Fun Facts

1. My day began with Bon Iver, blueberry & banana pancakes, and a group of friends.
   
2. The District Line has utterly failed me this weekend. It meant I was 35 minutes late today.
   
3. St Paul's Cathedral used to be known as Eastminster (because it's the other side of the city to Westminster!)
   
4. There's a statue of Charles I in Trafalgar Square. Every sign in England uses this as it's central point when directing people to London.
   
5. I have become officially ginger.
   
6. My house is freezing cold unless you're wearing fifteen pairs of socks. No, that is not an exaggeration.
   
7. When it's sunny and raining, there's not always a rainbow. Today proved that.
   
8. The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad holds no appeal at half nine on a Saturday night. 

Swimming to and from Waterloo

*I began writing this a couple of days ago but needed a break. So, here you go!*

With work every day, and torrential rain, life in Bournemouth has felt pretty slow. Home is great when the sun shines... and not so great when it doesn't, so I've found the past few weeks a tad tough.

It was great then, to be able to get away for a couple of days. I had an interview back in London on Monday, so went up Sunday morning (rather early I might add) to do a few things and catch up with people.

The train pulled into Waterloo, I met some friends that were waiting for me, and we walked along the Southbank, dodging the rain drops and the tourists, until we could take refuge in a cafe for brunch. Brunch is one of those delightful meals. All the joys of breakfast without the early morning, and all the joys of lunch, but with better food. We spent three hours enjoying 'brunch', until I had to head off to meet a friend for coffee about half an hour away. I walked along the river bank, past some of my favourite buildings and across the Millennium bridge. The sun even came out! I had coffee with a friend and caught up on London news, before we headed into church. It was just so good to be back, and it was great to see people again.

Afterwards I met my friend and we headed back to hers for beans on toast, red wine, and the Sunday papers. It was the perfect end to a great day.

Monday was a bit scary pyjamas. With my interview taking several hours, I was definitely in need of coffee and chill time in my favourite coffee shop in Trafalgar Square before seeing an old friend for dinner. Our parents had grown up together and when we were a bit younger we were pretty close, but she lives in the middle of nowhere and we ended up drifting apart. It was hilarious catching up on the last few years and laughing at where we'd come from.

Unfortunately I had to run to get on a train that got me back home before the wee hours of the morning, so our time together was cut short. More unfortunate was the guy I sat adjacent to on the train that turned out to be a bit of madman. I seem to have a nack for finding them. Or attracting them. Whichever.

Said Crazy, was, on appearances rather normal. Except he just watched me read. And drink tea. And listen to music. And then he moved from the window seat to the aisle seat to get a better look. And then he offered me half his KitKat. And then...he woke me from my nap to ask if I needed to get off at Winchester.

Needless to say I didn't...but he took this as ample opportunity to ask me about my life and quiz me on the most ridiculous things. I played up the fact I was a student, which he definitely was not. And then he told me about his apparent triplets that wanted to be vets, tiger tamers and motorbike specialists. I'm not convinced the triplets from his third marriage were real...

I was rather pleased to arrive back home after such adventures, and with a lovely lunch yesterday seeing a friend from London, I feel a little more sane to attempt to continue the rest of the summer.

Apart from I don't think I have a job any longer.. but that's a story for another time!!

Today it continued to rain, so I went to work, returned home and watched Harry Potter and then saw my sister in her school musical. It made me feel very old. But also proud. She's one stupidly talented girl. 

Now for bed. The Olympic torch arrives tomorrow, and I think I'm having breakfast with a few amigos. Should be pleasant!

xxxxxx

Soggy Saturday

Yesterday I met a friend at 9am to hit Tottenham Court Road. Well, specifically to go to T.K.Maxx and attempt to find a handbag and shoes. I failed in that respect, but did manage to find some underwear, and then some yummy shoes in another shop. One of the pairs was bright green (and match the nail varnish I am currently wearing!)

Following my early start, I returned home to get some uni work done and eat some lunch before helping to collect food for the Foodbank in Vauxhall. It was amazing to see how generous some people were. I'd heard stories, and figures and descriptions of tonnes of food but it was quite something to see so many items donated. It did continue to rain throughout the day... this required Starbucks on the way home to defrost and make the joints in my fingers work. It was half helpful...

The evening consisted of dressing as a clock, dancing a lot, drinking lychee mojitos. The rain was unceasing and I returned home with numbers smeared down my face, and my feet bleeding from my painful shoes.

A soggy Saturday, and from all I can tell, Sunday will be too. Despite that, it's been good. Perhaps I need to go get some work done though.

Too much babbling, not enough philosophising.

Go jump in puddles kids, make the most of the 'drought' we're supposedly suffering from.

Much love from Miss Rambles. Aha. x

Personal Shopper

After an insane few days of work, and a busy timetable, we decided that we deserved the morning off, and it was time to go to Westfield and do a little shopping. I had a couple of things I needed to do for my sisters birthday, Ellie had a top to return...was all going to be very quick.

And then the Topshop Personal Shopper found us.

And instead of a quick trip, we were given a private room, Topshop water, and had this lovely woman wait on us hand and foot and recommend every kind of colour, size and style of clothing.

I bought this stunning full length dress which I need to find an excuse to wear. If I wait too long I might just start walking around the city pretending to be elegant. I also got a rather nice teal blouse...so I have a reason to wear something other than a dress on the odd day!

Anyway, after that I had an encouraging chat with one of my seminar leaders, and have had a spot of late lunch. It's now pouring with rain in a wonderfully English way and I think I'm going to have a nicely busy evening.

Love x