Universal Studios - A Towering Inferno?

Universal Studios in Los Angeles - a place I have spent some of the best days of my life has been devastated by fire. The famous King Kong/New York ride, the famous clock house as used in Escape to New York and Back to Future has gone as are many of the new rides I've not seen yet - the earthquake ride is harmed but thankfully not beyond repair.

Tape canisters had to be removed to safety by firestaff. You have to remember this is a fully working studio, where films are being shot all the time unlike the faux Universal Studios in Orlando so these really are film sets that have been lost.

The amazing thing is that the Studios re-opened on Monday with tours still being run around the burned out shells of sets - you even had the free special effect of being able to smell smoke - amazing - that's show business!

Incidentally, this isnt the first time Universal has suffered damage through fire. In 1990 a security officer was jailed for torching Univ. Studios causing $25million of damage.

It's up to you, New York, New York!

It's Saturday morning. The weather forecast isnt good. There is a BIG storm heading our way but at the moment it's very hot (and humid) and although there are a few clouds in the sky it looks like a good day to do the hop on/hop off bus tour of New York City.

We travel downtown past Madison Square Garden (home of the famous Wesminster Dog Show amongst other famous shows and expo's) towards the famous flat iron building. Once a skyscraper and initiated the whole idea that high building could not be made of concrete as they sunk with the weight!

Then onto Greenwich Village with streets that look like the classic walk-ups you see on TV and film with the stone staircase at the front and made of red brick. Very pretty actually, especially with the tree's lining them.

The next stop was onto Vesey Street - not a name that's familiar to most people I think but at the end of Vesey is Ground Zero - or what's left of the World Trade Centre. The events of 9/11 affected me deeply but going there didnt really move me. I suppose it's because it's now just another building site. There is full activity going on as the site - with it's Freedom Tower - are being built. What I found more levelling (pardon the pun) was the unofficial memorial started by a local shop owner of putting ceramic tiles on a chain link fence and writing or drawing your message on it. This was real. The was peoples raw emotions.



Our next destination was to walk across Brooklyn Bridge. It's 125 this year . It's a cool mile across and was once the longest bridge in the world and we walked all the way over and back again. I think I now deserve lunch!


As we walked over Brooklyn Bridge I felt rain. We carried on to Wall Street and decided to go into Borders Book Shop and sit it out - thank God we did!! There was an amazing storm, it poured down, plus thunder and lightning. 45 minutes later it was sunny again - if still a bit humid.


After walking around Wall Street for a while we found a very authentic, American Deli. I had everything you could imagine, freshly baked pizza, an assortment of take-away style buffet (like chinese, italian, indian), coffee, chips, danishes, cakes, sandwiches and paninis - which is what we both had. It was the Cafe Plaza Deli and although definitely not haut cuisine it was a true, hard working, well stocked diner and I bet the people who look after our money in Wall Street frequent it all week!




We caught the bus back to Time Square and chilled out for an hour or so.

Alan then sprung a great surprise on me. He took me to Les Halles for dinner. Les Halles is owned by celebrity chef, TV star, author and Virtual Tourist member Anthony Bourdain. I've read most of his books, watched his TV shows avidly and even emailed him on Virtual Tourist. I also have his famous Recipe Book. The steaks were awesome, his fries are legendary and with his French background the menu is simple and short (unlike a lot of American eateries) but spot on. The pate was to die for. It's noisy, very crowded and it's hot inside but totally worth going there. It was a really good experience.

The Big 'Art Deco' Apple!

We are staying in the Hilton in Time Square on the 26th floor overlooking the DKNY store and workshop.

We got up early (mostly due to falling asleep so early last night) and started our adventure to find out about this famous (and maybe over-publicised) city.

The weather is wonderful. It's been about 80degrees today. We first made out way to Time Square, then only the wonderful Chrysler Building. Whatever you can see from pictures and film, seeing this wonderful example of art deco architecture just doesnt do it justice - this building is absolutely beautiful. We then walked down to the United Nations building at the end of 42nd Street. I love the scuplture of the gun with the tied barrel - great work of art. There were also a lot of military folk walking around the place from all corners of the military world - there was even an officer from Mozambique!

Then back up 42nd Street and onto the Rockerfella Plaza - another impressive building - where we had a really nice salad and beer in the exact place that's frozen over every winter. The only thing that spoilt this was a brash, rude, idiot of an American (sadly just the kind of persona that we Brits often stereotypes Americans with ) who had cocktail sauce accidentally spilt on his shirt by a very busy bar tender. His rudeness was incredible - and he was actually at a business meal with a female guest - I bet she was impressed!! NOT!

