Had the most wonderful birthday, I feel so lucky to have such fantastic family in England! I caught the train to Shortlands on the 28th to stay with my Godmother Jackie, Lucy and Colin. Colin's son Alex came around, and much to Lucy's horror they also invited their next door neighbour's son who was struggling cooking for himself while his parents were away. We sat outside in the garden and had this really tasty chicken and chorizo casserole and of course some wine. They recycled my nanna's birthday balloon for me which said I was eighty....I am feeling old at 24 but seriously! :) Chatted away about this and that and had a very interesting conversation with the strange neighbour who informed us that his whole family have a phobia of buttons....hmmmm. Apparently all his pants are velcro? Of course Alex straight away went and got his button up jacket and slowly did up the buttons in front of him....probably mean...but who has a phobia of buttons?! I mean there are some weird ones out there like peanut butter and ducks...but buttons....and a whole family. Interesting that's for sure! After a few bottles of wine my quiet birthday barbeque turned into a dance party in the study, much to Alex's dismay who was hungover and therefore not drinking. Such a funny night, but so much fun.
I woke up on my actual birthday and spent the morning with Jackie and Lucy who bought me this really cute stripey playsuit which I love. For lunch I caught up with an old friend, Charlie, who I'd met in Bromley last time I was over in England working at the Bromley Walkabout. It was so good to see him, he was all grown up and engaged! He looked the same and it was like we'd seen each other five days ago instead of five years. After lunch I had a train to catch to Wimbledon where I was to spend my birthday evening with Elspeth and some of her friends in London. We had a quick drink and got ready before heading into Soho to meet up with her boyfriend Simon, and her long time friend Nick, his wife Deborah and Nick's son Andrew. Simon is a professional piano player, and seems to find a piano to play if he is ever within 100 metres of one, so naturally when we arrived at the restaurant he was jamming away for all the guests. He is absolutely fantastic! And likes to interact with the crowd while he plays so everyone was getting really into it. Not long after the other three arrived and we had a really nice two course meal and champage.
Nick is an absolute character, and loves his socialising and the London party scene. So naturally he is a private member of a number of different exclusive establishments around London. The first one we went to was called Crazy Bear, and I have literally never seen such an extravagantly decorated place in my life. Leather couches with diamond buttons, red velvet carpets, black marble bars and everything lined with gold. Very posh! We drank Moet and chatted while Simon once again dazzled everyone with his talent on the piano, which ended in him getting a job playing there on Thursday and Friday nights! After this, at about midnight, we went to Home House, another exclusive member's club which was even more incredible. Considering it's nothing but a plain door from the outside, inside it has everything. A day spa, pool, beer garden and bars for during the day and the bars and nightclub open at night. The place was absolutely pumping with life, but it had a really exciting atmosphere due to it being packed full of classy, trendy, (rich....can I say that?) people who just love and live London. Nick informed the bar tender that it was my birthday so more Moet was brought out and we drank anddanced the night away like rockstars with all the other Londoners. I actually felt like a celebrity being in these places. We finally called it quits at two am and got a cab back to Elspeth's. It was such an amazing birthday I couldn't have asked for more. I felt so spoiled by all my family, I am such a lucky girl!
The day after we took it fairly easily and had a nice pub lunch down on the Wimbledon common. We went out for a drink that night but were all very tired so headed home around 12. I had an early start to go and meet everyone back at Shepherd's Bush for another Church session. This was a wild day, fairly standard :) Monday was just an organisational day for leaving for Prague. Got all my money sorted and exchanged at the post office and then Tuesday it was Prague time! I've always wanted to go so was very excited! Eastern Europe here I come!
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