The Home of MikieMikes Travel Blog

My Last Weekend in UK

2009-11-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

Well a week ago I was spending my last two days in London hanging out with a good friend and going to visit the British Museum and National Portrait again. The rest wasn't planed.

In the Library Room of the British Museum

Wicked Corner in London

Giant Trees on exhibit at Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Sun going down with Nelsons Column in the foreground.

Nottinghill

Portobello Road Markets

Well later on that day I was flying of back to NZ. This has been an inspiring 10 months and I am so stoked to have experienced this. It has certainly opened my eyes to some of the world. Maybe one day in the future I will visit UK again. Well in the meantime its NZ and continually look out for my blogs which will be NZ related travels.

Kent Countryside drive 31st Oct

2009-11-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Well to celebrate my birthday weekend a couple of friends and I went driving into the Kent countryside close to Maidstone. After making the decision on what direction we headed of feeling somewhat effected by the excess red wine the night before. The aim was to keep to the small roads but there were a couple of occasions that the A roads were used. It was a lovely Autumn day as we scooted through the tiny villages. But the red wine and map reading had taken its toll. I needed to get out of the back of the car pronto and smell the fresh air.

Our first stop was Scotney Castle. This lovely spot surrounded by established gardens and rolling fields of mushrooms. Wasn't long and the fresh air cured the ills of the red wine. My friends Mirna and Cathrine and I went for a bit of a forage for mushrooms and found ourselves entering the Castle grounds for free. Oops how did that happen. Oh well we are here anyway lets enjoy. We didn't even get questioned by the National Trust lady that was walking around. Shot!!

Scotney Castle

Golden Autumn

Full Moon at the 11century chapel in Goudhurst

Sunset in Goudhurst

October London Visit to Anish Kapoor Exhibition

2009-10-09T14:02:00.001-07:00

Well today was another day off so it was rather cloudy and not raining for a change so I decided to head to London to visit the Anish Kapoor Exhibition at the Royal Academy of the Arts. along the way I quickly snapped this squirrel at St James Park. Something about squirrels today I saw many.

This is just down the road from London Victoria Station.

Anish Kapoor sculpture at the entrance of the Royal Academy.
http://www.anishkapoor.com/works/index.htm

Self portrait taking photo of Anish Kapoor sculpture.

The National Portrait Gallery.

The Waterloo Bridge on the way to Somerset House to visit the Courtauld Gallery which housed some of the most famous paintings by Renoir, monet, Van Gogh to name but a few.
http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/index.shtml

A falcon on the window sill of the Somerset House.

2009-10-04T00:18:00.000-07:00

Hello blog and those who read this well now! I am now recovered from my trip to Barcelona, Rome and Venice which all 3 places have been totally amazing and inspiring. Have many ideas running around in my head for sculpture. There are 3 NEW LINKS down the right column which show some of the images taken while there.

Also I have some other images on my www.mikeldurel.com website. Mainly arty shots there. Its a crazy world here and I do miss home and looking forward to putting my feet on NZ soil in late November. The plan was to be here longer but I have changed my mind. I have no qualms about this decision as I have at least made a few dreams come true. Seeing Rome was one of them. I had always dreamed of Rome ever since studying at Art School. Italy is a beautiful place and I will visit again. There have been many new and creative things that has been getting me by. One of them is Travel Writing. During all of my trips I have reflected in now my second visual dairy the journeys the days events. When the time comes I'm sure it could easily be a small book with images of course. The other creative avenue is Photography (Digital). My eye for composition is developing more than I expected. To date I have taken over 3000 photos of my journey. I gather that there would be at least 300 of them worthy to be exhibited. I am certainly looking forward to that show. Other artforms have developed also with my drawings becoming complex and will be the basis for sculpture.

