mymatedan

now that's an impressive bird....

2012-01-30T06:16:00.000-08:00

Sculpture park part 2

forget Drew's silly hat, when we took the family to the sculpture park this weekend, this was one of the last beasts we saw. made of corks (from wine bottles) and wood, this 15ft bird towered over us. the mirrored eyes pierced by the winter sun. truly inspiring.... now just got to finish the wine collection and get sculpting...

Owl

2012-01-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

Owl boy

so he ended up choosing the Owl Hat. what a lemon.

hat show

2012-01-30T03:29:00.000-08:00

Fuzzy Drew

we seemed to spend half the day in Burford looking for funny hats and drinking ale. though this was at a sober time...

Harry the 2 year old....

2012-01-30T03:04:00.000-08:00

Had to laugh at this even though it's about 'arry...

Disney Princesses Twirl it

2011-12-27T14:27:00.000-08:00

Some more Disney Magic from Times Square...

Dancing with Disney in the Big Apple

2011-12-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

Another classic cut from our recent Disney job....

Disney Memories

2011-11-29T10:54:00.000-08:00

Here's to the amazing team we worked with in the US. You were all fantastic.

Have made some great friends on this project and can't wait to see you all again soon.

Deadmau5 and Nokia on the Southbank

2011-11-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

This Building projection is great too…. seems like the flavour of the month…. well the season at least… I guess it's cos it gets dark at 4.30!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vc8j0KGEtJo

Love this Saks Fifth Ave GeoMapped Projection

2011-11-27T07:24:00.000-08:00

Great work to all this involved in this amazing piece of creativity on the store front.

"The Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake & the Bubble projection show is bigger and even more spectacular for 2011. The 3D Projection mapping show runs every night for 5 hours, from Nov 21st till Jan 6th. Making it the longest outdoor Video mapping experience in the world."

GV's Recent Disney Escapade

2011-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

This is what all the fuss was about. After 5 months of hard work, shooting and testing, this is what has been released into the wild…

Disney Magic in Times Square....

2011-11-20T09:46:00.001-08:00

This is what all the fun was about.

Disney - Live in NEW YORK

2011-11-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

And now New York….

2011-11-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the castle!

Back to Florida

2011-11-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

To test our magical Disney project

The Giant that is Green

2011-10-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

Some of our recent Grand Visual Green Giant Fun....

Fostering Indy

2011-10-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

Green Giant on the loose in Manchester!

2011-10-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

We love this beach.....

2011-10-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

My Dad's a winner

2011-10-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Well done Pops. you won something at last!

2011-10-02T04:22:00.001-07:00

Back home. North London Derby Day. COYS!!!

Floridian Fireworks

2011-09-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

The most amazing you'll ever see…. by far….

Shooting in Florida

2011-09-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here's me directing some famous 'faces' in Orlando, Florida.

My Cup

2011-09-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Check out my self painted mug….. [the cup not my face]

Busby's getting married!

2011-09-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

No, not Drew… Laura Jane. His big sis…..

Here's Kel celebrating with big J.

Let's go to the seaside!

2011-08-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

West Wittering to be precise….

Birthday Boy

2011-08-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my GBF.

Dan meets Beefy

2011-08-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Test

2011-08-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

New york New York

2011-08-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

I'm off to NYC to recce for a potential job with a certain Mouse aristocracy….

London Days

2011-07-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

On our way from town…. silliness assured.

Harry Potter Streaming...

2011-07-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

Corfu Nights

2011-07-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

Some Holiday Snappage

Holiday Romance

2011-07-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

Spent the most amazing 2 weeks eating an drinking…. love it.

The New Spurs Fan…..

2011-07-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Godson Leo Duggan… preparing for the new season ahead.

Corfu Time

2011-06-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

We're off on Honeymoon a year to the day that we returned from our wedding… better late than never.

Tilt shift

2011-06-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

Liking this new tilt shift app for iPad

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Our First Anniversary

2011-06-04T00:23:00.001-07:00

married the most amazing woman in the world a year ago today. My best friend, lover and partner in crime.... Happy anniversary Kel. X

Our New Hood

2011-06-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here's our new manor!

Heineken Time

2011-05-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest Heineken Twitter Campaign…. Awesomeness personified huh?

