Pop round for tea

Since Buckingham Palace is just around the corner from me (well a couple corners, but not far regardless) and the flag is back up that Lizzie (excuse me, Queen Lizzie) is in residence (her flag flys when she's there, the union jack when she's not), I think tomorrow would be a good time for tea. It's been ages since we've seen each other. And I have to keep her posted on all the happenings in the colonies!

I wonder though, do they have to change the flag when she just goes to have a 'natter' with her gal pals or pick up some milk at Sainsbury's, or is it only when she goes off to stay somewhere else? This roving reporter will bring you all the scoop...

Right so... last night I lucked out and had a room to myself which was so fantastic - I could actually sleep! Each of the 5 previous nights someone in the room would crank the heat and close the window. It was hot. But, being the investigative reporter that I am, I can tell you exactly how hot. (I actually do have a thermostat on my alarm clock). It ranged between a high of 28 degrees to a low of 24 degrees. What is normal room temperature, 20 degrees? and to try and sleep in this... produced a smelling sweat pit of thrashing sleepers. So last night it worked out that I had a room to myself (with the heat off anf the window WIDE open) and I actually got some sleep!! It was the first night in over a week that I had proper rest. nothing better than a good night's sleep.

My goal for today was to meet with a recruitment agency or 2 to line up some work but I slept late, then enjoyed the freedom of getting ready in my room (not a cramped, damp shower stall) and didn't really get moving til almost noon. I decided it would be a good idea to poke aroound my neighbourhood, then I walked towards city centre (taking every side street possible) and made my way to Parliament square (sitting between Westminster Abbey, the Parliament and our fave fella, Big Ben) for a picnic lunch. My wandering eventually took me through Trafalger Square where I contemplated going to the national gallery but, due to the massive amounts of student groups mixed with an oncoming cold/burning sinuses (quite possibly due to the pollution as I have had 1 eye watering insistently all week) I decided against it. My thoughts have just been too distracted the past week trying to get mself sorted out, to want to do too much touristy stuff. In fact, my camera has yet to even come out of my backpack.

So instead I went to see Million Dollar Baby. It was excellent. I'm with the Academy on this one. And then I went shopping. I couldn't help it. All I see aare these posh & polished Londoners, looking down on me, the scabby foreigner. I just had to get a little something. Dorothy it was. Dorothy Perkins is my favourite store in the world. Learn this, as she will be mentioned increasingly often. I only bought a little and it was all marked down. And they are officially the coolest jeans I have ever owned. (I can sense Shannon's excitement as she knows that eventually they will be hers).

Now I need boots. I had a heartbreaking moment today. A few days ago I found them.The boots I have always been looking for. The ones that were destined to be mine. I knew it as soon as I saw them. They were perfect. But I walked away. If I was to put a deposit down on a flat than it couldn't be. Not yet anyway. But I don't need to put a deposit down. and I just don't have any shoes to wear with the 2 skirts I brought. These boots made the skirts. So I went to admire them today. Finally I broke down and asked for my size. Sorry, only unhumanly small sizes for petite little blondes who have their pick of any boots left. I was broken hearted. Here I thought they were the ones. I was so sure. And I was so wrong.