Madrid - life in transit

So, by the time this is posted I won´t actually be in Madrid anymore, but in the arms of my wonderful Frenchman as we begin our Christmas season. But, I felt I needed to start this post now, to show you that I was vaguely athinking of my blog throughout my (fairly hectic) travels, and to start talking about this immense whirlwind of progress I am in right now, it's going to take a fair few posts to come up to speed with.

The view from my work on my last day. Sorry for the window glare, I wasn't allowed to open the window.

Friday the 17th of December was my last day at work. It was alright, I spent the morning packing, got my (full) deposit back (by some miracle) and toddled off to work at about midday. Before this though, I had an interesting moment at the Post Office: See, my two 35kg boxes had been taken away for shipping on Tuesday the 14th of December, and I was in desperate, desperate need of some extra space. So, I cleverly packed my remaining 3kg or so very tightly into a box to send off to Australia, get to the post office only to be told that sending 3kg in a small boxwas going to cost me £60. Err? I have posted 1.2kg before only for it to cost me £12. The answer? Turns out once a parcel sent from the UK passes a 2kg threshold it practically trebles in price. So, I went home, divided it into two and ended up paying less than half of £60 for it. So, fellow antipodeans and anyone else thinking of spending some time in the United Kingdom - keep your parcels to no more than 2kg.

Anyway at 4am on the 18th of December I left my house, and, with immense amounts of luggage in tow, skidded over ice to the bus stop to catch the bus to Stansted. This was one of the most heartbreaking trips of my life. The bus went past old clubs and pubs I used to haunt with my friends, past Brick Lane, past my home, past the turn off to some of my friends, a life I now only have access to in memory.

The arrival at the airport was smooth enough. I was early, so had a cup of tea at the 24 hour Costas and began plotting ideas for my post. Then came time for check-in, then came a crazy wait at the boarding gate. At the time we were meant to take off Ryanair finally let us on board, but first (due to stingy hand luggage regulations) made me force my bag into a cage to check the measurements were right, this killed my poor little computer. And, naturally, once we were all in the plane, the attendants told us that Spain wouldn't let us take off for another two hours. Ugh, I tell you, this was not a pleasant experience.

In the end I wound up in Madrid safe and sound, only 2 hours late to meet my friend Jose, who I was staying with. Spain is wonderful, I can't believe I had spent so long without getting there. My biggest issue though was that I was sick, and the Spanish are fans of smoking and 2am is an early bedtime. Needless to say, my cough suffered, but large amounts of empanadas helped to fix this.

Some Spanish friends at a tapas bar in central Madrid.

Spain consisted of a lot of sightseeing, but in my favourite way, find a local, and have them take you wherever they like. This way you don't feel like too much of a tourist, you integrate better and you have your own personal translator. Highly recommended.

I arrived, sleep deprived but fulfilled in Toulouse (again, 2 hours late) on the 21st of December (greeted with beautiful yellow tulips and my boyfriend,  might I add). And since then, the cold has weakened and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment in France. I feel fine about leaving London for the most part, maybe because I am still experiencing a wonderful European festive period, but every now and then, I see a photo of my old room, or my wonderful, wonderful, friends in London, and it does hurt. But in such a situation there is no point in trying to change the way your life is unfolding. Change is best when embraced, so, I guess I will.

Writing my own goodbye from my bedroom window.

So, that's where I am. I suppose from now, to prevent my posts from becoming too much like a diary, I will dwell on memories and continue my posts on London so I can give you as much information as possible. If you have any pressing questions, feel free to get in contact. I hope you had a pleasant Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year.

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P.S: I would also like to add tihat the two boxes I had sent back to Australia by sea has so far cost me £170, and will most likely go up upon entry into the sunburnt country. I will keep you posted.

365 Days of Bliss

Today is our one year anniversary. I don't usually get too mushy (do I?), but moments like these warm my heart, which is desperately needed when your 'anniversary celebration' consists of an eggnog latte and a Skype conversation. Anyway, you can see why I chose this video ;) here's to many more years of happiness to come. Enjoy.

