When I count my blessings, I count you twice

This was the Irish blessing written on the card that mum and dad left me before they went into the taxi destined for the airport. Sitting here in floods of tears after reading it, I and more homesick then ever.

I can't help but reminisce on the last few days.

Mum and I went into Coventry town centre and soon realised that this place was definitely not at the high end of England. There were so many pregnant teenagers with 2-3 children by their side already; and then there was their drop kick boyfriends who were all on welfare. It was sad to see how such a town could be in such an awful state. Every shop we went into was run down. It took us 30mins to find a nice looking cafe that didn't look as if it was going to give us food poisoning. Coventry proved to be a place I'm happy I visited (to see where my father grew up) but a place I shall not visit again. The two best things we bought (the only things we bought) was wool, so i could re-learn how to knit, and a gorgeous vintage dress! :D

After Coventry, we then Drove to Reading and then onto Wokingham. Yes, these are both strange places to visit, but dad had meetings there, and so mum and I had a look around town whilst we waited. It was great fun spending the days with mum. I have certainly missed her, even when we fort over stupid things, I still loved having her with me. 

We stopped off back at Guildford for one night and took the train to Glasgow. A wonderful 6hr train trip that seemed to fly by (much in comparison to my other train trips that i have had alone). Dad and I watched movies along the way, laughing our heads off at the inbetweeners movie while others gave us funny looks. Mum sat next to a man who had fort in the 1st Iran war and continues today to serve for the U.K, so too does his wife. It was so interesting to hear his stories (although he never went into detail). He told us that his wife is to be sent to Afghanistan in 6months time. I can't imagine what their family goes through and has seen; more then i ever wish to!

We arrived  at Glasgow Central at 9:30pm and I was so excited to show mum and dad my flat. After the initial shock of how small/worn it all is, I think (hope) they liked it, after all, it is my home for the time being. When we woke the next morning we went food shopping, Nat had arrived from Guildford that morning too (on an overnight bus) and was practically ready to pass out, so he stayed in my flat in bed. I can't believe how much food mum bought for me! It was as if all my birthdays had come at once (yes, i do get this happy over grocery shopping) the rest of the day was dedicated to 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh'. Visiting both the Willow Tea Rooms and the Mackintosh gallery. Mum thoroughly enjoyed this, although the next day topped all. (Quick note before i go onto the next day: that night mum and I cooked apricot chicken and lemon meringue pie for dinner, it was the most at home i have felt for a very long time.) 

We took a train down to Helensburgh and visited the Hill House. This house was designed by Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, he did the exterior and she the interior. It was truly beautiful. but none appreciated it more then mum who has waited over 30 years to see it. From here, we walked down to the water front and had fish and chips on the beach whilst being attacked by the gigantic seagulls. 

The final day of mum and dad's trip was my 20th birthday. After being spoilt with Swarovski earrings from mum, dad and Lucy, and many gifts back home, we went to the willow tea rooms for breakfast. My first meal of being 20 = french toast, maple syrup and bacon. I was a very happy lassy! I unfortunately had class in the middle of the day, so once that finished, I walked down to George Square where I met mum to go onto the 'Glasgow Eye'. This is basically a very large wheel which resembles the London Eye.....but smaller. Dad had another meeting during this time, so met us afterwards for some shopping. We all literally shopped till we could no more....well, mainly cos the shops closed at 6pm.... 

All day I had been truly spoilt by mum and dad buying my anything my heart desired, and the gifts did not stop there. For dinner they took me and a few friends out for Teppanyaki. And went back to our flat for cake that the girls had baked me. It was the finish to such a wonderful day. 

Even without all the unbelievably generous things people did for/gave me, the day would still have been perfect with just the people I have been so blessed to have in my life. 

It was the worst feeling getting out of that car. Knowing that this is the last time i will properly, physically see my parents for the next 4months. To perfectly suit the mood, it was raining outside. Once our goodbyes were all said, they got back in the taxi and drove off. I reached into my bag to get my key and found a wad of money left in there by my dad, I still cannot comprehend how generous they both are.

As the days have past since then, I have found it hard. I keep wondering why, as last time I said goodbye I was not like this, but everywhere I turn, small things remind me of the things we did together in Glasgow. 

Sitting here writing this, just finishing the last tissue from the once full packet, all I can think of is the last memory I have of them here, looking through the back window of the old style British taxi, crying and waving goodbye.   

Rome, Florence and Road trips around England

If God gives you lemons, go make some lemonade.

