Back in London, just in time for winter.

Arriving back at Heathrow was such a relief after playing the visa waiting game for much longer than I had intended. The aussie weather was balmy, warm and relaxing, but it is so nice to be back sleeping in my own bed, making coffee from my own kettle, catching the 88 to my 9-5 job (though I hate having our office in a basement), and catching up with friends over a pint at a local pub in Clapham.

G et al for one night only

My first night back also coincided with Georgia, Chelyn and Nadine’s last night in London. Thanks to the snail-like response for my visa, rather than spending a week with my sister in London (like we had originally planned) I had but a night instead. Nick had the lovely opportunity to share our flat with three 20 year old girls, and have the chance to show them around London while I was stuck back in Australia! A little confused thanks to jetlag, we spent the night with the girls introducing them to GBK which is on Clapham High Street. The girls loved the burgers, and it gave them a chance to tell me of their time in London before they eurostarred it over to Paris and beyond. It was a lovely evening, and I wish ever so much we could afford to pay the extortionate flight cost to go to meet them in Florence for Christmas (again, as planned). Unfortunately, the 500 pound round trip for both of us (plus accommodation etc) was slightly out of reach for me after not working for 2 months in Australia! I am still hoping I will be able to rendez-vous with the girls in another European city before they depart back to Brisbane.

The view from St Paul’s, finally

My second weekend back in London, Nick and I took advantage of the perfectly blue skies and spent our Saturday out and about. We met Mel for breakfast at London Bridge (Browns on the Thames) and then by midday we were a Borough Markets to meet Andy and Belle. We wandered the (crammed) stalls sampling the many cheese, dip, olive oil, chocolate and bakery stalls. Nick is now self conscious about accepting samples from the stallowners, as he’s frequented the markets so many times that he thinks they’ve started to recognize him! We ended up purchasing some Drunk Cheese, the others sampled the fresh oysters for lunch and we all lined up for ages for the essential Monmouth Coffee.

We then caught the tube up to Angel to visit the Camden Passage markets where one of Mel’s work friends has started a cupcake stall. Belle and I were so excited for cupcakes, it was bound to be the one day that her stall wasn’t there! Apparently Sundays only. Damn. We wandered the little antique market (so cute! Islington is so lovely!) and I picked up a small Christmas ornament as a reminder of our London Christmas. True, it’s our second overseas but it will be our first in London (while everyone else escapes to Europe for the bank holidays!).

After the markets, we headed south bank to Bank where we took the short walk to St Paul’s. A sunny day in London is not to be missed for a sightseeing opportunity! After living in London for 20 months, we finally found the day where I could climb the cupola of St Paul’s! We had gone to visit St Paul’s another day, but climbing to the top had been closed on that particular day.

The climb wasn’t so steep (it ain’t got nothing on St Peter’s Basilica!), and the view across London was fabulous. The only disappointment was that is was 3.30pm, and although dusk can be beautiful, unfortunately the sun was setting so strikingly that it was almost blinding us. And impossible for photos!

Christmas in London

December has been a gradual descent into the depths of winter: how quickly I forgot the usual routine of umbrella + mittens + coat + scarf + beanie + paschmina! Yes, it’s quite chilly here back in sunny London. But there is a feeling of magic, festivity and celebration as the grand L prepared for all the bling of Christmas.

The department stores, High Streets, and big brands have got their very best Christmas lights up, the sky high trees are up in the squares (including Trafalgar) and the streets are packed with Christmas shoppers.

The next twelve days will be filled with finishing up work for the year, Christmas parties (I have three for work alone), preparing our Christmas Day feast menu, and essentially joining in on all the Christmas cheer!