2009-09-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry dudes haven't been to onto it with blogging so here is a recent visit to London where I meet up with old and dear friend Mirna and Catherine at the The Mayors Thames Festival. This spanned from London Bridge to Westminister Bridge and what a huge amount of people there was. I started my day of in Maidstone of course jumped onto the 9am train to London Bridge. There were not so many people around so I just wondered about and visited the Tate Modern as well. I wasnt until 12 that the crowds arrived and arrive in droves they did. What took 10mins to walk now a 1/2 hour. So hooked up with Mirna and Catherine and spent the rest of the day exploring the festival. The highlight literally was the flaming sculptures outside the Tate Modern. Was inspiring.

Well thats all from me on that enjoy the pics. The next time I add something to this blog will be when I return from a trip to Barcelona, Rome and Venice. Which is this week. Yippy!!!

The Mayors Thames Festival 09

2009-09-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

A bit of a tense moment you see these persons in orange well
they were harassing this fab musician because he didn't have a
license to busk.

Mirna and Me

This dude was amazing mixing music with his mouth.

Miniature DJ

I call this image "Heads"

Flaming Ball outside the Tate Modern.

Kilve Court

2009-07-25T04:50:00.000-07:00

This is a few shots taken by the Kilve Court Summer Camp. That Billy The Badger my new friend.

I've been "sent to Coventry"

2009-07-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Being sent to Coventry is to be ignored or shunned I looked into it and some believe the saying has been around since the English Civil war. Which was new to me. So my colleges at work all laugh when I told them of my impending situation. so here I am in Coventry at Warwick University studying to be a team leader for YHA Summer School. Which is down in Somerset at a place called Bridgewater. I have not really taken any images of Coventry as of yet because of the intense timetable and the amount of time I have of so maybe in the next couple of days something will happen.

Me and Pompidou

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

Oh I found this in my inbox it was sent from Hannes and architectural student
who was having a class visit at the Pompidou in Paris.
So this is me walking along this wonderful corridor.

It Finally Rained

2009-07-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ever since being in the UK I have not seen it rain. These pic are taken on the way home through Swanley just after a thunder and lightening downpour. Yeah bring it on.

What the

2009-07-03T07:54:00.001-07:00

Now I have been talking to a few friends and they say I don't include myself in the images I take well I have taken thast on baord after a few pints this is whta I look like. so friday in maidstone hair i am green egges and ham standing on another bridge wit wif the river Midway in the back d ground. Excuse the spellin mistake s as this is all part of the conversation. So To all those friends I will make better a do when I travel that I include me in my images yeah do what!!!!

Waffle July 2nd

2009-07-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well I have not wrote much lately for you all so here goes. I have finally recovered from Amsterdam took a few days and now about to head to Conventry to go to University for a week training then onto Summer Camp in Somerset for 5 weeks. It should be a hoot and looking forward to it. Something about the South West UK. During my days off I aim to head to Bristol birth place of my Grand Father and Stonehenge. Furthermore the place of Bridgewater, Somerset where the camp is, is close to the ocean. I hope especially with this wonderful weather of 30 degrees C and bright blue skyes remain and I get a chance to plunge myself into the ocean. Sorry to rub it in my Kiwi friends. I have just spent the last hour or so sorting out my blog sites and now they all link together. I am not sure if I will have much internet time to update this but I will be back certainly on the ball in late August. I will hopefully have much to show and more wonderful adventures to share.

London May 2nd

2009-07-02T13:43:00.001-07:00

I have always wanted to walk across London Bridge

Um I will find out the name of this building soon the name is 30 St Mary Axe

Is stat you

Ramesses II, at the British Museum

The British Museum

Funny Man being Dog

Millenium Bridge and the Tate which was also on my list of visits today.

