Archive
More waiting before getting a flat
This afternoon Lorie and I signed a variety of paperwork before we can exchange, close, swap keys, and whatever else happens before we can move to a flat we are trying to purchase. It’s a very long and complex process compared to the US where most people go to a shopping mall and select a house from a variety of home stores – sometimes they are even shrink wrapped, which is always nice. OK, I’m just having fun with those of you reading this that have not purchased a house in the US, but I have to admit that the process here in the UK is a bit complex, but that’s probably because the laws, contracts, and split/shared dwellings have been evolving for a hundred years or more into the mess that they are today. Hopefully we will know more within a week though!
Red Bull Air Race in London
I had never even heard of the Red Bull Air Race before and since it doesn’t go to the same city each year, I figured I should check it out. For those that don’t know, it is an obstacle course for small planes to fly through and the pilot with the quickest time through the course wins. A few interesting stats:
1. The pilots can hit up to 10Gs on the corners at the ends of the course and can fly up to 400kph (almost 250mph)
2. The planes are built for racing and often have little modifications to make them quicker to turn and to go faster. Apparently this often makes them a bit unstable, but helps win the race if the pilot can handle the plane.
3. The planes have glass at the pilots feet, including the cockpit top, so the pilot can see in front, to the side, and below them.
4. The pilot knows to hit the course when the announcer says "smoke on": the pilot then turns their smoke trail on so we can see their trail through the course.
5. Red Bull invented the race and the "cones" for the planes to maneuver around. These things can get hit by a plane, tear apart, and the plane won’t crash. A pilot can hit one without receiving a penalty (I saw that happen), but if they pop the cone (or shred it), then they get time added to their overall time.
6. You have to fly through some cones horizontal, others perpendicular (one wing towards the sky, one towards the river), and others you just have to fly around like when on a water ski course.
7. The youngest pilot is 39 years old…. so there is hope for me yet, if I ever get a pilot’s license. 
Click on the photo to see more photos I took, in addition to the video below.
No Flooding in London (at least not in Fulham & Putney)
A few people have asked if we are seeing flooding in London like other parts of England. Even though I haven’t seen anything at our house or on the way to Victoria, I wasn’t sure what the Thames was doing. So today I waited until it was at high tide at around 1pm and took Milo for a walk, but the river looked normal as you can see here, which is what it always looks like at high tide (that’s a view of the rowing clubs in Putney, taken from Bishops Park). Of course, last Friday I was in Florida so I missed the excitement in south London and because of it, our friend Megan missed seeing the Rolling Stones in Budapest since Heathrow was a mess. That’s the worst personal tragedy I’ve heard of regarding the flood!
Cheryl Crow in Concert
Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic
Party at the House of Blues
Dogs on the farm
On Saturday, we went to a party at Alex’s farm in Chearsley. There was good wine, food, music, we met lots of new people, and it was the furthest West of London we’ve been yet. The dogs had a good time too, as you can tell by Milo’s smile.
Time for a folding bike?
Storing bikes in London is a challenge: no garage and most places have space in the garden, but you have to carry the bike through the house to get there. So I am considering a folding bike and Time Out London just provided a list of ones that look good. They are:
- Airnimal Rhino – the only small folding mountain bike I’ve seen
- Mobiky Genius – looks tiny!
- Ridgeback Emissary
- Bromptom M-Type (this is the one pictured here when it is collapsed)
- Giant Halfway 7
This would be fun: a “Sail/yak”
I would love to try one of these. Too bad we don’t live on Lake Union anymore, since I’m not sure I would want to sail/pedal/paddle one of these on the English Channel.
This is from: What in the world is a "Sail/yak"? A kayak with a sail, of course! – AutoblogGreen
Looking forward to some time off
Later in August we will be in Minnesota at Lake Pickeral (the one in Ottertail County). I am looking forward to the wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking, paddle boat (ooh the excitement!), visiting relatives, riding my recumbent bicycle, and just relaxing. Here is a satellite image of the lake, and a 180 degree view of the lake from my parent’s dock:
The Adventures of Lorie and Brian Groth 