Let's get Pindering

2011-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Just got back from sitting on the latest Lynx shoot with Lucy Pindar. Great woman. Great shoot. Great cans.

Leo's Big Day

2011-05-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Was chuffed to be asked by Helen and Phil to be Godfather to young Leo. Such an adorable young lad.

Welcome Real Madrid to the Lane....

2011-04-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Oval from the Air

2011-04-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Took this while flying back from Paris….. It's the Oval down there!

The Bernabeu - Madrid Away

2011-04-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

We came, we saw, we got battered…. literally.

Heath

2011-04-14T07:10:00.001-07:00

- mymatedan

Spurs v Real - Match Report from the future!

2011-04-13T04:28:00.001-07:00

When Luka Modric beat 27 players (strictly speaking, 10, but he beat some several times simply because he was bored by the inevitability of his own brilliance) to score Spurs fifth goal in the third minute of injury time it capped not just the greatest night in the club's history, but the greatest night in football's history. Actually, fuck it, just the greatest night in history.

Perhaps the most memorable sight of an astonishing evening, however, wasn't the Spurs players mobbing the midfield genius in celebration, or of the crowd erupting with joy unconfined at the final whistle a few seconds later. Rather it was the bizarre and frankly disturbing spectacle of Jose Mourhino's mental and emotional disintegration that followed.

Inconsolable and hysterical, he raged and wept against the brutal dismantling of his myth. He shook his fists at the North London sky, beat the cursed turf and lashed out at anyone who tried to calm or comfort him. When he ran to centre circle and whipped off his wig he revealed not just a shiny pate, but a deeply troubled, broken man whose world had crumbled. Suddenly he looked special for all the wrong reasons.

One can only hope that the nurses in his secure wing will protect him from this morning's media. If he sees it he will read breathless, endless coverage of the match of the century and a performance for the ages - enough to topple him into the abyss, but nowhere near enough to convey the sheer magnificence of what took place at White Hart Lane last night.

The opening seconds of the game set the tone. Thanks to his stint with the club, Rafael van der Vaart knew that Real's strict catholic goalkeeper, Casillas, would be on his knees crossing himself at kick-off so, without looking up, he belted Pavlyuchenko's little back flick right over his head and into the back of the net. A brilliant goal and an even better argument for atheism.

There were less than three seconds on the clock, but already you could sense something special was in the offing; and that the balance of power had, unbelievably, shifted.

Pav got two himself before half-time, both from outside the box. Both thunderbolts. He usually scores one every six months. Here he got two in 20 minutes. Truly the stars were aligned. Except Real Madrid's stars. They were all over the fucking place.

In a stroke of management genius, Harry Redknapp elected to leave the entire team out on the pitch for the duration of half time, just casually kicking a ball around between them He revealed afterwards that he was scared of saying something that might put them off, or break the spell. Instead, he played a few rounds of Chase the Ace with Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond occasionally checking the results from the evening meeting at Kempton Park.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and, if possible, avoid talking to it.

Early in the second half Gareth Bale finally shrugged off the weight of his own burgeoning reputation and went on the sort of run that had earned him it in the first place. He finished it by sliding the ball under Casillas, whose game was, to be fair, being hampered by an existential crisis of faith by this point.

The tie was level and there was still over half an hour to go. A Spurs win had gone from looking from implausible to possible to probable to seemingly inevitable.

At which point, of course, the goals dried up. Having already scaled impossible heights, Spurs suddenly began to wobble. There were still chances, but everything was going agonisingly wide or high, or being stopped by Casillas, who had cheered himself up no end by fully embracing paganism and donning a pair of horns.

Harry brought on Jermain Defoe to finish the job off. Then someone noticed he was wearing a T-shirt with 5-0 written on it and he was hauled off immediately for gross stupidity.

And so it was left to little Luka to seal the deal, with a run and finish that, ironically, actually made Casillas believe in God again.

There was a dicey moment in the showers when Bobby Ewing nearly woke up, but it passed and the jubilant Spurs players all got on their unicorns, flew to the little seaside town in Suffolk where I used to go on holiday as a child, bumped into my old gym teacher and suddenly realised they were naked just before all their teeth started falling out.

