Birthdays, cabs and gore!

It was my birthday on Friday, and a parcel arrives. It's addressed to me, but has no other markings... Upon opening it, I discover a black taxi money box! Happy birthday to me! but no clue as to who it came from! A bit later in the day I receive a text from Mark cryptically asking if I had a cab yet or was I saving for one? Cryptic clue solved! Thanks so much Messrs TulStig! Here it is in it's new home next to another iconic feature of London, a pillarbox:

Whilst out on one of my runs today, I came across one of London's grislier sights. 97 Evering Road, the basement flat here is the site of the Krays murder of JAck "The Hat" McVitie. Not pleasant I know, but a historic site nonetheless. You can just about make out the flat on the right in this photo:

More interesting sights to come, I'm sure!

Reiki update: My neighbour texted Carla claiming I had magic hands and that she wants another session this week as her back has rarely felt better. I'm super chuffed to hear this, as I have also been administering Reiki to Carla, who is now sleeping better as a result. Awesome!

As for today's song, this came to me whilst zooming about on the bike Crazy

KRAYzy..... Sorry....

A long one!

Fnaaaar...

Went out and did a couple of runs today. One was average (About 12 roads) but the other, well it was huge!
The run consisted of 39 roads from The London School of Music SW7 to Crouch Hill station NW6. 39 roads.. count 'em! it was ok though as I knew a large piece of the run from previous ones. This will now be called the criss cross effect from this point on!

One interesting thing I saw was this piece of art on Park Lane opposite the Hilton hotel:

Researching it back home, it appears it was designed and made by Lorenzo Quinn I've seen it previously but could never park to get a shot of it. It was designed and made by the Italian artist and son of Anthony Quinn. This is the part of the knowledge I love. Discovering interesting facts about London. It makes things so much more exciting.

On to Reiki matters. After administering Reiki to my neighbour for her bad back, I have left her to her own devices since she came back from holiday. I decided not to mention it, after initially asking how her back was with the intention of seeing how she got on. I'm pleased to say I have just received a text from her asking for another session. This has really pleased me as it proves to me that it did do something (Not that proof were needed, but you get my drift) as she came back to me off her own back (Pardon the pun!) so a further session has been organised for tomorrow night.

Talking of tomorrow, it's my birthday and Carla has just bought me this:

an iPad 2 so I can be connected even MORE than I am now (If that's even possible!)

Today's tune? A take on my long run today!

Going over old ground

Today I went over a run that has eluded me sinceI started doing the knowledge. Around run 20 I had a major wobble and had to make a decision as to whether I continued or not. As a result, that particular run was never completed. When call over time arrives, we skip over it. I always knew I would have to redo it, but I waited until I was back in that part of London again. (The knowledge works like concentric circles around the 6 mile radius of Charing Cross, working from farthest out to nearest in) So today I tackled my nemesis... And you know what? It was ok! I ran it once and called it back. It shows how my learning is changing from being wary and unsure to actually realising I can learn it!

No pictures today as Putney has very few quirky things to photograph!

Todays song is one that has been floating around my head for a while now. The Who

I wish I had known Keith Moon!

It's all about the music...

.... and it's been all around me lately. Last night, much banter and merriment ensued with Mark and I exchanging a number of texts whilst watching the Eurovision song contest. After saying I would never watch such a boring show, Mark suggested I should watch it and to my surprise it was actually rather good (In an ironic way!) I was most impressed with the Ukraine entry and also Spain's (For reasons other than musical!!) and I was actually quite sad Blue finished below Jedwood! So a big thanks to messrs TulStig for the recommendation

On to todays runs. I found myself in NW8 and Abbey Road, home of the Beatles Abbey Road studios and the famous Zebra crossing. An enterprising photographer has set himself up to precariously tale photos of tourists recreating the famous Abbey Road album cover while they dodge modern day traffic!

I'm parked on the reverse of the original photo looking at it from The Beatles point of view. That completed 108 runs (I think) so slowly chipping away at them!

Today's song can only really be a Beatles song
And this one is taken completely at random as asking me to choose my favourite Beatles song is like asking me to choose between Tottenham and Carla. Impossible!

Added two more runs

To my expanding list. That's 105 now, and my call overs are becoming more fluent. Still getting interrupted by all things baby though! Was at the midwife on Monday where all was reported as going well (Touch wood!) and as I type she's in her 37th week which means technically the baby could arrive any time.

On to Reiki. Practiced on Carla on Tuesday after seeking some guidance from Mark, as I wasn't too sure if it was advisable to offer Reiki to a pregnant person. As per Mark, if it feels odd for either of you, stop immediately. with that in mid, I proceeded to administer the Reiki, paying attention to Carla's hip and pelvis as she had been experiencing twinges there. I'm happy to report she didn't go into labour and her hip pain settled considerably. Add to that a good night's sleep, and I think it was rather succesful!

Todays musical treat?Not so much musical as hilarious

Morecambe And Wise
As it's my favourite comedy clip ever!

Not so much...

... On the runs front as Carla and I have been firmly ensconsed at the hospital. She has been suffering from dizzy spells and slight swelling of the feet. On our midwife visit on Monday high blood pressure was discovered so a trip to the hospital was in order. Upon reaching the hospital the next day her blood pressure was normal. The baby was fine too. So we sat there for 3 hours or so monitoring everything and all was fine. Until we were ready to leave and one more check on her blood pressure showed it had gone up higher than the day previously! so another trip back on Thursday for more tests. Fortunately everything was fine this time.

So, fingers crossed all will remain well for the next few weeks so I can get on with the knowledge!

Busy busy busy!

Well what a few days! On Thursday after completing some more runs Carla and I went to Costco to stock up on a few bits. On the way out we popped into TGI Fridays. Never again! As much as Carla enjoyed her "Filth Food" It was indeed that. Filthy. Greasy sickly Nachos and cheese.. Won't be back there in a rush!

On Friday we spent the day at a friends who hosted a garden party for the royal wedding. I saw about 20 minutes and that was enough. (Although I did watch the highlights and thoroughly enjoyed them!) Friday evening was spent relaxing and watching TV.

On Saturday I drove in to London to collect Tony and Sean who I recruited to help with decorating the nursery. It cost me a BBQ, but it was worth it as they did a great job.

On Sunday my brother and his wife came over for lunch. He produced some great photos of his recent trip to Cuba. Not much jealousy from us two!

On Monday I drove into London again to complete 3 more runs which took me to 99. Saw an interesting sight in Champion Park. This prowling wolf:

After some investigation, it appears that there is a series of public art sculptures in and around the borough. I'll be keeping an eye out for more quirky sights whilst on my travels.