Post by SuzieQ on Jul 28, 2008 7:20:22 GMT -5
This was a very special weekend for me, not only were we going to London to meet friends, Old and New, and to celebrate Yusuf's, 60th Birthday, but it was also, Bill and My Wedding Anniversary!
Bill and I had a fabulous weekend, getting to meet Regii, Joke and Femke, Michele, Christine and Joanne's friend Craige for the first time
Also, seeing Marie, Joanne, Helen and Maria again was a treat for me, It was a wonderful way for me to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary
Firstly, at the station, Bill and I met Regii, Joke and Femke, then Marie, then Michele, We waited for about an hour for Christiane, but then we had could wait no longer, I had been in contact with her earlier by phone, but then couldn't get through to her, so we reluctantly left, then while on the tube, I received a call from her saying, she was at the hotel and would see us at the bar tonight. So off we went to Portabello Road market.
Portobello Road Market.
Marie, Michele, Regii and Bill
See the sign above us!
We walked and walked and walked. Eventually, we met up with Joanne and Craige and stopped for a coffee in a bar along Portabello Road.
Sue, Joanne, Marie and Regii
Michele, Craige and Joanne
Marie, Regii and Michele
Joke and Femke, Regii's Girls
Then we set of to the Mosque, confirming arranging to meet up at La Siesta, later.
So back on the Tube to Baker Street...Regent's Park
Then, Regii, Michele, Marie and I, left Bill, Joke and Femke to relax in Regents Park.
Outside The Mosque
Then we put on our scarves...
As we walked into the entrance, a man came over to us and give Regii, a scarf to cover her legs.
As we approched the Mosque, we could see there was a bazaar, well it would be rude not to have a good look around!!! LOL
There were Rings, Clothes, Food, Books, all sorts at very reasonable prices.
After shopping! We went into the Mosque, but were unsure where we could go, as there were a lot of men in the main part of the Mosque, praying.
A kind man came over and showed us to where we could go, the nursery and women's prayer rooms, there were a lot of women and children in there, and we must have stuck out like a sore thumb, as a very nice young lady came to us and asked if we would like her to show us around, Oh, yes please, I said, so she did just that, we were shown the place where they perform the cleaning/ washing, before they pray, not all do this here, as you can do it at home before you come to the Mosque if you prefer. Then we were shown the women's upstairs room for prayer, this was overlooking the main Mosque room, you could see the men praying from there,
Then, another lady came over to us and asked if we were visitors, LOL I wonder what gave us away!!! She then gave us each a "Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam" book, I said, that we were there because, we were followers of Yusuf Islam and were in London to Celebrate his 60th Birthday, She was a little amazed that Yusuf, celebrated his birthday, as Muslims do Not celebrate birthday's. I then said, NO, Yusuf is not celebrating, just that we were.Then she went on to say, that they do not even celebrate the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) day of birth, as he did not celebrate.
After telling us quite a bit about, not celebrating pagan rituals, I asked if I could take a picture of inside the Mosque, and was told, only of the architechure, no people could be photographed. which was understandable.
We then went downstairs to see the gardens, where in days of EID, for example, people pray when there is no room in the Mosque, as there are so many people there on these occasions.
We stayed and talked to the first lady, for a while longer and thanked her for her kindness, she was so lovely. Then we had to go, as we were running out of time, we still had to check into our hotel yet!
Well, I won't bore you with the details, but we finally got to the hotel, and then, we were on the way to La Siesta. we were much later that expected, but here we are, just arrived.
Inside, were Joanne, Craige, Christiane, Helen and Maria waiting for us! Sorry Guys, for keeping you waiting
We had a great time, Christiane, had brought with her, Catch Bull at Four CD, and asked for it to be played! It was wonderful to hear Cat singing in his Dad's old Cafe!!! Great Idea Christiane!!!
Very strange and wonderful to be there, sureal at times, especially hearing Cat singing as well!
The bar was much smaller than I had imagined, but they say that the TV always makes things look bigger!!!
Helen and her Daughter, Maria
Christiane and Craige
Helen, Joanne, Sue and Marie
Joanne and Sue
Michele
Sue, Marie and Joke
Regii, mentioned that while she was downstairs, she saw the kitchen, so Marie and I went downstairs to the restroom, to get a peek at the kitchen !!! Could this be the same kitchen where Cat was photographed? LOL
Well, the evening just flew by, and before we knew it, we were saying goodbye.
The next day, Regii's girls wanted to do more shopping, so we went to Oxford Street where they could shop til' they dropped!
Regii, Bill and I stayed at a street cafe, and I called Joanne and Craige, as we had arranged, so they could join us for lunch.
later, Joanne, Regii and I, went for a walk along a few shops, this is where Regii, wanted a picture in a telephone box.
Please excuse all the pictures in the box!!!
When we returned the girls were back from shopping, Joanne and Craige, then said their goodbyes, after the girls had eaten, we made our way to station for our return home journeys.
We said goodbye's to Regii and the girls, then Bill and I waited for our train. Well, nothing so simple as getting on and going home, ooh no, not for us!!!
The train was having techniclal problems, 30 mins later they got us to change trains, this meant an already full train, had to accomodate another load of passengers!!! So we made a rush to the First Class, as I knew we would never get a seat anywhere else!!! So a little late home, but we were comfortable ;D
All in all, A fabulously unforgettable, Wedding Anniversary for me and Great Weekend!
