Set off from London, a little sad to say good bye to some great friends. Timmy & Dom & Steve, Sacha & Steve, John & Lisa, Kirsten - thanks so much for having me in your homes whilst there. Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately I think due to having gone to boarding school, I have developed the ability to feel at home in just about any environment. Whilst some people sometimes feel awkward in other peoples homes, I raid the fridges, lounge on the sofa's, have long hot baths, pick a book to read out of the houses offerings, and generally find it easy to pretend the place is mine. I am almost certain this is innapropriate for a guest, but this is how I role. I do of course reciprocate the kindness of being allowed to stay in friends houses by trying to be as neat and tidy as possible, cooking the odd meal and of course making myself very available for any social occasions such as a natter over a glass of wine etc!
My 2 weeks in London flew by, and I managed to get some important bits done - all med check ups clear, a few vaccinations, visa's and picking up a new passport. I managed to see both pubs I once worked in which was fun, but weird as it felt like nothing had changed, kind of like a time warp! Also saw some family members (Uncle, Aunt, Cousins etc) and spent a lovely day being shown the sights of Folkestone (thanks Uncle John). Had a delightful Fish & Chip lunch, and a rather alcofrolic Dinner which was great for catch up on family news etc. Was also lsuper to see some old work faces and friends too, had some great nights out. It does appear however that I have lost some of my drinking staying power as my few social events saw me getting a little worse for wear a lot more quickly than I used to! I am still trying to discover the exact quantity of alcohol which is the happy medium between having a little tipsy fun and drunken oblivion. I have not yet mastered this. My last night out in London was an example, when I went out for what was supposed to be a bottle of wine with a friend from my Cape Town days. We went to the first pub I worked in, and were treated by the company of my old boss - who insisted we have another 2 or so bottles of wine with him. Well needless to say I woke up dazed and confused the next day, wondering at what point did "having a quiet night", turn into "hugging the toilet seat, whilst babbling incoherently"...? And to make it even worse, I was missing a tooth! I lost it shortly before going out (which didnt deter me), but I must have been a sight in my state with a missing tooth and all?! Sorry Mom and Dad, but the truth is ugly. I was born with an "all or none" type of personality!! The light around this dark cloud of shame is at least I am drinking less now! I would prefer to a) remember, and b) stay alive whilst on my year of travelling around the world, so from now onwards - I am taking it slow on the drinking front! Oh and I have REALLY tried to quit smoking too - havent smoked since left London. Now I am spending my 2nd day in Oz, in very rainy Syndey. I arrived after the mammoth journey, which I diluted with wonderful sleeping tablets. I can confirm its not possible to drug yourself for a 22 hour flight. I did try however, but this has just transpired in a entirely out of whack sleeping pattern anyway. I slept the entire first day I was here! Tut tut. She doesnt learn so easy... Another note to self.
Will report more news on Sydney soon once I have settled in.
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