I'm a sucker for an eighties musical.
Fame makes me cry...and Dirty Dancing makes my feet tap...
so when Caroline and I decided to spend a day in the West End of London, grabbing some lunch, a few cocktails and a show, Flashdance was our musical of choice.
As a theatre-buff-in-training I have made it my mission to see as many West End shows as possible while i'm in England...and maybe even a few European ones as well.
The West End has always been a favourite part of London for me....theatres every block, countless bars and restaurants and all the best shops.
Lunch was in Browns - a favourite restaurant of Caroline and mine with precious memories of her Hens night dinner and plenty of deliciously fruity cocktails. Moving to the theatre we took our nosebleed seats and marvelled at the dancing and tapped our toes to the well known tunes like Gloria and Maniac...
I can break it down with the best of them on the d-floor but watching the actors move the way they do was incredible...the show was everything we'd hoped and I came away ready to dance right through my life...
till next time...
Friday, 31 December 2010
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Kunitchua
If Toowoomba is my home town, Horsham in West Sussex, England is my home away from home.
Located about an hour south of London in the Sussex countryside, Horsham used to be a market town and has a town centre full of all the usual high street shops, a few more interesting ones and a 'Carfax' with a lovely little bandstand...It is surrounded by pretty little villages and farms and manor houses...well, you get the picture...
Horsham, though pretty, is completely unremarkable.
So when I heard that a new restaurant had opened up in town, with fancy and expensive Japanese inspired cuisine, a noted chef, and a review in the Telegraph I was astounded...and when my friends suggested we get a group together to go there and check it out my credit card cringed but my taste buds were excited.
Wabi did not disappoint. Unsurprisingly the cocktail bar was our first stop with not a classic to be seen on the menu...instead we were spoilt for choice with a range of Japanese inspired concoctions...spice, mint...whatever you fancy is on offer here.
We chose the tasting menu which was expertly tweaked to suit those of us with things we can't eat...a 7 or so (i lost count...) course meal which just kept coming. A highlight for me was the tempura prawns on a bed of egg noodles. Then there was the mushroom rice hot pot...oh...and the spinach satay thing - yum!! But the finishing touch was the oh-so-light chocolate mousse on a bed of mint sorbet finished with a green tea stick....heaven
Horsham may be completely unremarkable...but apparently it has its moments...Kunitchua.
Till next time...
Located about an hour south of London in the Sussex countryside, Horsham used to be a market town and has a town centre full of all the usual high street shops, a few more interesting ones and a 'Carfax' with a lovely little bandstand...It is surrounded by pretty little villages and farms and manor houses...well, you get the picture...
Horsham, though pretty, is completely unremarkable.
So when I heard that a new restaurant had opened up in town, with fancy and expensive Japanese inspired cuisine, a noted chef, and a review in the Telegraph I was astounded...and when my friends suggested we get a group together to go there and check it out my credit card cringed but my taste buds were excited.
Wabi did not disappoint. Unsurprisingly the cocktail bar was our first stop with not a classic to be seen on the menu...instead we were spoilt for choice with a range of Japanese inspired concoctions...spice, mint...whatever you fancy is on offer here.
We chose the tasting menu which was expertly tweaked to suit those of us with things we can't eat...a 7 or so (i lost count...) course meal which just kept coming. A highlight for me was the tempura prawns on a bed of egg noodles. Then there was the mushroom rice hot pot...oh...and the spinach satay thing - yum!! But the finishing touch was the oh-so-light chocolate mousse on a bed of mint sorbet finished with a green tea stick....heaven
Horsham may be completely unremarkable...but apparently it has its moments...Kunitchua.
Till next time...
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
On top of the world
I spent Boxing Day on top of the world.
While other aussies settled down to watch the cricket in sunnier climates (well...let's face it - that would have been disheartening...) our little group in zug, switzerland decided to head to the top of a nearby mountain for lunch and a wander in the snow.
Splitting ourselves into teams we spent the journey doing the quiz from the Independant...but i kept getting distracted...every time i glanced out the window of the train there was yet another teeny swiss village framed by snow...a church steeple here, a little chalet there....by the time we got to the top I was breathless from the beauty of it all.
A scenic chicken schnitzel and apple cider later we happily wandering down the track to the next train station...understandably snap happy and just a little bit icy with chilly cheeks and frozen breath...
Looking out over the clouds we took in the countless snow-topped mountain peaks standing majestically in the distance, pine trees weighed down by snow, valleys full of clear blue lakes and dotted with rooftops...the sky was blue and sunny, the snow glittered and we really were on top of the world....
Till next time.
While other aussies settled down to watch the cricket in sunnier climates (well...let's face it - that would have been disheartening...) our little group in zug, switzerland decided to head to the top of a nearby mountain for lunch and a wander in the snow.
Splitting ourselves into teams we spent the journey doing the quiz from the Independant...but i kept getting distracted...every time i glanced out the window of the train there was yet another teeny swiss village framed by snow...a church steeple here, a little chalet there....by the time we got to the top I was breathless from the beauty of it all.
A scenic chicken schnitzel and apple cider later we happily wandering down the track to the next train station...understandably snap happy and just a little bit icy with chilly cheeks and frozen breath...
Looking out over the clouds we took in the countless snow-topped mountain peaks standing majestically in the distance, pine trees weighed down by snow, valleys full of clear blue lakes and dotted with rooftops...the sky was blue and sunny, the snow glittered and we really were on top of the world....
Till next time.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Frohe Weihnachten...a very Swiss Christmas Day
I was slightly concerned by our proposed activities for christmas day.
I have spent christmas day in a snowy country before - Austria, circa 2005. The purpose of that trip was to ski which, i found out very quickly, is really not my forte. I spent a great majority of the trip bounding from crying in frustration and pain to throwing temper tantrums that a two year old would be proud of - throwing my skis to the ground and flouncing down the mountain as indignantly as is possible when you keep falling on your arse in snow drifts...
Needless to say the thought of trying a new winter sport, tobogganing, on Christmas day with a group of new friends to witness my complete non-prowess when it comes to sports, summer OR winter, filled me with dread.
However I had come prepared with all the fashion required for a day spent wizzing down the slopes, sallopets and jacket borrowed from snow crazed PE teacher friends in the UK, my beautiful new snow shoes...I certainly looked the part....and, less importantly, I would be warm and dry at least.
Grabbing my sled I went last - watching everyone else for technique and vowing I would take it nice and slow. It turns out I had nothing to worry about - I'm a pro!
Wizzing down the 30 minute-long slope 3 times I soon got the hang of controling the sled and decided that faster would be better...I wizzed past my new friends with a WOOP and an arm in the air....I lifted the breaks (my feet) and let the snow hit my face and the wind fly in my hair. I listened to the silence of the forest and glanced at the passing chalets as they wizzed past...i leaned into the corners to take them as fast as possible and was proud to avoid running into a snow drift...tobogganing, it seems, is my new favourite sport.
shame I live in one of the least snowiest parts of the least snowiest country in the world....my new favourite sport might have to be a once-every-5-years kind of activity...
With rosy cheeks from the cold and the exercise we joyfully headed back to our host's flat to revive our spirits with some christmas spirits....drinking our fill of duty-free french champagne and gorging ourselves on a delicious garlic prawn risotto and christmas roast we laughed around the table and enjoyed the company of new friends...A very merry Swiss Christmas day....
Till next time...
I have spent christmas day in a snowy country before - Austria, circa 2005. The purpose of that trip was to ski which, i found out very quickly, is really not my forte. I spent a great majority of the trip bounding from crying in frustration and pain to throwing temper tantrums that a two year old would be proud of - throwing my skis to the ground and flouncing down the mountain as indignantly as is possible when you keep falling on your arse in snow drifts...