From Nice, Nat and I took at 12hr hour train ride to Rome, This was actually not all that bad, the ride went quick, and wit the knowledge that we shall be able to have dinner in Rome when we arrive, we were both looking forward to our stay.
Once in Rome, we continued onto our hotel, greeted by an Indian man at reception, we were shown to our room. It was a medium sized room, wooden floor boards, broken window, stained bed sheets and no ensuit, instead we shared a 'murder room' with the other people on our floor (which might I add, wasn't even in the hotel building, but in a building around the corner from it). I say murder room as this room particularly resembles the room from Saw. If you have not seen this movie, spoilers: people die in there. Oh, and did i mention that there were also other peoples pubic hair lining the bath tub? How attractive....

After my wonderful experience in the 'hostel' in Tokyo, were Maree and I stayed for one night, and I received bed bugs from, I decided that my money was worth more than stained bed sheets and pubic hair lined murder rooms. So after dinner, I went down and complained. Talking to the Indian man for over 1hr, he finally relented and gave us another room....although not without some pleasant sexism added on his behalf when he told me to stay in the lobby while Nat was shown the room to see if he approved.
This room was 10000% better, and we were upgraded without charge!

The next day we went to the Vatican, We took a 2.5hr tour, which ended up being a 4hr tour, but it was definitely worth it. The Sistine Chapel was unbelievable, to think that Micheal Angelo was a sculptor that had never painted in his life before he pained the Chapel. It was truly a masterpiece.

From our wonderful experience, we then moved onto a not so wonderful experienced at lunch where we were charged 34Euro for 2 plates of spaghetti and 2 coffees. The coffees costing 5Euro each. I don't even know how this is possible in Italy!!!

The next few days we filled with walking the whole of Rome and catching yet another train to Florence. It was so wonderful reuniting with my parents again. I had such an amazing time going around Florence, seeing the sights (the many, many museums) and just being with my parents again. It is something that I shall never forget.

From climbing hills, seeing sights....not climbing the bell tower (sorry mum), and eating lots and lots of the BEST PIZZA I'VE EVER EATEN, we moved onto London. Unfortunately getting up at 5am for the plane trip out was totally unnecessary, as we ended up waiting for a non existent taxi to never arrive and had to call the owner of the hotel to drive us to the airport 1hr later. (Note, this man got up especially to do this for us, and didn't take our money to say thank you, he was truly a lovely man!!!) Once in London we hired a car and drove a good 1.5hrs, on very little sleep, to Portsmouth, where we ended up turning straight back around because the traffic was so bad and there were no parking places left, ANYWHERE!! Running on what was now, even less energy, we travelled back into London centre to see Sweeney Todd. Unfortunately our train detoured and what was normally only a 30mins trip took 1.5hrs. This only started our very bad luck of travelling.

Today we left Nat to go back to work, and mum, dad and myself got into the car to drive to Oxford (normally a 1hr trip)....with unbelievable traffic (totally grid locked) on the M25, we detoured, adding another 2hrs onto the trip. finally making it to Oxford (after dropping dad off for a meeting) mum and I visited Hogwarts...well, at least where some of it was filmed. It was SO cool!! piecing together all the scenes in different areas of Christchurch University (Hogwarts). Mum and I also visited a really cute shop called the Alice shop. Neither of us realised that Louis Carolle was from Oxford, and so there is a rather large amount of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia, which I cannot complain about, in fact I loved it. :D

considering we didn't do much in Oxford, time seemed to fly by, as 4hrs later we met dad and stated our trek to Coventry. My dad was born here, and I was lucky enough to be driven past my dad's old house. It's so strange and intriguing when your parents relay their memories of places.

again, what was suppose to be a 1 hr trip turned into a 3hr trip (this time because we go totally lost) we finally arrived at our hotel, and let me tell you, I have never been more grateful to be able to walk. after feeling car sick for 3/4 of the 6hrs of unnecessary driving, I was very happy to be walking around on land once again.

Tomorrow mum and I shall go into Coventry town and explore whilst dad goes to Birmingham for more meetings. I cannot get over how lucky I am to be able to spend this time with my parents, and as i sit here writing this, with both of them asleep behind me, I can't help but smile with happiness.

