Bon Jovi

Here's a concert we've been waiting for. Bon Jovi has performed in over 3000 concerts worldwide in their 25 year history. They were the first performance when the O2 arena was opened in 2007. Now back in the London O2 for 12 sold out shows, Bon Jovi did their first show on the roof of the O2 dome (first photo). Julie and I went to the show last night with good friends Simon and Jasmin. The show was nonstop for 2 1/2 hours....Ya had to be there to believe it.

Wimbeldon

Yesterday Julie and I visited the Wimbledon Museum and toured the grounds with our friend Gloria. She is a die hard tennis fan so she knew far more about tennis than we did. Here is a shot of Gloria and I in the Wimbledon press booth. We tried to keep under the radar by wearing old street clothes but were finally noticed by the media. When you get invited by the British press to this room for an interview, you accept, or pay a huge fine. We were told that an interview with someone named Federer was cut short to fit us in. Security is high and players are already here practicing for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships. We were honored by special invitation since today was the last day for tours. So this was quite exciting getting the VIP tour of this historic property. We do apologize to our loyal fans, but had to decline all autographs as our driver had to rush us to yet another engagement in London.

Aegon Tennis Championships

Today Julie and I took another US guest, Gloria to the Aegon tennis semifinals. At the Queens Tennis Club in West Kensington London, we rooted for our US players. Sam Querry (1 st pic serving) and Mardy Fish (2 nd pic receiving) both won their semi-final matches which will make an all American Final match tomorrow. Of course the English in their traditional style show up to these events in all the latest fashions. So I guess they go to see the tennis and also to be seen. You can be sure that nobody noticed the goat-herder from Arizona wearing jeans and a tee shirt with cut off sleeves. People ask me to get up and take their picture just to get me out of the picture. I need mo respect...

Palm Reading

I had never done this before, but was bribed by ladies with false promises. This session started with this very nice lady taking my birth date and going to her astrology book. Astrology gives information on personalities, careers, relationships, and life in general. They claim that positions of celestial bodies provide this information. Yea right! You see, I've always thought that I was a flawed individual but now I'm not so sure. She told me that I was honorable, loyal to my partner, and actually quite charming. She said that the numbers don't lie, and I think she might be right. Next she read my palm and showed me my health line, which was very good, My brain line that was a little short but still far above average, and my career line was not even there. This lady was "Spot On" as they say here. I always thought that I could have had a career if I only had half a brain. Now I learn after all these years that I might be overqualified for most careers. Anyone looking to hire a part time blogger?

FIRE !

At 6:30 last night I smelled smoke in my flat and heard an alarm go off. I went out on my balcony and saw about 8 firetrucks on the ground below. So then I opened my door to go down and Blimey! the smoke was so thick I could hardly see. Oh Boy! a story for my blog. I ran back in and got my camera then banged on my neighbors door below and got them out. Then started down 22 floors. I met a fireman on the 18 th floor who was trying to kick in a door, he wanted me out and didn't care one darn bit about my blog. Anyway everyone was booted out of 70 flats for about 3 hours. I waited in the pub next door with some friendly chaps. It took 3 pints just to clear the smoke from my throat. The fire started in the kitchen of a new restaurant on the ground floor. The smoke damage is really bad in the whole building, including some in our flat. So how about that for a fun night, and what a great way to meet the other inmates.

British Navy

When I came back home last week, half of the British Navy was docked by my flat. I got no idea why the navy came inside the locks from the Thames River. It was interesting to watch the tugs guide these ships back out the locks from our flat above. Then at the same time, tugs are bringing in a cruise ship which I have never seen on the Thames before. This is a good photo of all the action with the O-2 Arena in the background. It has been quite exhausting getting caught up on my blog after being gone 2 months. I'm gonna need a holiday to recover. You can click on these pics and get the full view.

Crazy People

Being out on the London streets is a show in itself. When the weather is good it's the place to be. This is a shot of me with Long Tall Sally and another photo of a lady eating fire. The biggest mystery to me is why people stop and ask to have their photo with me. I guess I must look crazier than they do.

Les Miserables

With unusual warm London weather, we were out on the town with our US guests. Friday night we saw the musical "Les Miserables" at the West London Queen's theater. This theater was opened in 1907 and the musical is in it's 25 th year. It is a story of the very terrible living and working conditions of the French poor in the early 19 th century. French manufacturers pushed wages down and forced the poor workers up to 18 hour working days. Once again we saw some incredible talented singers and actors as we are never disappointed with these London Shows. I love this City.

Hot Dogs

Now if you have a proper fire pit, you need proper sticks for hot dogs and marshmallows. Thanks to Brother in Law Terry, I have the correct way to cook over the pit. Can anybody possibly come up with anything better than this?

Fire Pit

We never had a fire pit until we moved to Arizona 10 years ago. Since then I built one in every house we've owned, and that's been many. A propane fire pit has been on my bucket list for several years at our cabin, and now it's built. I build these a bit different than traditional style. I put the fire ring in the pit upside-down, then fill the fire pit with silica sand. With the pit fully sealed with cement on the inside, the propane comes to the surface and burns on the top of the sand. With the fire turned down low it burns this blue color and still puts out plenty of heat. Everyone goes to the pit at night and tells their biggest lies, and I got some whoppers. Great idea Phil...

More Chelan Work

I'm putting down slate here and I'm telling you, I wasn't made to walk on my knees all day. So setting tile and working on decks is all done on your knees. When my back couldn't take it anymore I chose to finish this outside ceiling, working overhead for 2 days. Hell, my back hurt even worse. I wish I would have gone to Law School and got a respectable job.

Deck Rebuild

Ok here is proof that I really did some work while in Chelan for 2 months.

Here I replaced all rotted joists and beams that I should have replaced in 1994 when I first rebuilt these decks. I rebuilt benches on the lower deck also. So now I have rebuilt all of the decks and stairs for the second time. I hope it's the last.

More England tours

My lovely guests and I got in a tour of Windsor Castle and the beautiful city of Bath. Julie and I had already visited these places but they are on my favorite list and I do enjoy going back. Windsor is the oldest Castle that is still being used by the Royal family. It is just to the West of London close to Heathrow Airport. The city of Bath is 120 miles South West of London and was built by the Romans. It is popular for it's natural hot springs that still flow to the surface. The first photo is in the small village of Windsor next to the Castle on a sunny day. The next photo is in Bath next to the natural hot spring Roman pool. And the girls thought I should add this Horny helmet to my collection of Harley motorcycle clothes. Great Idea!

Stonehenge, England

Now that I got rid of my jet-lag, I am back to being a full time tour guide. Our 3 guests and I visited Stonehenge yesterday by bus, about 60 miles South West of London. This monument evolved about 3,000 BC. It is aligned with the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset, but its exact purpose remains a mystery. Today this is a World Heritage Site visited by many thousands of tourists. We finished our visit here with some meditation and a peace offering which should bring us good luck. I already have good luck but this might make it even better.

Rod Stewart

Here are just a few concert pictures I took at The O-2 Arena which is only 5 minutes from our flat. We had perfect seats about 30 feet off the right corner of the stage. This show lasted over 2 hours and was a fabulous production. Rod Stewart has been a recording artist and performer since the late 60's, and still puts on a great show.

Home Sweet Home

After 2 months of hard labor in Washington State, I'm finally back in England with my bride. I came home to a house full of US guests, all ladies by the way which is just the way I like it. Within 5 hours of landing in London Heathrow, I was sitting at a Rod Stewart concert in the O-2 Arena with Julie and guests, Annie, Gail, and Sheena. I'm a lucky guy. Now I've got to catch up on the blog.