which was situated behind the cathedral in a beautiful little park near a stream where massive Salmon swam up with people fly-fishy - hmmmmmmmm Irish life.
skatepark was basic but fun and had a good session. After that we had some supper and decided to go see a movie so we walked to the Movie Plex getting lost along the way but finding it eventually. After bagging myself a kids ticket for the movie (bargain) we say Nachos Libra - starring Jake Black - very funny - go see it!!! Dry humor though. After that we had a night skate at Eyre square and then crashed out after another long day.
Mon 14th - After breakfast we made some veggie burgers and packed our stuff and checked-out. We made our way to the skate park and had a long skate session and got to know some of the locals. Near the skatepark we found a wide 3 set with a hubba and a really waxed up step which we had fun grinding on. After that we walked over the bridge and watched the fly fishers for a while trying to catch the huge Salmon swimming upstream. We decided to see what the town (well city) was all about and explored some of the shops and down, loads happening, bustling pubs and street performers. Eventually the street took us down to the river that connect to the sea by the Spanish Arch - there was also a set of 4 stairs which we skated - I just ollied them but shane flip em. At this point i was pretty stiff form all the skating and tied, we had a chill in Eyre square on the grass and at about 6:00pm we boarded our train back to Dublin after a good two days in Galway.
Tues 15th - Ahhhhh my last proper day in Ireland and guess what it's raining - but no fear because what i hadn't done yet but still had to do was luckily indoors - The Guinness Factory!!!!! We went on the tour and it was you know so-so, I mean brewing beer is interesting but not as much as drinking the stuff. We had some Guinness chocolate whilst we read half of the information and made our way up to the bar. Looking like a 13yrs old I went armed with my passport, yet still had uncomfortable stares by one of the staff, anyway had my pint of Guinness which I did not finish but atleast I had one!!! Since it was abit cold and wet we decided to go for some warming soup and headed to Temple Bar where we enjoyed some tomato and Basil soup and some homemade rustic bread - yum yum. We took the bus back which once again I bargained a child ticket. It was Noreen's birthday today, so she took us out (it should have been the other way round though) to a very nice restaurant - I had a yummy Greek salad and some red wine - what a nice way to finish off my stay.
Weds 16th Another early departure - 7:30am. This time I was taking the swift and not the Cruise - the swift only takes 1hr 30 as oppose to 3 and a half hrs but the ferry is alot smaller and moves a whole lot more. so after saying my goodbyes I faced the sea sickness and made my way back to Wales. In one Nauseas piece. It was nice because on the way up it was dark and I did not get to see much of the Welsh Countryside but even though I was tired I didn't want to miss the North, We went along the coast passed Cowny and Boring sorry Bangor and then passed the place with the longest name in the world something something something ......GoGo that's all i know. But wow Wales is so beautiful - it really is one of the most stunning places in the world. I really want to spend some time in the North.
Anyway I arrived in Cardiff at about 2:30 making it to home just after 3:00 - long long day. But had a great time, but it was now time for a nap (hmmmmmmm I'm getting old hahah)
Friday, August 18, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
London Love
Well it's been a busy week or so, bus trains, cars and ships ahhh travel.
Day 1: First of I set out to London again, for 3 days, arrived at 12ish on Mon 7th. Decided to walk from Victoria to Russell square - both on opposite sides of zone 1. I went the wrong way out of the station and about 30mins into the walk had to do abit of a u-turn. On the way I passed Westminster abbey, the houses of parliament/Big Ben and the woman's war statue. Aswell as going up every other street but the right one in Trafalgar square, but made it up through Charing Cross and New Oxford St, eventually just over 2hrs later making it to Tavistock Square (YEs where the bus was bombed) to The Generator hostel. The Hostel was clean and very big with loads of Auzzies. Nice bar - and happy hour heheh. Met some cool people, 2 girls from Canada, a french girl and some auzzies, and one had been to Ascension Island and was shock to found out I had been two (Not many people go or even know where it is). I had a skate down to Oxford St and just a wonder around, had some chips and salad and did this weird quiz thing with some of the others.