Everything is nicer, much nicer, in Nice

Turns out the beach in Nice is made of pebbles...this came to shock me when i walked down, in the hopes of laying and sun baking (although it was not even warm enough to do that)

Today Nat and I spent the day exploring. Not really knowing what would await us in Nice (other then a beach) we had expectations of a relaxing day. We walked around in the morning trying to scout out a nice breakfast shop, this came to quite a pickle when everything costs over 10Euro, and that was just for a coffee and a pastry. We finally stumbled onto a cute little bakery where we bought giant bread rolls filled with mushrooms, tomato, olives and cheese. There is one thing i have learnt here and that is that cheese dose not go amiss. In the short time i have been in France, i think i have taken all the cheese i can!

Nat then left to walk to the train station, so we didn't end up getting the worst trains to Rome for tomorrow (unfortunately we still have an 11hr train ride, starting at 7am) and i walked around the antique market, and down the back streets of Nice. It's crazy what you can find when you get lost in Nice, there were sooo many gelato shops everywhere (evidence that we are much closer to Italy then in Paris)
We then had lunch on the beach, and shopped till we dropped on the main streets! I'm proud to say that i am now up with French fashion! :D

Tomorrow is another exhausting train riding day, starting with a 6am wake up. But it's all worth it. Rome tomorrow and Florence with my family in 3days time. Life cannot get better then this! :D

Gay Paris

As I currently sit on the train to Nice, having only 2.5hrs left of my 12hr day of travel left, and the smell of McDonalds wafting in the air, I consider this to be the perfect time to write a blog (really, what else do I have to do?!)
4 days ago Nat and I landed in Paris. It was a crazy feeling having less than 2hr hour flight to get to a totally different country! Once we arrived, we had to take a 2hr bus ride to get to the centre of Paris, then a train trip to our hotel. Loosing an hour through time changes, and been very tired, all i wanted to do was get to our hotel, but once on the train, a busker playing the accordion joined us and played for the time of our trip. This was such a great entrance to France, being welcomed by an accordion. :)
Once we woke early the next day (having had to literally push Nat out of bed so we could leave at an early hour) we trecked to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, The Lourve and down the Champs de Leysee. The day was very enjoyable, apart from a waiter at lunch time giving us bottled 6.5Euro water. (lets just say I was less then impressed to pay for it!) To all those playing at home, 6.5Euro is around $10...yeah, not cool. Don't get me wrong, this was a lovely day, but along with the expensive water, rude waiters, dehydration, cleaners on strike at the Louvre (therefore no toilets and trash EVERYWHERE), and trying to adapt to a country where you not only can't understand their accents, but also their language, this day was possibly my least favourite in Paris.
(but don't worry, it all gets better from there)

Day 2 called for DISNEYLAND!! :D not only was i pumped to go here, but excited that after being in Euro Disney, I would have officially visited all 5 Disneylands in the world :) <--and i'm not ashamed to admit this!
It was truly a day of magic, but after having our second over 20degree day consecutively and not enough water, it was followed by headachs and an early night. It's so strange how 20degrees can effect you so much when you are use to 5degrees! I never thought I'd think that 20degrees was hot, but no, I stand corrected!

Day 3 was my favourite day. We travelled to Notredame and went to the Latin Quarter. It felt like i was no longer a tourist here, having MASSIVE paninis and grilled cheese hotdogs for lunch off a side street shop, and walking through the backstreets of the Latin quarter with music playing all around, this is why I wanted to visit Paris. Unfortuntely, we then had to go book our tickets to Nice, where we found out that the only avaiable tickets would have 2 interchanges, and we would be 12hr in transit. This was a mistake we shall not make again. once we get to each station, we are going to book our next tickets, although 12hrs on a train and a waisted day in France sounds appealing, it's actually not as fun as advertised!
To finish off the night we took the train into Bastille wewre we had savoury crepes for dinner (after firstly discifering what was in them...) It was a perfect way to celebrate our last night in Paris!

This leads us onto today. After feeling rather sickly this morning, we took it easy, waking up early to shower, have breakfast, pack and check out, we then went to a French church service. Admittadly, this would have been about 60% better if i could understand what was happening and didn't feel like i was going to faint for 3/4 of the service, but it was still a lovely and culture imersing experience. We then moved on to the Bastille market, filled with fresh fruit and veg, seafood, clothes, nick nacks oh hand even paella (which we bought for lunch! :D ) This little market made me feel so much better!
we then moved onto our train station, getting prepared for our exhausting 12hr train trip. Having ow visited Lyon and Marseille for a whole 1.5hrs each I can say that i'm probably not better for it, as i only saw 10feet out the door. but I'm glad that we are nearly in Nice now. Beaches and crossants await our arrival.

until next time.