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!

'Tis the season

Today is a beautiful Winter's day in London, freezing & foggy, sure, but nothing to ruin the mood. This post sort of draws from my last one, what London does when it gets cold. Well, it's mid-November, Christmas is on a fast approach, the lights are up, London becomes totally charming.

I had a terrible day last Friday, work was hectic, everyone was rude, and (worst of all) I found out that a very good friend's mother has passed way the week before, as I live on the other side of the world - the news didn't reach me very fast, and I felt awful. Instead of going home, cooking myself something sweet and wallowing in self pity, I put on my scarf and ran back out. Oh, what an idea.

I took the tube to Marble Arch as I had been avoiding a trip to Primark (I am not a good  shopper, I find it boring, stressful and exhausting and thus Primark is the epitome of evil). Just look - SO MANY PEOPLE

Wall to wall people shopping for a bargain. My idea of hell. 

Anyway, I hurriedly bought my necessities and vacated Primark with all due speed, and, still feeling pretty awful, walked down Oxford street.

Oxford St - Suddenly I felt much, much better.

Uplifted, I then walked down to Trafalgar Square and entered the National Gallery shop. I had done this last year and cannot recommend it enough. On the last two weekends of November (or thereabouts) the shop is open late, and serves free mulled wine and mince pies. Everything is fairly expensive, but the atmosphere is just wonderful. Last year I slipped out as soon as I had finished the pie (I'm a girl who thinks with my stomach and my wallet!), this time I stayed and bought some Christmas cards and a gift for my grandmother and my aunt and uncle (who are on holiday in France, and whom I get to meet in Paris next weekend!). I think they'll enjoy it.


London is magical on the approach to Christmas, now all we need is a little bit of snow. I will post a list of other things to do in the festive season soon - but the Christmas lights aren't up in Bethnal Green yet, and that, to me, signifies the *real* festive season beginning. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures.

Regent St.

Selfridges

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And now, well, it's official. Cyril and I have booked our tickets to Australia. We leave Paris in mid January, have a few days exploring Malaysia and Singapore in an effort to beat the jetlag, and then arrive in Brisbane one certain Wednesday evening. What a way to start a new chapter of my life.

Bit chilly, innit?

To all of you who have not braved any climate other than Australia (or somewhere else that is constantly warm) before. Let this be a warning:

London. Is. Cold.

When I first arrived (in the Summer, might I add), I was surviving quite well wearing just shorts, a light cardigan, a t-shirt & flip flops (havianas, or thin sandal-type shoes), this (minus the light cardigan) is normal wear where I come from for about 90% of the year, and as a result, I was simply not used to 'wrapping up'. Lucky for me, 2009 was a relatively warm year - but in mid November, where the temperatures dropped rapidly, the heavens opened, and people started to pile on layers - I was *still* slipping around in shorts, a light cardigan, a t-shirt & flip flops.

For the first week or so, that's funny, Europeans smile at you fondly and look as though they want to give you a pat on the head for being 'the cute silly Australian who doesn't understand cold'. I did understand, it was freezing. But I couldn't contemplate wearing anything else! Gloves and scarves felt restrictive and foreign, coats made me look fat, this was fashion suicide!

By the beginning of December I had given in a bit, and invested in a coat & stockings, 1 scarf and some cheap plimsolls. I put off buying boots and gloves until it snowed. I had my heater on most of the time (sorry Earth & landlords) and played a new favourite game 'summer' (where you lie around inside wearing summer clothes and pretending it's warm outside too). By doing this, I avoided dying of exposure to the cold, but eventually, the consequences still caught me. One cold, January morning, I awoke to find a few red, pox-like spots on my neck, arms, stomach. A friend (on holiday from Australia) was staying with me, and when she surveyed them she assumed I had chicken pox (a second batch). But considering she showed no symptoms, I thought it best to drag my sorry, freezing self to the doctor and get a real diagnosis.

The result? Put simply: I did not protect my virgin Australian skin from the cold well enough, and so, it had begun to eat itself.

Looking back I can laugh, but these spots were unsightly and itchy as hell. I had to take allergy tablets to stop the itching, use a special soap to stop the swelling, and go on steroids to kill the infection. It went, and all was well within about a fortnight, but let this be a warning to you. I have compiled a list of things you NEED in winter in London. Do as I say, not as I did!

