NEVER EVER GO ON LEAVE!

Gees Louise, I wish my work week would go as fast as London went. I’ve only been sitting at my computer staring mindlessly at my 103 unanswered emails for 6 hours and already I feel like I’ve aged 50 years! I even received an email this morning to which I replied to about 5 minutes ago with “Good Morning”… The work Gods are not smiling down on me. Or perhaps, they are actually laughing manically at the magically replicating pile of paperwork and files on my once clear and pristine looking desk (I think it used to be brown… it was so long ago that I actually saw it, I can barely remember).

Anyway, onto the actual task at hand now, that being the glorious orgasm inducing trip that was London! Crisis Peeps, we had fun! Crazii was out in full force for the full 10 days, The Giggle Queen, Glass and a Half and The Actress kept me entertained for hours and once again, The Tate, Kew Gardens and the wonderful sights and sounds of London did not disappoint! There was even an exhibition on at the Tate by Andy Warhol… Cow Wallapaper! Amazing! (I love cows for all those that think I’m very peculiar).

I also love Trains. I have since I was an ankle biter and this has never changed. I love The Tube. I even love it when it breaks down or it’s late. It’s a train. Moving fast. Underground. In the dark. Amazing! I also like talking to random British strangers on the Tube. It’s freaks then out no end and they honestly look completely baffled and surprised, as if I suddenly broke into song and started performing Opera, in German! It was my daily goal to talk to someone on every tube I got onto, everyday. And if I managed to talk to 2 or more people, I could carry one over until the next tube ride when everybody looked chavvy and I didn’t feel confident enough to chat to the sparkling gel-backed teenager with a spiked neck chain and 3 missing teeth! The London Marathon day was a bumper carry over day… I think I spoke to the whole crew of St John ambulance (and made sure I never saw them again on the route) as well as all runners donning SA colours! Viva SA!

So basically the moral of the story is, I will definitely be back next year (as always, I never listen to my own advice – refer to the title of this entry). The ballot opened today and I have entered already. Fingers crossed

LONDONTOWN!

Goodie, so much to catch up on! In the last few days I have managed to fly half way across the world, be educated in the ways of the British (Cambridge Friday Dinner), run 26 miles (London Marathon) and throw name with the best of them (Freedom Day Party @ The Puzzle)! Yip Peeps, I’m in my second home and lapping it up! London, is as always, amazing! Spring has sprung and the crazii Brits have already decided 18 degrees is sweltering and walking around in skirts and floppies!

At this point I must make the above point very clear. The British (and possibly greater European people) are insane. Not lock me up ala Hannibal Lector insane, insane in the amazing-OMG-I-can’t-believe-you-walked-out-in-public-wearing-that-insane! Seriously, I ran 26 miles and the number of normal people I saw didn’t even compare to the superhero’s, borat’s, rhino’s etc that managed to cross the line. As promised, I kicked Sonic in the shins, took photo’s with Borat and flew through the course with Superman. Flirted with Hulk Hogan, smiled at Batman and danced my way through the Docklands with Elvis. Spectacular! The route is crowded for the full 26 miles with spectators, it’s awesome! There is never a moment when you are alone on the road, pounding the tar feeling sorry for yourself. Mind you, the downside of this is that because there are so many people you never actually get into a proper rhythm, which, if you run like me doesn’t really matter!

Anyway, Glass and a Half and The Giggle Queen were on route at mile 25 for a quick pep talk and reminder that champers was waiting at the end. With new found enthusiasm I sprinted off to the finished to be greeted by thousands of cheering fans, a goodie bag and bottle of Veuve with the girls! Heaven! 2 bottles of Champers down in St James Park, we headed for a small piece of home, The Puzzle! The essentially unofficial Saffa Pub because all Saffa lives in Earlsfield.. They even serve Savanna! A few jugs of Snakebite, some Jaeger bombs thrown in for good measure and the obligatory cancer sticks, this marathon runner didn’t even care she was still in her trainers and lycra, in public! Gotta love London!

(Please note the bottle of champers on my lap)

I’m off today to have a browse around the Tate Modern, possibly some lunch with the Cousin and dinner in Wimbledon! Promise to update again when I can!