2011-04-08T11:53:00.001-07:00

On his way home.... After a long productive lunch and some fine business chat.

2011-04-06T06:14:00.001-07:00

Well it was fun while it lasted.

Ford CMAX

2011-03-27T03:59:00.001-07:00

Here is some of our fine work in association with Ogilvy. Pretty cool huh?

From: http://delivr.com/15ejo

Lynx Angels - Ambush @ Victoria

2011-03-27T03:46:00.001-07:00

Ford's Grand C-MAX Augmented Reality Outdoor Campaign

2011-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Backstage at Lynx Shoot

2011-02-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

Great day of directing the Lynx girls in prep for our Lynx Angel ambush

Fireworks

2010-11-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Fireworks with wifey, kirst, sam, rich and molester...

Location:Astonville St,Wandsworth,United Kingdom

three nil in the second half...

2010-10-21T05:13:00.000-07:00

fantastic effort from the ten men from tottenham last, for the second half at least. with over 10,000 of us there to cheer them on from the San Siro they could not get any worse than the first half!

we sat there at half time bemoaning the red and the fact that we finally looked out of our depth in the champions league. enter Gareth Bale. a superb hatrick sent us on our merry way, glad that we can hold up our heads and play some great football.

roll on two weeks time. 11 men, Rafa back and down the lane. COYS.

Dad sleeping at the snooker....

2010-06-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

The dad enjoyed a SAGA louts day out.... look who fell asleep at the snooker!

Sam and Rich's Wedding

2010-06-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

Just got back from an amazing time in Cornwall for our friends Sam and Rich and their wedding.

check out the cool TeePee.....

We got Married!

2010-06-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well.... what an amazing few weeks! we had our amazing wedding day in Ibiza, joined by immediate family and some close friends..... then some time on our own to reflect... Ladies and Gentlemen Mr and Mrs Dawson!

Nike World Cup campaign

2010-06-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

We've been working on the new Nike World Cup live DOOH campaign for months.... see the fruits of our labour....

We got married in Ibiza

2010-06-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

The happiest day of our lives..... We got married at 4pm on the 4th June 2010. Check out the below

Menu time.... Ibiza

2010-04-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

We went over this weekend to taste our wedding menu...... we're in for a reet treat....

Sadness at Wembley....

2010-04-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

The calm and cheeriness before the boredom and ultimate disaster.....

Stag of the Dawson

2010-04-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

Great time..... no photographic proof.... but this picture of the cool house they rented for me....

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

We spent it with Simon and Claud.... and several bottles of vino....

Merry Xmas

2009-12-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a fab Xmas and a happy new year!

Hello Harry

2009-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

So thanks to Richard Cook, I managed to bag an invite to the LMA dinner which was the launch of the 1000 club. A special elite night for those managers who have served over 1000 games in domestic football. Being a spurs fan I was chuffed to be able to shoot the breeze with 'Arry. Almost as chuffed as he was to talk to me of course. Also there picking raffle tickets, was Michael Vaughn.....

who was clearly not as impressed to talk to me as 'arry was. Did not help that I asked him about not playing for England rather than when he did play.....

La Manga 2009

2009-10-08T14:17:00.003-07:00

Another great golf trip...... Won by yours truly..... Champion!

Jason and Nina Wedding

2009-09-04T14:15:00.003-07:00

A great great day, typified by the love and respect that Jason and Nina share. Plus we got completely smashed and danced like mad folk all night....

Simons 30th

2009-08-19T14:12:00.003-07:00

The day Simon's 1980's dreams came true...

Sonisphere 2009

2009-08-01T14:09:00.003-07:00

The Day that Richie met his heroes....

Kellys 30th Birthday

2009-07-06T03:41:00.003-07:00

Well I know she doesn’t look it! Why do you thinking I’m marrying her???

We celebrated in style at Club49 in soho....

The Stag of the Dugganator

2009-06-25T03:44:00.003-07:00

Just got back from sunny funny Berlin to see Big Phil off in style....

Ibiza 2009

2009-06-16T13:11:00.003-07:00

We’ve just got back from another great trip to Ibiza! We were there looking for our perfect venue for our wedding next year... which we found and are chuffed with....!

Last Home Game.....