Needless to say the thought of trying a new winter sport, tobogganing, on Christmas day with a group of new friends to witness my complete non-prowess when it comes to sports, summer OR winter, filled me with dread.
However I had come prepared with all the fashion required for a day spent wizzing down the slopes, sallopets and jacket borrowed from snow crazed PE teacher friends in the UK, my beautiful new snow shoes...I certainly looked the part....and, less importantly, I would be warm and dry at least.
Grabbing my sled I went last - watching everyone else for technique and vowing I would take it nice and slow. It turns out I had nothing to worry about - I'm a pro!
Wizzing down the 30 minute-long slope 3 times I soon got the hang of controling the sled and decided that faster would be better...I wizzed past my new friends with a WOOP and an arm in the air....I lifted the breaks (my feet) and let the snow hit my face and the wind fly in my hair. I listened to the silence of the forest and glanced at the passing chalets as they wizzed past...i leaned into the corners to take them as fast as possible and was proud to avoid running into a snow drift...tobogganing, it seems, is my new favourite sport.
shame I live in one of the least snowiest parts of the least snowiest country in the world....my new favourite sport might have to be a once-every-5-years kind of activity...
With rosy cheeks from the cold and the exercise we joyfully headed back to our host's flat to revive our spirits with some christmas spirits....drinking our fill of duty-free french champagne and gorging ourselves on a delicious garlic prawn risotto and christmas roast we laughed around the table and enjoyed the company of new friends...A very merry Swiss Christmas day....
Till next time...
A magical christmas eve
My trip to Zurich, Switzerland with my friend Alex started off looking like a disaster.
Excitedly meeting at Heathrow on Thursday we checked in and happily wondered around the shops before settling down to chat over a bottle of red. Our flight was delayed but we weren't too concerned...other flights were taking off and they had our luggage...as if that was some sort of insurance...
the disaster struck when we saw the fatal words on the departure boards next to our flight number - 'Enquire Airline'. Our flight had been cancelled due to snow...not in London...but in Zurich. The most annoying thing about the whole proceedure was that we had to enter the gates as if we were getting on a flight before going through customs and re-entering the country - with all the questions and examination that they seem to subject us aussies to. Having to go through the slow lane for non-EU passports is never a good thing and even less so when you know all the EU-ers are going through much faster and rebooking on all the earliest flights before we even had a chance.
The good thing about flying with British Airways is that we were treated like the high-paying customers we were. No sleeping in the airport under foil blankets for us...no. we were shouted to two rooms in the Novotel with hearty 3-course meals provided (no alcohol though - don't they know that their cusomers will need a glass of wine after such an ordeal?)
Take two, Christmas Eve - the flight was ever so slightly delayed but after battling the Christmas Eve traveller crowds through check in and security we were soon cruising our way to zurich with a healthy supply of french champagne in tow...
In all there are eight of us celebrating christmas in Switzerland with Erin and Lauchie..we're all Aussie, and all (apart from me of course) living in London, living the dream. Our hosts live here in Switzerland and have done for several years - living a full and busy ex-pat life with their brand new 4 week old son...
Wondering around the main streets of Zurich under sparkling christmas lights we stopped in a hotel bar for a couple of getting-to-know-you festive bottles of rioja and were transported to a magical Christmas Eve world before heading to our new friends' home town of Zug, a tax haven that just happens to be rimmed by a lake and hemmed in by snow capped mountains...ever so swiss...
It's a magical Christmas Eve...
Till next time.
Excitedly meeting at Heathrow on Thursday we checked in and happily wondered around the shops before settling down to chat over a bottle of red. Our flight was delayed but we weren't too concerned...other flights were taking off and they had our luggage...as if that was some sort of insurance...
the disaster struck when we saw the fatal words on the departure boards next to our flight number - 'Enquire Airline'. Our flight had been cancelled due to snow...not in London...but in Zurich. The most annoying thing about the whole proceedure was that we had to enter the gates as if we were getting on a flight before going through customs and re-entering the country - with all the questions and examination that they seem to subject us aussies to. Having to go through the slow lane for non-EU passports is never a good thing and even less so when you know all the EU-ers are going through much faster and rebooking on all the earliest flights before we even had a chance.
The good thing about flying with British Airways is that we were treated like the high-paying customers we were. No sleeping in the airport under foil blankets for us...no. we were shouted to two rooms in the Novotel with hearty 3-course meals provided (no alcohol though - don't they know that their cusomers will need a glass of wine after such an ordeal?)
Take two, Christmas Eve - the flight was ever so slightly delayed but after battling the Christmas Eve traveller crowds through check in and security we were soon cruising our way to zurich with a healthy supply of french champagne in tow...
In all there are eight of us celebrating christmas in Switzerland with Erin and Lauchie..we're all Aussie, and all (apart from me of course) living in London, living the dream. Our hosts live here in Switzerland and have done for several years - living a full and busy ex-pat life with their brand new 4 week old son...
Wondering around the main streets of Zurich under sparkling christmas lights we stopped in a hotel bar for a couple of getting-to-know-you festive bottles of rioja and were transported to a magical Christmas Eve world before heading to our new friends' home town of Zug, a tax haven that just happens to be rimmed by a lake and hemmed in by snow capped mountains...ever so swiss...
It's a magical Christmas Eve...
Till next time.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
To beach or not to beach
I have not come prepared for the snow.
Intellectually I knew it was snowing in England when I left Australia. I had many conversations about how cold it would be...and then I packed a lot of summer dresses. I thought long and hard about whether to pack black boots or brown - but never did I consider packing some sort of boot that wouldn't end up breaking my neck as I slipped on the snow.
After another day of cold, wet feet, and yet another shameful and painful stack on the ice, i decided that enough was enough and went off to buy some gorgeous snow boots...toasty warm, grippy on the ice, waterproof and still sexy - they may well be my favourite and most practical shoe purchase of all time. Add to that some sparkly little fingerless mittens and the biggest, wooliest scarf I could find and I finally feel ready to face the snow - only 2 weeks after I arrived.
Sporting my new purchases i braved the snow again today to head to Brighton, on the south coast of England, to meet up with Jenna and re-aquaint myself with my old stomping ground.
They call Brighton a beach. I have always begged to differ. a) there are stones, not sand on this so called beach. b) there are no waves. c) the body of the water is nowhere near the ocean - it is, in fact, the english channel...
However the fact that the city is by 'the beach' gives it a vibe that no other place in england that i've ever been to manages to grasp - add to that the fact that it is the 'gay capital' of Europe (self titled I'm sure but no less accurate) with all the uber trendiness that brings and sports 'The Lanes' - oodles of tiny, ancient alley ways absolutely bursting with itsy-bitsy boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars and you have found yourself my favourite place in the whole of england in which to spend a day browsing the shops, sip an early evening cocktail, move to a gorgeous italian restaurant for dinner and end up dancing the night away - an itinerary I have followed more times than i can count in my years living only 30 minutes from here.
Today we skipped the evening section of the itinerary but swapped an italian dinner for an italian lunch and caught up over an italian red before hitting The Lanes for some last minute christmas shopping and an organic coffee with gluten free cake.
The thing about Brighton that I love is that you can sit in a cafe in the North Lanes and people-watch more interesting looking passers-by than in any other place in the world - tattooed punks, dreadlocked greenies, gay couples hand in hand...all are a part of the ecclectic background that is the heart of this city. If you to ask me the actual locations I miss the most in England - Brighton would definitely top my list...beach or no beach...I do love this place...
Till next time...
Intellectually I knew it was snowing in England when I left Australia. I had many conversations about how cold it would be...and then I packed a lot of summer dresses. I thought long and hard about whether to pack black boots or brown - but never did I consider packing some sort of boot that wouldn't end up breaking my neck as I slipped on the snow.
