I’ve landed in the Empire. That's right, I have managed to escape from Canada yet again! I arrived at Gatwick yesterday morning and all went reasonably well. I spent the flight sleeping mostly and trying to avoid watching the terribly soppy movie they chose to play, PS I Love You. I woke up shortly before arrival, spent a long time in customs and then left the airport with Kieren (Tom's brother) who kindly picked me up in a brightly coloured mini. Delightful! I spent the first day hanging around the house, having a nap and taking the dog Poppy to a beautiful walking trail with Mandy, Tom's step Mom. There was a view of three towns from a hillside. The late day sun made the whole thing look so pastoral.
I went out to Wimbledon today to for my first day of training/settling in. I'll go back again tomorrow. I got to wandering around in the town and started to feel a bit worried about what I was doing in England all of a sudden. I had a Starbucks and ate an egg sandwich and that feeling sort of passed. I don't know where it came from but it was bound to happen at some point I guess. It's just one of those situations when you have wanted something for a long time and when it finally happens it shocks you bit.
There is something happening in England that many of you back home will not be familiar with. It's called Spring. There are flowers, leaves on trees, lambs and calves in the grassy fields, the whole nine yards. I even saw a red fox today. I promptly shot him and then galloped away! Well actually I was on a train when I saw it but that amusing scene did play out in my mind and made me laugh out loud on the train. Also something that has made a return are my summer freckles. I got a little sun on my delicate, extremely white skin and it was all over. Freckletown: I am your Mayor.
I am heading back to Wimbledon tomorrow which should be simple enough and then heading into the city for a drink with some friends from Japan. I am staying in Betchworth on the Holmes Farm estate until Thursday and then I will most likely move into north London. It has all been a very smooth trip so far. I have to remind myself I am in another country right now. It all feels a little hazy at the moment.
I had forgotten about the very narrow roads and I keep walking to the wrong side of the car but other than that I think I have everything under control here. I went to grocery store and it is filled with delectable treats. Let the fattening begin!
Thank you all for your support to get me here thus far. I feel like this was almost easy. The act of physically leaving the country I mean. I know how crazy that sounds but I wasn’t really stressed about leaving the country. I didn’t think it would ever actually happen and then when it did I was moderately mentally prepared for it. I knew I wasn’t going too far and I wouldn’t be gone long. I had that one little time today where I felt a little off but it is amazing what an egg sandwich will do for you.
I said goodbye to the cats and squeezed them. I hope they know that they should miss me. They are probably off breaking something or sleeping in the sun. I hope to get a cell phone tomorrow and begin resolutely refusing to call it a mobile. Good times.
The photos are of Jack helping me pack by digging through my things, seats at Pearson Airport (I don't know why but I like the look of industrial chairs and often photograph them), Betchworth station, train seats in the morning, flowers in Wimbledon, a lovely walking path on my way home and finally a scenic view from said walking path. Sadly, I could not get a shot of the fox.