flashback!

Simon and Mhairi at the B-52s
Originally uploaded by MhairiT

Went to the Lovebox festival in Victoria Park, east London, this afternoon. It's a two day festival set up by Groove Armada, who played later on this evening.

Two highlights were Tinariwen (Mali desert blues - they were all dressed in their desert robes and head scarves) and Hot Chip (geeky as normal).

But t he main reason for going was the B-52s. Seventeen years after we'd seen them play in Christchurch, Simon and I were once again the front row to watch them. They've aged with various degrees of success, but still sounded pretty good! They finished off with a storming Planet Claire and Rock Lobster.

Also had a go on the chairoplanes which were way scarier than I remembered as a child!!

community!

The happy group at the end
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields

As part of our work away-day last week we spent the afternoon painting a wall and gardening at a local community center. It was very impressive what we achieved! Here is a photo of us all at the end - you can't see quite how paint spattered I am!

festive!

We had our department away day and summer party on Wednesday. The away day consisted of presentations in the morning, and then a community event in the afternoon. We went down to a community center in south London and cleared bushes and painted a huge brick wall. It was great fun! And we only got rained on about five times!

The summer party was held at the Cut Bar above the Young Vic Theatre. It was a Mexican fiesta theme, with a pinata, maracas and sombreros, as well as pomegrante margaritas! It was great fun. Photos are up on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32828&l=27c70&id=636605108).

speedy!

Everyone here's very excited about the Tour de France first stage today in London - only the third time it's been on here. There's a time trial in central London and then a longer stage out through Kent. The Guardian's put a video of the time trial course here http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/page/0,,2120441,00.html. Still not sure whether I'm going to go and watch!