After another day of cold, wet feet, and yet another shameful and painful stack on the ice, i decided that enough was enough and went off to buy some gorgeous snow boots...toasty warm, grippy on the ice, waterproof and still sexy - they may well be my favourite and most practical shoe purchase of all time. Add to that some sparkly little fingerless mittens and the biggest, wooliest scarf I could find and I finally feel ready to face the snow - only 2 weeks after I arrived.
Sporting my new purchases i braved the snow again today to head to Brighton, on the south coast of England, to meet up with Jenna and re-aquaint myself with my old stomping ground.
They call Brighton a beach. I have always begged to differ. a) there are stones, not sand on this so called beach. b) there are no waves. c) the body of the water is nowhere near the ocean - it is, in fact, the english channel...
However the fact that the city is by 'the beach' gives it a vibe that no other place in england that i've ever been to manages to grasp - add to that the fact that it is the 'gay capital' of Europe (self titled I'm sure but no less accurate) with all the uber trendiness that brings and sports 'The Lanes' - oodles of tiny, ancient alley ways absolutely bursting with itsy-bitsy boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars and you have found yourself my favourite place in the whole of england in which to spend a day browsing the shops, sip an early evening cocktail, move to a gorgeous italian restaurant for dinner and end up dancing the night away - an itinerary I have followed more times than i can count in my years living only 30 minutes from here.
Today we skipped the evening section of the itinerary but swapped an italian dinner for an italian lunch and caught up over an italian red before hitting The Lanes for some last minute christmas shopping and an organic coffee with gluten free cake.
The thing about Brighton that I love is that you can sit in a cafe in the North Lanes and people-watch more interesting looking passers-by than in any other place in the world - tattooed punks, dreadlocked greenies, gay couples hand in hand...all are a part of the ecclectic background that is the heart of this city. If you to ask me the actual locations I miss the most in England - Brighton would definitely top my list...beach or no beach...I do love this place...
Till next time...
He's BEHIND You!
I thought my theatre education was well on the way to being complete.
Having worked for a theatre for about 18 months now I have experienced a whole range of live performance - from completely naked men running around in a contemporary dance piece to full blown classical orchestras....and everything in between.
But, until tonight, I had never been to see a British panto. High on my list of 'Things I never got to do in England' this was an easy one to cross off. My friends Mel and Heidi were keen to come along with me - Mel, an experienced panto goer - was just keen to see the judge from her favourite TV show 'Strictly Come Dancing' as the wicked queen. Heidi was another panto virgin but was using her 'aussie friend' to excuse our extreme non-coolness to her friends at work. We had a ball. Boo-ing with the best of them as the queen over-acted her evil plans. Cheering at the cheesiness of the court jester's throwaway jabs at the residents of nearby towns. I didn't get half the pop culture references but i laughed along anyway...
My days have been filled with lunches and dinners and bottles of wine as i've traveled up and down and around to meet up with friends for catch ups. Making my way to London on Sunday I met Ellie for brunch at our favourite haunt in the south of London, Harrisons, followed by a spot of shopping (along with the rest of London) at the mecca for shopping addicts - Oxford St. And who better to brave it with than my most fashionista of all fashionista friends as we battled the crowds in the beacon of high street shopping in Britain - Topshop's flagship store on Oxford Street. With a floor dedicated to accessories, another containing only the coolest of high street couture and yet another sporting vintage wear to die for, Topshop has always been a favourite spot for me - if i can be bothered pushing past all the tourists....tourists! Bah!
After a short sashay through Liberty, we finished our expedition with a nod to the shining light of department stores throughout the world - Selfridges - with its beautiful Christmas lights and floors upon floors of designer goodies we enjoyed a quick coffee in the food hall where the cash threatened to jump out of my purse in exchange for all the delicious foodie produce just begging to be part of the christmas table.
A (not majorly delayed, despite the snow) tube ride later and i was at London Bridge station to meet Alex. Quite often I describe Alex as my oldest friend and quite often she looks at me askance as I say that - since she is actually 6 weeks younger than me. But I have known her since the day she was born, our mums were work mates and flat mates in their wild single days and, despite the fact that we grew up in different states, and now live on opposite sides of the world, Alex and I have always been close - pen pals in primary school, email pals in high school and holiday buddies whenever we can manage it.
Finding a cosy cell in the cellar of a pub near London Bridge (perhaps it used to be a jail?) we shared a bottle of wine and a sunday roast as we caught up on the past months...somehow, it doesnt' matter how many emails you send, there is still more to tell and the hours flew by. Luckily there is plenty of time for more gossip as we will be heading to Switzerland together in 2 days and then there is Paris...we'll always have Paris...
Till next time...
Having worked for a theatre for about 18 months now I have experienced a whole range of live performance - from completely naked men running around in a contemporary dance piece to full blown classical orchestras....and everything in between.
But, until tonight, I had never been to see a British panto. High on my list of 'Things I never got to do in England' this was an easy one to cross off. My friends Mel and Heidi were keen to come along with me - Mel, an experienced panto goer - was just keen to see the judge from her favourite TV show 'Strictly Come Dancing' as the wicked queen. Heidi was another panto virgin but was using her 'aussie friend' to excuse our extreme non-coolness to her friends at work. We had a ball. Boo-ing with the best of them as the queen over-acted her evil plans. Cheering at the cheesiness of the court jester's throwaway jabs at the residents of nearby towns. I didn't get half the pop culture references but i laughed along anyway...
My days have been filled with lunches and dinners and bottles of wine as i've traveled up and down and around to meet up with friends for catch ups. Making my way to London on Sunday I met Ellie for brunch at our favourite haunt in the south of London, Harrisons, followed by a spot of shopping (along with the rest of London) at the mecca for shopping addicts - Oxford St. And who better to brave it with than my most fashionista of all fashionista friends as we battled the crowds in the beacon of high street shopping in Britain - Topshop's flagship store on Oxford Street. With a floor dedicated to accessories, another containing only the coolest of high street couture and yet another sporting vintage wear to die for, Topshop has always been a favourite spot for me - if i can be bothered pushing past all the tourists....tourists! Bah!
After a short sashay through Liberty, we finished our expedition with a nod to the shining light of department stores throughout the world - Selfridges - with its beautiful Christmas lights and floors upon floors of designer goodies we enjoyed a quick coffee in the food hall where the cash threatened to jump out of my purse in exchange for all the delicious foodie produce just begging to be part of the christmas table.
A (not majorly delayed, despite the snow) tube ride later and i was at London Bridge station to meet Alex. Quite often I describe Alex as my oldest friend and quite often she looks at me askance as I say that - since she is actually 6 weeks younger than me. But I have known her since the day she was born, our mums were work mates and flat mates in their wild single days and, despite the fact that we grew up in different states, and now live on opposite sides of the world, Alex and I have always been close - pen pals in primary school, email pals in high school and holiday buddies whenever we can manage it.
Finding a cosy cell in the cellar of a pub near London Bridge (perhaps it used to be a jail?) we shared a bottle of wine and a sunday roast as we caught up on the past months...somehow, it doesnt' matter how many emails you send, there is still more to tell and the hours flew by. Luckily there is plenty of time for more gossip as we will be heading to Switzerland together in 2 days and then there is Paris...we'll always have Paris...
Till next time...
Saturday, 18 December 2010
dreaming of a white christmas
The snow began while I was in the air on my way home from Barcelona. Within minutes Gatwick airport, in Sussex, was closed.
There are many things I love about England - the dismal way in which they handle the snow is definitely not one of them. Every year it snows. Every year the transport infrastructure doesn't cope and, often within minutes, shuts down. There are many colder countries who seem to manage to continue to opperate...I'm not quite sure why England can't...
