I got to bed last night at about 10 pm, which is my "best" so far. I woke at 5-5.30 am which is nearly back to normal, with only one late night/early morning trip to the loo. Still feeling "Flu'y" but fully operational again.
Today's agenda is to "do my weeks laundry" in the laundry room downstairs. I have collected sufficient coins but will need to replenish my cash from an ATM (and bear the Bank fees). The Citi Bank Plus account seems to be fee-free as advertised, so long as you do not try to get cash-out from an ATM. I will keep looking for a "wrinkle" to lower the cost but I think I have been "caught" by the UK Banks/ATM's. I am particularly annoyed by the Qantas cash-card, where I pre-loaded Pounds and Euro's at the better exchange rate but the high ATM fees counteract any benefit. Tricks for new players!
Working on the Bauer methods chapter/paper (see last blog) today and so background research/Internet searching. Also trip-planning for Cambridge Uni Library. I have previously emailed their archive and will now renew that contact and set a date/time to view the Westall paintings.
Apart from that I plan a fairly lazy day as the sun is out.
[Later] Firstly, the recharge of the Oyster card with my Citi Bank debit-card worked seamlessly. Secondly; using the Santaner Bank ATM, apparently added no fee to the cash withdrawal of 50 pound. The ATM did warn that a fee could be charged by the card supplier but I can only check that via the Internet.
The laundry was empty so I had the
choice of three machines and their operation was straightforward, therefore I had my clothes on hangers by lunch-time.
Getting information on trains was a bit more problematic; it seems there are a
number of options and starting points. All routes require the Tube to a railway
station then two buses or a long walk at the Cambridge end to get to the
Library. Surprisingly there does not seem to be a simple direct route to the University from
London. I decided to use Monday to set-up the visit with the Library rather than travel "on spec". I will
aim to travel at later in the week.
I grabbed a 10 pound take-away “meal for two” deal
at Marks & Spenser’s that included a main, side, desert and a bottle of
wine. Spread over two nights that added up to 5 pound per meal plus the wine
for free. I had a quick meal (half the meal-deal) then walked across Hyde Park to
the Albert Hall for the Prom concert, which was a Verdi requiem with a large
choir. Started at 8 pm and was finished by about 9.30 pm and I caught a bus
back to Pembridge Hall; the only drawback was queuing from 6 pm as it was very
popular. Apparently this requiem is not performed often so a large number of
Verdi fans came along.
I bought a 5 pound standing “Gallery”
ticket, because last night had been very successful, however tonight I found that
the line had already formed two hours prior to opening the ticket office. Consequently
by the time I reached the Gallery all the rail positions were taken (i.e.,
those standing positions with an unobstructed view of the stage). I made do
with a column to sit against (another prime location apparently); although
sitting on the floor at the back I could hear perfectly if not see the
performance. I could and did “pop-up” regularly to see the proceedings from the
back of a six-deep standing scrum but getting in line earlier was the
answer.
Overheard in the queue was the comment “this choral piece is opera in vestments” referring to Verdi’s sacred music, which described it pretty well. Excellently performed and the experience was fun, because of the crowd as much as for the performance. Back at Pembridge Hall via Bus and after a cup of tea was in bed by 11 pm. (Woke at 3.30 then again at 6.30 am.)
Back at Pembridge via Bus and after a cup of tea
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