Two Women, A Land-rover, and A Big Adventure

Anne-Laure (pictured) and Lucy spent six months travelling through North Africa and the Middle East in an old land rover they named Landy.  Crazy?  Maybe, but their inspirational journey was to experience everyday life in this part of the world and to show a positive side to these countries that is not expressed in the mainstream media.

The many stories they have to tell about this extraordinary adventure are published in a book titled Shifting Sands and a website of the same name.  They are also taking part in the InTransit Festival  where Anne-Laure, Lucy and Landy will be found in a tent serving tea and regaling their stories between 19-28 June.

They'll tell you how they pimped Landy everywhere they went, not just to make her look crazy but for very practical reasons such as not looking like a military vehicle, or why they lined the entire inside of the vehicle in cork.

During their time in Istanbul, Landy became a canvas for the art of Leo Lunatic, Istanbul's equivalent of Banksy, as a result this is the first time Leo's art has been able to travel outside of his home country.

By the end of the trip they have become damn good mechanics and have made some amazing and lasting friendships.

Don't miss the opportunity to meet them in person and hear about their adventures.  For my overseas readers, do visit their website.  

Ted does Japan(ese) …

Howdy ... Ted here ... isn't this exciting .. I almost ran out of the blocks before I am allowed ...  I have just recently returned from a trip to Tokyo, that took in a little of Japan. I had one of the most fabulous dining experiences of my flurry little life there, but more of that another time. "We" (a woman who was not the Doll) went  to Yudanaka, on one of those wonderful pieces of engineering and technology quite correctly named “bullet trains”, or for those of you who don’t lisp “Shinkansen”.

We had come to see the snow monkeys who (surprisingly) live in the snow and spend most of their time in the natural geothermal hot pools.  After what seemed like hours of walking on a muddy high mountain track we finally reached a small hut in an advanced  state of snowy decay, with a smelly heater and a few “souvenirs”. The souvenirs had obviously been knitted by someone’s 98 year old Granny after a session of “so you call this Tequila do you? … and to think I wasted some much time on cream sherry!!”.  Naturally I bought one.

There were signs that politely spoke of the  “please do not’s” about interacting with the monkeys ... no staring, threatening, gesturing, eating, feeding, carrying Birkin bags etc.  They should have just said “be prepared to be monstered - the monkey’s don’t like you, they don’t want you here, you smell, and your mother dresses you funny!!  Your only hope is to lay down your Birkin bag containing at least 75% cocoa full fat dark chocolate bars” and RUN away!!”  This is of course a highly unlikely scenario for a highly unlikely reason - you just can’t get any chocolate that’s not green tea flavoured in Japan!!!.  So after what seemed like an eternity of being menaced by monkeys (probably 3 minutes in reality) we RAN away!!

Back in London the scars of the monkey incident healed quickly and my need for Japanese food returned in spades, so I talked the Doll into an early lunch at Koya Bar in Soho.

A skinny restaurant, with an attractive street front and a long light wooden counter/bar running the length of the place, very like what I had seen in Japan even!  The eaters sit on one side of the counter and the open kitchen is on the other.  Essentially Koya is a noodle bar that also has rice dishes, sides, and specials. Again in the Japanese fashion, it’s not designed as a place to linger after eating.  It is a place to be nourished and savour good honest food, well cooked, bursting with umami .. the 5^th flavour . Umami is intrinsic to the Japanese psyche and delivered skilfully and effortlessly, in even the most humble of eating establishments.  Koya does it really well, and if you are in the area I’d thoroughly recommend you drop in.  And no … sadly we didn't have any Sake as the Doll says I am smart mouthed enough already!!

Ted - a brief introduction

My name is Ted and I simply adore good food and the many beverages that can accompany it. I also like travel and small adventures - befitting my stature.

Mo Doll (“The Doll”) approached me and said that her Sunday readership was very low and would I like to do a guest spot (no singing or nudity allowed apparently) to try and get you all to show a modicum of the interest you seem to show during the week days. If it didn’t raise her readership it would be duly pronounced my fault … how could I resist?

So … you’ll be hearing from me on a more or less weekly basis now as I continue to eat my way towards paradise, following only the most basic of sensible rules designed for my own safety -    “never eat anything bigger than your head in one sitting, or drink from anything taller than yourself”.

The Start of the Adventure

A couple of days ago I told you my American friend and I were off for an adventure in a MINI Cooper. We took in all the main sights of London and a few secret spots, and I thought I would share a few of them with you over the next few days. Some oldies but goodies always worth another look.

We began in Clerkenwell with a visit to the ancient Norman church St Bartholomew.  The church originates in 1123 and is tucked away behind a medieval gate next to modern restaurants, which means it can easily be missed.  Step inside those gates and you are transported back to an amazing history and unique architecture.

If the church feels a little familiar that maybe because you have seen it in the movies.  It appeared in such greats as: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love, The Other Boleyn Girl, and others.

We then jumped back into our mini and zipped down Farringdon Road and turned up Ludgate Hill for a superb view of St Paul's Cathedral.

The rain had stopped and we were treated to blue skies, this was a good sign.  Our adventure was getting better by the minute.

to be continued…..

"UP" at O2

Yes .. "UP" at the O2 is London's latest fantastic outdoor adventure and I got to try it out on the weekend. You climb across the roof of the O2 Arena on a 350 metre long fabric "walkway". Starting out from base camp, in your climbing suit and harness, our guide, who was both an experienced mountain climber and an up and coming film director, guided us up the 180 metre ascent to the viewing platform. From here, at the centre of the arena, 52 metres above ground, you have a perfect 360 degree view of London. Absolutely stunning!! Planes flying overhead, boats on the Thames, and London's super skyline on display.


After loads of picture taking, tweeting and facebook posting time, it's the back onto the guide wires and the descent down the other side. By this time we were of course all experts with the climbing gear ... really it's so easy and safe, and an exhilarating experience not to be missed. I'm already planning my sunset climb..



It will be open all year round:
June - September weekdays 12pm- 8pm, weekends 10am - 6pm.
October - May weekdays 12pm - 6pm, weekends 10am - 4pm. Your 90 minute thrill costs a mere £22.

Never Be Bored in London

Just released by Tired of London Tired of Life the book from the blog of the same name. Tom takes you on a new adventure every day in London. This is not just another book with the same old tourist attractions. Tom said "I set myself a challenge to discover new things to do, and secretly began to form my own collection of hidden delights". Now Tom is sharing these delights with all of us, like for example "sit on the bench that ended slavery", touch a meteorite, and follow it up with a drink in a Victorian Gin Palace".
This is a book for anyone who wants to see more than just the usual sites of London - visitors and Londoners alike.
I was lucky enough to grab the very last copy at the launch last night. Make sure you grab your copy here before they all race out the door .

The Adventurer

Let's start this week with some real inspiration.
Let me introduce you to Joff Summerfield an adventurer extraordinaire. He rode around the world on this pennyfarthing he is standing next to. A two year adventure from 2006 to 2008 that took him through 23 countries.
In his workshop at Trinity Buoy Wharf he makes and repairs a range of vintage bikes..