My flight yesterday circled for 30 minutes as i gazed down over snow covered fields. Finally we landed and I decided to catch the train home - but of course the trains were in chaos...i finally got home 1.5 hours later than I expected. It would have been worse had I being flying home today. the snow is falling heavily now and I guess i would have been stranded in an airport somewhere...
It's a white world...with layers of snow on the window sill, sitting prettily on a cobweb. It's silent and gentle...and, somehow, though for me a normal christmas is barbeques and the swimming pool, it feels like Christmas.
Today the plan is to enjoy the traditional christmas meal with friends. My 'horsham gang' is made up of six girls who have been friends since high school and their partners. years ago i wrangled my way into this group and became close to all of them...every year for as long as anyone can recall they have got together for a christmas meal in december. they take turns being the hosts...this year is Kate's turn. This is the second year i have been invited - a break from tradition only offered to Matt and me - which I take to be a great compliment of our friendships...
Turkey, pudding, plenty of wine - there will be enough for everyone to bog in and eat themselves silly. And even more so now as the snow threatens to ruin the travel plans of those further away. Luckily for Mel, Liam and I, Kate and Aled's place is literally around the corner. The turkeys are in our oven here and we will pass them accross the fence when the time comes. Others are further away and driving is impossible in this weather. Much to all of our disappointment we may be a much smaller group than usual...
The locals, having to deal many with snow related issues over the past few weeks are completely sick of it. I, being an sun soaked aussie fresh off the boat can't help but sit at the window with the cats, staring out and marveling at the sparkling beauty of the falling snow...despite all the problems it causes...
till next time...
There are many things I love about England - the dismal way in which they handle the snow is definitely not one of them. Every year it snows. Every year the transport infrastructure doesn't cope and, often within minutes, shuts down. There are many colder countries who seem to manage to continue to opperate...I'm not quite sure why England can't...
My flight yesterday circled for 30 minutes as i gazed down over snow covered fields. Finally we landed and I decided to catch the train home - but of course the trains were in chaos...i finally got home 1.5 hours later than I expected. It would have been worse had I being flying home today. the snow is falling heavily now and I guess i would have been stranded in an airport somewhere...
It's a white world...with layers of snow on the window sill, sitting prettily on a cobweb. It's silent and gentle...and, somehow, though for me a normal christmas is barbeques and the swimming pool, it feels like Christmas.
Today the plan is to enjoy the traditional christmas meal with friends. My 'horsham gang' is made up of six girls who have been friends since high school and their partners. years ago i wrangled my way into this group and became close to all of them...every year for as long as anyone can recall they have got together for a christmas meal in december. they take turns being the hosts...this year is Kate's turn. This is the second year i have been invited - a break from tradition only offered to Matt and me - which I take to be a great compliment of our friendships...
Turkey, pudding, plenty of wine - there will be enough for everyone to bog in and eat themselves silly. And even more so now as the snow threatens to ruin the travel plans of those further away. Luckily for Mel, Liam and I, Kate and Aled's place is literally around the corner. The turkeys are in our oven here and we will pass them accross the fence when the time comes. Others are further away and driving is impossible in this weather. Much to all of our disappointment we may be a much smaller group than usual...
The locals, having to deal many with snow related issues over the past few weeks are completely sick of it. I, being an sun soaked aussie fresh off the boat can't help but sit at the window with the cats, staring out and marveling at the sparkling beauty of the falling snow...despite all the problems it causes...
till next time...
Photos - Horsham to Barcelona
click on this link...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=616418&id=790840439&l=edabd6093c
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=616418&id=790840439&l=edabd6093c
Thursday, 16 December 2010
bon appetite
Two nights ago we were invited to a friend's apartment for dinner. it was a treat for me to be included in a casual dinner with friends in the middle of barcelona - though with three spanish guys, my french friend and me the conversation leapt from english to spanish and back again faster than i could blink. But i understood enough and when they lost me I turned my attention to the food...there in front of me lay a buffet of real tapas...little bits and pieces to share - spanish omlette, pizza, some sort of meat pastry thing, bread, fresh-off-the-vine cherry tomatoes and the best olive oil. I laughed when my friend picked up the bread and tomatoes and said 'we'd better show kirsten how to do this...'...um surely i can manage putting tomatoes on bread?? turns out there is a knack - you cut the tomato in half and then squeeze all the lovely goodness onto the bread and spread it around with the tomato itself...drizzle on a bit of olive oil and....YUM! finishing off the meal with a cup of minty moroccan tea bought during our host's recent visit I wished I could somehow be invited to more spanish dinner parties...i like the way they eat here - the casual-ness of sharing food between friends, the variety of dishes...and it all goes so well with beer! bon appetite.
Braving the public transport system again yesterday I followed my friend's advice on where to go for the best views in Barcelona - tibidabo...a cathedral come amusment park (yes, somehow in barcelona the two go together). to get there I took two buses and the funicular to reach the top of the mountain where once a little chapel was situated. Nowdays the chapel has become a large cathedral topped with a statue of Jesus with His arms raised, gazing down over incredible views of Barcelona. The day was sparkling and I could see across the city to the ocean and to the north and south for miles. Looking closely I could make out La Sagrada Familila and other notable buildings in the city...the cathedral is ringed by merry go rounds and ice cream stalls....i guess when the locals finish praying they like to hop on a rollercoaster...but I was content to gaze at the view and enjoy the peacefulness of the hidden little chapel inside the cathedral...
till next time...
Braving the public transport system again yesterday I followed my friend's advice on where to go for the best views in Barcelona - tibidabo...a cathedral come amusment park (yes, somehow in barcelona the two go together). to get there I took two buses and the funicular to reach the top of the mountain where once a little chapel was situated. Nowdays the chapel has become a large cathedral topped with a statue of Jesus with His arms raised, gazing down over incredible views of Barcelona. The day was sparkling and I could see across the city to the ocean and to the north and south for miles. Looking closely I could make out La Sagrada Familila and other notable buildings in the city...the cathedral is ringed by merry go rounds and ice cream stalls....i guess when the locals finish praying they like to hop on a rollercoaster...but I was content to gaze at the view and enjoy the peacefulness of the hidden little chapel inside the cathedral...
till next time...
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
supermarket antics
When I offered to cook dinner for my friends last night I don't think I really understood what I was getting myself into...
First was the decision of exactly WHAT to cook. Typically I had left the house without really checking to see what was in the kitchen in terms of pots and pans etc so who knew what tools i had.
Second - my friends are spanish and french...it would have been exciting for them to try something Australian. but what is australian that can be cooked without a bbq?
Third - I can't read Spanish...and, obviously, all the tins of this and that are in Spanish....one must guess what things are from the pictures on the front - a slightly dangerous exercise.
Wandering round the supermarket i decided to ditch the Australian idea and go mexican instead with a fahjita kit that looked identical to the ones you get back home - and I figured that even with the directions in spanish i would be able to work out what i was supposed to do. Everything else was easy to find and I made my way to the checkout quite proud of myself.
What i didn't realise is that everyone here uses those environmentally friendly shopping bags and that if you're stupid enough not to they give you these teeny tiny plasic bags that split the minute you pick them up...well that wasn't going to work.
Back I went into the supermarket to get myself some environmentally friendly bags...back to a different checkout and the girl put through the bags and then reached for the chicken....'no. no.' I exclaimed....and then i had nothing. How do you mime that you've already paid?? Right - the receipt! only problem is that the girl had a grip on the bag containing the receipt and wouldn't let me get it...we faught over the capsicums. She was yelling at me. I was yelling 'NO!' at her...finally i made a sneaky move and grabbed the receipt out of the bag and waved it triumphantly at her...'SEE'! I screamed. Finally she got the message but was still babbling at me in spanish....she didn't seem to get that i wasn't replying to her for a reason...