This is very inspiring

The Next Part

2009-07-02T13:42:00.001-07:00

Well I have walked many miles since my last entry go to my other blog site for the Cornwall trip if you have not seen. Since then also I have finished two books one Britain BC by Francis Pryor and the other The Real Middle Earth by Brian Bates. Both a wonderful read and a insight into my possible history. The next images relate to my trip to London on the 2nd May. This day was dedicated to the Museum Visit. I pulled into London Bridge Station around 9am and headed first of to London Bridge then onto London and the British Museums. Both exhibit objects I have been reading about. It is timing to have just finished the later book to go and see these objects in the real. The where ancient tools, weapons and other items found in the burial mounds around the UK. I will not show these on this site as I feel that if you are versed in ancient history you should go and see for yourself. So instead I will show other images on the way and on the way back. Enjoy.

Another Part of many Parts with more Parts to come.

2009-07-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

One and a half weeks later I finished my Red Saxon. What a journey. What a turbulent first thousands years AD. I am beginning to form a clear picture of my ancestors of their background and the history and what they have endured. Romans, Normans, Saxon, Danes and Vikings all play an significant role of the genetic makeup of the people of the British Isles. Place names of significant importance are beginning to emerge. Cornwall calling for a start. Time to venture around the very bottom south western tip of Britain. Lands End, which is now as mentioned by colleges has become very commercial. Nevermind I’m sure it will feel what I hope to expect. Back in New Zealand some years ago I purchased an image/photograph in an oak frame that image is Lands End and could possibly date around the 1890s to early 1900s. I guess this image has haunted me for many years and will be a important visit while here in the UK.

Hastings 1066 Country March 22nd

2009-07-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

Part of the Battle Field with the Abbey in the background

Part One of many Parts

2009-07-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

Well what discoveries I have made and more to come. I’ve found out since my wee jaunt to the south east coast that the UK has much to offer and a history to go with it. My natural draw to see the ocean has open up many traveling options. But one to mind is something I did in my early 20s when I would spend countless days on the roads of the South Island, NZ. This freedom so to speak, away from the hustle and bustle of work and city life. A time to reflect and become submersed into the land, history and culture “This is what I will do this is my purpose”. That’s why I’m here. It wasn’t apparent until I met a couple walking the opposite on the trail from Deal to Dover. It is then I asked what is this walk about. It is the trail of the Saxons “The Saxon Shore Way” they replied. Walking now with that in mind wondering that over a thousand years ago the Saxons once walked this way. My mind has the classic image of a Saxon helmet upon my head. Asking questions also about my heritage my ancestors who ever they may be. Could they be once a Saxon or encountered a Saxon on the battle field.

Two days after that walk back to history I decided on another sunny spring morn to go to Hastings. On the train I past a place called Battle and it all clicked. Battle, Hastings “oh yes” The Battle of Hastings. Once again I am transported back in time, this time to 1066 of William the Conqueror. I must visit Battle on the way home.

Hastings, white washed buildings reflecting the ocean just like Dover. What a beautiful escape once again. After a walk around and a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery, which I must say houses a wonderful collections of all sorts of things from around the world including a room that was so elaborately carved by Indians. I headed to a Castle Ruin on the hill. Hastings Castle, Britain’s first Norman Castle built by William the Conqueror. Well here I am being transported back in time imagining what this place may have looked like and I say it must have been amazing. I then headed down the other side into Old Hastings and discovered many antiques shops and many very old dwellings.

Old habits die hard but I may never let this die. A second hand book shop appeared in front of me next thing I know is that I was inside searching the shelves. To my surprise I found what I was looking for “History of the Saxons”. My new companion for my transportation back a thousand years or so. I also spied a Spike Milligan book one that I had when a child I chuckled to myself a mention this upon the store keeper who is a rough looking character possibly shaped by the sea himself. A coastal beast which I can sense had a heart of gold. He replied that he meet Spike Milligan many years back when he was living in these parts. Wow! you just never know what to expect in this land. Of I went with my new companions the Saxons and the Normans of course, three books actually couldn’t help myself. Off I went of to Battle.

