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3 weeks in 3 countries-i feel this is going to have to be a highly condensed blog!
Earlier this month i finished my last shift at both the Crescent Hotel and at the restaurant i was working at which was a bit of a wake up call to how long i'd been there-i'm going to sound old and say 'Oh how the time flys...'...but it actually did and had a wonderful time during it. The day after finishing led to a mad dash up north to my grandparents so we could head up to Edinburgh (which i've only just mastered the spelling of) with the train. I was introduced to Mulled wine at the Christmas markets and am now a convert; although after a conversation with my friend we've decided that as wonderful as it is here, the effect would probably not be the same should we have it on the beach at Xmas in Paihia... My grandparents and i managed to fit as much of Edinburgh as we could into those few days including the castle, and the Queens Scottish Palace, Royal Brittania etc which was great- BUT- i need to go back because there was no Scot in Highland Costume playing the bagpipes anywhere to be seen! To be honest i didn't blame them considering their fingers would have frozen to the pipes while playing but i will be returning one day!
Home to Ilkley for one day then off to Switzerland yet again which was brilliant as usual. The trip down to Luton was an intersting one at that-i wouldn't reccoment Coventry Bus station for two hours between 2am-4am as a scenic stopover. Although the company was quite chatty in their requests which included a lighter and a needle...interesting... Switzerland however was a different story and couldn't have loved it more. Was great seeing the Whanau again and was blessed with a very decent amount of snow covering the ground! So beautiful and definitely the white Xmas! I managed to get in my Zopf portion every day while i was there purely for the fact this is going to be my first Christmas without it in which i don't know how i'll cope. (I have even gone to the lengths of searching as to go to Harrods which, unimpressively, did not have any yesterday.) Was great to be back in CH again and i'll definitely miss it and my family but am in full convincing mode to get the parents to fly me over there next August for Stefan's wedding-my fingers are tightly crossed!
Leaving the Swiss whanau only lead on to having to say goodbye to the Ilkley clan as well which did not seem real at the time (and still hasn't really to be honest!). Can't thank them enough for all they've done for me including the magic washing basket and the ever-refilling fridge and pantry which did not go unappreciated at all. Sad to leave but know i'll be back there one day and leaving only means the start of a new adventure- ...which.... have technically already begun!
Rach managed to find her way to the arrivals hall in Victoria (which i'm told is actually more complex than i assumed) and great to see her again although felt totally normal after 5 minutes as usual. We're staying with her Godmother and family in London which are lovely. Already played a part in the English festivity by going to a pantomime (first for both of us and took us a while to realise the shouting back was all part of the show...) and we're off to carols at the Albert Hall tonight. Christmas is being celebrated tommorrow then off to Lucinda's mothers on the 25th...THEN.... Morocco on the 27th so it's full on from now on and i'm having a blast already! Can't WAIT for Morocco's double digit temperatures...
Considering this will be my last before Xmas i hope you all have a brilliant holiday period and that all you Kiwi's are making the most of the NZ traditions. Thank you for all the Xmas newsletters/cards-definitely make it feel more like Christmas even if it's cold outside.
Much love to all xx
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