Saint Patrick's day in London

I have only been once in London in my whole life, but I think I will always remember it. When I saw my friend Papan around Christmas, he told me it could be cool that we celebrate St Patrick's day together, for his half-brother lives in London, he lived in Hamburg, in Germany, I was in Durham and my boyfriend in Paris. We all have between 3 and 5 hours to gather in the center of the British capital.

I arrived at King's cross, my boyfriend at St Pancras. When I saw him, I couldn't believe it. It's hard to be separated from the person you love the most, and then, HE was in England. So happy :)

We found the hotel, spent a few minutes together and then, hop! direction the town center! We played tourists. Along the River Thames, we took a lot of pictures, crossed the London Bridge, visited the Christmas shop... I think that it is not really London that I enjoyed, but rather the company of the love of my life :)

 The weather, however, was what I expected from London: grey and cold lol

We had a nice evening in Camden Town, where we had several biers, cocktails, and a fish-n-chips late at night. 

The day after, we had a brunch together (the first brunch of my life, wouhou!) and what I realised is that London is... well, let's say... 4 times more expensive than Durham! 

We spent the afternoon, my boyfriend and I, along the Thames, again, on the other side this time. There was a modern art museum which caught our eyes, because there was an exposition outside: 

Lemon juicers!

Time was running out, we had to go back to the train station... The Olympics were in preparation, so the stations were modified. We had an hour to visit them. I was impressed by St Pancras, which I found particularly beautiful, with its big statue in the middle of the hall. It is worth a look. And finally, as a big big fan of Harry Potter as I am, we took pictures at Kings cross... but I didn't reach platform 9 3/4 :(

Another day, another city...

After I visited Edinburgh in December, and after I met so many great people, I wanted to discover more. Travel. Weekend. Holidays. Journey. Liberty. That's what I felt everytime I packed my stuff and went to the train station. When I had enough money spared, I chose a new destination. It was easy to travel actually, as I chose a town to visit that I could reach from Durham, by train or by bus. Not far from Newcastle is the city of Sunderland, on the East coast. This time is special, because at first, I wanted to go there alone, but then I realised "hey! I've got a friend in Hartlepool, that's not far from Sunderland!" and I asked Marion if she wanted to go there. And she came, with Heike. I did not know what I would find there. I expected to visit, but then I realised Sunderland is a rather a fine place for shopping, when you are in the town center. I met the girls at the train station, and we had lunch not far from the shopping mall. Just after, we decided to reach the beach, so we got a map and walked.
To my mind, Sunderland is much more interesting when you leave the town center. We had to cross the bridge to reach the beach, but too bad for us, there was a football match at the Stadium of light this day, so we couldn't make the most of our visit! It was fun though^^

The path to the sea is surprising. I wouldn't have find it if I had been alone. There is a glass musuem, statues, sculptures... It is beautiful.

We spent a long time along the river, it was very agreable. 

This day in Sunderland allowed me to discover a new city, but mostly, to have a wonderful day with friends.

This was the beginning of a new relationship :)

Edinburgh, 8th-11th December 2011

When I had spared enough money to travel, I’ve decided to go to Edinburgh. I had ever been there before, when I was nearly 13, in May 2003. I was in Year 8, and it had been the best trip ever! With the pupils (and my friend Laurie J ) we went to the Highlands, the Loch Lomond, visited Sterling and the William Wallace monument. It was amazing J. Laurie and I wanted to go to Edinburgh for only one thing: have a chance to see J.K. Rowling J

That’s why, eight years and a half later, I wanted to go back there. After I booked the train tickets and the hostel, I packed and went to school: netbook, towel, clothes, camera, tickets and reservation… I looked like a turtle with such a bag, but I was so happy!!! J As I had my Thursday afternoon free, I took the first bus in Bishop Auckland for Durham train station. Listening to the last Nightwish, Imaginaerum, in the train, I spent two hours thinking about Princes street, the Walter Scott monument, the castle…

Once there, I completely changed my mind! Indeed, it was night already, and I couldn’t find the hostel! “Down Princes street, cross the Bridge, on the Royal Mile…” yes, but it’s so dark I can’t see the signs! Nevermind… I finally reached the place. OK, fine, I’m in Edinburgh and now… I’ve got nothing to do. I wanted to go out, discover the place, have fun! I just went to the common room with my netbook and logged in to chat with my boyfriend, and watch some series then. But right next to me, there was that guy… and i thought “oh… armchair looks comfortable!” (Hey, what did you expect?^^). When he left, I immediately took his armchair (I was sitting on a wooden bench…) and he came back. I felt ill-at-ease, and said to him: “sorry, I’m on your spot”. And he replied “that’s ok! I was about to watch some Big Bang Theories!” (yes, because for those who don’t know, the “you’re on my spot” phrase is from The Big Bang Theory ;) ). And after a brief introduction, we – “Steve” and I- decided to go out for a drink. We went to our room to take our coat and when we came back, a guy –David-, hold the door for me, so I invited to come as well… Worse mistake of my life.