After lunch walked up to 59th Street to visit the Apple Store (we are not worthy) and FAO Schwartz (which is opposite Central Park) we then walked past Central Park where all the incredibly decadent hotels and restuarant's reside. Tres posh!

We then walked back to Time Square with the famous neon signs and had a quick well earned drink in the famous Benash cafe/bar.

By the time we got back to the hotel we had been walking a total of seven hours! My feet are killing me. I'm off to Ruby Tuesday's now for a well earned steak!

My first day in the City

We had a really good flight - so much shorter than Las Vegas or Los Angeles - and got to the hotel feeling remarkably refreshed. We arrived in the hotel at about 1am so actually had an extra half day we didnt expect.



We walked around a little to find our bearings then met up with friend and colleague, Dave Stumpf and had a wonderful meal, beer and gossip in Stout. A really good way to start the holiday off with. I had a steak salad and the meat was bearly cooked but so tender you didnt even need a knife to cut it - welcome to the US of A!

I bearly remember going to bed - I slept like a log so all ready to see the City in all it's glory!

Louise and the City

When you visit other cities that are unfamiliar to you have you found that the people watching is at a premium? There is always someone or some people that look completely ...well weird

So my question is........Do we get used to our own weirdos (cue the Sex and the City Music)


...and so begins my adventure in the Big Apple

A Typical Bank Holiday Monday - it Pissed Down!

After a very pleasant weekend I was looking forward to the Spring Bank Holiday Monday. Thank God I did all the gardening chores before today. I was appalling! It rained all day (and all the previous night) was incredibly windy and of course today is the day of the Surrey County Show - what a disaster! I would have stayed in bed if I'd been competing - Stoke Park must have been a quagmire!

The garden was under at least four inches of water as was my greenhouse. Is this global warming?

...and to add insult to injury, I had a blow-out in my wellies and had a soggy foot every time I took the dogs out!

English weather - dont you just love it!

You get a high and then it comes and takes it away!

Harvey's son Beejay has attended his first show in the Netherlands (they have baby classes over there where they start at 4 months). He won Best Puppy (baby) - I was elated, so proud.

...then the knock comes along just to keep me on planet earth. Harvey's brother Wallace received the CC and his other brother Alfie received the reserve CC at Bath Championship Show.

They give one and then they take one away as the saying goes. I cried a tear of joy at Beejay's success and cried more than a tear of sadness at the fact that Harvey is on the sofa instead of on the show bench!

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

Went to see the latest Indiana Jones film and after nearly 20 years Harrison Ford still looks the part. He IS Dr Henry Walton 'Indiana' Jones.

The story was silly, the action was ridiculous (how many rounds can a woman shoot without hitting her target once?) but it was complete enjoyable, cotton wool for your eyes, check you brain in at the foyer good, old fashioned fun!

It's Chelsea.....and it's Chelsea v Man United!

It's the Chelsea Flower Show once again and I'm quite happy to watch this spectacular horticultural showpiece from my armchair. I've been there once and it was nice but it's crowded, small and I had the most appalling allergy problem with the London pollution (it was very windy). I'd much rather go to Malvern. So here I am the armchair gardener and I just want every new plant they mention. I've even found a new supplier of Heuchera's and they have one called Rave On which I must buy as Harvey's first mating was with Chartan Raving Beauty - known as Rave to her friends!! Thank god for the Internet - I can even order plants online :)

....and the other reason Chelsea is in the news? Chelsea were beaten by Manchester United in the UEFA cup final in Moscow. Penalty shoot out 6-5 - what a waste but there again serves 'em right for sacking Jose Mourinho!!

Harvey's Children are Growing up!

Latest photo's of Harvey's babes. They are now four months old. Beejay, although larger, is looking so much like his dad!















......and this beautiful young lady is Summer who is the great hope for greatness both in the ring and the field here in the UK.

owned by Tracy Byford

Climate Change is just Cuckoo!

It was a beautiful day with temperatures reaching the mid 20's all day - although not especially sunny. The mud season is at last (hopefully) over.

This evening while pottering around my garden I heard the familiar summer sound of the Cuckoo. It was really near. Probably in the field out the back of the garden. This has got to positively be the latest I have ever heard this creature whilst living in this village. Does this have anything to do with climate change?

Bank Holiday Monday - what a wonderful day!

Today is one of those days I simply dont want to end. It was a bank holiday , it was sunny, I spent the whole day outside - in the sunshine. It was pouring down last night so the field still isnt dry but by the time we got up (very late due to a power cut) it was bright and sunny.

I did some more of the gravel path and it was very hard work and very hot - every bone in my body is now aching but it's worth it.

I stayed outside drinking a glass of wine and reading a book until it wasnt light enough to see.......a wonderful day, a wonderful weekend. What a shame I have to go back to the office tomorrow!