Où est La Tour Eiffel ?

Amis et famille. Mes excuses les plus sincères! Encore une fois, la vie m'a permis de rester extrêmement occupé et mon blog a subi à la suite. Pardonnez-moi. Je wil s'efforcera de vous tenir à jour plus régulièrement à partir de maintenant. Promesse.

Friends and family! My apologies for the delay in updating my blog. I won't trouble you with excuses- this time, I admit, I've just been slack.  I am in the full swing of London life and it is hard to believe that two months a go, I arrived here. It feels like I have been here a lot longer. I've been settled in to my flat now for over a month and I've been working full time for six and a half weeks. Life is busy, but good. I am off to Edinburgh (again) on Monday for work and I can't wait.

As some of you may be aware, last weekend (or maybe the weekend before) I was lucky enough to head to the land of frog legs, the chic capital of the world- Paris. It is just as magical as I remember it being when I last visited over six years ago. You know, it is funny to think that all of those years ago, I made a pact to return to Paris in two years time. Although it took six years to get back there, I still felt that same feeling that I did when I first landed in Paris as an 18 year old.  Walking under the Eiffel Tower at night,  I just kept thinking to myself, how lucky I was to actually be in Paris and experience first hand what I had only ever read about in books and seen on t.v.

I don't know what it is that makes Paris so special to me, but I am yet to go to another country that truly makes me feel the way that Paris does. 


Fascinating. Elegant. Historic. Sophisticated. Stylish. Memorable. J'adore Paris.

Breakfast at our hotel!

C'est magnifique!

The O'Sullivan's are taking over

Truly spectacular

Paris is truly one of the most sophisticated cities that I have ever had the pleasure of visiting and I do not think you can find another place in the world that can compare.

Right but enough about that, in other news........

As I mentioned above, my life has become incredibly hectic recently, particularly with my job being quite demanding. I am often flown around the United Kingdom at a minutes notice, which fortunately for me- I love. However, like all things, it comes at a price and that is that I am quite often out of London and pretty shattered during the week. Still, I can't complain.

This weekend, I had a rare opportunity to just relax in London and blow me down, Summer decided to show up- fashionably late of course. I for one could not be happier. Out came the fake tan, jump suit and the sundresses that have been tucked away at the back of my closest, replaced with my winter coat and tights.

This weekend, I managed to soak up a bit of sun and have some much needed R&R. I watched a bit of Jamie Oliver and then even got in the kitchen (with the help of a friend) and popped out this baby! Leith- I hope you are impressed.



YUM



Very happy

To all of those back at home that haven't given up on my blog, I am still living the 'London dream' and can say that right at this moment, I am pretty content. Already this trip has been pretty life changing and so much more that I could have ever expected. It has had its tough moments and I have no doubt that it will continue to have them, but I still get that adrenline rush every so often when I realise where I am and what I have accomplished.

I don't know what I expected it to be like over here when I booked my ticket all that time ago, but I can tell you now, I never ever thought that two months in to it, I would be settling and truly making a life here. I feel as though I have been in London forever and that this is my new home.

(Don't you love my little sentimental blurbs at the end of each blog! )

Taj Ma Brighton

Ever since I set foot in London, I have been itching to get out and see a bit more of England and the United Kingdom in general. It's not as though I don't like London, it's just, that.. I know that there is so much more to England. Enter Brighton.

Brighton's reputation as a free living hippie town has surprisingly made it all the way back to New Zealand. I had always planned to visit Brighton and frankly I am so glad that I've managed to squeeze it in in my first month. Already I cannot wait to return. For those reading this back home, Brighton is like Whangamata. It is laid back, quirky and it has a certain charm that you just can't help but fall in love with.

For only thirty pounds (return), you can catch the train from Victoria right after work and be in Brighton within the hour.  Within two, you can be sitting on the (pebble) beach, beer in hand, eating fish and chips and staring out in to the sea.  Utter bliss.



With my bags packed, I said goodbye to London for 48 hours and headed to the shores of Brighton.  After stuffing my face fill of food (and beer), I absolutely crashed to the sounds of waves and had a proper sleep. No London traffic/noises to be heard....

I awoke early on Saturday and with a hiss and a roar, I was off to explore the sites. But before getting in to it, I needed to refuel- Brighton styles. Don't judge. I told you- It had been a rough week all right?

Tummy full, I was on my way to explore! I headed to 'the lanes' where I managed to find the best lollie shop EVER, the coolest little antique shop and the yummiest cupcakes. See below.








YUM



Going for a ride..



Best fish n chips. Seriously a.m.a.z.i.n.g



As I wandered through the lanes, I stumbled across a cupcake shop and of course, I had to go in. I stood no chance in just merely walking by. I was not disappointed- Brighton knows how to bake. No pun intended.

The next day, I wandered around Brighton, headed to the Pier and sat on the beach. It's funny because as I sat there gazing out in to the ocean, I couldn't help but be reminded of home. Though, instead of feeling sad or home sick- I felt a sort of connection- that in a way, I was home. It was nice. 


All in all Brighton is a special little gem and a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of London. The time I spent there flew and I really felt as though I had had a good break.  Already I am planning to go back, when the weather has settled a bit more- so I can conquer the sea and have a swim!



These are a few of my favourite things...

Ten things I miss

most about New Zealand

10. Squiggles. Possibly the best biscuit that I have ever come across. McVitie's Digestives- you come close, but no cigar. 

9. Good coffee. They don't have long blacks in London. There is nothing more to say.



8. Sheep. Hey- I'm feeling a bit home sick- okay?

7. Shapes. Yum.

6. Coromandel Beach. Utter bliss.

5. Pies. Not cornish pasties. Pies.

4. A quiet street. Seems silly, but you do not have the luxury to stroll along the path, taking your time and taking up space. It can be quite chaotic. People here barge. 

3. Dotti. My bank balance despised you.

2. Friends. Yes I miss you all. A lot. A drink (or two) is just not the same without you.

1. Family. Who would've thought? (Just kidding mum).