....the fajitas went down well - and especially well when i explained the crazy antics i had to go through to get them....at least my life is entertaining i guess.
30 minutes south of Barcelona by train lies a chic little seaside resort called Sitges...in the summer it must be over-run with tourists and Barcelonians seeking a little spot on the beach or in the bars...this time of year it is sleepy and pretty with ancient churches peering down from the surrounding hills and the locals playing with their dogs on the beach.
Proudly managing to get myself around without anyone yelling at me i spent my day wandering along the beach in the gentle winter sunshine, stopping for a lovely lunch of tapas (shhhh don't tell the locals)and a beer before browsing a few little boutiques and heading back to the big smoke for dinner and friends...
till next time.
First was the decision of exactly WHAT to cook. Typically I had left the house without really checking to see what was in the kitchen in terms of pots and pans etc so who knew what tools i had.
Second - my friends are spanish and french...it would have been exciting for them to try something Australian. but what is australian that can be cooked without a bbq?
Third - I can't read Spanish...and, obviously, all the tins of this and that are in Spanish....one must guess what things are from the pictures on the front - a slightly dangerous exercise.
Wandering round the supermarket i decided to ditch the Australian idea and go mexican instead with a fahjita kit that looked identical to the ones you get back home - and I figured that even with the directions in spanish i would be able to work out what i was supposed to do. Everything else was easy to find and I made my way to the checkout quite proud of myself.
What i didn't realise is that everyone here uses those environmentally friendly shopping bags and that if you're stupid enough not to they give you these teeny tiny plasic bags that split the minute you pick them up...well that wasn't going to work.
Back I went into the supermarket to get myself some environmentally friendly bags...back to a different checkout and the girl put through the bags and then reached for the chicken....'no. no.' I exclaimed....and then i had nothing. How do you mime that you've already paid?? Right - the receipt! only problem is that the girl had a grip on the bag containing the receipt and wouldn't let me get it...we faught over the capsicums. She was yelling at me. I was yelling 'NO!' at her...finally i made a sneaky move and grabbed the receipt out of the bag and waved it triumphantly at her...'SEE'! I screamed. Finally she got the message but was still babbling at me in spanish....she didn't seem to get that i wasn't replying to her for a reason...
....the fajitas went down well - and especially well when i explained the crazy antics i had to go through to get them....at least my life is entertaining i guess.
30 minutes south of Barcelona by train lies a chic little seaside resort called Sitges...in the summer it must be over-run with tourists and Barcelonians seeking a little spot on the beach or in the bars...this time of year it is sleepy and pretty with ancient churches peering down from the surrounding hills and the locals playing with their dogs on the beach.
Proudly managing to get myself around without anyone yelling at me i spent my day wandering along the beach in the gentle winter sunshine, stopping for a lovely lunch of tapas (shhhh don't tell the locals)and a beer before browsing a few little boutiques and heading back to the big smoke for dinner and friends...
till next time.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Of beaches and beer
If I were to tell you that I spent the day yesterday at the beach drinking beer you might be forgiven for suggesting that i might not, in fact, be in a european city in the middle of winter....
But the weather here is balmy compared to England with clear blue skies and only a slight chill to the air. So yesterday we decided to hit the beach. wandering slowly along the boardwalk we people-watched (particularly the two butt naked men on the beach - apparently quite normal...) and chatted away and, by the time we reached the marina it was time for a drink. There are plenty of oh-so-chic cocktail bars along the beach but we opted for something a little more grounded with a little taverna with beer on tap and sumptuous plates of tapas. I'm told, by my local friends here, that tapas in barcelona is touristy and commercial and really not the thing to eat....other places in spain do it much better. I don't care. I'm in spain...i want tapas! (and sangria and paella - but all in good time...!). So, nibbling on octopus and potatoes with garlic sauce we whiled the sunday afternoon away.
Later that night I met up with some other friends who live in Barcelona. A million miles away on an overnight bus in vietnam two years ago i first noticed a group of four friends and wondered where they were from. A few days later Alberto, Jordi, Joana and Blanca happened to sit down next to us in a restaurant in Hoi An, we started chatting, we went to a bar and got drunk...and, well....the rest is history. As many backpackers do when travelling in SE Asia we were following the same route and so ended up spending a lot of time together over the next couple of weeks, sharing some of the best experiences to be had in that part of the world including tubing in vang vien, 'happy' shakes and wine bars in luang prabang....thanks to facebook we have kept in touch and i have been looking forward to seeing them since i started planning to come to Barcelona.
Sharing a love of good wine they took me first to a little wine bar in the Gracia district of Barcelona. Over a delicious Spanish red and olives we caught up on the past couple of years before moving on to another bar to indulge in one of the most passionate past-times of the locals here - football. In Europe football is not just football. Here the team you follow might indicate your religion and, in Barcelona, it also can also be political - indicating your background whether it be catalan or spanish. A week ago Barcelona played Madrid and, even though it was just a normal league game, the streets were packed with Barcelonians celebrating their 5-0 win. Last night was another landslide with a 4-0 win. As Alberto said 'our country may be in crisis - but at least Barcelona Football Club is winning...'
Till next time...
But the weather here is balmy compared to England with clear blue skies and only a slight chill to the air. So yesterday we decided to hit the beach. wandering slowly along the boardwalk we people-watched (particularly the two butt naked men on the beach - apparently quite normal...) and chatted away and, by the time we reached the marina it was time for a drink. There are plenty of oh-so-chic cocktail bars along the beach but we opted for something a little more grounded with a little taverna with beer on tap and sumptuous plates of tapas. I'm told, by my local friends here, that tapas in barcelona is touristy and commercial and really not the thing to eat....other places in spain do it much better. I don't care. I'm in spain...i want tapas! (and sangria and paella - but all in good time...!). So, nibbling on octopus and potatoes with garlic sauce we whiled the sunday afternoon away.
Later that night I met up with some other friends who live in Barcelona. A million miles away on an overnight bus in vietnam two years ago i first noticed a group of four friends and wondered where they were from. A few days later Alberto, Jordi, Joana and Blanca happened to sit down next to us in a restaurant in Hoi An, we started chatting, we went to a bar and got drunk...and, well....the rest is history. As many backpackers do when travelling in SE Asia we were following the same route and so ended up spending a lot of time together over the next couple of weeks, sharing some of the best experiences to be had in that part of the world including tubing in vang vien, 'happy' shakes and wine bars in luang prabang....thanks to facebook we have kept in touch and i have been looking forward to seeing them since i started planning to come to Barcelona.
Sharing a love of good wine they took me first to a little wine bar in the Gracia district of Barcelona. Over a delicious Spanish red and olives we caught up on the past couple of years before moving on to another bar to indulge in one of the most passionate past-times of the locals here - football. In Europe football is not just football. Here the team you follow might indicate your religion and, in Barcelona, it also can also be political - indicating your background whether it be catalan or spanish. A week ago Barcelona played Madrid and, even though it was just a normal league game, the streets were packed with Barcelonians celebrating their 5-0 win. Last night was another landslide with a 4-0 win. As Alberto said 'our country may be in crisis - but at least Barcelona Football Club is winning...'
Till next time...
Bon Nadal i Felic Any Nou
Christmas spirit is alive and well in Barcelona.
Hoping to get a few bits and pieces to decorate my friends' flat we made our way to a Christmas market in the forcourt of the majestic cathedral in the barri gotic...all the elements were there for the perfect european christmas experience...a chill in the air, plenty of pretty lights and the gentle scent of pine trees...
