Freedom be thy name. Finally after 11 years of talking about it, my long service leave had started. Happy happy days. What started out as a simple plan to head to South America had a few little detours along the way. First up... London.
After an intensely insane lead up of school camps, packing up my house while nursing what could have been the beginnings of pnemonia, three flights, 28 hours of transit and thieving Swiss customs who enjoy Australian wine; I finally touched down at Heathrow right into Olympic games hype. It was such a welcoming sight to be so warmly greeted by chief games ambassador "distant cousin" Richard Brewster. I had booked my room at the Brewsters seven years earlier when London won the Olympic bid and didn't really think I would be there, however, good ideas sometimes need to be pursued.
Here began 4 weeks of excitment and baking and slotting into the Brewster household like I had never left.
My timing was perfect. Richard and his wife Susie were celebrating many years of marriage and let me tag along on their adventure over the Thames in a cable car followed by gin and tonics and dinner at Canary Wharf. A few days later for Susie's birthday I was again treated to an amazing dance performance by Matthew Bourne, Play Without Words.
It was a treat to see my old old friend Damien who now lives in the UK. We did a bit of old school sight seeing. Looked for the Queen and had a delux Thai meal.
I have been to London a few times but it always surprises me. Observations from the first few days:
1. London is fun
2. There are a lot more people in London than in Dunsbrough
3. Richmond is a fair distance from Canary Wharf and sometimes the district line is the best option.
4. Seven years isn't really a long time between visits.
5. Cider is a good breverage
After many hours of planning I decided to fill in a bit of time in Ireland.