Blogs from Surrey Quays, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Predictably I packed, unpacked, re-packed, unpacked and repacked my luggage. The problem is not the generous 30kg’s that the airline allows but that I am gone for 2 months and I just know that I will buy things on my trip and not be able to get it home. It is rather tricky packing limited clothing for 2 months although I know that I will probably wear the same clothes over and over again. Spent my last night in South Africa at my friends house in Johannesburg, who is like a sergeant major when it comes to packing, and in no time at all she rearranged my luggage and told me what I would and would not wear. Problem solved. Funny that. Because Janis travelled for the first time 3 months ago. My flight was a ... read more

I spent a week in London for New Year's. It was my first time in an English speaking country in 4 months...and man did that feel good! I asked 17 people what time it was, just because i could! It was almost exactly 2 years since I went there for the first time, junior year...... read more

I feel sort of sad today. I don't know why. I guess with change comes both happiness and sadness. At least I am balanced! The thing about London is, everyone walks hurriedly to their destination, from first thing in the morning, to the Tube, throught the Tube station, and to the next destination. As I stand in the crowded tube watching people (it's one American thing I can't seem to break, although lately I think I have become more subtle about it), I wonder, "are they thinking what I am thinking? What do they notice? Are they noticing things, too?" I arrive at work, fashionably late, as always (I guess some things will never change), and it is both familiar and foreign. The social workers are casual, smart, and working hard. There are budgetary confinements as ... read more

I had planned on having a leaving do at a pub somewhere watching NZ dominate Australia in the cricket, seeing as that wasn’t to be I decided on a BBQ at the flat. The weather didn’t disappoint either, it was a cracking day. Several ciders, steaks and sausages later everyone was in good spirits. Lisa managed to find a good source of entertainment, cutting up her sisters clothes that she had left at our flat. In particular a hideous orange jumper. We all donned a piece, before Andre stole them all and put on a show (see the video above!) Later in the evening we traipsed off to the Wibbly Wobbly, our local pub. Singing, dancing, drinking games, chanting, skulling out of ash trays; good times were had by all. Sunday was spent recovering and having ... read more

The weekend was spent playing forceback (rugby ball kicks for those who don't know the game) down at the local park. We played a good few hours on both Saturday and Sunday. The weather was awesome for both days and has in the main been really hot lately. The teams were the boys Richard and I, against the girls Emily, Lisa and Andre. Andre looked good in his skirt and floral hat. They ended up beating us, despite some super plays by Richard including a massive diving catch to keep us in the game. In the end we could blame the fact that we were playing into the wind, but realistically it was probably the fact that after about 2 minutes we were knackered. I've vowed to go for some runs before the cricket season to ... read more