2009-05-18T06:23:00.003-07:00

All the fun of the Lane for the last home game of the season..... Enjoyed by none other than Dicky Segal himself! who as you can see from his classic pose was sporting a rather spectacular hangover....

The Stag of the Simmo

2009-05-11T00:49:00.003-07:00

Now that is one ugly bird...... oh no..... it’s a Simmo.....

Funny Whale

2009-04-06T06:11:00.003-07:00

Dylan sent this over..... V Funny...

30th Birthday Bash

2009-03-28T07:10:00.003-07:00

Just a quick note to say thanks to all for another amazing birthday party.....

click on the photo to share the love.....

Liams Stag

2009-03-24T07:10:00.003-07:00

The Stag Do. Too much booze.... too little time.... too much fried food..... too many funny moments..... too many laughs......

Amazing American Footballers

2009-03-12T06:05:00.003-07:00

Ok Ok i know it’s fake. But it still looks awesome!

A New Spurs Fan

2009-01-08T04:48:00.003-08:00

Well I finally managed to convince Kel to brave Seven Sister High Road and enjoy an evening at Spurs. Although at Half time she was wondering what on earth she was doing there as we were 1 nil down the in Carling Cup Semi. The second half more than made up for it with 4 goals giving us one foot in the final on March 1st. Kel was heard singing Spurs songs such as ‘Jemain Defoe.... he’s a yiddo’ and ‘OHHHHHHH WHENNNNNN THEEEEE SPURSSSSSSSSSSS’. All in all a massively successful evening as Kel draped herself in a Spurs scarf showing her new allegiance, while Simmo display the score like a west coast gangster.

Golftastic

2008-09-22T06:21:00.003-07:00

A Lads weekend away with far too many funny stories to tell..... just looky here [CLICKY]

...... That one is going Out Of Bounds skipper.......

Tom and Natalies Wedding Day

2008-09-22T06:20:00.003-07:00

What an absolutely amazing day..... a great country wedding in costwolds, in a brand spanking new barn just outside Chipping Campden. As you can see we all got exceedingly drunk!!! check out the pictures [CLICKY]

Homeward bound.....

2008-07-11T18:28:00.003-07:00

Sitting in LAX airport waiting to board our Virgin Atlantic plane.....what an amazing holiday/journey the past 3 weeks have been for Daniel and I....we have seen skyscapers, varied neon signs, stayed in Wigwams, gone through the petrified forest, got enaged and of course completed Route 66 and it seems like we have been away for ages.....however what a memorable, lifechanging trip this has been and I am sure will never be forgotten....K x

Echoing that. what a trip. I’d reccommend it to anyone wanting to sample some American charm, views and hospitality. Highlights include [believe it or not] the time we were stuck in the storm in Tucumcari, the sights of empty old route 66, the wigwam motel, the chicago skyline from the river cruise, the first day of driving and of course our amazing day at the Grand Canyon - a day we both agreed not 45 mins ago that we will truly cherish and remember for ever. d.

Now this is the LA Life......

2008-07-09T22:16:00.003-07:00

Just a short note today to say just how much we are loving the LA lifestyle..... Though it was cloudy yesterday in Santa Monica we hired out some bikes and headed down to Venice Beach for lunch. It’s only a short 5 mile or so, so nothing too challenging! After lunch in Venice and a quick gawp at the weird and wild of Venice - kind of Camden by the sea we supposed - we went down to the Santa Monica Aquarium to sea some real wildlife. Topped of the day with a night at the Cinema to see the new Adam Sandler film Don’t Mess with the Zohan.

Today we decided to not wait around and wait for the sun to break through and jumped into the car to see some sights. Sure enough no sooner had we parked up the sun popped out! We saw the, Kodak theatre, Mann theatre, the stars on the sidewalk, hand prints in the concrete etc...... then on to Griffith Park - the US’ largest municipal park - for some much needed sunbathing. From there it was all about the view from the Griffith Conservatory - over the whole of LA and a great view of the Hollywood sign. Then back to our gorgeous chic hotel for a real chill after a long day!! K and D. x

Vegas to LA

2008-07-08T09:23:00.003-07:00

Our last night in Vegas saw us visit the Wynn one of Vegas’ newest Casino hotel’s for a Cirque du Soliel performance of La Reve. A show only ever to be seen in Vegas, it’s Cirque’s only water show. Acrobats climb and jump dive and swim all around the arena in spectacular fashion. The stage the lights and performances were all amazing - needing to be seen to be be beleived. Josh and Ailis [and MnM] would love it! We then left the next morning for LA stopping in san Bernardino for the evening, on the outskirts of LA. Readying for the delights that LA has to offer...... d.

