March

It was a sad start to March. Christchurch had just been rocked by the second major earthquake in six months. This one had devastated the city centre and many suburbs. It was certainly a time for soul searching for a lot of Kiwi’s in London, unable to do anything for their friends and family in NZ. To show our support and solidarity we attended a service held at Westminster Cathedral. There were thousands of people there and we were lucky to get to even be inside, although we couldn’t see much. There was singing by Hayley Westenra and a performance by a Kapa Haka group as well as various readings. Money was also raised and it was good to share time with other Kiwis at this sad event.

We had driven the Iceberg around a bit but had never really taken it for a good spin, so one weekend in early March we packed ourselves in and jumped on the motorway out east down into Kent where we visited the seaside town of Whitstable. Although the snow was now a thing of the past it was still pretty darn cold so it was hats and coats all around. Being at the seaside we thought it only fitting that we indulge in some fresh fish and chips (as opposed to the stuff of questionable age you get in London.) We wandered down to the waterfront and found a place that was selling fresh fish one side and cooked fish and chips on the other. We downed our prawns and scampi and then went for a wander along the beach. It was good to see some weatherboard houses too. Very reminiscent of NZ.We could definitely see how Whitstable would be a nice place to come and hangout in summer even if the temperature was a bit on the brisk side today.

We managed to catch up with Mary-Anne for her 30^th birthday. We hadn’t really been out in the city before so it was good to get out amongst all the suits at the wine bars. We also caught up with Monique and, as is obligatory at these events, met some more Kiwis in London.

Iceberg’s next trip was again out east, this time to Hornchurch in Essex. Kate and David had snuck off to NZ and gotten married so it was time for them to have a wedding shindig back in the UK. David’s parents had graciously lent them the use of their huge house in Romford for the celebrations. The whole gang were there and David’s parents had put on an amazing spread of food and drink for all the guests. Mr & Mrs Smith were looking stunning in their wedding attire and it was good to meet some of Kate and David’s friends, family and workmates. We had decided to make the most of Iceberg being a campervan so there was no need to find our way back to London. That meant we could eat, drink and dance well into the early hours of the morning before eventually making our way back to bed in the van for a great nights sleep. A few people had stayed at Kate and David’s and were looking a bit rough in the morning but David’s patented bagels with bacon soon put an end to that. It was then a slow and easy drive back into London.

March was also the month were we ourselves had tied our nuptials and it was time to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. We decided to do it in style this year with afternoon tea at the Ritz. We had booked one of the later spots so the tea also doubled as dinner. Good thinking eh? We were all dressed up in our best clothes as it was silver service and a string quartet. Very posh. We each had a glass of champagne before selecting our pots of tea and tucking in to the scones, cucumber sandwiches and cakes on offer. It was lucky we had gone for the dinner slot because the food and the tea just kept coming and we certainly had had our fill by the end of it all. The food was good but not quite on par with what we had at the Queen’s Garden Party. We couldn’t help but feel a little bit cheesy along with all the other tourists who were having tea too, but one must do these things when one has the opportunity.

Iceberg got yet another trip our east in March. This time to Epping Forest. This time we managed to get there without getting lost (this was not the first time we had tried.) As always it was good to get out to nature and have a wander around in the Woods. Epping Forest is an old hunting ground for the Tudors and so as well as the trees and walks it is also the site of Queen Elizabeth I’s hunting cottage. After some tasty bacon sandwiches cooked up in the Iceberg we went for a visit to Liz’s cottage. It was all decked out with fake food and armour etc and we couldn’t help but feel a little bit silly but the kids who were there seemed to be enjoying themselves.

March is certainly the month for weddings. As mentioned in previous posts, Jen and Liam had also tied the knot in Canada while they had been away at Christmas, so it was their turn to host a wedding party. This time it was a bit closer to home,down in Shoreditch in a fancy room above a pub which they had decked out in a not so weddingy, but very Jen and Liamy red and black. We made the most of the food, drink and company on offer before getting in a few more dance moves and catching the last Overground back to Islington.


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