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Survival list for new Londoners

• Coats
• Thermal underwear, vests, pj's
• 100 Denier stockings
• Scarves
• Gloves (I had particular issues wearing gloves, please, forget any hangups!)
• Boots (fur lined inner, leather outer is best, but I survived on cheap £20 synthetic ones for most of winter)
• Beanies/Berets/something warm for the head
• Shoes with good grip (Ice is a slippery bastard)

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Keep warm. Have the heater on full blast, experience mulled wine (oh, yum). Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, because when you go out (and to experience London, you need to go out), you won't be comfortable. Also take the cold weather as a good reason to visit the art galleries, museums & shops, they'll all have heating on full blast and make it all a little more bearable. I reccomend heading to Covent Garden for shopping, and to the National Portrait gallery, I could spend all day in there.

Above all though (and contrary to the vibe of this post), don't panic, and enjoy the refreshing cold. London can't deal with high temperatures (they know no such thing as ventilation) and you'll be wishing it was sub zero degrees come July.

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Aside from this, I have been focusing on some of my favourite London views recently. Average daily temperatures are at about 9.C here are the moment, and the sun begins to rise at about 6.50am and sets at about 4.45pm (more or less my working day). This means SAD disorder is affecting us all a little, but it also means I am at work as the sun rises, and  I am spoilt with this view:

Sunrise as seen from EC1V 1NY

In Europe, the light & atmosphere is completely different to that in Australia. In Australia, I remember the light as harsh, warm and omnipresent. European light is soft, subtle, and borders on melancholy, this makes for beautiful, slightly austere photographs that simply ooze a cold, dark day. A week or so ago I took a walk down a freezing, deserted Portobello Road (a favourite thing of mine to do, as you may know from this post) and took a picture that serves as a pretty good example:

A quiet Portobello Road

I am off to Paris this weekend again, and the weather looks to be awful. I'm taking my own advice and putting coats, stockings and boots in my luggage, and planning to stay indoors most of the time (le copain and I have shopping and church-visiting on the cards, possibly the cinema too). A bientôt!

Speed limit on high speed

So, I didn't write to you in Paris. I apologize. I was busy seeing this:

Parc de st. Cloud

It was a long weekend in Paris, so I had the opportunity to experience what the Parisians do on their days off. It would seem the answer is simply, much the same thing as they do on normal weekends. Leave the city, stay in bed, or somehow, magically disappear. Where I stay on my trips to Paris (in the far West of the city), virtually everything shuts, or at best, is open until 1pm. A note to those of you who (like my boyfriend and I) never have anything in the fridge and heartily enjoy eating. Stock up.

The weekend was not particularly eventful, it seems the Parisians (or at least the ones I knew) were not even remotely interested in Hallowe'en, and so, another year goes by without me celebrating it. Oh well, I don't know what I'm missing (all my past Hallowe'ens have consisted of baby sitting or sleeping), and, I got to spend quiet time with le copain, which I could hardly count as a compromise!

After a quiet night in on Friday, Cyril and I trawled the streets on Saturday for Brocantes (little antique markets). We found a few and the artefacts were just fabulous. If it hadn't been so inconvenient, I would have bought myself one of the giant oriental armoire's and a chair, (I have a *thing* for antique chairs, and there were so many!) but to take those back to London and then Australia would have just been insane. We strolled the streets, shared a baguette and felt very Parisian.

Cyril and I attended the Salon du Chocolat in Place de Versailles, 16éme on Sunday. This is why I love the French, while Australian expo's tend to be about showbags, animals or university, Paris holds one about Chocolat. We overdosed on degustations and bought some amazing pralines and macaroons that didn't last the night, who could say no?!

This past long weekend saw us do a mix of the old and the new. The weekend was cold but dry, so we did a fair bit of exploring the city after a morning walk through Parc de St. Cloud. Thanks to a tip off from Peter's Paris, we decided to use the Monday to find some signs of life in more downtown Paris. It was more alive downtown, but still empty enough to allow us to see this:

Bouillon Racine - St. Germain des Pres, Paris.

It was only serving tea & coffee and as a result it was almost totally empty, which allowed us to take in the full (and amazing) view. If you're ever in town, it's very romantic and comes highly recommended.

Then, alas, it was time to take the train home. This is just the worst moment imaginable, leaving someone I adore (and it's me doing the leaving, I manage to hold it together if le copain leaves London). I checked in, went through interrogation immigration and waited for my train to board. As we set off for London, I hear 'unfortunately, there is a speed limit on the high speed line, we will be at least half an hour late in to London  St. Pancras.'

Wow, thanks for that one. On the brightside I had a good connection with tubes and wasn't too late for bed. I am, of course, absolutely desperate for the next week to go by so that I can be back in Paris with mon amour. I only have two more trips to Paris before I quit my job and go to live with Cyril in France, before making our trip to Australia. On that note - Cyril has finally had a breakthrough! Not one, but TWO companies have registered interest in his CV. There is no interview as yet, but Cyril has some questions to answer and some references to provide, it's all positive so far and we're very excited - keep your fingers crossed!