PS - RKW on the way to LA - Coyote!

PPS - That is not our Hotel below, but we thought our dads would like it. Our second Eagles spot after Winslow Arizona......

After spending a few days in Vegas it was good to finally get back onto Route 66, see the old towns with the neon signs.....it should of been a short journey to LA but we decided to take Route 66 all the way which was amazing as we passed the Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood sign.......We got to our Hotel which is stunning and nothing I have ever stayed in before to find out that Eddie Murphy was filming his next film ‘1,000 words’ (apparantly the hotel is prime hotspot for celebrities)...

I informed the staff that I knew this being a celebrity myself!!!!....Ed did ask for my autpgraph but unfortunately I had to decline due to my busy schedule!........We took a walk to the end of the Santa Monica Pier which is the final destination of Route 66 and we were happy but tired to think that we have travelled over 2,500 miles from Chicago to LA.......We ended the night we a superb meal in the hotel. Kx

Blondie rules Vegas

2008-07-05T02:02:00.003-07:00

Man it’s hot here. 113º F today. While all the casinos and hotels are super air conditioned as soon as you step outside it’s sweat-a-rama! We went over to the Mandalay this morning so Kel could have her hair done in a top salon recommended by a friend at TIGI. I have to say my finance looks HOT HOT HOT! While she had her hair done I decided it would be a great idea to relieve the Mandalay of some of the casino’s money. The first blackjack dealer seemed to agree with me that I should. However after a short winning streak the dealer changed. The little midget dealer did not share my plan and in true Vegas style swiped $140 from me in the space of around 25mins. Never trust a midget. I swear he was standing on a stool to deal. bloody oompa loompas.
should have sent him back down the yellow brick road to the lollypop league...... not that I’m bitter at all. Anyway the loosing streak continued this evening even with my little blonde lucky charm next to me so we called it a night. The highlight of the day for us was the spectacular Bellagio fountains we watched up close for the first time. We can see them from our room window but they really are something else up close..... check out the video below and turn up the sound! d and k.

Birthday in Vegas Baby

2008-07-03T23:33:00.003-07:00

We had a lovely day of Kelly time on the 3rd of July.... It being her birthday we woke with cards and presents followed by a huge breakfast at our hotel. This is the kind of breakfast you could get anything and everything..... so we did. Then on to the pool for some sunshine and a dip..... then shopping vegas style....... a bite for lunch....... back to the pool...... an afternoon nap....... then out for a lovely dinner at Tao in the Ventetian where we spent the rest of the evening wandering the Grand Canals, St Marks Square and The Palazzo [while spending the money we have not won yet] in the designer shop’s....... Kelly bought a lovely new designer handbag and purse while i treated myself to a designer watch and wallet! Walking back down the strip for a view of the amazing fountains at the bellagagio capped an amazing day...... Now for the 4th and some fireworks! D.

I’d just like to add a small line of THANKS for all my lovely birthday wishes, cards and presents. K. xx

The Perfect day the perfect way

2008-07-01T17:05:00.003-07:00

All I can say is that this has been the most perfect day not only have I been to see the Grand Canyon but Daniel asked me to marry me on top of one of the most amazing views and I am still smiling and I think still in shock. It was so romantic and breath taking it’s so hard to explain but hopefully the pics below will give you an idea.
It was such a wonderful surprise and I am looking forward to being part of the Dawson gang and I know the Chadwick family are more than happy to have Dan for a son-in-law.

