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

From Waterloo to a Ghost Village.

Monday morning I was due to leave London but after it was discovered there was a fridge of food that needed eating before I headed back to the south coast, some friends were invited over to help me munch down the box of eggs I didn't want to go off. We enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast of fruit and american pancakes before leaving for Waterloo. My lovely friends helped me with the burdensome suitcase and such and it wasn't long before I found myself on the train to the coast.

Unfortunately I'd drunk nearly an entire caffetiere of coffee over breakfast and then bought an iced latte at the station as I had some time to spare. Needless to say I was quite hyped up whilst in the crowded little train carriage. The day was amazingly sunny and as I travelled west, a friend and I decided it was a good day to head to the Purbecks, an area of hills and beach and general astounding beauty. 

So, not three hours from being in East London, I found myself standing in an abandoned village on a military firing range, admiring an art installation and the beautiful scenery. It was a little surreal. We were in Tyneham village, a place that the army took over in the early years of WW2 as they had a camp there already. It's only open a few weeks of the year, and though we'd tried and failed to visit over Christmas, the day was perfectly sunny. We headed to the beach and discovered the most stunning cliffs and hills, with a sail boat sat peacefully on the water. There was no one around. It was made even more perfect by the arrival of what looked like a pirate ship. I was fairly sure I'd found myself in some sort of novel. We finally left after taking a billion photos and watching the sunset, and succumbing to the dalmatians desire to eat the biscuits we'd brought. We saw deer on our return through the forest, and I arrived back home still somewhat in awe. 

Now the last few days haven't been quite so picturesque, but they have been fun. Tuesday I caught up with my friends, most of which I've not seen since Christmas. We're all a little mad, have an unhealthy appreciation for cake, and have a slight ability to laugh until our faces contort into the most grotesque shapes. Needless to say, we had a good evening of dinner and cocktails for the Irish one's birthday. It involved a lot of squealing and excitement. 

Yesterday I drank about a tank of tea as I caught up with another friend, before heading to the girls' house for dinner and fun. The evening ended on their new trampoline, gazing at stars and recovering from hysterical laughter and screaming which is the obvious result of bouncing around in the dark.

Today I was meant to work, but considering it's reverted back to winter, I wasn't needed at the beach. I plan to achieve some of the things on my to-do list and read a bit of my book about dragons. 

Oh, and tonight we're going out, dressed as TOWIE characters. 

Sometimes, just sometimes, I have to laugh at the insanity that is my life.

Much love amigos. 

xo