Day 2: Decided to tube it because it is the best way to get around. Went to Carnaby St again, had a look in the Mod shops, then went to Wardour St, checked out where The Marquee use to be (Famous venue of The Who) had a wonder around Soho and checked out all the record stores and small market, sat and had a health drink at this hip little cafe. Went to the Photographic Gallery in Oxford - they had a really good and quite scary exhibition up of cellphone photo's taken by survivors of the London underground bombings -all dark and smokey with people holding the hands over their mouths. After that I went to Camden - the best place!! Although just to big and too much choice. I did however find myself a vintage Levis red and white shirt and cat print belt. Loads of punks where out and just love the mix of people, had a hummus pitta and went for a drink with a friend at a really nice bar, we stayed their until the rush hour died down. Went back to the The Hostel and had some snacks then a we went to Soho again - to The Ship - a famous pub where Jimi Hendrix past out in the doorway and The clash wrote a song under the stairs. Also had a bite to eat in this really nice place across the road. Good day!
Day 3: Ahh pack up the stuff - feeling abit urgh - was feeling very tired whilst walking around Camden - and no it's not a hangover as I hardly had anything to drink. Had breakfast, and checked out. Took the train to St Pauls - the cathedral is amazing, but that's not why I went there. I walked over the Thames - and bizarrely Tony Hadley from Spandue Ballet was having promo photo's taken - weird, but made my way over to the Tate Modern. I felt before I went in I had to gear myself up for the pretentious that would follow, but that was not the case. The work shown was really interesting and they had some great Salvador Dali and Picasso pieces up, but the real cherry on the cake was the photo's by Cindy Sherman - one of my favorite photographers. I didn't even know her stuff wa there - so that really made my day. Chilled outside by the Thames and enjoyed a strong coffee, afterwhich I made my way to The Wartime museum. I walked there although it was further than I thought. By this point I was feeling really drained. The War museum was amazing though and if you every get to London -go!!!! They have really tanks and planes - loads of them too not just 1 or 2. But I really was not feeling very well especially when I was downstairs in the dark with all this wartime noise and pictures of the holocaust, had to get upstairs for air. Time was running out, so made my way back to the tube - Lambeth North, took it to Oxford St, it was fine until then but it was so hot in Oxford St and I was feeling like poo so I just could not take it and decided to walk to Victoria - through James Park and past Buckingam palace, eventually getting there. But by this point I had come to the conclusion I had ate something bad and was really uncomfortable abd could not face a bus trip to Ireland. So I decided to to wait and see if I would feel better and take the bus in the morning and wait at Victoria - only thing is at 2:00am that morning 24 people where arrested for a plot of terrorism and all planes stopped at Heathrow - London in Mayhem!!!! So I took a train - faster and better, all the way to Dublin.
Day 1: First of I set out to London again, for 3 days, arrived at 12ish on Mon 7th. Decided to walk from Victoria to Russell square - both on opposite sides of zone 1. I went the wrong way out of the station and about 30mins into the walk had to do abit of a u-turn. On the way I passed Westminster abbey, the houses of parliament/Big Ben and the woman's war statue. Aswell as going up every other street but the right one in Trafalgar square, but made it up through Charing Cross and New Oxford St, eventually just over 2hrs later making it to Tavistock Square (YEs where the bus was bombed) to The Generator hostel. The Hostel was clean and very big with loads of Auzzies. Nice bar - and happy hour heheh. Met some cool people, 2 girls from Canada, a french girl and some auzzies, and one had been to Ascension Island and was shock to found out I had been two (Not many people go or even know where it is). I had a skate down to Oxford St and just a wonder around, had some chips and salad and did this weird quiz thing with some of the others.
Day 2: Decided to tube it because it is the best way to get around. Went to Carnaby St again, had a look in the Mod shops, then went to Wardour St, checked out where The Marquee use to be (Famous venue of The Who) had a wonder around Soho and checked out all the record stores and small market, sat and had a health drink at this hip little cafe. Went to the Photographic Gallery in Oxford - they had a really good and quite scary exhibition up of cellphone photo's taken by survivors of the London underground bombings -all dark and smokey with people holding the hands over their mouths. After that I went to Camden - the best place!! Although just to big and too much choice. I did however find myself a vintage Levis red and white shirt and cat print belt. Loads of punks where out and just love the mix of people, had a hummus pitta and went for a drink with a friend at a really nice bar, we stayed their until the rush hour died down. Went back to the The Hostel and had some snacks then a we went to Soho again - to The Ship - a famous pub where Jimi Hendrix past out in the doorway and The clash wrote a song under the stairs. Also had a bite to eat in this really nice place across the road. Good day!
