June 10 - July 17
I packed my whole life into one (very heavy) suitcase and off I went.
I've been here for just over a month, but I don't feel like I really live here yet. This is probably largely due to the fact that I came here knowing I would only be hanging around for a short while before I set off for an adventure around Europe so I haven't really 'settled' yet.
I have not been enjoying the work in London. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I've hated it. I'm working as a supply teacher in schools all across London. I don't really enjoy going to a new school every day (imagine having the first day of work EVERY day) and some of the schools in London are really rough. I'm on the hunt for a full time job to solve this problem. Fingers crossed!
The shows!!! There's no denying that I'm hopelesly obsessed with musicals, a huge factor in my decision to move to London. So far I've seen Kinky Boots & Book of Mormon. Both brilliant. I have also branched out a little and seen two plays. Two very different plays. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time was just brilliant and Shitfaced Shakespeare was all kinds of hillarious (they do a condensed version of a Shakespeare play with one cast member incredibly drunk!)
British Summertime Festival... Florence and the Machine were the headline act and they were amazing. Kate and Kenzie came into London for the day and we had *mostly* glorious weather to enjoy this laid back festival. It did solidly pour down with rain for about 20 minutes right in the middle of the day, but we took shelter in the toilets (all class, here!)
A Roald Dahl adventure! Through the 'Aussies in London' facebook page I met a few girls and wandered around London, finding 'dream jars' created by various celebrities in celebration of the upcoming BFG film.
The night life! In particular, my first time at a gay club was just the best fun EVER. We've also been to a few ping pong bars - really common here it seems. And just recently we discovered an incredibly cool 60s themed bar, complete with bowling alleys, karaoke rooms, foosball tables, ping pong and diner-style booth seating. Not to mention, rockin' tunes.
And of course... Random exploring.
I'm enjoying discovering London, but also have managed to do some trips out of London to visit friends.
While there I gawked oved the stunning buildings, noted important 'Naria inspiration' spots, and got a personal tour of Christ Church College, including a little wander around the Harry Potter dining hall!
We went to a few museums and quite a few bars. I managed to pull myself out of bed on the Sunday morning to watch Rob do bell ringing at one of the churches, and then climbed up to the top of the bell tower for a view over Oxford.
We finished the weekend off with an incredibly delicious roast lunch at a local pub. Check out that yorkshire pud..!!
I also went to visit Phoebe in Ascot...and fell in love with her dogs!
Pheebs lives in a beautiful house in the middle of a huge parkland. It's stunning, and perfect for a chilled out couple of days away from the busy London life.
While I was with her, we also explored Windsor. Firstly, for a bit of shopping. But also to see the castle (from the outside... £20 seemed a bit steep to check out the inside!) and to walk the 'Long Walk' to the Copper Horse.
Phoebe also cooked me a delicious home made roast!
And, yes, once again I got treated to a roast lunch... Yum! I could get used to this!
I packed my whole life into one (very heavy) suitcase and off I went.
Two painfully long flights later... I made it. London. My new home. Kind of.
I've been here for just over a month, but I don't feel like I really live here yet. This is probably largely due to the fact that I came here knowing I would only be hanging around for a short while before I set off for an adventure around Europe so I haven't really 'settled' yet.
Tristan kindly offered to host me for the month and at many times he has been my saviour - like when my bank card got hacked! Or when I lost my phone! Both fun times.
I have not been enjoying the work in London. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I've hated it. I'm working as a supply teacher in schools all across London. I don't really enjoy going to a new school every day (imagine having the first day of work EVERY day) and some of the schools in London are really rough. I'm on the hunt for a full time job to solve this problem. Fingers crossed!
To combat the misery of work, I've been going on many adventures which often means I'll only work 3 or 4 days a week.
Some of the highlights of London so far include:
The shows!!! There's no denying that I'm hopelesly obsessed with musicals, a huge factor in my decision to move to London. So far I've seen Kinky Boots & Book of Mormon. Both brilliant. I have also branched out a little and seen two plays. Two very different plays. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time was just brilliant and Shitfaced Shakespeare was all kinds of hillarious (they do a condensed version of a Shakespeare play with one cast member incredibly drunk!)
A fancy bar up on the 40th floor that gave a stunning view of the Gherkin and the surrounding area of London.
British Summertime Festival... Florence and the Machine were the headline act and they were amazing. Kate and Kenzie came into London for the day and we had *mostly* glorious weather to enjoy this laid back festival. It did solidly pour down with rain for about 20 minutes right in the middle of the day, but we took shelter in the toilets (all class, here!)
A Roald Dahl adventure! Through the 'Aussies in London' facebook page I met a few girls and wandered around London, finding 'dream jars' created by various celebrities in celebration of the upcoming BFG film.
We also managed to catch Mark Rylance (the actor playing the BFG) doing a short reading from the book.
The night life! In particular, my first time at a gay club was just the best fun EVER. We've also been to a few ping pong bars - really common here it seems. And just recently we discovered an incredibly cool 60s themed bar, complete with bowling alleys, karaoke rooms, foosball tables, ping pong and diner-style booth seating. Not to mention, rockin' tunes.
And of course... Random exploring.
 |
| Regents Canal |
 |
| Big Ben |
 |
| Neal´s Yard |
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| Camden |
I'm enjoying discovering London, but also have managed to do some trips out of London to visit friends.
I've seen Rach & Rob in Oxford.
While there I gawked oved the stunning buildings, noted important 'Naria inspiration' spots, and got a personal tour of Christ Church College, including a little wander around the Harry Potter dining hall!
We went to a few museums and quite a few bars. I managed to pull myself out of bed on the Sunday morning to watch Rob do bell ringing at one of the churches, and then climbed up to the top of the bell tower for a view over Oxford.
We finished the weekend off with an incredibly delicious roast lunch at a local pub. Check out that yorkshire pud..!!
I also went to visit Phoebe in Ascot...and fell in love with her dogs!
Pheebs lives in a beautiful house in the middle of a huge parkland. It's stunning, and perfect for a chilled out couple of days away from the busy London life.
While I was with her, we also explored Windsor. Firstly, for a bit of shopping. But also to see the castle (from the outside... £20 seemed a bit steep to check out the inside!) and to walk the 'Long Walk' to the Copper Horse.
Phoebe also cooked me a delicious home made roast!
Lastly, I went to Portsmouth for a couple of days, which was my 'home' for a few months way back in 2008. Safe to say not much has changed! Mostly I just went to visit Marc. We cheered along Nadia (Marc's girlfriend) during a charity mud-obstacle race, we had many drinks, we played mini golf and... I beat Marc at trumps! Yessssss.
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| All kinds of creepy! |
And, yes, once again I got treated to a roast lunch... Yum! I could get used to this!
And now... I'm off to explore a bit wider. First up: España!!!
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