As I sit on board the train going to Truro to meet Em and have a most fantastic time in Corwall, I'd like to take a minute to walk through the shambles that was yesterday and this morning… as we all know I do not sleep through the night, excluding nights where I come home and pass out, nights where I get a full nights sleep are very rare. Thanks for the insomnia Dad… but I digress. Since moving into my fantastic new bedroom I have woken up without fail between 3:30 and 4:30am. Yesterday the first time that I woke up it was 3:30am and everything was quiet so eventually I made it back to sleep to wake up ready to get up for work at 7:30am - when I hear the sound of pouring rain outside... The night before I'd had an 'incident' with the washing machine and dryer (ok, so I managed to break both of them, but neither of them were beyond Tom's repairing skills so it's all worked out ok!!) and as a result tried to be a good housemate and take the rubbish out… do you think for the life of me I could figure out which bin to use (or even how to open one of them???) - so I carry the rubbish out, and then back in to the house, then set off for work.

Now every morning I walk the 3km to work, and I've done it snow or shine. There was something about the bucketing rain however that made me question the logic of walking to work and sitting in wet clothes all day… the work to walk only takes around 30 minutes, so I was a bit frustrated when 30 minutes later I was still waiting for a bus that would stop. It turned out that everyone else in London had the same idea about catching the bus, and I watched 6 go past before deciding to walk up a stop to another bus stop that had 4 buses instead of 2 that stopped there. Great thinking of my part - I'm giving myself some small pats on the back!

So I walk to the next stop, and sure enough another 2 buses go past without stopping. By now the option of walking to work is well and truly gone, to make it there on time I am going to HAVE to get the bus… finally my prayers are answered and the good old 76 comes to a stop. I get on board and am told that it will be terminating at Old St - it's fine for me as it's only about 5 minutes from my work so on the bus I get… I'm feeling very chuffed, and pleased as punch with my decision and how it's all working out. I'm not drenched and I'm going to get to work on time. Go Sebba!

The bus pulls in at the next stop. I'm now two blocks away from where I got on. The drivers gets out and announces that the bus isn't going any further and to get off here… I'm not going to repeat what was going through my mind, but it was VERY clear that I now had no choice other than to walk, as the buses were going to be full… MAN! Off I started to trudge through the snow, which was quickly becoming sludge as a result of the rain fall… I placed a call to work to let them know what was happening, and managed to make it in only 15 minutes late. Despite my best intentions I was late, somewhat drenched and kind of frustrated. I was in a VERY good mood though as I was off to Cornwall the next day, so had resolved that nothing was going to get me down!

Work goes ok, the project I was stressing about miraculously works out, and I'm feeling positive. I leave work, and get on the first bus. Again, so far so good… I get home, cook a really yummy dinner and then start to get cocky… the bad luck streak must be over. Ha! I burn a vanilla candle (from NYC!!) in my room each night to keep it smelling nice and fresh, and I'm getting a bit frustrated about the lopsided burning so I have a great idea - I'll light the candle, melt the wax in the centre and then turn the candle so the wax disperses so it will be even again. I'm a genius and so proud of myself… until I manage to spill the freaking wax all over my lovely blue jumper (also from NYC!) and the freaking rug… some quick googling tells me to use a hair dryer and to place some paper under the jumper and it should melt off. As I watch the wax melt into my top I think the directions should have said over and under the jumper. (The jumper is now sitting at the dry cleaner who I am hoping will be able to rescue it!). Thankfully I have better luck with getting the wax out of the rug, and you'd have no idea that I've done it… other than this blog. Hahaha

After all of this I think, it's time to pack and maybe then I can just crawl into bed… so I think, RIGHT! Tickets… where on earth did I put them??? Now, I've only just put everything away the night before, and I know that I didn't see them then. I started to get that sinking feeling that you get when you know you've stuffed up… I have a recollection of having put the tickets into my red suitcase (they're not there…) and then can kind of remember putting them into my bedside drawer. Of course they're not there either. I call Lin just in case I somehow left them in Stretch's room. After going through every single drawer, shelf, nook and cranny in my room I decide that they're lost and most likely at work for some ridiculous reason. I call the train line, say the tickets never arrive and hope for the best. Thankfully they tell me they'll have a new set waiting for me at the station in the morning.

Then it's time to put the room back together and everything away. Urgh. I tidy up the room (and decide I have to find a 'safe' spot that I actually know where it is - still TBD) and finally pack. I even pack lightly for me! Go team!

I make it into bed, and asides from waking up about 4 times during the night feel somewhat rested when I do get up.

As a result of the night before I have to leave early to drop my top in at the dry cleaner so I set out of the house a bit early. I get the bus (this time I walk a stop further away in the hope of getting the bus and manage to make the first one) and even get my bag into the bag holder! Not having learned my lesson from the day before I get cocky, and after getting the top into the dry cleaner and my watch into jeweler to get a screw replaced I head into Moorgate station to catch the train to Paddington. I've left myself an extra 45 minutes which turns out to be a good thing as I first manage to get on the wrong train (I was on the right platform, just not paying attention) and had to get off and change. I made it to Paddington, and swiped my Oyster card in the wrong place (of course) and had to explain this to the barrier guard. Thankfully he let me through! After queuing for ages in ticket collection, I'm told that I've come to the wrong place (of course) and to go to the information desk (cause THAT makes sense…)

I collect my tickets and am stoked to have made it this far. I can't wait for my first class train experience so go into the lounge to hang out before it's time to board. This is where we see what I inherited from my Mum. Actually, maybe it's an Australian thing, but regardless… the lounge rocked. There was water, croissants, pain o chocolate (the croissants with chocolate in them), jams, water, juices. I was in freebie heaven! Having stuffed my bag with 3 packets of biscuits (in fairness there is only 2 per packet and it's a 5 hour train journey!!) and 2 (mini) bottles of water and I'm ready to jump on the train. Which brings me to now!

Suffice to say, I think I've earned the amazing weekend that is about to come, and I can't wait to see Em after such a long time!!!

Hope you all enjoyed hearing about my disaster days! The next blog is going to make you so jealous!

Hahaha

As I watch the brown sea crashing down next to the train, I can see why people recommend this as a summer trip, but I'm super excited to see Em and Cornwall anyway! :)

Love you and miss you all lots as always!!

XoxoX