London - sanctuary

My amazing folks

I’m skipping ahead with the hope that I will catch up my blogs a bit later. I know I’m missing Spain and Paris. I will get back to them. But for the sake of letting people know a little bit of where I am and what I’m doing closer to my actual experience, I’m going to motor on ahead and fill in the gaps later.

London, my place of sanctuary. After travelling for so long already, London was the perfect place to take things a little slower and I really enjoy being with people I have known for ages. Don’t get me wrong, I have really enjoyed the 1 or 2 day friendships I have been making all over the world. But there is something to be said for old friends.

So, my first stop in London was Erica and Hendri’s. Really grateful that they just let me use their place as a base (All for the cost of providing them with Instant Pudding from South Africa – butterscotch…). They let me just sit on their couch for a couple of days – which was exactly what I needed at that point. But, alas, they introduced me to a new fantasy author, Patrick Rothfuss, who has written 2 books of about 600 pages each so far… and yes I had to finish them once I started. So, I do kind of blame the sitting on the couch for so long on this introduction to new reading material!

Pudding!

 

We did go out a bit… I was introduced to Erica’s work colleagues over drinks – very nice food after at a small restaurant. We wondered around Ealing Broadway geocaching, we saw a local dress rehearsal of a play – which I really enjoyed but cannot for the life of me remember the name… and we climbed all the lots of steps to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral to goggle at the view.

On top of St Pauls! We made it!

Then I moved on to Susan and Thys – just new to London and staying in a lovely neighbourhood – Richmond. Susan wasn’t working the week I was there, so we did lots together. We went to the National Art Museum in London – my first time there. And they had a couple of van Gogh’s – I really think he is one of my favourite painters of all time. So that was a highlight! We also explored the Tate Modern and did lots more geocaching. It was rather fun to hook another friend on this most interesting of activities… J So, through geocaching we explored the Temple area in London – where all the lawyers practice law and become big stuff. The car parks look it too – all fancy vehicles. It really is a lovely neighbourhood to explore though!

Swallowed by Potter fans!

Our geocaching experience also took us through the throngs gathering to scream and cry at the opening of the Harry Potter film later that night. It was crazy. I have one photo of a bus almost being swallowed by the crowd. They all were gathered in Trafalgar square and there would be a red carpet later that night stretching through the streets so that plenty of people could get a chance to view their favourite actors. I was also spoilt by going out to a couple of restaurants – Pies with gravy and mash; fish and chips – could you get more English? I loved it! Thanks Susan – really enjoyed staying with you!

Geocaching in the rain...

I also managed to catch a Westend show while with Susan (while they went to a different concert). I saw “Blood Brothers”. It’s a classic English musical which I had not heard of before (until a man I was chatting to on the train from Paris to London insisted that I should see it). It’s set in Liverpool of all places and is the story of two twins separated at birth and how they grow up in different types of families. Of course there is far more to the show than this. But it was a bit of a commentary on different classes. Really good singing and a very sad ending. I think that doesn’t give too much away… I enjoyed it lots – the main actress’s voice was a dream (also enjoyed the ice cream they always serve at intervals - yum).

So then it was on to Claire. It was wonderful being with a friend who has done a trip like mine. She had plenty of tips and tricks and could really understand what it’s like to travel for this long. I suspect that everyone I speak to about this trip thinks a 9 month “holiday” - wow. But I have to say, travelling for a long period of time takes quite a bit of work – more than you think. You need to research where you stay, how you get there, what are the local do’s and don’ts, is it safe, how do you keep safe, how to you stretch your money, and basic language skills if you can. You have to use the same clothes for 9 months, unless you buy which you may not be able to afford. Everything you buy you have to carry. Also, there are times in this trip where you just have to take a break. Not only to plan the next leg, but also to process everything you’ve seen and experienced to date! I had information overload when I arrived in London… So, many thanks Claire for all your help.

Claire and I decided to be extravagant and we took ourselves off to another Westend show… “Love never dies”. This is the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. I love the Westend – if I lived in London, I think I would spent a fair amount on seeing the various shows! So the story goes that Christine is now married with a 10 year old kid. This kid was amazing. He was holding his own in a duet against the Phantom. For those of you who have never done music, I wish I could explain how hard this is and how amazing this kid was! The Phantom’s voice was liquid syrup… I could listen to that all day. And Christine’s voice that really high soprano - the type is amazing to listen to rather than painful. A memorable part of the show was also all the carnival acts they put on. Fire breathers, acrobats and a table that had the most gorgeous human legs walking over the stage with a skeleton’s body – strange! What it would be to be the actress who acts the legs of the table… Oh we were also treated to some yummy cocktails after the show - thanks!

Mood shot of London

I met up with my folks in London just for 24 hours. They were in London to see Wimbledon and to go barging though the upper regions of Wales. They exchanged stories with me – trying to make me jealous of their trip… which I have to admit sounded absolutely amazing. I would have loved to go barging – but I’m glad I didn’t miss out on Spain. My folks and I also explored the Churchhill bunker museum. Facinating view into World War 2 and man himself. Realy enjoyed this! They also spoilt me and took me to a Jamie Oliver restaurant! Wow – yum that food was good! I had steak – proper steak. With some of the nicest veggies ever – creamed spinach and mashed potatoes that were out of a dream. Also, how could you forget the glass of red wine and the cheese cake to finish the occasion? Thanks so much – this was a meal to remember! I really felt very spoilt.

I did manage to see some other friends in London as well and was treated to wining and dining and good company. Many thanks - it was so much fun to catch up - lots of laughter and stories! Good conversation and lovely meals - what more could you want? I found it a little bit odd to visit the Deloitte offices in London – surreal to go to the front desk and ask to see someone while I’m in travel clothes, so far removed from the business world at the moment! It was a bit like sneaking a peek back 6 months ago.

So, London came to an end far too soon for my liking and my hopes of exploring a bit of the rest of the country disappeared with choosing to rather enjoy the good company of the friends in London.  So that was a quick summary of 2.5 weeks before the adventure starts again - South America...

Evening in London