What??

One of the things James has noticed about me is that I'm always shocked by the actual time, eg. 'It's 9pm??? I thought it was only 4pm!' and so on. He wasn't around to clock my surprise when logging in to my blog today and realising close to a month had passed since my last update!

I don't even know if I could remember half of what has happened in this time but I'll start jotting down things below and see how I go.

Carmel left London and is now enjoying being back in Australia. I miss her sooo much but am so happy things are working out so well for her (apart from the buggers that stole her one week old car). There is a huge gap in my London life without her here and I'm still deciding how to fill it...

We had a brilliant Monday night drinking session at The Langley in Covent Garden last week - the stars who stole the show were FRAN and GRAE!!!!!!!!! By George it was great to see these two and they looked so well and bought with them many stories from home and from their trip so far. Pointi and I were nervous as hell beforehand! It's been so long since we saw anyone from 'the crew' apart from those living here. But after the initial shock it was like we'd seen them just last week and was hard to say goodbye after only just one evening of catching up, knowing I wouldn't see them again for a while... It really felt as though we were sitting in a bar in Melbourne or something as Robbie and Simon were there, as well as Jess, Jess & Sarah!!!!! That night goes down in the history books for one of my fav times here. It gave me a little booster of Australia that I really needed! Didn't feel too rotten the next day either thank goodness, who comes to London for one night - with that night being a Monday?????

James and I have decided to come home for a holiday in March for a fortnight - we are looking at the second half of the month at this stage. Nobody is allowed to go away during this time or else! Be good to catch up with as many of you as possible. Cannot wait to see my little niece Holly who will be terribly grown up by then at 1 and a half years of age! Also my doggy Keiser - cannot wait to give her the biggest cuddle. I suppose it will be good to see the adult members of my family too!

Had a nice day in Notting Hill last weekend looking through the best Oxfam 2nd hand bookshop and record shops Rough Trade and Intoxica. Found a cracking pub when public transport was not in our favour called Establishment from memory. I could be lying though - the name has escaped me. Pretty sure it started with 'E' though!

Caught up with Sam from the Messy crew for drinks on Saturday - was great to see another face from home!!!! He is living just down the road from Pointi and I so we will hopefully see much more of him. James, Dean, Kat, Cheyne, Sian and Sian's friend Olga joined in the fun and we all crammed into my bedroom for lots of Magners, chats, laughs and tunes! I had purchased my longed for fairy lights that day and James skillfully (!) hung them around my two big windows so the room looked very festive. It was also Kat's birthday so it was great to have everyone together.

Dean is moving in to my flat in early December. Let the Archway revival begin! Deano, Sian and I will be the only Harberton Rd folk remaining for a while out of the original 11! When Kat and Cheyne get back from travelling in March hopefully we will be able to all get another house together. And Jaden is due back in April - too exciting. Carms - Jaden said he would try and fit you in his backpack!

Michael Parkinson was at my work on Friday (AKA Parkinson or Parky as he is more affectionately known) and I had to hand waters to him and his posse before they went into a screening. That was cool.

I can't think of anything else exciting that has happened in the past few weeks, oh except for getting my first Christmas present in the mail from my beautiful Nan - she put one in for James too! She is the best Nan ever who calls me her little ray of sunshine (how can you resist that?) and I can't wait to see her in March. I promise that we will wait until Christmas before we open them Nan, as hard as it will be!

Speaking of Christmas, this is the first time in my 29 years on earth that I will be away from my family - I know I will miss them very much. It is also Keiser's birthday on Christmas Day so no doubt I will have many moments thinking about the fact that I can't be there to give her a packet of Schmackos, a new set of tennis balls and new brush I normally give her - and help her unwrap... I will be spending this Christmas in the Midlands with James and his family and it's going to be so wonderful to be with them in a home environment rather than in my flat alone as I had pictured it when everyone started announcing their plans to return to Australia!

Well I suppose I'd better get back to work but I hope you are all well and would love to hear what you have been up to.

xxx