Ok. Yep it's been a while again between updates, so here goes!

Two of my Hungarian cousins are in London. I organised for them to do a work experience placement at my museum, which they are really enjoying. :-) They are honorary Visitor Assistants for two weeks, basically doing everything that VA's do, but without the responsibility - ie no money handling, and not being on their own in galleries for the purposes of evacuation. As part of the placement, they will be doing a project, which they started today - an exhibition type project on London and Budapest 1939-1945 (all their idea by the way!!). I am looking forward to Friday when they show everyone what they have done.

Last weekend we went mudlarking. I think it was completely alien to the girls, but they had fun - even found a live crab! They found some pottery, Georgian glass, and lots and lots of oyster shells.

On Saturday the girls, Eszter and Zsuzsi, and Scott and I headed to Camden market. I love Camden market, there is so much to see, and there are all kinds of people there. I bought a funky bag with huge strawberries on it. the girls were in heaven as well, I guess there is nothing like it in Budapest - either that or it was all that punk wear that they love!! Doc Marten's galore!!! ;-)

Scott and I went to see the Transformers (better than I thought). Last night we met the girls in Leicester Square and saw the Simpson's movie. Very funny, well worth it. The girls enjoyed it too. Their English has improved a lot, as has their confidence. Being forced into an English speaking environment has been worth it for them. :-) And, they are cooking us dinner tomorrow night. YUM! I am looking forward to it. Thursday night we will go to Brick Lane for dinner (where all the Indian/Bengali restaurants are). Sunday there is a country fete on in one of the parks which we shall go along to.

And now for some pictures!

An update, and some pics thrown in from Stonehenge

The pub we stayed in in Salisbury. 15th Century, with crooked floors and low doorways.
Dickens World in Chatham, photo thrown in for good measure.
Me at Stonehenge.
Stonehenge.
Today I had a fun day. I was a volunteer steward with an organisation called Thames21. Each year, for one weekend only, they, along with COLAS (the City of London Archaeological Society) and the Tower of London, open up the beach in front of the Tower to the public. The beach is not normally open to anyone, so it's a great opportunity. The main activity on this beach is not sunbathing. It is mudlarking. I have mentioned mudlarking before I'm sure.

I wore a fluorescent vest, so I was visible to everyone. There were 10 stewards or so I think. We were there to primarily answer questions and point out where people could go for more information. there was also plenty of time for me to wander about, talk to people, as well as find a few things as well.

Last night Scott and I met two of my Hungarian cousins, Eszter and Zsuzsi at Victoria Station. They are here for three weeks, and will spend 10 days doing work experience at my museum. Zsuzsi's suitcase was picked up by someone else. Hopefully by early next week we will be able to get hers back. I am meeting the girls tomorrow for a spot of shopping (mainly for clothes for Zsuzsi), then mudlarking again (well again for me anyway!) and I will show them the museum. The girls will need to get there by themselves on Monday morning, so we will do a trial run so they are familiar with the route.

Bought Harry Potter very early this morning. It was released at midnight, I had my copy by 1am.

Catch up

Hello! Yes it's been a while, so perhaps a few bullet points will help.

1. Spent the weekend just gone in Salisbury. It is a lovely town with clean streets and a lot of history. We stayed in a 15th century pub, with low doorways and wonky floors. Took a trip to Stonehenge. We had a bus tour of Salisbury with live commentary from a very entertaining guide. Part of the bus tour was a tour around Stonehenge itself. The site is smaller than I imagined and quite close to the road, but it was quite exciting to be there. Due to the age of the site, there is quite a sense of achievement in the placement of the stones and the sheer weight of them. All in all an amazing place. The guide had dousing rods which he held out and walked over the east-west axis of the site. As soon as he crossed the axis, the rods crossed over (they started out pointing directly in front of him). When he moved away from the axis they went back to straight out again. I am a skeptic, so I gave it a go. I had no idea where exactly the axis lay, as it was not marked and I could not see it as I walked. The same thing happened. The rods crossed then uncrossed. Weird.

2. Work goes well, but busy. I have made some good progress with the images for the new gallery. Including the two free images I have managed to acquire. Yay me! Duty managering also goes well. I had my first weekend by myself the other week. I had to cope with a study day, counterfeit notes, a birthday party and we had a child carried off in an ambulance! All in a days work!! :-)

3. We are heading to Prague for our next holiday. It will be our four year anniversary. And coincidentally some friends of ours will be there at the same time so we will be able to catch up for some Czech beer.

4. Essay 1 for the MA is handed in and I guess I will find out my mark one day! The next unit for study starts on August 1.

5. Two of my Hungarian cousins arrive on Friday. They will be doing a work experience placement at my museum, as well as general touristy stuff. It has been about 18 months since I have seen them, so it will be lovely to see them again.

6. Had a facebook reunion with someone I went to school with in Melbourne. It was really great to meet up and chat non-stop for three and a half hours! Hopefully we will see each other again soon

7. That's all folks!! :-)