Month Seven in London

September has been about getting back into a routine after possibly the most indulgent few months of my life.

Although I must admit after a few months of indulgence a little structure in the day can go along way.

It's the most amazing feeling being able to take every travel opportunity when they arise but it's certainly a hard bump coming back to the reality of working, especially in the fast approaching Winter in London. I am loving all the visitors so please keep finding excuses to come to Europe. If anyone decides to live in Europe that would be even better.

There were a few highlights this month with C and H coming over for a visit. We went to Providors as usual and it's always so good - just like a cafe at home. I'm looking forward to taking J&K there when they're over in December.

I keep going to write that the next few months should be quiet but it's just not the case! I'm off to Sweden to see C&H for C's birthday at the end of the month and then a horse riding weekend in Wales with A and D. There will be fireworks at that one as well as it's Guy Fawkes weekend.

A few weeks after that J&K arrive in town and I can't wait to see them. My itinerary for them so far is mainly based around eating and drinking but they should be used to that! Then off to Scotland for Christmas which I'm really looking forward to but a bit nostalgic at the same time as it's been a very long time since I missed a Christmas at home.

My daily life is just sort of bumbling along 9 to 5 and still doesn't feel like I'm that far away - it's mainly starting to feel like I've been very slack and haven't seen anyone in ages. I'm even coping well with sharehouse living (although if you told me I had to do it forever you might get a different response). There are quite a few things that have stopped mattering to me quite a bit as well - I never thought I wouldn't be cooking but I hardly do it know - it really just falls into the too hard basket.

I keep having great aspirations about making sure I actually see London and England while I'm here but I am doing a fairly ordinary job of it so far. I haven't actually been outside London in England yet which is a bit shameful. I've been meaning to go to the Portrait Gallery and St Pauls for about a month now but other fun things on the weekends just keep getting in the way!

I've even started to get caught up in the World Cup and clapped and groaned through the match on Saturday in a pub dominated by England supporters - although I have to say they were quite good sports afterwards and only went on about it a bit. I can't believe that New Zealand is out - the Kiwi's at work are devastated.

There was a spare ticket last night to see Pete Murray and it's the first time I've really been surrounded by a large group of Aussie's and it was actually quite nice. I come into contact with very few Australian's here and going to She Bu to see Pete Murray felt about as Australian as it comes. Still not a huge fan of his music but it was a good show all the same and I can now say I've been the Shepherd's Bush Empire along with most of Australia.

Month Six in London

I can’t believe it’s been six months already! The six month mark has been one of ups and downs and my first thoughts of going home. I’m definitely staying but I haven’t even really thought about it until this month. I don’t think I’ll end up in France unless I can find a company to send me there.

I have a new job which is working out better than I thought and may present some opportunities to move more into the areas I’m interested in. The girl I’ve taken over from went to QUT and did the same degree, went to a similar school and is going home after 6 years in London – a bit surreal.

Am basically getting ready to bunker down for the Winter apart from a potential trip to Russia, horse riding in Wales and seeing J from Christmas. I’m actually hoping to do some things in London and England over the next few months.

Everything is going well but visitors from home are welcome anytime!

Dublin 7th – 9th September

Seeing T in Dublin was fantastic and we had a great time hanging out together. I’ve let the team down though and forgot to get a compass photo – I’ll have to back to get one.

Dublin was nice but I guess a little lost on me because the weekend was mainly about catching up with T. There is a rather unforgettable spilt mango smoothie incident.

T and I in the park in Dublin

Trinity College - Outside the library where The Book of Kells is kept

From wiki:
The Book of Kells (Dublin, Trinity College Library, MS A. I. (58), less widely known as the Book of Columba) is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by Celtic monks around AD 800 in the style known as Insular art. It is one of the more lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive from the Middle Ages and has been described as the zenith of Western calligraphy and illumination. It contains the four gospels of the Bible in Latin, along with prefatory and explanatory matter decorated with numerous colourful illustrations and illuminations. Today it is on permanent display at the Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland.