Gordon White

So the old saying goes. Or at least I assume it does… This is something my dad says.

Anyway it’s what is happening.

A very dear friend of mine from high school has moved to London and is currently staying on my couch. Which means that nine months after my arrival I am providing advice on

• banks
• supermarket opening hours
• mobile providers
• the best readymade garlic bread (waitrose!)
• radio stations (no fucking idea. What decade is this??)
• public transport
• directions to highgate
• where to buy running shoes (ha!)
• and so on

It can be really weird having a dirty foreigner asking you questions and shadowing you as you go about your life. You get to look at your life with the eyes of a third party.

For instance… Is it weird to get up early on saturday and travel almost an hour on the tube to buy peanuts from a market -even if they are wasabi flavoured?

The answer is probably ‘yes’. Can I change your mind by saying ‘well, what about if I ate a brownie and a croissant while at the market and then immediately washed it down at a pub by the Thames that holds pirate festivals?’ What else am I going to do with my Saturday?

You also start to get a bit more critical of the things in your life that you have become familiar with. Example; I have mixed feelings about our local pub, The Tabard. I didn’t like it when I first moved in but I think familiarity/laziness have bred a lack of contempt. But new eyes bring a fresh round of judgement, meaning me and the pub are back to our original uneasy alliance. I dont like it but I know it’s the best that I’ve got so we’ll all just have to get along.

It has been an interesting exercise. Turns out I may have learnt more than I susupected. And isn’t this why we travel?

Anyway, welcome to London, Megan. It’s a pleasure to have you here.

Other news:

We have given notice in Bristol so James is starting the slow and painful move back into London. Hopefully by mid-May.

Spring is still completely awesome.

Went to Barry for Easter because we are massive nerds. Photos here.

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