AMP Tower and Christmas decorations

I walked with a friend from NZ from South Sydney to North Sydney over the Harbour Bridge, which was a great stroll!

Opera House from the Harbour Bridge


Look through Harbour Bridge

HARBOUR BRIDGE

Statues along Bondi - Coogee Beach walk




A view towards Sydneys city center from Darling Harbour.

The Land Down Under

Just to keep everyone informed about my whereabouts! I have decided to try my luck in Australia again and am leaving November 9th for Sydney via Hong Kong. Hopefully I will be able to find a job via sponsorship there and enjoy the summer and city.

I am currently in the Netherlands, I finished my job at Sony on the 31st of October. Mum and dad came over for my last few days and met some of my friends and enjoyed the English country side as my dad drove around.

Said goodbye to all my dear friends, and colleagues which has never been harder.

Now time to pack and sort out all my paperwork and prepare for this new adventure!

Peace
Susanne

Hope and fear

One of my last nights out in London I went to Keane's concert at Alexandra Palace on Friday. What a beautiful located venue... OK its not easy to get there but still. Keane played an awesome set and many favourites. Bend & break, Everybody changes, some of their new stuff... and leadsinger was sharing his joy of being back on the road after a little dip.

A hot house

Had a really nice evening out to see the Hothouse Flowers play Shepherds Bush Empire. I saw them 2x before in 2000 (Dublin & Glastonbury) so it had been a awhile. My Dutch friend Deborah who moved to London last week and Chloe joined me, even though they didnt know the band. It wasnt sold out but there was a very good atomsphere in this beautiful venue. Afterwards I got to meet lead singer Liam who's only flaw that night was probably the hat he wore.

Great set, loved Si Do Mhamo i and the Carribean version of Don't Go.

The only non pub related photo from my weekend break to Manchester in September...! Feels like I am back in the Dublin days for some reason.

Tower bridge OPEN!
We are LondONErs
Patrick on the underground!

Wintersong

Yes its that time again.....Sarah time! She will be releasing a new album! And this is apparently the cover for it. It includes a John Lennon & Joni Mitchell cover and a new Sarah written song. I know I am more excited about this than any of you but I have to share such positive news, right?! I know the summer is still in full swing but this is something to look forward to for the colder days. I have been entertaining my musical needs with many other artists, but there is always room for more Sarah.



1. Happy Xmas (War is Over) 3:28
2. What Child Is This (Greensleeves) 3:31
3. River 4:02
4. Wintersong 3:31
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas 3:15
6. O Little Town of Bethlehem 3:51
7. The First Noel/Mary Mary 5:00
8. Silent Night 3:48
9. Song For A Winter's Night 3:48
10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:44
11. In A Bleak Mid Winter 3:46
12. Christmas Time Is Here 3:59

Mini problem


Covent Garden on a sunny Sunday

Hide in the Park

Last Thursday and Saturday I went with some friends to O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. An amazing venue and unbelievable nice weather meant it were two really great days of music! On the Thursday I saw Captain, Missy Higgins, KT Tunstall and David Gray. Its great to see some of your favourite songs being performed live in front of you. It was the first time I saw them and I have gained even more appreciation for their music. Here are some photos of both days;


Miss Higgins in Hyde Park



Miss KT Tunstall a little later!







On Saturday the weather is even better and luckily no World Cup England or Holland match on, so we strolled into Hyde Park, lying in the grass, enjoying the sun and the audio.

Aaron & Sue in front of Aussie Ben Lee's gig


Me during Beth Ortons set



Final act on Saturday, James Blunt

Park in London


Kingston on Thames last night, such a beautiful place!

More music

Jason Mraz @ Apollo Hammersmith


Josh Rouse in Brighton Concorde 29 May 06

Show Love!

Got into Mary J Blige overnight! She covers a song of U2 together with U2 which is a great, I am sure you know ONE. And last on the 18 song CD is Show Love, great groove and nice lyrics. Like it a lot! Here is the chorus

Show love!
You gotta just keep breathin’
Be happy that your heart is beatin’ (show love)
Stop fightin’, just be easy
Cus it all could be gone
Show love!
You gotta just keep movin’
Don’t worry about what they doin’ (Show love!)
Keep doing what you doin’
Cuz it could all be gone

Show Time!!!!

In two days a Dave Matthews acoustic performance and a Jann Arden gig!
Monday Night I went to see Dave with a friend at the Apollo Hammersmith, no band, just Dave and his guitars. He caught everyone's attention from walking on stage to a loud ovation. All songs were outstanding....if I have to choose highlists:Crush, Dancing Nancies, Gravedigger, Sister & ofcourse... All Along The Watchtower.
Setlist: Bartender, Crush, Dancing Nancies, American Baby, Crash Into Me, Everyday, Where Are You Going, #41, Stay or Leave, Save Me, Gravedigger,
Granny, Smooth Rider, So Damn Lucky
Encore: Sister, Lie In Our Graves, I'll Back You Up, All Along The Watchtower





Then on Tuesday I went with the same colleague to Jann Arden, a very well known Canadian singer/songwriter, and great comedian as well. It was a very small venue, Jann usually plays stadiums,and with a 17 piece band according to herself :-)
She allowed ppl to come forward and record her, and shared how nervous she was because she played guitar and was in such a small venue outside of Canada. PLenty of them present though! Jann is the opening act for Michael Buble in his tour of Europe.

