New Year and Living the London Life

Its the New Year, and I've been living in my lovely Rotherhithe house for just over two months. It feels like longer, feels like I've always lived in London. Aside from the usual monetary woes brought about by having to actually pay rent and bills (yuck) and living with people that aren't your family, its been pretty much plain sailing. I've also been lucky enough to have one of my closest friends move in, so we get to spend a lot of time together. Perhaps too much time...

I said when I moved here that I wanted to use this as an opportunity to do the things I've always wanted to do but not had the chance, and to live the independent life I've been craving. I feel like I've gone pretty far in some of those things.

I've had the chance to explore parts of London that I never have before, or at least haven't had the chance to really explore. I've made the most of living in a new area, and have really explored Rotherhithe. I did a walking tour with London Walks pretty early on, which gave a fascinating insight into the docklands history of this area, and the way it has changed. I'd fully recommend anyone to go on one of these walks; with such interesting and engaging tour guides its hard not to be swept away in the history and architecture. This walk ended with a trip down into the shaft used to dig the first ever tunnel under a navigable river - one of the first Brunel works. I've seen sights I've never seen before, like that from the top of Heron Tower or of London from the Thames Clippers. I've found pubs I love, parks that I've never walked round before, and food outlets that make the mouth water. I recently had a trip to Hampstead and the Heath (I hardly ever venture north of the circle line...) and just today walked from Shadwell to Canary Wharf, through wonderfully historic Limehouse and Poplar and along the Thames Path. I have a long list of places I need to visit that will keep me going for many of my weekends!

View from my House

I've also started to spend more time exercising. Unfortunately, when commuting meant I would leave the house at 7:00am and not get back until 7:30pm I didn't really find the time to exercise. Now though, I have about three hours of my life back every day during the week. I walk to work, so thats 50 minutes medium exercise a day - and, thanks to encouragement from a very good friend - I've now begun running. Now, I thought I hated running. And, granted, its not my favourite activity. But I know that it works, and I know that when I do it I actually seem to enjoy it. I can't say I'm particularly good yet, but I'm working my way up through the distances. I've needed to do more exercise for a long time, I'm not exactly in good shape, but I feel like its beginning to work a little. So I intend to keep this up - especially because I have three weddings to go to this year, and I want to make sure the photos don't horrify me too much. Plus, its free, and free is great!

I've also set myself a number of things to get involved in once the production of Enron which I am in is over. It's going really well, but the time commitment means I can't do many other things. But come February, I will. I've wanted to sing more for a while, so I'm going to join a choir. A proper, choral choir. I also want to build on the enjoyment I felt canvassing whilst in America and get more involved in the Labour Party here. There's a council election coming up in London in May, which I certainly want to get involved in, and hopefully I can be out on the doorstep for the General Election next year. Finally, I want to dance. Years of watching Strictly Come Dancing and some forays into movement whilst in plays have left a desire to learn a bit more. I especially want to do same-sex couple dancing, and there are a few places where I can learn.

Dancing at the Rivoli Ballroom

I took my first step into the world of dance last night by going to Jackie's Jukebox at the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley. A beautiful 1940s dancehall which has been lovingly kept in the same style, the Rivoli really is a breathtaking place to dance. On the first Saturday of every month they host a dance night for same-sex and mixed-sex couples so, with the persuasion of a colleague, a friend and I went along. It wasn't the easiest, and I certainly had to sit out a number of the harder dances, but getting onto the dance floor and learning to Waltz, or to Cha-Cha, and remembering some of the Salsa I had done before was truly wonderful. And there was something really beautiful about watching male couples and female couples dance together in a safe space, and do it so beautifully.

So yes, London living is so far working out pretty well. I can't wait for the summer, and for the nights to get longer, so I can get out and explore even more of this crazy city.

Flying the Nest

This weekend I take the plunge I've been planning for, and move into a lovely house in Rotherhithe (Central South East London for those who don't know). I don't know the people I'm living with - apart from the half hour I spent with them looking at the room - but they seem nice, relaxed and interesting. Unlike some of the more vapid people who's rooms I viewed previous to finding this one. The house is right on the river - with beautiful views west to the City, Tower Bridge and the Shard and east to the docklands and Canary Wharf. I have a balcony in my bedroom with the same view. Its in a lovely area with some great pubs, restaurants and shops.

Most importantly, its ridiculously close to work. Currently, from my family home in Higham, Kent I spend about three commuting a day. That's three hours where I'm not doing anything productive, three hours that make my day so long, and that make my evenings so short. My new house is a positively ridiculous half hour WALK from work, or a five minute overground journey, or a fifteen minutes bus journey. That's crazy. I'm going to get so much of my life back; every day I'll be able to spend time doing something I want to do. Like getting fit. Or writing. Or cooking. And no longer will I have to leave social events in the evening with the knowledge of an hour and a half or two hours before I'm home. I'm going to be independent, able to go out and date and not worry about bringing guys home!

So why do I suddenly feel really nervous, emotional and scared? I've been waiting for this moment since coming back from the US in December last year, and its only since getting a well paid job at Alzheimer's Society that I've been able to. Yet now, all I think as the weekend approaches is what if I've made the wrong choice? What if I hate London and want to be back in the countryside? What if I miss people?

I suppose it all feels a bit final. I've left home plenty of times already, but never with the knowledge that when I do, it'll no longer be my home. Of course, my parents will tell you that this place will always be my home and, in some ways, they're right. But it will no longer be the place I know I'm coming back to. For nearly 25 years I've lived in this village, I've grown up here, this is where I know. And now I'm moving into one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world. A city that people have described to me as an incredibly lonely city. 

Every night and weekend I have ready made people to spend time with. Yes, these may be my parents, but as someone who needs human company to be energised, I'll grasp at anything I get. Can I guarantee I'll get this in London? No. I love my family, and I will miss them greatly. I am incredibly grateful and utterly indebted to my parents for allowing me to stay here for as long as I have, and supporting me whilst I found the career I wanted. Without them, I'd never have had the chance to do everything I have done. And I will of course miss them. Lots. 

I suppose this is normal. Its a massive change and its pretty scary. Its the end of a 25 year period of my life. 

But its also the start of a new one. The chance to forge the independent life I've began so stutteringly before, to make new friends, to do everything I want to and to find myself a new neighbourhood. Its ok for me to be emotional (would I be anything other than this? It is me after all) but I know that I want to do it. And I am so excited about what it will bring. Now, to complete all my packing and shopping. Boring.