Strange to fly into England for a two week holiday! Even stranger to arrive at 6am after a 22 hour flight and not feel too tired – although that soon wore off. I did manage to have a lovely lunch with my parents at an Italian restaurant for some vaulable catch-up time.

My ‘break’ wasn’t much of a break as the next day I went to a wedding and saw several of my friends. I felt decidedly odd that morning, blacking out in the shower and unable to stand up for more than a few minutes at a time which lasted a few hours. Probably due to the shock of the different time zone and having been on a plane seat for a day. However I made it to the wedding and soon felt a lot more normal – I managed to stay awake all day until we left around 11pm. Sarah the bride was beautiful and Jonny looked the proud groom – the atmosphere at the wedding was great fun, and interesting too as they got married in the Orthodox Jewish style which involves much singing and glass smashing!

The highlight of the wedding for me though has to be Jon and Mike on the dance floor – who only hours before had been discussing the finer points of Web 2.0(?) – trying to out-do each other to House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’. Jon won, having about a foot in height advantage over Mike to start with which made his jumps all the more impressive!

The next day I managed to catch up with some of my school friends Liz and Caroline for a few drinks and pub grub. We had loads to catch up with! (although at one point where forced to move seats due to some chavvy bloke producing the most disgusting fart right next to us…ugh!)

The next day I hopped on a train to Cornwall – which is bloody miles away! But very lovely. I had big plans to meet up with Sally (who I met in Sydney) and Dan (who has all my furniture) and Lisa and Jonny (through who I met Dave who I’m now friends with is Sydney). Alas Dan was busy in London and Lisa and Jonny were out in the sticks with no phone reception and I couldn’t get through despite trying for several days! However I did manage to see Sally and her boyf Steve who I stayed with for two nights in their lovely pad with sea views. It was great to be in Cornwall, I really felt on holiday! And nice to wander around with Sally and have high tea and play crazy golf for £2! As Sally said it was the naffest crazy golf pitch ever, and it was drizzling with rain, but still good fun!

I came back by train (the train ride itself is great as it tracks along the coast) and that night went out with Liz and Caroline again, along with Jim to a nice italian place. Was really good to see everyone and enjoy some nice food together.

The day after that I had another night out in London with Mike, Jon, Martin and Catherine. We went for a delicious Thai (after a few drinks in the pub).  Was a typical night with the guys and I laughed lots! As if I’d never been away really. We all went back to Mike’s place to chill and play Wii games into the small hours (apart from Jon who had to leave us early unfortunately). I crashed at Mike’s overnight and the next day got the train to Pompey to visit my sis and her new home, and a very lovely place it is – despite not having a kitchen yet! Hopefuly I’ll see pictures as the work progresses.

My parents were there too, so my dad could help out with the work on the kitchen. That leave me, mum and Sooz to our own devises so first we went and saw Suzi’s wedding dress (..its a secret, can’t say anything!) and then I tried on some dresses to go to the wedding although its a way away yet. Tried on some lovely frocks though! We also chilled in the back garden with some wine when the sun was out and Suzi gave me her birthday present - which included some great socks she knit for me and which I am modelling in her blog (see link on the left to Sooz Knits!). We also went to see Suzi’s wedding venue – a beautiful stateley home, which we did a tour of exploring mainly the servants quarters which were full of interesting things and stories. We also went to see the kite festival and look at all the amazing kite designs – the sky looked so colourful filled with kites of all shapes and colours.

My parents left, but I stayed another day as I had to join Sooz at her pub quiz. First we did some shopping and went to Gun Wharf where we had a lovely meal at a fish restaurant (they did veggie stuff!). The to the pub quiz at their local. I invited my friend Dave, since he lives there and I wanted to catch up, but also a secret weapon for the pub quiz and I know he is a mine of information. He didn’t let us down we won!Although a team effort Dave ws certainly a key element, able to answer questions on the second world war AND 80s girl groups! We got £7 each, and a handshake from the team the Fork Handles – who were so impressed since Sooz and her team normally come last!

I came back home…and had a day off. It was nice actually to do nothing all day!

The next day I went out with Mike, Catherine and Martin for a final time before i go home. We went to my favourite bar in the whole of London, and a restaurant across the road which celebs like apprently. It had interesting S&M decor and a slightly pretentious feel to it! But a good night with my mates, and since we had a deal on the food it was pretty cheap!

In summary - here is my holiday in pictures (and big sorry to everyone I didn’t manage to meet up with):