I think Dan and I put people of their lunches as we have been hugging and kissing all the way around the Canyon :) Wishing we could zap you all over with us tonight to celebrate but looking forward to seeing you all soon. Ladies, check out the ring - its gorgeous! Kx

Well. we are gonna be man and wife! I’ve been waiting so long to ask Kel to be Mrs Dawson, but could not have pictured a more perfect way for it to happen. I found a nice little spot overlooking the Canyon - a nice secluded spot where the picture below was taken. We were sitting in the bright sunshine in stunned silence when I plucked up the courage to finally ask. Kel was, unsurprisingly flabagasted! burst in to tears and screamed YES, OH MY GOD YES! Obviously I was the happiest man in the world......The perfect beginning to what will be an amazing life together! Needless to say the rest of the day was spent phoning friends and family with the news [as well as enjoying the amazing views that the Canyon has to offer.]

Can’t wait to celebrate with you all, but for now we’ll celebrate together alone for the next week and a half in Vegas and LA! And as much as we both can’t wait to get married rest assured it won’t be in Vegas!

Thank you all for your kind wishes of congrats...... see you soon! d.

Tipees ad Wigwams

2008-06-30T19:55:00.003-07:00

We left Albuquerque soon after breakfast at the casino..... very tempted to play some more blackjack but we thought we had better hit the road. And so to our first stop of the day and amazing Red Rock canyon. Well we read it was amazing... unfortunately we were not allowed in as we were not taking part in the National Junior Rodeo Event that had seemingly hired the whole national park.... so we went off down the road to Gallup for a soda pop stop before heading down to the Petrified Forest National Park for an afternoon of natural beauty. An amazing desert / forest / landscape with jaw dropping vistas greeted us with open arms. The National Park has long been been a spiritual reside for the Navajo and Hopi Indians and you can see why. We stopped in an area of the park called ‘The Tipees’ - so called because all of the rock formations resemble them. After a short stop for Ice cream in Holbrook we drove down the short trip to the Wigwam motel, one of our quirky little stops. All the rooms are individual Wigwams! an amazing sight as you can see! K and D. x

PS we nearly added Gopher to the RKW but he narrowly avoided our wheel....

Winner winner chicken dinner....

2008-06-30T07:39:00.003-07:00

After the storm in Tucumcari we woke up to a mild, cloudy day with the power back on......apparantly this had not happened since Terri and Bill had been working at The Blue Swallow (4yrs), we packed up and made our way to Albuquerque........half way we stopped at Clines Corner which is a famous gas stop and we found out that it’s 7,200ft above sea level!! after a bite to eat we started on our way again to the GPS telling u we had reached our detination which was in the middle of no-where.....we called the hotel and they said exit 140 so we caried along the beaten track a little worried to end up seeing the hotel but unable to get there as the road had finished.....it took us another 40mins to get on the interstate and arrive but as soon as we arrived we were greeted by a huge casino hotel with a water feature at the main reception and the sound of money being won at the casino.

We spent the afternoon chilling on the outdoor deck, catching the rays and splashing around in the indoor pool and hot tub......to then spending the evening playing roulette - we were up $47 and then onto black jack, which we were up again $45 - spent a few dollars on the slot machines but decided no big money to be won and went back to our room with an extra $65 in our pockets (paid for the hotel!)

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!! K and D xx

Tucumcari - the mom and pop place

2008-06-28T22:19:00.003-07:00

Today we drove our shortest journey. It’s only 120 miles between our last stop at the Big Texan Steak Ranch to Our current reside - the imfamous Blue Swallow Motel. We stopped off on the way to see a weird and wonderful sight on route 66. 10 old cadillacs buried up to their windscreens in a field. Each one decorated in grafitti of passing viewers. As weird as Stonehenge but not quite as spiritual! We did wonder why someone would want to bury 10 cars...... maybe he was one a spiritual journey of his own. The Big Texan a Large all singing all dancing steak ranch and the blue swallow a small ‘mom and pop’ run motel on old 66. We were greeted by our hosts Bill and Terri who assured us that the whole town [all 7 blocks of it] was run by mom and pop businesses. Bill told us us how the big chains had tried to come in but the mom’s and pop’s had run them out of town! . So we went out for lunch [to a mom and pop place of course] and wandered around in the 100º heat for about an hour before we decided that we might melt. Spent the afternoon chilling and looking forward to the al fresco drinks with Bill and Terri and some other route 66 guests we had been invited to. However, a major thunderstorm hit Tucumcari. It was kind of scary! rain was like we’d never seen, thunder and lightening clapping and lighting the sky every 5 seconds. Needless to say the drinks were off! Finally about 2 hours alter the storm passed And we headed out to take a photo of the famous neon sign [below] Just as Dan took it so the whole town went dark! a power cut! the next two hours were complete darkness....... certainly a day and evening we will never forget. lots of fun in a place we love. K and D. x

Don't Mess With Texas.....

