This is it, all the evidence we have of such a fabulous night! There was a huge bottle of champagne, sparkly dresses and much dancing had by all.
Thank you for breaking in the new year with me ladies, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope you did too. Cheers to a good twelve months to come, many more drinks, lots of laughter and love to my London family and my family around the world. xxxx
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Halloween is not a big deal in Aus, at least, I don't remember it being as a kid. It is beginning to develop momentum now but I can't say I've ever had or been to a Halloween part before.
Guess what?! Now I have! It was filled with food, sad dance moves and too much alcohol but it was sooo much fun! Although, technically, it was the weekend after Halloween, we had a houseful of fully committed Brits, Halloween veterans from Canada and a couple of nervously excited Australians. I had the best mac and cheese of my life and I believe there was some throwing of food throughout the night, though no one will admit to anything, least of all me. Happy Halloween to all and to all, a frightful night. ....that's right, isn't it?! October has been a month of settling back into London life, battling a little homesickness and welcoming the odd bout of sunshine to break the Autumn weather. School takes a short break- the teachers say thank god for that and usually evacuate the city en masse to somewhere less work-ish! To take my mind off of home, a beautiful gaggle of gal pals has been at my side, going on adventures and causing trouble. I would be lost without them! You know who you are :) xxxx Hever Castle, KentRoad trip! We managed to find a car and trek our way to Hever Castle, nearby Canterbury (kind of). The grounds are huge, well groomed and very romantic, even if they were Halloween themed with plastic skeletons coming out of the ground and pumpkin heads rolling everywhere. There was an old school (and my first) genuine garden maze which was a lot of fun. The buildings are all old, stone and impressive. Of course they would take me to a castle to cheer me up! It worked. There were plenty of displays inside regarding Anne Boleyn and so much history beyond that. It is currently used as a museum and a wedding venue. It's a fantastic family fun day out or, like us, a girls day out if you're into history, gardening or ye olde worlde in general. On our way back to London, we made a pit-stop at Pooh Corner in Pooh Country, Hartfield. It was a tiny little store in the original village of the creator of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, A. A. Milne. According to a brochure, the area was Milne's inspiration for the Pooh stories, along with the tales of his son and his faithful nanny as 'Christopher Robin' was growing up. Considering its out-of-the-way position, it was super busy and there were all kinds of Pooh-themed merchandise inside, from new graphic story books to postcards with copies of the original Milne sketches on them. Childish but a definite stop if you're in the area. Edinburgh, ScotlandI have returned and this time I brought friends! As it was school holidays, though short and rainy, I decided it would be good to drag some beauties up north and educate those up there about the true fabulousness of teachers on break. Scotland is one of my favourite slices of old world country I've discovered so far and though it was the first place I travelled to on my own so many years ago, I still find myself coming back again and again and, more often than not, dragging others with me. I found it surprising that the two UK residents had never made it so far north before and it was so much fun playing tour guide! We sampled a few drinking houses, one particularly funny ghost tour, the top graveyard in Edinburgh and an alley where an undead woman was said to have lived. We did a historical walking tour, bothered the students and staff at the university and got lost on cobblestone streets. Did you know the Scots built themselves a coliseum? Or tried to as they were once considered 'the Rome of Europe'. Unfortunately, shipping enormous slabs of sandstone from warmer climates takes a toll on the pocket and whoever it was, ran out of money. The half built grand coliseum stands on the hill by the observatory and looks charmingly out of place up there. My only wish would have been to have stayed longer, but that is nothing new there. A good time was had by all, one pound bills were collected, alcohol was consumed and laughs were had. Until next time Scotland! You know I'll be back.
Made it to Sorrento and finally, finally found these two trouble makers! By the time I got to them Dad had gout happening, Mum had a severe chest infection (and no medication) and I earned myself my first set of bed-bugs from a Sorrento hostel I probably won't be revisiting. Before boating off to the family island of Panaraea (slideshow), I managed to sweet talk a pharmacist into selling me the necessary antibiotics and we stumbled onto a ferry towards paradise. Panaraea is half party island (complete with regular celebrity showings including the Kardashians and Will Smith and Co.) half old school locals who have lived there since before the beginning of time. Of course, some of these oldies have made a pretty penny and constructed huge McMansions. Their families trip back to the island every few months to lounge about in the sun and enjoy their parents and grandparents hard toils. We were lucky enough to be invited to dinner by the islands head matriarch and her family, one of whom had originally traveled to Australia with Grandad (Dad's father). It was a lovely dinner and surprisingly easy conversation considering half was pigeon-English and the other half was Italian- which I do not speak at all- much to many a locals' horror. We stayed with the most beautiful family who fed us just about every night and put up with our horrible attempts at their language. Oh, and their kids were gorgeous which helped! After a few beautiful days lounging about in the sun (and shade) it was time to head home and I had to leave the parentals at the airport to flap away to Singapore on yet another adventure. As for me, Summer is winding down. A few more days until we are back at school and a few more days to get back to the hustle and bustle of London. It was a busy trip but so much worth it! Maybe more sunshine next year :) #becausewhynot I am often accused of being a Tourist with a capital T. It is truth and I am unashamed. Visiting the city never grows old, particularly on a beautiful sunny day!
It is only the 2nd time in my life I have spent my birthday month in the sun and though the rays aren't super strong, I am loving it! Thank you all who helped me celebrate. Much love. #touristlife #london #cityscapes #itsmybirthday #picturetime #becausewhynot
On a happier note, the sun has started to shine, though it is still a bit chilly. I have been doing my part for the economy and blowing off steam with girls night out and cocktails. There have been healthy, regular walks and Amanda and I met her future husband/puppy in a local cafe.
Mum and Dad are counting down to their holiday and, a few weeks after they start that, I get to meet up with them in Italy. I am just a little bit excited for that! I haven't been home or seen them since my visit in September. Homesick doesn't even start to describe it but I'm keeping busy and staying positive.
March has been a busy month! There have been girl-dates, flowers, cocktail nights and St Patrick's Day celebrate in London. I am so lucky to have all these ladies with me in this strange and serious town and this month has turned out to be all about celebrating with them. It has been a tough month at work and with missing home but every grinning, drunken face has done a little bit and a lot to make things that much bright, better and easier for me. I hope you can say the same about me because I value each and every one of you for all the things you bring to my world. Thank you! Mel, Steph and I have run away for the weekend to visit Oxford, land of scholars, churches, small pubs and castles.
It is my second time visiting the British college town and I was able to find some new things to dig my historical teeth into. Also, we volunteered Mel in the tour to be locked in the bock (see above) because she was taller and because she looks shifty XD We stayed in a cute little motel with a great view and toured both town pubs, followed a star-riddled trail and wandered through the walls and up the lookout of Oxford castle. Loved spending my time with these spontaneous history buffs! Will have to trip away again sometime soon. xx |
AuthorMy home is Australia, with my family and their many, many animals. I have travelled all around the world with my family and by myself where I have made too many friends to count. |