Marie in London

Our amazing Senior Radio Producer, Marie, joined us in London for her first time in Europe. I only managed to catch up with her for one afternoon, but we enjoyed the early spring sunshine and street performers of Covent Garden, before heading to the British Museum.   One particularly special moment was showing Marie the Museum's small section devoted to her own beautiful country.  Knowing she was missing her family, the food, her friends, I left her to a silent moment of appreciation while I chewed on the thought of  how one looks at one's own country via the lens of another.

Cambodian garden

Simultaneously bathroom, chook house, kitchen, living area, food supply.  Lush, froggy and very, very special in the afternoon light.

Main street, Pursat.

Located here.

Pursat dawn.

Outtakes from our research trip.

lil' cowboy

Daniel and Otto.

Cambodia in colour

Garment workers, Cambodia

Looking back on my time in Cambodia...  On our visits to the Kampong Speu province, I was astounded to witness the end of shift transportation of some of Cambodia's millions of garment workers.   I guess it's the equivalent of the tube at rush hour, hundreds of bodies pressing in to small areas.  Not quite the same safety precautions however.

Idris Alba, aka Stringer Bell grew up on my street.

Just sayin.

Thames, early spring.

I walked to the Thames! Here's the proof. Was wonderful to wander down past all the old locks, canal barges and ancient brick work.  Not to mention dodging priests on bikes, runners and all the general loiterers.  Actually, I'm the only one loitering along, everyone else appears to be moving from one point to the next in a fairly brisk manner.

Limehouse basin was interesting, it was the old Regent's Canal port that connected England with the greater world from the early 19th century.  As I looked south, behind me stood the world's second oldest public transport rail arches, built in 1840, now used for the Docklands railway.   This was my 2nd, two hour walk in two days.  I'm finally getting my exploring hat on to discover more about this astounding city.  In the past few days I've come to realize how much I love the place, and wow, I've been here 3 years?

Regent's Canal walk, early spring.

Near Broadway Market, my local market that's been in use since the 1860s.  

Under the bridge lies the bones of old things. 

Gorgeous old canal buildings, slowing being pulled down or converted. 

Where Regent's Canal borders Victoria Park. 

Spring blossom!

Approaching Mile End

Look at those feet! Stupendous. 

I walked from my house to the Thames along the towpath.  Had an urge.