2008-06-27T19:07:00.003-07:00

Our picture below says it all....we have experienced the best tasting steak EVER, didnt think Paris could be topped but it has....not only was the food good with salad, jacket potato, texas rice and macorni cheese but the service and atmosphere was friendly and warming that we didnt want to leave.....and we are wishing that you were all with us both.....night Kxx

Steak? you tasted nothin’ till you’ve had Big Texan...... d
PS new to RKW - Armadillo - not so hard on the outside when he’s been hit by a truck......

......Every night I've been hugging my pillow

2008-06-27T15:57:00.003-07:00

When the day was dawning, on a Texas FRIDAY morning.....yes we are in Amarillo staying at the BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH which gives you the opportunity to eat a 72oz steak within an hour and there is no charge....obviously Daniel and I are ready for the challenge!!!!.......On our way to Amarillo we visited an old Route 66 Museum and I sat in a pink cadillac while Daniel decided to pretend he was a fireman. Tonight we are eating in the famous steak restaurant...I am having a 6oz fillet washed down nicely with a cold bud light, nice way to end a yee haa day!!!!! Later cowboys/girls Kx

yipeekiyaye! hey y’all! we be rockin’ it down ‘cross the pan handle ‘o Texas where it’s a sticky 94ºF. We checked into the hotel that resembles a wild west high street right opposite our entertainment for the evening. Anyone who loves their Steak will love this place..... Dad, Rich, DadChad and MiniChad [Pete] - you would love this guys...... ‘bring me some Prime Texan Beef and lots of beer!’ I’ve already selected my steak as you can see from the picture...... d.

On our way to the Okies

2008-06-26T18:16:00.003-07:00

Its 8pm and this morning feels so far away when we think back to what we have done so I will just name a few highlights as feeling very tired today.....I drove the car through Route 66 which was brilliant, even though Daniel was a little scared, I saw the BIG whale (see picture) - the whole place was magical as in the middle of the highway was a BIG BLUE WHALE.........after a long journey we arrived in Oklahoma City - I have too admit its not one of my favourite places but they can’t all be like the last 3 places.......before I go there we went past places called Kellyville and Chelsea Town!!! (just for you Dad)...K xx

When we look back at this point of the day of all the things we’ve doen we still can’t quite believe that it’s all the same day. Chicago and Illinois feel like about 3 weeks ago already!!! The highlight for me today was Totem Pole Park. A weird and wonderful place just off Route 66 in a place called Foyil. It contains the ‘Worlds Largest Concrete Totem Pole’, scultured by Ed Galloway - who worked day and night for 11 years to complete it........and before I go we have seen an interesting array of Road Kill so far...... previous favourites on what i’ll now be calling RKW [Road Kill Watch] included Racoon, Possum and Squirrel were today surpassed by Deer [blimey it was big!!!!] and Tortoise - Yes Tortoise!!! poor thing probably spent ages crossing the road only to be mown down as he got close to the edge...... one race the Hare will win! d.

Here we come Springfield

2008-06-25T20:18:00.003-07:00

After a lovely day yesterday what better way to wake up than breakfast in bed...scrambled eggs, bacon, strawberries, melon etc........the sun was shining and we decided to go for a wander and found a baseball stadium which was full of memorabillia (dan bought another t-shirt!) after a hot stroll we went on a tour around Anheuser Busch which resulted in free beer and then we started our journey to Springfield..........arrived at the most gorgeous motel which put a smile on our faces and we were ale to chill around the pool for about 30mins, it was still boiling hot at 6.30pm.......Springfield is a quaint, all american town Kx

What a perfect day! brekkie in bed, a baseball stadium, a brewery, a road trip, the most famous cowboy of all time’s hideout, a great burger, a cool kooky little motel, a few beers and a pizza - and all of that with my girl by my side. sign me up America..... I’m sold. d.