What i wasn't expecting were a few elements of tradition the Catalans throw in for good measure (quick geography lesson here for the uninitiated - Barcelona is in an area of spain called Catalunya. People from Barcelona are known as Catalans and have their own language and traditions). The first thing i noticed were countless bunches of eucalyptus leaves being sold from many of the stores. More excited than i probably should have been (let's blame the heady Christmas spirit(s)...) I grabbed my friend's hand and dragged him through the crowd to show him - knocking over a few old ladies as i went....'they're Australian leaves!!!' I yelled. 'What are they doing in Barcelona???' needless to say my friend pulled me away rather quickly. (I've since been told that the leaves are to be given to someone you love to give them luck for the year ahead - at the end of the year they are burned...plus i guess they look pretty and smell nice...)
It seems that the Catalans are more than slightly obsessed with poo. i'm not quite sure if this is just at Christmas or perhaps all year round...but one of their most famous christmas traditions is the 'caganer'...a little figurine that you put in a nativity scene....quite often they are images of well known figures or celebrities...all of them have their pants down in the act of...well...shitting.
and then there is the Tio de Nadal - a hollow log on little legs with a face at one end and a little blanket to keep him warm on the cold winter nights. During December the tradition is to give him a little bit of something to eat each night until christmas. on christmas day the log is ordered to 'poop' and is hit with a stick until he does...out comes all the sweets and nuts etc that have been put inside to be shared with the family....
it may be obsessed with it but Barcelona is definitely not poo at christmas time...wandering the ancient streets with my friends under sparkling christmas lights, Christmas carols floating on the breeze i remembered just how much i love christmas time in europe - Bon Nadal...
Hoping to get a few bits and pieces to decorate my friends' flat we made our way to a Christmas market in the forcourt of the majestic cathedral in the barri gotic...all the elements were there for the perfect european christmas experience...a chill in the air, plenty of pretty lights and the gentle scent of pine trees...
What i wasn't expecting were a few elements of tradition the Catalans throw in for good measure (quick geography lesson here for the uninitiated - Barcelona is in an area of spain called Catalunya. People from Barcelona are known as Catalans and have their own language and traditions). The first thing i noticed were countless bunches of eucalyptus leaves being sold from many of the stores. More excited than i probably should have been (let's blame the heady Christmas spirit(s)...) I grabbed my friend's hand and dragged him through the crowd to show him - knocking over a few old ladies as i went....'they're Australian leaves!!!' I yelled. 'What are they doing in Barcelona???' needless to say my friend pulled me away rather quickly. (I've since been told that the leaves are to be given to someone you love to give them luck for the year ahead - at the end of the year they are burned...plus i guess they look pretty and smell nice...)
It seems that the Catalans are more than slightly obsessed with poo. i'm not quite sure if this is just at Christmas or perhaps all year round...but one of their most famous christmas traditions is the 'caganer'...a little figurine that you put in a nativity scene....quite often they are images of well known figures or celebrities...all of them have their pants down in the act of...well...shitting.
and then there is the Tio de Nadal - a hollow log on little legs with a face at one end and a little blanket to keep him warm on the cold winter nights. During December the tradition is to give him a little bit of something to eat each night until christmas. on christmas day the log is ordered to 'poop' and is hit with a stick until he does...out comes all the sweets and nuts etc that have been put inside to be shared with the family....
it may be obsessed with it but Barcelona is definitely not poo at christmas time...wandering the ancient streets with my friends under sparkling christmas lights, Christmas carols floating on the breeze i remembered just how much i love christmas time in europe - Bon Nadal...
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Love Language
I've lost count of the number of languages my friend speaks fluently - french, english, italian and, helpfully at this point in his life, spanish....i on the other hand can often barely even manage to speak english. So it's helpful to have him around when attempting little tasks like ordering drinks at the bar in a spanish city...
...which we did last night - in a little downstairs bar in the 'barrio' of el raval where my friends' friend was DJing - mixing old school r&b with a hint of new pop - and even a nod to Australia with some kylie thrown in...
the thing i like about bars in spain is that measuring devices are frowned upon. ask for a vodka and the barman will happily pour half a glass...then open a new bottle and add a dash more. smoking is still permitted in bars (until 1 jan i'm told - which isn't going down to well around here) so you can still experience that smoky, dim atmosphere of the olden days- along with the smokey clothes afterwards.
Grooving away with my precious friends in a european city whilst sipping vodka with a dash of diet coke i loved my life...a lot. now if only i could understand the language...
Till next time...
...which we did last night - in a little downstairs bar in the 'barrio' of el raval where my friends' friend was DJing - mixing old school r&b with a hint of new pop - and even a nod to Australia with some kylie thrown in...
the thing i like about bars in spain is that measuring devices are frowned upon. ask for a vodka and the barman will happily pour half a glass...then open a new bottle and add a dash more. smoking is still permitted in bars (until 1 jan i'm told - which isn't going down to well around here) so you can still experience that smoky, dim atmosphere of the olden days- along with the smokey clothes afterwards.
Grooving away with my precious friends in a european city whilst sipping vodka with a dash of diet coke i loved my life...a lot. now if only i could understand the language...
Till next time...
Friday, 10 December 2010
The Good Life
Today I fly to Barcelona to visit my best friend.
It's weird that i refer to him as my 'best friend'. It's not like i actually arrange my friends in a hierachical structure. Nor am i 12 years old. but somehow the term seems to fit... We are polar opposites. He is french and ooozes European sophistication, charm and style. I..well - i'm an aussie through and through!! I'm not sure when i knew that he had become so important to me. It might have been when i realised that his ability to listen patiently to my ramblings meant he knew more of my secrets and inner thoughts than most. Or when his little flat in a teeny village in england became a sanctuary. or when his wise and sage advice was often what guided me... Now we both have new lives but the friendship will always remain and visiting him at his new home in barcelona will be a dream come true.
It will be the third time i've been to this amazing city. It is in my top 5 favourites in the world (along with Sydney, London, Paris and Hong Kong) for its laid back feel, party vibe and...well - the shopping...! there's something about cities on the beach...think Sydney, San Diego, LA...all have this chilled out vibe that seems to permeate everyday life. the spanish know how to party and, even though i'm not quite over my jetlag, that's probably a good thing - their timing for everything from eating dinner to hitting the clubs is delayed by several hours to what i'm used to. I can't wait to spend my 7 days here getting off the beaten track in this town....exploring, wine, tapas, shopping...the best of friends...the good life.
Till next time.
It's weird that i refer to him as my 'best friend'. It's not like i actually arrange my friends in a hierachical structure. Nor am i 12 years old. but somehow the term seems to fit... We are polar opposites. He is french and ooozes European sophistication, charm and style. I..well - i'm an aussie through and through!! I'm not sure when i knew that he had become so important to me. It might have been when i realised that his ability to listen patiently to my ramblings meant he knew more of my secrets and inner thoughts than most. Or when his little flat in a teeny village in england became a sanctuary. or when his wise and sage advice was often what guided me... Now we both have new lives but the friendship will always remain and visiting him at his new home in barcelona will be a dream come true.
It will be the third time i've been to this amazing city. It is in my top 5 favourites in the world (along with Sydney, London, Paris and Hong Kong) for its laid back feel, party vibe and...well - the shopping...! there's something about cities on the beach...think Sydney, San Diego, LA...all have this chilled out vibe that seems to permeate everyday life. the spanish know how to party and, even though i'm not quite over my jetlag, that's probably a good thing - their timing for everything from eating dinner to hitting the clubs is delayed by several hours to what i'm used to. I can't wait to spend my 7 days here getting off the beaten track in this town....exploring, wine, tapas, shopping...the best of friends...the good life.
Till next time.
