Discover Dogs in London

It has become an annual tradition to go to Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre (2) to the Discover Dogs show.
The area is filled with every single dog breed imaginable and it’s all well organised so that you can quickly get your head around various dog groups and their characteristics.
Carla is crazy about dogs and I suspect that it might have rubbed of on me because I enjoy it such as much as the other dog geek at the show (mental note, a review about the funniest movie made: Best in Show).
Each breed has their own stall where the proud owner has anything between one and six dogs to show up. The stall is covered with leaflets of information and photos. Ask any question about the breed and be ready for an eloquent and long answer.
In the middle of all the stalls, there are two exhibition areas where several activities are performed through out the day. There is the agility competition, the basic puppy training and the important instructions on what to do if bothered or even attacked by a dog.
Don’t be shy or afraid to bring your kids, every one else does and there is a lot, a lot of patting going on.

Maggie Jones’s – London

This has to be one of London’s better kept secrets, hidden in a tiny side street off Kensington Church St.
When I saw the sign I imagined a small American diner and wasn’t very impressed with Pedro’s suggestion.
I was well surprised to see that inside was a three floor mansion with a very rustic and charming decor; intimate booths in the basement for a romantic first date and a lower and first floor with various sized tables, booths and a banquette table (seats 16).
The menu is a meat feast. While there are classics like filets, saddle of lamb and rump stakes, there is also a lot of game. Choose between rabbit, ostrich, duck and venison.
My Scottish fillet with a rich mushroom sauce was just fantastic. The beef was tender like butter and the dish had a cozy home made feeling to it. Probably the best meat I have had in London during the last 3 years. The deserts are massive and include classics like apple crumble pie and bread and butter pudding.
A main dish is around £15, deserts are £4.50 and there is a set three course menu for £23 if you are hungry.
Maggie Jones’s has an interesting concept for serving wine. It comes in large 1.5l jars and keeps coming until you are ready to pay the bill. You pay only for what you drink
6 Old Court Place, London, W8 4PL (Map)
Nearest Tube Station: High Street Kensington
Tel: 02079376462

Chilly in Lodon

pumpkin.gifI will probably not put it better than was done at theThe Hiding Place but it is getting chilly in London. It feels like yesterday when I was cycling to work in shorts and t-shirt (during weekend of course due to dress code). Now dressing in the morning is a longer ritual including multiple layers of garments, a scarf, a hat and some gloves. At least it’s sunny and crisp.
Holiday tickets to Sweden and Brasil are booked so that’s one less thing to worry about (obrigado chumbo). If you are in the vicinity of Copenhagen, Helsingborg or Sao Paulo in late December then let me know!
A Halloween party is being planned. I don’t quite remember why but the theme will be porn (yes I said porn). I will be downloading some “material” later this week to create the right atmosphere at the party.
… and I can’t stop whistling two tunes from Kill Bill, Vol 1. It’s the Twisted Nerve by Bernard Herrman and Woo Hoo by 5.6.7.8s and it’s driving my colleges crazy :-D. “Watch the movie and sing-along with me”, I tell them.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2003

I have just been to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2003 Exhibition at the The Natural History Museum, London. It had an amazing display of photographs in various categories like Animal Portraits, Composition and Form, The Underwater World, In Praise of Plants and more.
It was great to always see the equipment used and the exposure settings. One amazing photo was taken in the middle of the night, with three subsequent flashes and a shutter speed of 24 minutes (!). It only took the photographer 6 months to make exposure tables to enable him to take the shot.
If you cannot attend the exhibition then at least browse the web site and be inspired.
To highlight this occasion I have searched my collection and will be showing some wildlife photographs during the next week.

Nikkon F6006, Nikkor 300mm, f/11, UV Filter, Fujichrome Sensia 100.
A native bird drinking in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chile.