This is Lola, my friend Gaynor’s cat, peering at me from the depths of the clematis. Although she looks a bit apprehensive in the pic, she was, in fact, very pleased to see me, when I wandered into her garden yesterday morning. I called her name, and almost immediately, she rocketed out from behind the garden shed and came bounding up to me, covered in sand and leaves. We’d not seen each other in three years, but it was quite clear that she remembered her old friend and neighbour.
So, the upshot is that I’m back in London, this great city which had been my home for a decade, for the first time since I left for Spain. Due to a fortuitous confluence of circumstances, I’m staying in “my” old flat in East Finchley. Everything’s the same, and everything’s different – a feeling most expats will be able to relate to.
Right now, I’m floating on a rose-tinted cloud of nostalgia and my diary is choc-a-bloc. Sadly, I won’t be able to catch up with everybody in the space of just a week, nor visit all of my favourite eateries… but I’ll have a damn good time trying 🙂
That cat is straight out of Hogwarts!
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She’s purry and snuggly. Though she needed a good dusting off.
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They got good cake there?
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YESSSSSSS!!! I had two today already, and am about to head off for dinner. Where a third may happen…
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Nostalgia….blessing and a curse! Enjoy the stay!
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Oh, I shall, don’t you worry 😉
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Enjoy! 🙂
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East Finchley, eh? Fine part of the Smoke and where we first heard ‘West End Girls’ by the Pet Shop Boys. Plus ca change…. Cats are great.
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In related news, against better judgment, I attempted to show kindness to a stray cat who was at my patio doors, meowing, and appearing to want to come in. I wasn’t going to let her in, mind you, but I was going to go out and check that she was okay, and fetch her some food and water. She was sweet for about 30 seconds. And then…. she transformed. That face. It was the face of pure evil. That face will haunt me for the rest of my life. The HAAAAAAA sound as she opened her mouth so wide, bearing teeth that looked like they belonged in the head of a lion… shudder. I’m still freaked out.
have fun in London!
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What did you to do her??? The mind boggles… 😉
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Simone, I’m telling you, one minute I was scratching her head, the next she was freaking possessed by a demon. Scariest thing I’ve ever seen.
And this is why I don’t like cats.
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One cat reacted badly. Please. Get a grip. I was bitten by two dogs, and I don’t hate dogs. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s like people. Just because some are arseholes… you see where I’m going with this.
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Not my first trip to this rodeo. I grew up in a house with a demonic cat. Ergo, all cats are evil. Possibly three, in total, are not.
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And those three are dead, I take it…? 😉
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No, apparently my son’s girlfriend has one. (I have yet to experience it first-hand though). So there’s at least one I know of.
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Good luck catching up with folks, favourite food places and felines! 🙂
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She looks like she’s plotting something 😉
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Have a blast! And please give us a scoop on how to find food that does not require a bank loan. Cheerio!.
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Eating out all the time sure adds up…!
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It was a serious request, not just breeze-shooting. Eating out ONCE with 4 kids and a hubby, while in London for 16 hours between planes, nearly broke the bank. This was 1998 – and I think we paid around $60 for noodle soups, and 2 coffees. There HAVE to be some reasonably priced eateries, but we couldn’t find them.
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Well, that sounds about right… Spain is slightly cheaper, but eating out in countries like Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark or Norway would cost considerably more 😦
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Have a Chelsea bun for me 🙂
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Ooooh, I love those 🙂
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clematis vines are so nice – and great capture – love the eyes – 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Enjoy the visit and the walk down memory lane.
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Thanks! It’s been great so far 🙂
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Love it!
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I wonder which you’ll prioritise – friends or eateries? 😉
Hope you have a fantastic trip!
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I have an uncanny knack for combining the both! Due for another friend-food combo in half an hour locally, followed by the food-blogger variant in town 😉
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Ooh, sounds good! Enjoy! 🙂
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She looks a lot like my Attie. Enjoy your time and the weather is kinda decent.
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Thanks, I will 🙂 BTW, are you around on Monday…? We could meet up…
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Stunning photo! I adore black cats! Have a great time in London. Wish I could be there and chow down. It’s paradise for vegetarians!
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It is! So far today, all I’ve had was vegetarian food, and not on purpose, but just because the variety is so great and non-meaty offerings are thoroughly delectable 🙂
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London’s calling, London’s calling ….
I immediately thought of pub food. LOVE London’s pub food. Maybe I’m reading this too close to dinner time. Hungry!!
I’m not surprised kitty remembered you. Cats are smart, and amazing, and totally loveable 🙂
Hope you have a great time catching up with all your peeps!
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Aw, thanks Joanne 🙂 Am having a blast!
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I am looking forward to doing the same in just over a month. And, for old times’ sake, I rented a flat near where Sue and I used to live. Empoverished then – trendy now…
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That’ll be so cool! If it’s been a long time, then lots will have changed. No doubt there’ll be a blog post on it, I shall look forward to that 🙂
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