From playgroup to pinot
In the past my friends would have invited me for cocktails or dinner. Nowdays some of them are more likely to invite me to a toddler's playgroup.
My girlfriends Kate and Anna were both pregnant when i returned to Australia and both now have beautiful, smily, happy baby girls, Caitlin (Kate's daughter) and Esmae (Anna's daughter), who i couldn't wait to meet for the first time. Carys, Kate's other daughter, was a baby when i left and is now very much a little girl who gave me a picture she'd drawn using the computer at kindy and told me excitedly that she'd seen my aeroplane in the sky and had waved to me...
going to playgroup with this fun bunch was a blast. having managed to get past the scary guard-lady at the front desk we found ourselves in a wonderland of toys and toddlers, with everything from dress-ups to donkeys and even midmorning snacks and a singalong and storytelling to finish off. who'd have thought playing with one year olds would be so much fun!
from playgroup to pinot as tonight i meet the gang for drinks at my favourite horsham pub - the black jug (http://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/blackjug) - a real oldy-worldy english pub with great food and even better wines alongside a crackling fireplace - perfect for a cold winter's evening.
Till next time...
My girlfriends Kate and Anna were both pregnant when i returned to Australia and both now have beautiful, smily, happy baby girls, Caitlin (Kate's daughter) and Esmae (Anna's daughter), who i couldn't wait to meet for the first time. Carys, Kate's other daughter, was a baby when i left and is now very much a little girl who gave me a picture she'd drawn using the computer at kindy and told me excitedly that she'd seen my aeroplane in the sky and had waved to me...
going to playgroup with this fun bunch was a blast. having managed to get past the scary guard-lady at the front desk we found ourselves in a wonderland of toys and toddlers, with everything from dress-ups to donkeys and even midmorning snacks and a singalong and storytelling to finish off. who'd have thought playing with one year olds would be so much fun!
from playgroup to pinot as tonight i meet the gang for drinks at my favourite horsham pub - the black jug (http://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/blackjug) - a real oldy-worldy english pub with great food and even better wines alongside a crackling fireplace - perfect for a cold winter's evening.
Till next time...
Thursday, 9 December 2010
winter wonderland
"Welcome to London Heathrow. The temperature outside is currently 0 degrees"...brrrr!
I had tried to prepare myself for the cold. I didn't succeed. It's the kind of cold that takes your breath away as you walk out the door. Where you can see your breath and your fingertips go numb. I love it - it makes me feel alive...once i'm inside a heated fashion store...but it really does look like a winter wonderland here - it's beautiful.
24 hours is a long time to be on a plane but i arrived safe and sound and made my way down south on a variety of transport options...travelling through snow covered fields - it was nice to be home.
Coming back to England for the first time in 18 months has meant a bit of administrative work has had to be done - bank accounts, mobile accounts - that kind of thing. Working on adreneline i thought i'd kill a few birds with one stone by ignoring my jetlag as soon as i got 'home' and heading into town to sort out bits and pieces and liven up the day by meeting Caroline for lunch. Caroline and i met a trillion years ago when i started working in the marketing department of Central Sussex College. Realising immediately (i think we went out for lunch together in my first week) that we were soul mates we quickly went from spending every day together at work to wanting to spend the weekends together too...i miss our lunch time 'counselling sessions' as we called them and seeing Caroline every day - so meeting for lunch in our favourite coffee shop on my first day back seemed only natural...bring on a few more cocktails over the next few weeks!
coming home to an illegal snooze (common travel sense suggests that jetlag can be beaten by staying awake till 8pm on the day you arrive - but what's a girl to do when she can't keep her eyes open) and the promised (AMAZING)weggy roast pork (SO worth waiting 18 months for) i already feel like i never left...
only a few things suggest otherwise....My day has been filled with eye opening experiences. Things i used to take for granted but now realise are a significantly different about england:
1) it's freezing
2) the traffic lights turn orange before they turn green
3) you can buy booze at the supermarket (in fact that would be a good reason to move back...)
4) speaking of supermarkets - you have to pack your own bags at the checkout - unlike!
5) the english can often manage to be unfailingly polite whilst providing appalling customer service
6) the english really do say things like 'ever so nice' (baby boomers) and 'it's well good' (gen y)
7) the english are quite often amazingly trendy dressers
8) there's a reason they are trendy - they have amazingly cool affordable clothes and accessory shops to choose from
9) 2 pounds is not 2 dollars and i would do well to remember that whilst shopping
10) there are so many memories here - most of them good.
till next time...
xx
I had tried to prepare myself for the cold. I didn't succeed. It's the kind of cold that takes your breath away as you walk out the door. Where you can see your breath and your fingertips go numb. I love it - it makes me feel alive...once i'm inside a heated fashion store...but it really does look like a winter wonderland here - it's beautiful.
24 hours is a long time to be on a plane but i arrived safe and sound and made my way down south on a variety of transport options...travelling through snow covered fields - it was nice to be home.
Coming back to England for the first time in 18 months has meant a bit of administrative work has had to be done - bank accounts, mobile accounts - that kind of thing. Working on adreneline i thought i'd kill a few birds with one stone by ignoring my jetlag as soon as i got 'home' and heading into town to sort out bits and pieces and liven up the day by meeting Caroline for lunch. Caroline and i met a trillion years ago when i started working in the marketing department of Central Sussex College. Realising immediately (i think we went out for lunch together in my first week) that we were soul mates we quickly went from spending every day together at work to wanting to spend the weekends together too...i miss our lunch time 'counselling sessions' as we called them and seeing Caroline every day - so meeting for lunch in our favourite coffee shop on my first day back seemed only natural...bring on a few more cocktails over the next few weeks!
coming home to an illegal snooze (common travel sense suggests that jetlag can be beaten by staying awake till 8pm on the day you arrive - but what's a girl to do when she can't keep her eyes open) and the promised (AMAZING)weggy roast pork (SO worth waiting 18 months for) i already feel like i never left...
only a few things suggest otherwise....My day has been filled with eye opening experiences. Things i used to take for granted but now realise are a significantly different about england:
1) it's freezing
2) the traffic lights turn orange before they turn green
3) you can buy booze at the supermarket (in fact that would be a good reason to move back...)
4) speaking of supermarkets - you have to pack your own bags at the checkout - unlike!
5) the english can often manage to be unfailingly polite whilst providing appalling customer service
6) the english really do say things like 'ever so nice' (baby boomers) and 'it's well good' (gen y)
7) the english are quite often amazingly trendy dressers
8) there's a reason they are trendy - they have amazingly cool affordable clothes and accessory shops to choose from
9) 2 pounds is not 2 dollars and i would do well to remember that whilst shopping
10) there are so many memories here - most of them good.
till next time...
xx
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
half way there...hibernating in Hong Kong
so now i remember why i hate 24 hour flights...i write this from Hong Kong Airport - surely one of the largest airports in the world (anyone know...??) rivaled only perhaps by heathrow and bangkok? All I know is i just walked about 10kms to get to my gate...i'm actually not even there yet - i was seduced by free internet on my way.
The trip so far has been fine - no groppy or smelly seat buddies, ok food...although they ran out of red wine pretty early (i didn't drink them out their stocks i swear - well maybe just a bottle or 2...) and they weighed my cabin luggage which i was worried they'd do - causing me to have to start wearing all my jackets and carrying all my clothes - i must have looked a treat but at least i didn't have to leave anything behind! The problem with going to a cold part of the world is that winter clothes are heavy!
Wow - so i'm making incredibly profound statements here and obviously rambling. I guess i'm more tired than i thought.
Till England....