We went out, and David was like “I know this town by heart… I know a pub always crowded… Did you know that the king blablabla…” well, we followed him to the pub he knew and… It was empty, and we only had 15 minutes to have a drink before the closing. That’s all. On our way back to the hostel, Steve and I had to fight against a terrible wind, I thought I was about to take off! Once at the hostel, David was like “ oooooooh, so tired, going to bed!” and Steve said “ well, I’m not tired…” I wasn’t neither. So, we went to another pub, the “world’s end”. When we ordered drinks, I told Steve “hey the barman didn’t ask for my ID!” and as he heard me, he did so… but I was of age, heyhey J

I spent a fabulous time with Steve: we liked the same series, same movies, both had a taste for trips and, most important, we liked the same music. He even knew the bands Avantasia and Edguy, which are not famous in France. I thought he could be my twin brother!

The morning after, we met for breakfast. We were supposed to be in the kitchen at 8 o’clock. I’ve been lazy, I was there at 8.15. But guess who was there already? Yes, David. He was so clingy that I kept my eyes on the door, praying for Steve to arrive. At least he came, and I was relieved! J

When the day before, I asked him about the organization of the hostel, he told me there was no cranberry juice available. The fact is that, there was. When I showed him the glass of juice I had (in a pot of Nutella which still had the sticker on), he replied “what, you’re drinking Nutella?” It’s silly but, Steve, I will always remember that joke!

Before we leaved, we exchanged our Face book. I really wanted to keep in touch with him, that guy was great. David was sitting next to us, and I must admit, I hesitated a while, I mean, if I should give him my face book or not. It broke my heart, but I didn’t. I just couldn’t stand this guy lol. I planned to visit the castle this day, and Steve had to go to Glasgow. It was time to say goodbye, and it broke my heart when I thought “I will never see him again”…

I spent the Friday in the cold. Wandering in the streets, I was happy to feel the Scottish spirit again. The flag of Saint Andrew, tartans kilt, bagpipes… I think I was smiling all the time. In front of a shop, the main headline of the newspaper was about the wind, the night before: I couldn’t believe my eyes!

I walked a lot that day, from Saint Giles Cathedral to the Tartan factory, down the castle, I discovered a lot of things I didn’t have time to see nine years ago. A perfect day.  I even met William Wallace! I know, my mum told me, I look overweight on that pic... trust me it was cold!!!

 

But at night, I had to buy a scarf. Not because I didn’t have one, but I needed another one to put around my face. Really cold. I wanted to go back to the hostel to have a warm shower. During the evening (once again) I had nothing to do, except chat with my boyfriend and watch series. A big guy, Frank, from New-York, found of cinema, with long hair, a long beard and a jean jacket covered with metal bands names asked if I wanted to go have a drink. Of course I wanted to! We went to my FAVORITE PUB, the Banshee Labyrinth, on Niddry street, two streets far from the hostel. This pub is amazing: in one room, you can watch some old movies such as Nosferatu and Sunrise ( I studied cinema and, trust me, German impressionist cinema is my favorite period J ); in the basement, there is a room for concerts; there is also a free cinema with thematic evenings ( we watched Monsters, Inc) but the most remarkable thing is the cellar, there are chains on the wall and it’s lighten with candles J so gothic!

After the wind and the cold, on Saturday, it snowed. I saw Edinburgh covered in white, it was gorgeous!

 I spent the day shopping, visiting the museum (which is huge J ), met Frank unexpectedly, and went to Carlton Hill. It was OK to climb there, but I was afraid I could fall because the snow had turned into ice at night! There was a band playing that night at the banshee, so I spent my last evening in Edinburgh there. I was very very very sad on the Sunday morning, when I had to leave this town which brought me so much happiness! I promised I would come back! And I did… Last summer, I made my Lad visit the town, where he wants to go back again… We are definitely in Love with Edinburgh J