An early July Update

Ok - so I'm only doing this "early" because I managed to "lock" myself out of the office this weekend - fortunately I did get the laptop out!

So on my lunch break today I took the camer for a walk around the block, so here are some of my very local sights.

The local church - not too interesting.

But this shows you how local being the view from my apartment. Aaaarrrrggghhhh, the bells, the bells - fortunately not before 8.30 am so not a problem for me even at the weekends.

The Care Cu Bere (Beer Cart) Restaurant - spectacular inside and a great place to take visitors in the evening (this is a hint - Margaret/Nev/Russ etc) with the National Savings Bank in the distance.

The rather more interesting local churches, Romanian and Russian Orthodox respectively.

6pm here and back to work for me, hopefully the travelogue will resume soon not least as you can see from these photos it is perfect photography weather right now!

The late June update!

Yes I know, I could rename this the "late update" blog.

Highlights for June were perhaps not surprisingly more work with a brief trip to Siniai for a Company "jolly" (HR insist it was team building but I know it's just a conspiracy to spend all our money).

The end of the month saw some planning trips including a brief visit to Milan to meet Leonardo and take a look at the Duomo - tip don't rush to Milan if this is what you want to see as below the shot it's a "building site" due to extensive renovation work.

The very late May update

A very clear highlight for the month - the Mighty Bluebirds in the FA Cup Final!

Wembley stadium very much a sea of blue at both ends of the ground.

Apart from that almost all work and no play once again, but did manage a little sun time in Cismigiu - my new "local" park.

April 6th - The FA Cup Semi-Final Weekend

Back to the UK on Saturday ahead of the FA Cup Semi-Final, but this was the garden on Sunday morning!

At least I wasn't in Cardiff planning a trip down a snow laden Motorway, but it did mean that the news was closely monitored for a few hours. Typical of the UK of course the snow was soon melting although it proved to be a very cold day.

The chosen route to Wembley was via Rickmansworth and the Metropolitan line to Wembley Park. There is a great view of the stadium as you exit the station.

The view back from the stadium to the station shows just how busy it was despite being still over an hour to kick-off.

The teams coming out onto the pitch and Joe Ledley's glory goal after just 9 minutes.

And after another 81 minutes (plus 6) the tension is over and fans and players alike can celebrate - we are in THE CUP FINAL.

Back in 6 weeks hopefully for another day out at Wembley.

Watch the end of game celebrations here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwzaWLemlOE

A late update for March

Things are improving slightly, mostly work and a little bit of play - no trips out to report though!

February Update

What can I say other than "see January"!

At least I managed to move apartments this week to something a bit more spacious that should do me for the next few years while I'm in Bucharest.

Two pretty much identical bathrooms and a spare bedroom, so no excuse not to visit - especially as I am now right in the middle of the City.

January Update

All work and no play is making me a very dull (and depressed) boy indeed.

Back in Bucharest - January 12/13 2008

Back in Bucharest having missed the big snowfall, but with the temperatues below freezing it's all staying around.

The roads are open (just) although some cars have just been left snowed in as the pictures show from outside the apartment and down "my" road.

I did venture out on Saturday but really shouldn't have as before the sun broke through around mid-day it was very cold. Also the clearance of snow is limited to the odd plough on the roads - also the reason some cars are pretty much buried - the pavements are left blocked and some are getting quite treacherous.

Thankfully I haven't found myself sitting in the snow yet.

So it's been a weekend indoors keeping warm and trying to do more lovely work - I hope they aren't long winters here!

Christmas and New Year 2007

Struggled through to Christmas with the "office" cold and spent Christmas Day with some colleagues. A distinctly un-Christmassy lunch at one of the hotels followed by mince pies and kids games at the home of the boss.

Came home on the 28th and spent New Year's Eve with Russ and Nev down in Mynydd Bach Y Glo. New Year's Day meant a trip to see the Mighty Bluebirds at the real home of football, and a good start to 2008 with a win on my first use of the season ticket! And courtesy of Nev I finally get my face on the blog.

It's back to Bucharest on the 7th with a suitably large supply of Welsh cakes.