Remembering Summer

The summer of 2013 was bittersweet. For the first time it really hit home how quickly the sands of time slip between your fingers, no matter how firmly you try to pack them into place with photos, concrete plans inked into diaries and bear-hugs with friends you don't want to let go of. 

I had a really magical time, first going to Bologna with university friends to teach English to children in a tiny local church, then having my flatmates come down to London to see me. 

I saw 'Once' the musical, ate at Borough Market for the first time, surveyed London from the Shard, and then had my own Roman Holiday in Italy with my beautiful family. 

Friends from school gave me the best send off anyone could ask for with cocktails and a 'Despicable Me' cake. But all of it was tempered by the knowledge I'd be leaving for a year for Paris. I can't believe how lucky and blessed I've been with all the opportunities I've been given. Moving on is hard to do, but I don't think I'd change anything, given the brilliant experiences I've had so far in Paris.

A snap-chat I sent to friends after booking my trip

I made this video so I'd have something to look back on - and I'm so glad I did. I can't travel back in time, but this is a small way of flipping the hourglass back over and seeing time spent run its course again:

 À Bientôt !

x 

Happiest Week

Not strictly Paris related - but, I had one of the happiest weeks I can remember this past week. Last Monday, I went to Rome for the first time with my Mum, Dad, sister & bro.. (leaving poor Grandma at home!)

Piazza Navona

What a gorgeous city - the locals were so friendly (we got free pizza from a girl who had lived near Portobello Road) & some free gelato (although I suspect this was probably a fortunate mistake).


We also made instant friends with an attractive cannoli seller who had taken up residence in more or less the same shop where Audrey got her iconic haircut in 'A Roman Holiday', 60 years later. Somehow he managed to make a sly wink as we left the shop totally acceptable & oh so charming.   

Pistacchio e cioccolato gelato - Gorgeous sister with gorgeous cannolo - Audrey's impromptu haircut

The real treasures were Ostia (a preserved Roman port town where you are free to explore ancient houses, tavernas and a gymnasium) & the Castel Sant'Angelo which lets in visitors by night for a concert, guided tour of everything from the prisons & Papal bathroom, and the secret passage where Pope Clement escaped from the Vatican to the Castle during The Sack of Rome. My lil' bro was beside himself with excitement, rushing from The Colosseum to The Forum with all the enthusiasm of an Andrex Puppy. 

Taming a wild dog in Vatican City.

Seven days later, we celebrated my (fake) 21st birthday, as I will be in Paris sans famille for my real anniversaire. We had brunch as a family, Dad bought me some yellow roses & blue irises which showed enterprising thoughtfulness (they were beautiful - love you Dad!) and went to 'Number Twelve' at The Ambassador Hotel for afternoon tea (Grandma was invited this time!) The scones were the best, & I tried Mango Green Tea, tres rafraîchissant! 

It sort of looked like this! I give it 4 **** :)

I got some sneaky early birthday presents which I'm sure will make an appearance soon!

Such a lucky, lucky, happy bunny :)

À bientôt!

x