Archive for March, 2008

Sweden Vs Brazil - Emirates Stadium

Thursday, March 27th, 2008

I was very keen to visit the Emirates Stadium (home to Arsenal) and last night’s friendly match provided a great opportunity.

Brazil had quite a few stars on show including Anderson (the new Manchester United player), Robinho, Alex (Chelsea defender) and Pato who is an 18 year old striker and a great prospect for the future. Freddy Ljunberg also made his return.

From the outside, the stadium looks bizarre - huge great building rising out of the city. A friend described it as a spaceship which suits it well. Inside it fits about 60,000 people but still seems fairly intimate and enclosed.

Emirates Stadium

The game was exciting, although could have done with more goals. The only one coming from Brazil late on but it was a great strike from Pato (click here to see). The atmosphere was fantastic, especially the noise coming from the Brazilian supporters. It was all trumpets, drums and mexican waves :-D

Emirates Stadium Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirates_Stadium

The Affordable Art Fair - Battersea Park

Sunday, March 16th, 2008

The Affordable Art Fair takes place twice a year in Battersea Park. Yesterday I went to have a look around the ’spring collection’ and it was great!

Affordable Art Fair flyer

The fair takes place in a huge tent type construction and there are 120 galleries exhibiting from around Britain and Europe. The best thing about the fair is the variety. You can go from one gallery with pop art to the next with traditional landscapes; from mock london bus stop signs to African sunsets.

There are free shuttle buses running from Sloane Square but it’s a nice walk as you cross Chelsea Bridge and pass Battersea Power Station.

I’m definitely going back in the Autumn. The only problem is I should really be writing the name with inverted commas because ‘affordable’ is really down to the eye (or wallet) of the beholder.

AAF website - www.affordableartfair.com

Inkey Jones at Thistle Hotel

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008

Hello!

Last night I had a friend’s birthday celebration and the plan was to go to Leicester Square and one of the comedy nights that are always being flyered. After a really nice Chinese meal from China Town we ended up getting £5 tickets to the comedy night at the Thistle Hotel and to be honest it was ok but not great.

The room was downstairs in the basement and the seating wasn’t tiered so had the feeling of The Office style motivational speaking event. We didn’t arrive till it was about to start so we had to split up and the seats we found were right near the back.

The main act was Inkey Jones. He reminded me a lot of Radio One’s Scott Mills - cocky and a bit of a pratt. Being Leicester Sq the crowd was very international so he just played the international card for the whole set. He went round the room asking everyone their nationality and bringing out clichéd stereotypes. Some were quite funny but lots weren’t and it is such an easy thing to do.

I can’t even remember the support act’s name but he was no better. A few of his jokes were met with complete silence which was pretty uncomfortable.

So my advice is - stay away!

Inkey Jones website: www.inkeyjones.com

Holly Lodge Estate

Saturday, March 1st, 2008

In an attempt to find (the apparently very picturesque) Highgate Cemetery I stumbled upon Holly Lodge Estate - an amazing private residential estate opposite Hampstead Heath. It is full of beautiful timber Tudor houses and exclusive parks, as well as some great views across the city.

Holly Lodge 1Holly Lodge 2Holly Lodge ParkSt Anns Church

A good place for a nosey around and hope that one day you can afford a house here.

Holly Lodge Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly_Lodge_Estate