The Shard

Hello all!

Jamie and I got woken up by two of his housemates who came home at 1.30am drunk with three of their friends, literally yelling and screaming. After both having a very tiring week, you can imagine we weren't very happy. I had to go I to their room like I was their mum and tell them to shut up. Ergh. 

Regardless of that I slept fairly well and woke at 9.30am. Then I headed home and watched Sydney vs North Melbourne. I've spent the day being productive and getting things done. Think it was the first day I've been here that I've spent the whole day in my room! But it was good. 

I researched Oktoberfest, packed for Oktoberfest, planned how to get to the airport next Saturday (they have now delayed the night tube so it's difficult but I've going a way - have to leave at 3.30am though, eek!!). Last but most importantly I applied for three teaching jobs back home. I'll be honest - I've no idea if my applications are any good. The website is atrocious and not user friendly at all so it took me ages, but I got there eventually. I also bought some groceries and made some yummy sandwiches. I was happy to see my birthday as the expiry on some tomatoes. I've always told myself since I was little my birthday is officially close when that happens!

I attached my resumé, cover letter and five key selection criteria responses and repeated this for two more jobs. See how we go!

The rest of the afternoon I watched two 'Harry Potter' movies and got lots more done. I cooked pasta with leftover avo, mushroom, chicken and tomato sauce and it was yummmm!

This evening Jamie came over and we went out for drinks as an early celebration of my birthday. We went somewhere I've wanted to go all year but refuse to pay £25+ to go up - the Shard! It's a building just south of the river that was built a year or so after mum and I came here at the start of 2011. We went up to level 32 and went to the bar 'Aqua Shard'. The prices were horrendous, I literally paid £17.50 for a cocktail (nearly $40!!!!!!!) but it was delicious and the view was incredible. 

We stood by the window and Jamie enjoyed his beer while I had my cocktail with pear purée, sweet chilli, elderflower cordial, vodka and beer (sounds awful but it was amazing!!). You could see tower bridge, the Tower of London, the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie and even the media tower for the Olympic stadium near Jamie's in the distance. The view from the toilets was cool too!

We had one more stop - a place called the 'Shoreditch Grind' near mine that I've always wanted to go to but never have. I had a prosecco and Jamie another beer as we watched the traffic go around the Old Street roundabout I frequent so much. I do pay a horrific amount of rent, but it's worth it when you can get a bus for 5-10 minutes and be at the shard, and go out to such cool places and get home in no time!

Off to sleep now. Hopefully my housemates don't drunkenly scream bloody murder in the middle of the night - I can feel a cold coming on!!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox

PS: The random photo of a train departures board - look for a familiar place! (Or two!)

PPS: Have now received birthday cards from mum and dad, nan and pa and grandma and grandpa. Feeling very special but saving them for Thursday :)