Once on the train armed with my Red Saxon I began to thumb the pages a discovered that it wont be until the end of this saga I will get to William the Conqueror and his battle in Hastings. I sat back imagining if this was the trail or near by he and his army took to take on King Harold. The little town of Battle just a quick walk away from the station you come across the Abbey Gate which beyond its walls houses once again ancient architecture and the battle field. Armed with the audio gadget I head for the circuit around the battle field. Transported within my imagination through the sounds of the battle you could sense the power of 1066 and somewhat feel a presence of the soles lost on the eventful day.

I leave knowingly and head back to the station. Transfixed and focused I began to read “The Fall of the Saxon England” by Richard Humble. Or I will now call my Red Saxon.

From Deal To Dover March 16

2009-07-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

After being somewhat landlocked in Maidstone it has got to me. So, I headed to the coast for the first time in the UK. Wot a day just look at it and it that amazing blue sky hung around all day. So Early morning on the train from Maidstone East Station via Ashford then Ramsgate then onto Deal. I didn’t muck around to see to much of the town all I wanted was to see and smell the sea.

So of I walked on the trail the Saxons walked many centuries ago. It seems at this point I was heading to Dover for sure.

Up and Down I went and stoped at this postcard spot which is St Margaret’s at Cliffe.

More White Cliffs

And finally Dover. This place I will go back and explore a little more.

How appropriate. My animal sign is a monkey. And after a 16km walk my legs were feeling funky. Wow!!

Paris March 1st

2009-07-02T13:14:00.001-07:00

Well I havn’t updated this for a while so here goes. One thing I must say that I glad the I don’t need to type this with my feet as they have had an hammering from a week on the Paris foot paths. Yes a week of Paris. My eyes are strained from looking at so much art including the Mona Lisa. Louve Museum was on the top of the list since I did not have a date for Valentines Day I guess it would be good to check her out. Never know your luck. But unfortunatly I had to share her with 400 or so others. Shame really. She looks hot. After that Picasso Museum wow!!!!!!!!! Went back a second time like the Louve. This image is, with ones that don’t know, Rodin Thinker.

Top of the Eiffel Tower

Smile Guys. Check out the colour scheme

Taken from my walk along the Avenue Des Champs Elysees

In Paris it sometimes pay to look up you just never know what you see. Just while you are looking up tho have a quick glance at your feet you never know what you are about to step in.

Cops on Rollers, now thats something you don’t see every day.

Hmmmm!! Picasso what an amazing and must see Gallery

First Trip to London January 29th

2009-07-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! my first English Pub visit. I tell you had a wonderfull well earnt pint of fine English Lager a Steak and Mushroom Pie and Chips and was well stoked.

Now there's some weird looking outfits in London

Who's this chap then?

Flight To UK January 18 2009

2009-07-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah wow not far from UK. I had this never ending sunset for hours. Tell you abit about the airline food. If you have a hardcore stomach and can handle Korean food eat it its quite tasty but if you don’t they have a choice of in the first flight to Korea a Fish meal and on the second flight to London a roast chicken and potatoes (is wish I had that). Anyway wow wot a flight. Been in Maidstone, Kent now not quite a week and taking a train to London this morning so more photos to come.

Wot the. This shot is out the window looking down at what I think is Siberia. Bugger that who would work down there.

Well this is Korea in the morning just after a fab breakfast and sleep at the Hyatt in Incheon. Totally recomend this trip especially the 17 hr stopover and the stay in a flash Hotel. Funny thing is that at 9am in the morning there is hardly anyone around and the is strange of white stuff on the ground which worked out to be some sort of snow. Any way had a walk around the quiet streets and went back to the warmth of the Hotel. At the airport which is mighty flash as well I found a coffee shop that sells Lavvasa coffee. Thats by gate 27. Don’t eat the food there. Its strange stuff.

This is me back in December 2008

2009-07-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is me multitasking and getting my tech stuff sorted to head overseas.