K
The trip so far has been fine - no groppy or smelly seat buddies, ok food...although they ran out of red wine pretty early (i didn't drink them out their stocks i swear - well maybe just a bottle or 2...) and they weighed my cabin luggage which i was worried they'd do - causing me to have to start wearing all my jackets and carrying all my clothes - i must have looked a treat but at least i didn't have to leave anything behind! The problem with going to a cold part of the world is that winter clothes are heavy!
Wow - so i'm making incredibly profound statements here and obviously rambling. I guess i'm more tired than i thought.
Till England....
K
Monday, 6 December 2010
one more sleep!
People keep asking me if I'm excited. Funnily enough i haven't been really - mainly cause it's all felt a little unreal. now, with one sleep to go, i can finally say - yes, i'm excited!!!!
The flat is spotless and ready for its babysitter, my backpack is heaving and quite possibly over 20kgs (oops - nothing new there) and little Elmo (my car - as if that needs explaining...) is in the hands of a very capable driver who will give him a little holiday in brisbane. I have printed off my boarding passes and mummy has cooked my fave dinner. i'm spoilt and full and very tired. A little sleep (hopefully not being woken too much by my 3 week old neice) and once again i will be doing what i do best - hitting the road.
I remember the first time I did this - all those years ago. Then we were making a huge leap into the unknown as we packed up our house and jumped on a plane - for me it was the first time i'd ever left my country. scary much? Exciting.
This time there is one significant difference - this time i'm going 'home'. I do believe you can have two homes. Australia will always be home #1 of course - my family is here and many of my closest friends. But when you spend 5 long years in one place your friends become family too and the location becomes so familiar as to always be comfortable, no matter how much time passes.
This time i know when i get off the plane i won't have to think twice as i travel the route to my home in the south of england that became so familiar to me over many trips to and from Heathrow. I will catch a bus, a train, a taxi....to arrive at the Weggs, the couple whose home rescued us at several of our more homeless moments. I will let myself in and say hello to groucho, faith and barmbi who will look up and think 'ah - it's kirsh - wonder where she's been' before going back to chasing mice in the snow. My dear friends Liam and Mel will come home from work and we will chat and eat and drink red wine - and soon it will be as if i never left....
Excited? Just a little...
till England...
xx
The flat is spotless and ready for its babysitter, my backpack is heaving and quite possibly over 20kgs (oops - nothing new there) and little Elmo (my car - as if that needs explaining...) is in the hands of a very capable driver who will give him a little holiday in brisbane. I have printed off my boarding passes and mummy has cooked my fave dinner. i'm spoilt and full and very tired. A little sleep (hopefully not being woken too much by my 3 week old neice) and once again i will be doing what i do best - hitting the road.
I remember the first time I did this - all those years ago. Then we were making a huge leap into the unknown as we packed up our house and jumped on a plane - for me it was the first time i'd ever left my country. scary much? Exciting.
This time there is one significant difference - this time i'm going 'home'. I do believe you can have two homes. Australia will always be home #1 of course - my family is here and many of my closest friends. But when you spend 5 long years in one place your friends become family too and the location becomes so familiar as to always be comfortable, no matter how much time passes.
This time i know when i get off the plane i won't have to think twice as i travel the route to my home in the south of england that became so familiar to me over many trips to and from Heathrow. I will catch a bus, a train, a taxi....to arrive at the Weggs, the couple whose home rescued us at several of our more homeless moments. I will let myself in and say hello to groucho, faith and barmbi who will look up and think 'ah - it's kirsh - wonder where she's been' before going back to chasing mice in the snow. My dear friends Liam and Mel will come home from work and we will chat and eat and drink red wine - and soon it will be as if i never left....
Excited? Just a little...
till England...
xx
Sunday, 5 December 2010
30 (ish) hours to take off...
Last night was my farewell party. Unfortunately, being december, i had to share the occasion with Santa and the annual christmas party thrown, as per tradition, by my Tbar gang. Not ideal - as we all know i quite like to be the centre of attention myself and don't particularly like to have to share it with an old bearded fat men. As it turned out it was a merely a nod to the holiday and mainly a farewell to me which, thankfully for all, kept my ego happy.
Following his love for a good party (and possibly just a few hints from me....literally just a couple i swear) my BFF, landlord, weekend housemate, gorgeous 'date' to events and partner in drinking crime, Stace, organised the event - pulling together my nearest and dearest to send me happily and drunkenly on my merry way. A word about this particular 'near and dear' if I may....despite only knowing eachother a relatively short time, Stace has been by my side through a great deal of thick and thin over the past 18 months - you know that type of friendship where you wonder how on earth you got through life to the point where you met without the other - this is it (at least from my end...!) He is my drinking buddy, a sounding board, my most honest critic and my comedian...i love him to death and am not quite sure how i'll get round the world without him (quite honestly!)Thanks for the party stace!
another big shout out to my yanky cowboy buddy shad and his gorgeous irish girlfriend, laura who made the trip up from Sydney for the occasion. Again this, my 'american boy' (along with stace) has been my saviour more often than i can count over the months, especially when i first came back from England - there with a great deal of vodka and music max and always a laugh in the flat over betros. I miss him and laura like crazy and was so pleased to party on with them like old times.
others managed to leave the relative warmth of brisneyland for rainy old tbar and i felt so very spoilt. i did miss some that couldn't make it last night...but on the whole i was there with my favourite aussies et al....what a send off!
I know it's only 4 months but 'missing' people can be relative - we might not see eachother every day - or even every week - but sometimes when you're a million miles away the time seems longer.
A nod to my current everyday life as i celebrate a return to the old....the weeks have been flying by as I prepare for the trip. I'm now slightly less wise as my 'checkup' trip to the dentist turned into an unplanned surgical extraction. I have spent more time talking to mortgage brokers, travel agents and banks than i care to count and have, somehow, pulled it all together to the point where i can get on that plane with hardly a care, have a glass of wine, watch a movie and jet my way to the other side of the world.
The adventures begin...
Till next time...
xx
Following his love for a good party (and possibly just a few hints from me....literally just a couple i swear) my BFF, landlord, weekend housemate, gorgeous 'date' to events and partner in drinking crime, Stace, organised the event - pulling together my nearest and dearest to send me happily and drunkenly on my merry way. A word about this particular 'near and dear' if I may....despite only knowing eachother a relatively short time, Stace has been by my side through a great deal of thick and thin over the past 18 months - you know that type of friendship where you wonder how on earth you got through life to the point where you met without the other - this is it (at least from my end...!) He is my drinking buddy, a sounding board, my most honest critic and my comedian...i love him to death and am not quite sure how i'll get round the world without him (quite honestly!)Thanks for the party stace!
another big shout out to my yanky cowboy buddy shad and his gorgeous irish girlfriend, laura who made the trip up from Sydney for the occasion. Again this, my 'american boy' (along with stace) has been my saviour more often than i can count over the months, especially when i first came back from England - there with a great deal of vodka and music max and always a laugh in the flat over betros. I miss him and laura like crazy and was so pleased to party on with them like old times.
others managed to leave the relative warmth of brisneyland for rainy old tbar and i felt so very spoilt. i did miss some that couldn't make it last night...but on the whole i was there with my favourite aussies et al....what a send off!
I know it's only 4 months but 'missing' people can be relative - we might not see eachother every day - or even every week - but sometimes when you're a million miles away the time seems longer.
A nod to my current everyday life as i celebrate a return to the old....the weeks have been flying by as I prepare for the trip. I'm now slightly less wise as my 'checkup' trip to the dentist turned into an unplanned surgical extraction. I have spent more time talking to mortgage brokers, travel agents and banks than i care to count and have, somehow, pulled it all together to the point where i can get on that plane with hardly a care, have a glass of wine, watch a movie and jet my way to the other side of the world.
The adventures begin...
Till next time...
xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)