Day 3: Ahh pack up the stuff - feeling abit urgh - was feeling very tired whilst walking around Camden - and no it's not a hangover as I hardly had anything to drink. Had breakfast, and checked out. Took the train to St Pauls - the cathedral is amazing, but that's not why I went there. I walked over the Thames - and bizarrely Tony Hadley from Spandue Ballet was having promo photo's taken - weird, but made my way over to the Tate Modern. I felt before I went in I had to gear myself up for the pretentious that would follow, but that was not the case. The work shown was really interesting and they had some great Salvador Dali and Picasso pieces up, but the real cherry on the cake was the photo's by Cindy Sherman - one of my favorite photographers. I didn't even know her stuff wa there - so that really made my day. Chilled outside by the Thames and enjoyed a strong coffee, afterwhich I made my way to The Wartime museum. I walked there although it was further than I thought. By this point I was feeling really drained. The War museum was amazing though and if you every get to London -go!!!! They have really tanks and planes - loads of them too not just 1 or 2. But I really was not feeling very well especially when I was downstairs in the dark with all this wartime noise and pictures of the holocaust, had to get upstairs for air. Time was running out, so made my way back to the tube - Lambeth North, took it to Oxford St, it was fine until then but it was so hot in Oxford St and I was feeling like poo so I just could not take it and decided to walk to Victoria - through James Park and past Buckingam palace, eventually getting there. But by this point I had come to the conclusion I had ate something bad and was really uncomfortable abd could not face a bus trip to Ireland. So I decided to to wait and see if I would feel better and take the bus in the morning and wait at Victoria - only thing is at 2:00am that morning 24 people where arrested for a plot of terrorism and all planes stopped at Heathrow - London in Mayhem!!!! So I took a train - faster and better, all the way to Dublin.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Cardiff Big Weekend
So Below is some pics from my time in London. Arghh been very busy this weekend - covering the cardiff Big Weekend, loads of young people, loads of drunk people and some music. Well atleast I get to go back stage - and it really gives you a buzz, today when I went into the pit to photo The Automatic there was like about 6000people - probably more just screaming and your in it, between the crowd and the stage and a few feet from the bands. Got to meet some of the artist backstage which is always cool, but it's also surreal, yet very normal - strange!!! Some good music though - yesterday The Alarm, even though they quite old now did a blaster of a set. Today Cord and The Crimea where abit disappointing, just did not excite me, but The Infadels where good - really getting into it and getting the crowd moving with crazy rock-rave music. Then the guys who should of been the headliners The Automatic - which I didn't think I was going to like (All that NME hype - I'm anti it) but I have to say they where fine tuned after a summer of live gigs - professional and hard-working. Kubb just didn't have the same pull as the Welshys and where just alittle rusty. But all in all a good night. Ohh and a huge fair-ground aswell, anyway the pictures above where taking with my phone - the band pictures to be up soon. But it's late gotta be up early so going to bed.
Friday, August 04, 2006
new photos
So today I rode to my Aunts house in Trehafod about 8/9km round trip which is not that far really. But I love getting on my bike - I feel like I can go anywhere in the world when i am on it.
Anyway I have put loads of new pics up on my flickr site so check it out if u have time
www.flickr.com/photos/lauracharlotte
Anyway I have put loads of new pics up on my flickr site so check it out if u have time
www.flickr.com/photos/lauracharlotte
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Calm before the Storm
Well this week again has been pretty chill but it's like the calm before the storm - as from Friday I am busy again - Taking Photos at Cardiff Big Weekend - some cool people are playing there - Cerys Matthews, Kubb, The Automatic, Crimea etc.... so that should be fun, then I am off toe London on the Monday - till the Wednesday then I take a bus all the way to Dublin and arrive on the Thursday - will get back home the following Wednesday to go to The Green Man Festival on the Thursday - then will finally get back on the following Monday - woah.
But anyway I did to Cardiff on Tuesday and had a walk around - bought battles new 7inch single - from spillers the oldest record shop in the world est 1894 (that's alongtime!!!!)
Also picked up the negatives for my Black and white film that I shot in London - pics will be up soon. Been riding my bike loads on Wednesday I wanted to ride to Abercynon - a good 14km round trip but I got as far as Trawlln about a 5/6km then the skies opened and I have never ever gotten so drenched by rain in my life - but I was quite warm from riding so I didn't actually mind - it's only water anyway. Then yesterday I road to Treforest Estate to say "Hi" to my mother at her work. I also went to visit my Gran and she has leant me her Box Brownie No2 Hawkeye camera - which I am so excited about - when I get back from all the madness I'm going to take load of photo's with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway above is my new home from September - Falmouth Cornwall.
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