...thinking that it's been way to long since I updated
Sunday 26th July
I'm on a train into London so that I can go to Paris. It's really quite exciting! I'm thinking that I'll go to the Luxembourg Gardens this afternoon and then Holly (hollysamantha ) said I have to see the Eiffel tower lit up at night so I might do that or possibly sleep. Between the two if us and our colds we were coughing most of the night and my worrying and nervousness about today were keeping me up so sleep is seeming like a very good idea.
I'm hoping my hostel in Paris is ok. The reviews online mentioned small rooms which is ok but dodgy bathrooms which they also mentioned is not so acceptable. I'm sure it'll be fine and if it's really bad I'll say something to the staff. I'm so glad I went to Holly's last night. It was a little oasis of normalcy and rest in the hecticness of independant travel. I also got to do all of my washing and catch up with Holly. It seems weird to think in the last month here in the UK we have seen each other more than we did in the whole 18 months before that. I'm about to reach London so I'll have to finish this on the Eurostar.
On the Eurostar
So only a little drama to start the trip but it's all good now. I thought I'd left enough time to get to the international terminal, pick up my tickets and go through border control but everything took a little longer than exected and then the ticket machine was slightly screwy so I had to queue and collect my tickets manually. It all worked out thoughand then there was someone in my seat on the train so I had to wait for ages until staff came by to give me a new seat. I know I could have just sat in an empty seat but then I would probably have caused someone else the same inconvienience.
The whole trip so far has been really good. I've loved catching up with Holly and the Davidsons and Richard. Shivaun and Matt were really great they took me to see Leeds Castle and Cantrebury Cathedral in the weekend and then suggested that I visit Liverpool. I'm very glad I went to Liverpool except for the horrible time getting there. The city was really nice and comfortable. They had good museums and art galleries including a branch of the TATE. There was a really good exhibition on colour and an exhibition set up like a slient disco which was fun. I almost wanted more time there but I was also glad I didn't have more as I would have run out of things I really wanted to do. I saw a brouchure on a photographic studio from the 40/50's and decided to check it out on Friday afternoon. I was really lucky in that I got a private tour of the building and the people were really nice. I ended up spending about an hour and a half there looking at the rooms and photographs. Made me really want to learn about photography and developing. The photographer (Edward Chambre Hardman) and his wife never three anything away so as well as being perfectly restored the house is a complete record of life through the 40/50's and into the 80's when Mr Hardman died. Mr Hardman really knew how light changed photos and how to use light, some of his photos were absolutely stunning!
I'm going through Kent now and it really is very pretty. Green and lush and lots of leafy green trees, this afternoon I really need to find a post office I've got quite a collection of letter and postcards to send off. I'm going relax and enjoy the veiw out my window for the rest of this trip. Hope you are all well.
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