O N E Y E A R ! !

One year in London and I'm feeling fine!

I can't believe it's been one whole year since I embarked on this crazy adventure. Moving abroad is something I never even contemplated and yet it all happened so quickly.

It's safe to say I've learnt a lot along the way. Number one being just how lucky we are to call Australia home. Britain and London have so many great things to offer but none that live up to the beauty that is Australia. We really are one lucky country. Not to mention all of my wonderful family and friends in Australia, making it the place I will always call home.

In the 365 days gone by I've;
- Travelled to 9 different countries
- Met people from all over the world
- Tasted some amazing cuisine
- Made new friends
- Re-connected with old friends
- And had some unforgettable adventures

I can't wait to see what the next year brings, who knows where I'll be or what i'll be doing this time next year. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride!!

Here's some pictures of me galavanting around London over the weekend. x

WEEK 51: Manchester Madness!!

Happy (belated) Easter to everyone I have not yet communicated with since the event. I hope you all had a wonderful four day break! For me it was off to Manchester for my first solo trip since arriving in the UK.

After a much welcomed short working week I was up bright an early Good Friday to catch my coach to Manchester. A little nervous about the bus ride taking forever, due to the easter traffic.

Here we go!!!

The roads were packed to say the least, due to this the driver fore-went a pitt stop to gain back some of our lost time and we arrived into Manchester about half an hour later than scheduled - not too bad.

The beautiful greenery along the way

This being a budget trip for me meant it was a hostel stay. Upon arrival I made the short stroll from the bus terminal to the Hostel - Hatters on Newton Street. Nothing glamorous, but it'll do. After dumping my things in the room a set off for a stroll around the Northern Quarter.

Manchester selfies, before exploring

A bit of browsing through some vintage stores I spotted a cute cafe/interiors store where I stopped off to grab a coffee. If I had my own permanent place in London I definitely would've bought something for my place. Everything in this shop was so beautiful.

The cute cafe/store

After a bit more exploring I headed back to the hostel to change for dinner. Where to for dinner, who knows?! In the end I settled on a pub, where I was hopeful some locals may come chat to me. It worked! I met some locals who proceeded to take me on a bar crawl of manchester. I didn't get back to the hostel until the wee hours of the morning.

Beer for one at table 1.

The following morning, sporting a fairly sore head I ventured out of the hostel at around noon in search of some sustenance. Arndale shopping centre did the trick - a little different to the Arndale in Adelaide.

I did a little shopping and treated myself to a massage - turns out catching a 6 hour coach and sleeping on a dodgy spring bed can provide a lot of knots in your back. Due to my lack of sprite-liness I didn't take any pictures throughout the day - sorry folks!

Along with a hangover comes cravings, mine are almost always Japanese inclined so off to china town I went where I found a lovely little Teppanyaki restaurant. Large wine order stat -

Manchester's China Town

Throughout the meal I got to know two lovely ladies seated next to me, in town on a girls trip.

The girls had spotted the Karaoke bar next door and were keen to check it out after dinner, would I like to join? Why yes, yes I would. And so my Saturday night started with a Japanese feast and ended in a cozy Karaoke room with two almost strangers - didn't see that one coming!!

Easter Sunday I was up bright and early due to the noise of the hostel - pretty standard. After breakfast I facetimed the family to wish them all a happy easter.

Sadly it was then time for me to leave Manchester and head home. Thanks for a whirl wind adventure Manchester, I'll be seeing you. x

WEEK 50: Puppy Love, Parks and Peoples Birthdays

This weekend I was unfortunately plagued with a migraine which unfortunately meant a fairly low key weekend for me, despite what I had previously planned. But I did manage to get through some fun activities.

Case and point - Friday evening, Puppy sitting.
Brookes colleague has a new puppy and Brooke volunteered us to Puppy sit Friday evening.
Meet Louie...

What a little treasure. So fun to be around a Puppy again.

Not gonna lie, the little guy did wear me out though. Despite staying at Brookes place for a girly sleepover, it was an early night.

The next morning we made pancakes and smoothies for breakfast before heading to Hamstead Heath to walk them off.

Poser Brooke

What a view

Such a beautiful spot, with a great view of London (on less foggy days). Will definitely be returning in the summer months.

It was such a beautiful day we could resist a cheeky pint at the pub on the way home.

Cute little pub stop. 

Before I knew it it was time to meet Maria for dinner. This is sadly where the migraine really hit home and I didn't last too long following dinner. I'll blame this also for forgetting to take pictures throughout the evening. But a lovely evening it was catching up with my long lost Siena pal.

Sunday was my Daddio's birthday so bright and early I facetimed the family to wish him a Happy birthday. Almost dinner time in Australia I was pleased to see he had a great day, although a little sad that I wasn't able to share it with him.

Missing moments like these. 

Crazily enough, Tuesday was Mum's birthday (handy having parents born a day apart). We had a facetime session Monday even (her early Tuesday). She was very spoilt with meals out and presents. It's always hard being away from family at times like these.

Love this photo of Mum and I, which I believe was taken on our way to my birthday dinner many moons ago.

My adorable Benny-J enjoying the flowers I sent Mum and Dad for their Birthdays.

To finish on a bright note please enjoy some spring inspired pictures of beautiful Chelsea.

Sunshine in London - a rarity. 

Have a wonderful weekend everybody x

WEEK 49: Visitor

Week 49, aka the week I figured out that I've somehow messed up counting my weeks.  Silly me. Anyway we are now officially at week 49.

After a week of being ill, I was very happy to finally start to feel good again. This weekend I had a visitor in town from the homeland - Antoneth!

We caught up on Wednesday night at a pub in Soho to literally just catch up. It's been a while between drinks.

Thursday night, bargain tickets to see Wicked at the last minute were well received. 2nd time around it's still in my top five stage shows.

All ready to defy gravity!

Antoneth was lucky enough to be staying in a fancy pants hotel in mayfair for a couple of nights and invited me along to enjoy the ride. Friday night after work I headed straight for the hotel, we grabbed a quick bite and a bottle of wine and spent the rest of the evening lounging about in our hotel robes.

And of course when you stay in a fancy hotel you've got to order room service right??

Don't mind if I do

After check out we went for a little stroll around mayfair before offloading our luggage back at my flat.

Despite the horrible weather we made our way down to my local - Broadway market. On the walk there it hailed, then again whilst we were in amongst the markets. We got caught in a little glasses hut hiding from the rain and we had lots of laughs with one of the proprietors who was quite the comedian.

After a lot of rain, enough was enough. Time to get out of the rain. Off to Selfridges we went. God I love that place. It's nice to dream. Before we knew it it was 5.30. Being Nef's last night in London I suggested we head to Duck and Waffle for cocktails and a spectacular view of the beautiful city.

I'll admit my legs were a little shaky up on the 40th floor.

Nef's early morning flight meant an early evening. Come back soon Nef - London loves you!

With such a busy back end to the week I spent Sunday catching up on washing and getting sorted for the week. Topped off nicely by a nice lamb roast at the pub.

Another great weekend, bring on the next.
xx