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The final countdown

Today, is my second-last Monday at work, which is actually monumentally scary. I've been relying on this income for so long, aside from that though, the stability of having a job is actually quite nice, last week my firm passed around an email asking if anyone wanted to volunteer redundancy, I feel very lucky for what I have. I've forged strong relationships and enjoyed (most of) my time here. But, the tickets are booked, the bags are half-packed (can you believe it? I'm somewhat organised!) and I am still planning on getting home to the motherland next month, frog in tow. Scary stuff.

I am unhappy to admit that this weekend hasn't been the most productive - I have been bowled over by a sickness. The worst part, is that I *can* function, I feel... ok. But as soon as I'm out in the elements, I cough worse than a pack-a-day smoker (as a non-smoker, that's weird and yuck), my nose runs, my throat seizes up and only hot liquid fixes it. So, going out at night has been out of the question and I hate myself for it. But I did get out in the daytime, and saw some beautiful things.

The lake in St. James park had frozen over, this is the view toward Buckingham Palace

It seems I was not the only one getting ready to go in to hibernation, the squirrels are getting chubby and even cuter than normal. An added benefit (for evil photographers like myself) is their overwhelming curiosity (or is it gluttony?)

Oooohh! Is it a chestnut pour moi?

I also took a walk around Euston and St. Pancras, now, I know it looks like I've been a big liar about my inability to be out at night - but this next photo, I kid you not it was about 16.30, and not long after I walked into a Chinese takeaway (oh the shame, sitting in a chinese takeaway alone!) and begged for Won ton soup. Thankyou, ginger and chicken stock, you saved my throat from ultimate peril!

St. Pancras - worth the runny nose

Tomorrow I get to meet up with an old friend from Australia who is here for the Christmas season, I can't wait. Seeing an old friend is always fabulous, and we are going to go and see the Christmas lights and festivities around Hyde Park (photos promised, as always), which just makes it even better. Aside from that, my main plans are to visit galleries, shop till I drop (which I worry about slightly, I'm not a good shopper), indulge and do all the things I won't be able to to in Australia. Above all though, I need to be healthy for next weekend (my going away party!), so lots of broths and early nights for me!

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I never got time to post about my last trip to Paris (26 - 29 November). Let me tell you it was lovely, mindblowingly so. I got to see my family (or some of the extended clan, at least) and finally physically introduce mon amour to them (he got raving reviews of course, he's the perfect gentleman *swoons*). We took a walk through St. Germain en-Laye (lots of frost, but only a teeny bit of snow). Visited Christmas markets, feasted with le copain's family (who sent me home with hand-picked porcini mushrooms from a nearby forest, could I be any more spoilt?) All in all, fantastic.



Christmas lights & market on the Champs Élysées



And now, just 15 days until I fly from Madrid to join le copain in Toulouse for Christmas. This 3 week break is the longest we've had since we've met, and it covers our anniversary. Now, there, my friend, is where romance went. I don't really mind though, we both have way too much to do as it stands.

The miss list (1)

Things I will miss terribly:

• Snow (yes - I'm un-coordinated and slip everywhere, but it's gorgeous)
• The atmosphere at Christmas (lights, mulled wine, christmas markets)
• Taking the Eurostar every second weekend (or at least having the opportunity to do so)
• Portobello Road
• Koko
• The Florist Arms
• Shoreditch
• Brick Lane markets
• London Fields
• Anonymity
• The tube
• *real* East End Bagels
• My room (for its location, space, and view)
• Automatic tax returns
• Lovely rainy days when you can stay inside and cuddle.
• Eating cupcakes on an autumn day from my room, with the windows open, watching the commoners below.

Things I will not miss much (if at all):

• Londoners (on a bad day)
• Sheer droves of pigeons.
• Nights when it is so unbearably cold you can't sleep despite being in woollen pj's and under two duvets.
• The word 'duvet'.
• 'Planned Engineering Works' on the tube
• Dodgy Landlords (here's to hoping I don't get landed with them in Australa)
• The sun setting at 16:00 in Winter
• Primark
• My room (for the fire, flood, and 24 hour power cut)
• The criminal, criminal amount of fast food. There is a fry-up 'caff' every 20 metres!
• Paying £3 for a small, burnt, weak coffee.

My room is very dark and cold. I have to sleep in two pairs of pants and a beanie and my heater still doesn't work (36 hours now). Grrrrrrump.

I will report more fluidly soon, promise. The Christmas lights are up in Bethnal Green!