Dear South African Airways,
When people book tickets together usually the expectation is that they are sitting together. Nope. Instead I was sandwiched, for a 12 hour flight, between a guy who didn’t realize he was spreading himself into my personal space and a guy, who blocked my access to the aisle who was asleep the WHOLE time. I eventually had to catapult myself over him when my bladder couldn’t wait anymore. Thank god my tummy didn’t have a gluten meltdown. We were, although, fortunate enough to be on the plane with a gentleman whose laugh was so loud and cartoonish that it reminded me of the Doctor from the Simpsons meets what I imagine Mr. Monopoly would sound like laughing x10. At one point the flight attendants were looking around trying to figure out where that loud noise was coming from. When they placed it, realized it was someone laughing, they all cracked up so much they had to hide their faces. It made me laugh so hard I was crying.
I was so excited about going to London. Then we landed. It was foggy, rainy and 11 degrees. Ohhh yaaa permanent shitty weather! I conveniently had forgotten about that.
After having a heart attack over the prices of our tube passes I realized to just let go of the fact my credit card was going to be thoroughly abused on this trip and have a good time. We got onto the tube towards the flat we had rented. I’m sure I’m the only person thAt can laugh at all 12 tube stops when they announce that the train was headed for Cockfosters.
We found our cute flat, fell asleep and awoke to Andrie arriving, one of Hennie’s best friends and best man at the wedding. It was time to pub crawl. We walked all the way to the high street and stopped in every single pub we found all the way back to our neighbourhood. By 8:30 it was evident we needed to eat something. We had been enjoying the wonderful heavenly nectars until walking straight seemed like an issue. We head to a wonderful gem of a place across the road from our flat and absolutely stuffed ourself with Thai food. This little restaurant was adorable. We had already been there for breakfast that day, was greeted by the Lebanese owner and then served by what seemed like an Asian drag queen. The breakfast was awesome and we have been there for at least one meal everyday since. We can actually go in and order the usual and he knows what we want- amazing.
The next day we were on expedition to Beaconsfield to see a friend of Andrie’s who was a GM of a pub. I certainly underdressed. I had no idea that Beaconsfield was one of the richest places in London and that the place would be fancy. We were absolutely treated to whatever we wanted!! Beer, wine, Martinis, starters, meals and desserts. Needless to say, with my sad belly, I came home and was violently ill but Im kind of getting used to this shit by now. The night was amazing, Jacques, the manager was so lovely and he even drove us all the way home in his Audi.
The next day, as planned, I was dragging the boys 2 hours across England to go to the old Country pub I had been a bar manager at when I was 19. The Tichborne Arms. We toured around Winchester first seeing the Cathedral, King Arthur’s Round table, the inside of a couple pubs and the wonderful farmers market. Then we got a cab into the countryside. It was so surreal. Being at a pub I have thought about very often since being there 9 years ago and a place where I had dreamed of returning to one day to have a pint with the previous owners and locals. It had actually probably been the steadiest home, besides my parents, that I have lived at in the past 9 years.
It was magic to be there…and then the previous owners, my old bosses, Keith and Janie Day arrived. It was incredible to see them. We were all so excited to see each other. We shared stories, caught up, reminisced and snuck hugs wherever we could. I can’t explain how wonderful it was. The new owner even took me on a tour of the flat upstairs I had lived in for almost a year.
We were having so much fun I almost forgot that I was really hoping at least one of the local gang would come in. And then, the only one I was truly hoping to see, walked in the door. Henry. He smokes a pack of cheap cigarettes everyday, has at least 2 pints everyday and sounds like a gypsy from Snatch and I love him. I was so excited to see him. My London trip was complete now. Janie, Keith & Henry at the Tichborne Arms. I wished the night would never end! They drove us back to Winchester just in time for us to catch the train, we all cried. It was pretty special. Thanks to Hennie & Andrie for indulging me and coming along for the ride. It made my year:)
Today I have split up from the boys to meet up with an old friend of mine from Australia, that I lived with in Cornwall. We lived in trailers on the Cornish coast, it was such a riot! It’s a much needed break, after almost a month spending every walking moment together, I’m glad Hennie & Andrie are having their time today. Although who knows what they will get up to. I half expect to find them drunk and in a strip club later… But oh well;)
London’s pretty awesome. I love the tubes, I love the bustle and it seems friendlier then it used to. Every time we have looked lost or confused people have voluntarily came up to offer their assistance. The London I remember would walk by someone dead on the street and not have a second thought about it.
London has always seemed like a cool place but it feels like its even cooler now, if that’s even possible. Tomorrow we leave. It’s sad, but also it’s time.😢🇬🇧
PS- Maggie: Remember when I met up with you in Paris last year after South Africa and I got hysterically sick with a cold? Yeah. That happened again. As soon as I stepped off the plane. Fuck. Oh well. I have never let it stop me from having a good time before!
P.P.s-you know what’s fun? Navigating the tubes after a couple glasses of wine! I’m not totally sure where I’m going and I don’t totally care. Its like yeah, I feel this tube should probably take me where i want to go. It will work out. Only London can make a perfect public transpo system that is totally asshole proof. Omg there is someone meditating on the tube, while holding baguettes! fucking brilliant! And the old buddy next to me is listening to dance music!
Also after a couple glasses I think I keep seeing celebrities! I swear I just walked next to Kim kardashian and Lawrence Welch… Just sayin’ It is entirely possible it was not them…weeeee