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Published: February 4th 2007
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So we found a flat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The most Beautiful, lovely, charming little flat!!!! It’s over some shops in the center of the Blackheath Village - which means spitting distance from the train station and a stumbling distance from the local bars. Pending references it’s ours next Saturday. It’s over 3 floors and it has a little back patio that makes both Sarah and I feel like we’re in Paris.
We’re planning tanning parties (topless of course) out there and are envisioning an extensive herb garden. “Oh you’d like some mint in your freshly brewed steeper? Well - lemme go outside and pick you some of my homegrown herbs.” (Ha! Give us two weeks- we’re sure to start off strong and then turn all the lovely flowers and herbs into a desert….but we have lofty plans nonetheless). Thank Goodness for Tuula who’s always wanted a little garden and has a green thumb - we may in fact stand a fighting chance.
The flat is lovlier than anything either of us thought we might be able to get. Some part of me is still waiting for all of this good luck to soon run out - and it all turn to shit.
Sloane Square
Notice, yet again, the people eating outside.... in February It seems to good to be true. Sarah and I do believe that you cannot have it all - you cannot have a great job, a great place to live and a great boyfriend at the same time - so one has to give. (not sure which I’d prefer). Did I mention we’ve also had the hottest estate agent helping us? Yum! The whole thing has been a dream!!!!
“Furnished” in a flat description is really only “part-furnished” unless I guess you’re willing to sleep on someone else’s mattress (yuck - no way) and cook out of someone else’s pots (ditto). Hence we’re currently in the Ikea furniture shopping hell. We were VERY strongly discouraged by the locals not to go to Ikea on a Saturday - apparently it’s worse than war-torn Bosnia (seems like a very strong descriptor to me - but several unrelated people have agreed with that depiction). Ikea in Toronto on a Saturday is a nightmare - but this is apparently not even in the same league. Sometimes I forget just how over-populated this city is and how quickly they run out of merchandise. This coupled with the non-existence of customer service did not bode
the view home from the train
this was my view on my way home Thursday afternoon - Millenium Wheel with Big Ben in the background... can't beat it! well for our furniture shopping trip. (Which is frustrating in itself - since I remember having to buy all that house stuff not too long ago in TO and now I must do it all over again) While I am not usually one to give up on a challenge - we decided against a Saturday visit to Ikea and are instead going on Wednesday night (like around midnight). We’re hopeful that their 3 day delivery promise stands and that we’ll actually have beds to sleep on Saturday night!!!! Remains to be seen.
Friday night Tuula took me out for dinner with some girlfriends of hers to a fantastic dinner on the banks of the Thames - a Middle Eastern place called Tas - the food was to die for. I’ve decided I’ve now developed food ADD and cannot just eat one meal. Tapas and sharing dishes is the way to go - I need to have a taste buds sensation by tasting a lot of different dishes. It’s still weird to walk (or more accurately hobble) along the banks of the Thames where the lit-up St. Pauls’s Cathedral is the vista as you walk home!!!! I hope it’s a
The best idea
The train stations here tell you exactly when the next train is coming... genius! long while before I take that for granted. Speaking of “hobbling” along - for those of you who truly know me you’ll know I usually have “dead foot” - which essentially means that I can wear really high stilettos for extended periods of time and not feel it. Lately I’ve been loosing that ability - and this magic skill has unfortunately completely disappeared while I’ve been in London!!!! I injured myself wearing ballet flats (!!!!) - I knew I should have never fallen to the “flats” trend - and now I cannot walk comfortably anywhere. And lemme tell you - there is a lot of walking to be done here. Need my “dead foot” back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday Tuula and I did BMF (British Military Fitness) in the park - and it was perfect! The weather has been about 13 degrees (that’s in the PLUS column for those of you back in TO) and sunny. It hasn’t rained once since we’ve been here!!! BMF was a blast - it was like being back in grade 5 doing relay races in PE class. Saturday night we went out to the pubs in Blackheath and just got drunk and danced. People (or should
The Pirate Restaurant
We went for tapas here on Thursday - Bernice this one is for you! I say the 20 year old porn-watching boys) just love the North American accent - so Tuula’s theory must be true. Today (Sunday) we spent the morning at the local Farmer’s Market - which is basically across the street from our new flat. This is where you can get locally gown fruits and veg (funny thing- apparently the apples don’t look huge, polished and perfect from a real farm…. Go figure) This whole locally grown, in-season produce thing is the norm here - and not an “organic trend” - and I quite like it.
We also spent the day with Tuula’s friends and their two adorable little children (the most genetically beautiful 14 month old and his 1 month old brother) flying kites in Greenwich Park and having a nice Sunday meal. I have to say that baby was the most chilled adorable kid ever - smelled so good and was soo cuddly it made me a little “broody”. Then the 14 month old nearly tore the flat apart and I very quickly got over it.
I’m sure it’s much different when the kids are your own - but the whole thing just seemed exhausting. (On the other
The Cactus Pit
notice how I'm drinking AND smoking INSIDE!!!!! hand - there is something to be said for a little one falling asleep in your arms….) I always think if I’d met the right person my life could have turned out so differently - probably married with some little ones in Toronto - but today’s experience made me sure I’d made the right decision to prolong my youth and independence a bit longer….. Tomorrow - the new work starts… stay tuned…….
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Mar
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Fun times
Love the pictures, keep'em coming! Gald to see you are adjusting so well, I am jelous of the street markets and flowers!