Dont remember exact setlist, but a.o; Waiting in Canada, Sound Of, I Would Die for You, Insensitive, Good Mother, Could I Be Your Girl. After the show, Jann was kind enough to give autographs and photos with the fans. Made time to talk to people and write personal notes. Renewed my admiration for her!!

**********************************************
Me & JANN ARDEN @ Dingwalls Camden.


Peace
Susanne

This is how it goes........

With my brothers and sister in law

Just like my Euro's and Pounds are spread along my luggage, I have been almost living out of a suitcase these last few weeks... All due to fun trips abroad, but still very tiring. I flew back this morning from my mums birthday weekend (60) and went straight back to work.

We spend the weekend away with the whole family...on the island of Ameland, in the North of Holland. I am just trying to get back into a pattern being back here, work has piled up, new responsibilities driving me crazy....

THE BEACH

In the next 2 weeks I have 3 concerts piled up, 2 of them I only managed to score last week. Dave Matthews, Jann Arden & Jason Mraz are all performing in London and me and a colleague are present! Should I be able to take photos, I will certainly share :)

Very excited!

Peace
S

THE LIGHTHOUSE


MY *LITTLE* NEPHEW PATRICK

UPHILL BATTLE


THE CLAN

Mona Lisa & Co

The Louvre

Spring in Paris
The weather certainly wasnt as pleasant as in Rome but Paris was a great treat this weekend! A hassle free journey with the Eurostar and a sophisticated hotel in the Bastille area. Deborah arrived a little bit later than expected but we enjoyed a full Saturday & Sunday in the French capitol. Walked to Notre Dame, Louvre and the park near it towards Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe and onwards to Trocadero from where you have a magnificent view directly at La Tour d'Eiffel. (had a wine break there)

Me @ Trocadero
The day hadnt ended and we continued till we finished a full circle of the heart of the city.

Champs Elysees & Arc De Triomphe in the evening Next day we had a nice breakfast/brunch (crepes +Croque madame!) and walked some more till we hit the Louvre and I had to see the Mona Lisa. It is for such a small painting amazing how busy the crowds get... but it is obviously a world famous work of art.... As there were many more...that we were allowed to photograph

VENUS OF MILO
The Louvre is a magnificent combination of historical buildings with the modern glass piramides added for light and art reasons ( I presume ) Underneath the museum there is a beautiful shopping center as well. Sunday it rained lightly so we had a bottle of wine at a heated terrace and caught up on life and before the sun set (behind the rainclouds) we took the Metro to Sacre Coeur & Montmartre... Beautiful!!!!!

I add some photos so you can see what a lovely trip I had with Deborah!

Bisous,
S

La Vita e Bella

Pantheon

I am running out of time to update as I am in between work and events and having time to do laundry and pack bags and trying not to forget anything.... Crazy! But I am uploading some images of my trip to Roma...as a summary is a bit to time consuming to type right now...I just realized I am visiting cities this month that are all in the Da Vinci Code; Rome, Vatican City, Paris & London! How apropriate I will have to watch the movie in May eh!?

Anyway, back to Rome; It was a beautiful 5 days, with excellent weather and my mother & I saw some great buildings, sights, and views. See some of the shots I have taken. Its an amzing city and my mother had a great time too, despite being robbed and not feeling too well on the last day. After a 5 hour visit to the hospital she was still capable of travelling to the Vatican to buy 20 rosaries!! So it was an eventful trip but more importantly an unbelievable amazing trip!
Peace all, in Paris this weekend, spending Queens day in the French capitol with my friend from Holland, Deborah!

xx
Suz
Sunlight through a window in the St Peters Basilica Vatican city
Mum enjoying a glass of wine with the Colloseum in the back ground
Me and Trevi Fountain!

Happy Easter

I am whirlwinding my weeks in April at the moment! I finally moved to my new department last week and its been very busy learning and training so far. On Thursday I went to London as one of my friends from Australia had arrived. Together with some other friends we all went out and clubbing... Its been ages since I went dancing, esp on a Thursday night but it was cool! The RedBull kicked in and I was dancing, and enjoying myself! Couldnt sleep when we finally did leave and go to bed... Next day had a breakfast with Chloe and then jumped on the Piccadilly line to get to Heathrow airport and on the plane back home to Holland. Got my hair cut so far, and will be seeing some family (grandmother, brothers, nephew etc)and friends before my mum and I head of to Rome. Been taking lots of photos so far, and will share when I have the opportunity.


Happy Easter everyone!

PS: what you think of my new bank card!?!??!

Suz

Back in action

After a rather long winter, I am back in travelling mode! This weekend I was in Dublin, visiting some of my friends, and admiring the kids they had in the 3 years since I last visited. Weather was unpredictable as always,.... including hail and having to take cover in first Brown Thomas, then Trinity College and then a Temple bar pub..... Which was a nice refuge except for the unbelievable price of an alcoholic drink!

Almost felt like some things had never changed, felt very at home, and wonderful to catch up on life, and go to a play in which one of my friends had a big lead! Never had seen Fiddler on the Roof before, but was amazed by the pretty songs and the performances at the Gaiety Theatre!