Sorry for any spelling mistakes! eg, E on Craige? not sure
Bill and I had a fabulous weekend, getting to meet Regii, Joke and Femke, Michele, Christine and Joanne's friend Craige for the first time
Also, seeing Marie, Joanne, Helen and Maria again was a treat for me, It was a wonderful way for me to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary
Firstly, at the station, Bill and I met Regii, Joke and Femke, then Marie, then Michele, We waited for about an hour for Christiane, but then we had could wait no longer, I had been in contact with her earlier by phone, but then couldn't get through to her, so we reluctantly left, then while on the tube, I received a call from her saying, she was at the hotel and would see us at the bar tonight. So off we went to Portabello Road market.
Portobello Road Market.
Marie, Michele, Regii and Bill
See the sign above us!
We walked and walked and walked. Eventually, we met up with Joanne and Craige and stopped for a coffee in a bar along Portabello Road.
Sue, Joanne, Marie and Regii
Michele, Craige and Joanne
Marie, Regii and Michele
Joke and Femke, Regii's Girls
Then we set of to the Mosque, confirming arranging to meet up at La Siesta, later.
So back on the Tube to Baker Street...Regent's Park
Then, Regii, Michele, Marie and I, left Bill, Joke and Femke to relax in Regents Park.
Outside The Mosque
Then we put on our scarves...
As we walked into the entrance, a man came over to us and give Regii, a scarf to cover her legs.
As we approched the Mosque, we could see there was a bazaar, well it would be rude not to have a good look around!!! LOL
There were Rings, Clothes, Food, Books, all sorts at very reasonable prices.
After shopping! We went into the Mosque, but were unsure where we could go, as there were a lot of men in the main part of the Mosque, praying.
A kind man came over and showed us to where we could go, the nursery and women's prayer rooms, there were a lot of women and children in there, and we must have stuck out like a sore thumb, as a very nice young lady came to us and asked if we would like her to show us around, Oh, yes please, I said, so she did just that, we were shown the place where they perform the cleaning/ washing, before they pray, not all do this here, as you can do it at home before you come to the Mosque if you prefer. Then we were shown the women's upstairs room for prayer, this was overlooking the main Mosque room, you could see the men praying from there,
Then, another lady came over to us and asked if we were visitors, LOL I wonder what gave us away!!! She then gave us each a "Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam" book, I said, that we were there because, we were followers of Yusuf Islam and were in London to Celebrate his 60th Birthday, She was a little amazed that Yusuf, celebrated his birthday, as Muslims do Not celebrate birthday's. I then said, NO, Yusuf is not celebrating, just that we were.Then she went on to say, that they do not even celebrate the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) day of birth, as he did not celebrate.
After telling us quite a bit about, not celebrating pagan rituals, I asked if I could take a picture of inside the Mosque, and was told, only of the architechure, no people could be photographed. which was understandable.
We then went downstairs to see the gardens, where in days of EID, for example, people pray when there is no room in the Mosque, as there are so many people there on these occasions.
We stayed and talked to the first lady, for a while longer and thanked her for her kindness, she was so lovely. Then we had to go, as we were running out of time, we still had to check into our hotel yet!
Well, I won't bore you with the details, but we finally got to the hotel, and then, we were on the way to La Siesta. we were much later that expected, but here we are, just arrived.
Inside, were Joanne, Craige, Christiane, Helen and Maria waiting for us! Sorry Guys, for keeping you waiting
We had a great time, Christiane, had brought with her, Catch Bull at Four CD, and asked for it to be played! It was wonderful to hear Cat singing in his Dad's old Cafe!!! Great Idea Christiane!!!
Very strange and wonderful to be there, sureal at times, especially hearing Cat singing as well!
The bar was much smaller than I had imagined, but they say that the TV always makes things look bigger!!!
Helen and her Daughter, Maria
Christiane and Craige
Helen, Joanne, Sue and Marie
Joanne and Sue
Michele
Sue, Marie and Joke
Regii, mentioned that while she was downstairs, she saw the kitchen, so Marie and I went downstairs to the restroom, to get a peek at the kitchen !!! Could this be the same kitchen where Cat was photographed? LOL
Well, the evening just flew by, and before we knew it, we were saying goodbye.
The next day, Regii's girls wanted to do more shopping, so we went to Oxford Street where they could shop til' they dropped!
Regii, Bill and I stayed at a street cafe, and I called Joanne and Craige, as we had arranged, so they could join us for lunch.
later, Joanne, Regii and I, went for a walk along a few shops, this is where Regii, wanted a picture in a telephone box.
Please excuse all the pictures in the box!!!
When we returned the girls were back from shopping, Joanne and Craige, then said their goodbyes, after the girls had eaten, we made our way to station for our return home journeys.
We said goodbye's to Regii and the girls, then Bill and I waited for our train. Well, nothing so simple as getting on and going home, ooh no, not for us!!!
The train was having techniclal problems, 30 mins later they got us to change trains, this meant an already full train, had to accomodate another load of passengers!!! So we made a rush to the First Class, as I knew we would never get a seat anywhere else!!! So a little late home, but we were comfortable ;D
All in all, A fabulously unforgettable, Wedding Anniversary for me and Great Weekend!
Sorry for any spelling mistakes! eg, E on Craige? not sure
It was wonderful to see friends I had met a few times already, Sue, Helen, Joanne, Maria and the friends who I met for the first time, Regii, Femke, Joke, Michele, Bill, Christiane and Craig. We were like one big happy family, talking, laughing and joking. MAGIC!
some of my pics from th 60th celebrations
