Date: March 29, 2019
For years and years I thought of moving to Europe. I had never really considered London to be honest and not because I didn't like the city or country but my mind was always more focused on France or Italy. I did finally move here in Oct 2017, so in total I've been living in Europe for 18 months - although during that period I spent around 4 months in Toronto. Looks like I'm leaving Europe though now possibly for good.
As it turns out the last week was not quite as adventure full as I thought. Really it was a lot of walking around, a bit of shopping and some packing and last goodbyes. Trying to keep my head up as I go through this as I want to punch everyone on the street especially people who just moved here.
Monday
Monday I went to see a Crystal Palace U23 game. I only stayed for the first half, but it was still interesting because I got to see the stadium and there were so few fans (I'd guess under 1,000) that you could very clearly here the players kicking around the ball and yelling for a pass. I was pretty close down and my observation was that the players are a clear level or two below the top tier players - missed passes, not crisp pass reception, generally sloppier play.
Crystal Palace U23s at Selhurst Park (only 23k seats and around since the 1920s - seems legit!)
After that I posted some mail and met Thea to help her shop for cars (yes this was a dumb use of my remaining time here). She did make dinner for us which was kind. Then I lugged her stupidly heavy and large suitcase back to mine because she didn't want to take it to work the next day so she picked it up at mine after.
For helping with the car shop, and suitcase all I got was a dinner and some phtos of nice wallpaper and a print at her housesit.
Tuesday
Tuesday was busier as I went to Madame Tussauds and SeaLife. Yup I've become a damn tourist here and don't feel like I live here anymore. MT's was interesting but also rammed with tourists and the staff weren't the friendliest. Also be prepared to be asked to buy a bunch of other things once you get into the space - like photos, drinks, side exhibits, etc..
Here are lots of photos - if you can't guess who some are just email me and I'll tell you. These were my favorites.
There was also a ride called Spirt of London which is amusing yet short, but you get in a cart and ride around from 1600 AD to present. It takes around 5 minutes.
From there I walked down to SeaLife - I had bought a dual pass to MT's and SeaLife, or so I thought. I ended up with London Dungeon instead but fortunately the staff at SeaLife changed it. A nice staff, unlike some of the other staff I'd met before,
A walk through Green Park, past Buckingham Palace and through St. James Park.
At SeaLife
It was a bit underwhelming but I enjoyed it a bit anyway.
Another successful walk home through south bank and across the Hungerford, Golden Jubilee bridges. And then Strand, to Fleet to St. Paul's and the rest is ...
Thea did pop by to grab her bag and then we grabbed a quick dinner at Pizza Express.
Wednesday
Shopping and walking around on my own as usual.
I never go to Oxford St, let alone Oxford Circus but I did today. grrr. And found a little hidden area not too far from Covent Garden called Neal's Yard.
That night I went to the gym for the last time. PureGym St. Paul's has been my spot since I've been back. I usually go between 9-10pm when the crowds die off.
Yup - photos of my gym. At least the entry as you're not supposed to take photos otherwise.
This nonsense continues...
Thursday - the last day, can't believe it but it's true.
I decided today to do what I've liked doing here the best - Pret coffee, Natural History Museum, walking, £3 meal deal, and reluctantly going into Primark to buy shoes.
Even though it's very sad today I tried to keep my head up and have a great day.
I took the central line to Lancaster Gate - I have no idea why I did this, it just seemed like the right way to go. So I got to walk through Hyde Park to get to the NHM.
Hyde park scenery, Albert Memorial (which I have a jumping foto in front of - see here), Imperial College London (where I applied to recently) and Royal Albert Hall.
Inside NHS - I came in via the side entrance, I've been maybe 5 times now and only found this part in June when Kendra visited.
I spent an hour or so there. I could have spent more but I wanted to walk around more than anything so I walked to Trafalgar Square via GP->BP->SJP.
I think it's here it really sank in a bit I'm leaving. I stood and watch the scenes for a half an hour listening to a busker before I wandered off to Primark which I loathe to buy shoes.
More TS
And then shopping and a photo of Covent Garden and my last long escalator ride up once I got back to St Paul's station.
So that's it. Hard to believe. Oct 1, 2017 arrival - departure March 29, 2019. At one point I thought I may stay here forever. Now I think the odds of living here again are low, but time will tell...
... Oct 1 - Whitechapel, Thea, dating, exploring London, moving into Chelsea with Court, finding office space, Guy Fawkes day, Rosy, Jeff arrives, Liss, Nicole, memorizing monarchs, tube stops, bridges, Hampton court, winter wonderland, see Rick and Trish by St Paul's, TG, xmas and NYE in Toronto, Alex/Jess visit 1 / savoy, Michael Caine at Milos, more hires at TB, Chelsea match, London Pass tourist week, WestHam match, shows with Liss and Thea, Windsor with Liss, bathroom/shower issues for Court, Jack the Ripper outing, Beast from the East, Israel, fun London events with Liss, Nig/Sarah visit, Toronto/ mums surgery, more Liss events, the girls visit, early Spring, failed dating, that TB night at flight club, Megan, Viv visits, anxiety kicks in, Dover, Dad Visit, Cambridge, Canterbury, more London exploration, Hair scare, Kendra visit, Scotland, Barcelona, Canada Day in London, cyst drain, Pride, St Katherine's dock stay, Wimbledon, Toronto Visit, Thames Cruise, Explore London, Elle, Brighton, Blogging, London walks, Alex/Jess visit 2, Arsenal, Daisy, Rye visit, France, airbnb by stratford, home for 3 months. London again, Ireland, hair getting better, Salisbury, London touring and retouring, Tottenham at Wembley, more Arsenal, Garden leave notice, Liverpool/Manchester visit, final touring around, finish TB work, Crystal Palace game, and the rest is history.
I spend this year and a half with Canada always hanging around in the periphery, just like in Trafalgar Sq, with Canada house always reminding me of where I'd end up.
Off to St Paul's for the last sunset and tomorrow I'm gone... wish me luck everyone. Take me out of here Beatles..:
Yesterday All my troubles seemed so far away Now it looks as though they're here to stay Oh, I believe in yesterday Suddenly I'm not half the man I used to be There's a shadow hanging over me Oh, yesterday came suddenly Why she had to go, I don't know She wouldn't say I said something wrong Now I long for yesterday Yesterday Love was such an easy game to play Now I need a place to hide away Oh, I believe in yesterday Why she had to go, I don't know She wouldn't say I said something wrong Now I long for yesterday Yesterday Love was such an easy game to play Now I need a place to hide away Oh, I believe in yesterday
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