Chicago to St. Louis

2008-06-24T19:49:00.003-07:00

Its 9.50pm and we are back in our room after having dinner at the Top of the River Front Restaurant which is on the 28h floor and as you are eating and drinking it gives you a panaram view of St. Louis which was amazing.......Today was the start of our Route 66 and we drove for a total of 5hrs....we stopped at joliet which was great and highlighted the beginning of our 3 week adventure.....I love the mail-boxes!!!!......it’s been a long but worthwhile day and I am looking forward to want tomorrow brings.......Lots of love K x

It’s been a long day but an amazing one! We picked up the car [not the American Chevvy we were expecting - boooo!] a Mitsubishi Galant - a brand new with only 400 miles on the clock - this morning in Downtown Chicago. We joined old Route 66 just round the corner and set off on the long journey West......... Such an amazing view, road and environment. The Great Plains allow the sky to feel so much bigger, so much bluer and vast. The horizon for hundreds of miles around was flat, the sun strong and the road straight, leaving a fantastic mirage in front of us...... roll on day 2!!!! ........ :) d.

A City of Skyscrapers, Sightseeing and Shopping

2008-06-23T18:07:00.003-07:00

Chicago - what a place! We’ve had an amazing first full day of the trip. We got up around 5am! think the time difference was playing havoc. But it did mean that we were up and at ‘em in town really early. Headed downtown to Millennium and Grant Parks for a morning of sunshine and greenery. Follwed by a trip to Navy Pier and an amazing boat ride through the city focussing on the amazing architecture Chicago has. An amazing mix of Modernism, Post Modernism, Art Deco and [Mock] Ornate scultures rise from the banks of the Chicago river. It really should be seen to be believed. Then on to the shopping...... we smashed it. You name it we went there....... d.

We started the day with breakfast...I had a muffin with scrambled egg and Daniel had a huge breakfast buritto...lovely start to the day! The sun was shining and we went to see the largest water fountain called ‘Buckingham Fountain’ which was amazing - the fountain was meant squirt on the hour but by 10.10am it still hadn’t we decided to get moving to Millennium Park. As Daniel has written the boat ride was amazing and we have included one of the pictures from the sites....it was breathtaking.....but for me the most memorable will be when Daniel saw ‘Buckingham Fountain’ squirt from a far and the time was 2.15pm - if only we had stayed an extra 5 mins...typical!.....I can’t even begin to describe the shops except I am coming to chicago every year!!!!............Feeling tired, spending 11hrs exploring......both in bed, resting our feet and watching TV........Kx

Chicago Chicago....

2008-06-22T13:41:00.003-07:00

I’ll tell you what.... i know why they call that lake michagen a ‘great lake’ that thing is wider than the english channel! We flew in over Canada in into the US over the lake and it is mighty big...... Breezed into Chicago O’Hare and straight to our fantastic Art deco / European style boutiquey hotel just off the ‘Magnificent Mile’ - the premier shopping district in Chicago. It’s a warm 74º F and blue skies.......Kel’s having a little snooze while I plan an evening of food and drink US style.... a dawg ‘n’ a beer at Wrigley Park could be the order of the day as the White Sox are playing the Cubs tonight..... anyway folks we are here and we are search out the finest Al Capone bars we can.... d.

In the Airport

2008-06-22T02:13:00.003-07:00

Well here we are..... checked in, through security and ready to go........ See you all on the flip side! d.

We have walked through Duty Free testing the fragrances and now smell like a tart’s handbag!.....we have stocked up on sweets(daniel’s idea) and have had a lovely bagel so are full and waiting to go to gate 29.......will be in touch soon Kxx

4 Days and counting

2008-06-17T02:33:00.003-07:00

Well the hotels, flight and car are booked and we are ready to go. The excitement is there and the fun start on Sunday!!! Can wait..... Vegas here we come...... Follow our travels on the blog...

A1 GP - Brand Hatch

2008-05-26T02:42:00.003-07:00

Hannah scored us some tickets to the A1GP day at Brands Hatch.... So we went and soaked up the petrol fumes with Jen and Jamie..... Needless to say we got drunk...... again....... And Jenni thought it would be funny to do bunny ears in this photo.