Norn' Iron!

Yesterday myself n Wez farewelled the folks for another year and caught a train up the coast to Belfast.  

(via some tea n hot toddies in Dublin) 

 

Belfast delivered a lovely time as usual.

Caught up with mates.. Food, wine, vynil, chats.. Splendid!

Christmas, check!

Blogging from my phone on a train in Ireland from South to north...
We've just had 5 days of food, family, Guinness, food, gifts, onesies, Baileys, movies, food, ol' mates, a bit more food aaand chillin', done and done.

The misses.. 

Da.. 

Ma 'n' Da.. 

Niece 'n' nephew..

Uncle Der..

& Ol' Mates.. 

 Lovely!

Post Steven's day

The Grinch,  the tree,  the hangover.

Irish Xmas!

Wexford, open fire, WeZ's folks, big fat tree and ALL the food!

Some contrast to when we we this time last year.

   

Wezfest in May

Earlier this year in May, WeZ got a year older and Clutch (a stoner rock band) performed in Belfast and Dublin.

A bunch of Wez's bestest mates came together for it, and across both cities, we celebrated.

     

It was my first time in Dublin. I liked it.

Cleaner, prettier than what I expected. The main streets reminded me a little of Belgium.

It has a friendly European feel.

 

In between gigs, exploring aside, our time was spent in beautiful old pubs with cosy fireplaces drinking delightful Gin cocktails.

 

 

 

Toto are playing in Dublin next May, I can think of no better reason to go back!  

 

 

France for a day

WeZ's work has a social club, they organised a day trip to France to the Christmas Markets.

I finished at 3am, snoozed a little then up at 6.30am and on to catch a bus. O.o

A bunch of hours toward the east coast, a measly 35 min bus/train ride under the ocean, and we were there.

Lille is a beautiful place.

The markets were strangely quiet yet over populated. Severe lack of music!

We strolled through 4 hours of big old buildings, festive decos, ruthless buggie drivers, beautiful lights, tasty mulled wine, chocolate and cheese, hot cider, and bratwurst to boot.  

        

 

Little things like a day trip to France remind me why I set out with a one way ticket in the first place.

Gotta live!

5 weeks to go

It occurred to me today that there's only 5 weeks left of the year..
I'd like to fill a few gaps before a new years tumbles on in.

My last shift with Be At One..
The job I left back in London was exhausting, sometimes challenging, and housed some of the best mates I've met over this side of the world. I was relieved yet sad to farewell it. (and now unexpectedly, I miss it!)
I managed to convince head office to get their amazing regular photographer to come in and document my last night on the bar. The images belong to Be At One, this is just a cheeky peek of the night for folks back home xx

   

Go South.

2 months ago, myself and Wez put our tetris game faces on, packed the smallest removal van you ever did see and moved to the south coast of England.

Wez got a new job.. he's now a uni lecturer!
Fancy! (Well... my lil' bartending head thinks so.)
I wrapt for him, it's a big tick off his to do list. The move was a no brainer.

Our new lil town with a bay is cheaper, greener, quieter...we wake up to sounds of ship horns and seagulls instead of traffic and sirens. No more daily tube rides. In fact there's no more public transport in my days at all. Win! Instead, my daily walk to work is literally a walk in the park.

 Our quaint little side street.

We found a lovely 2 Bedroom flat for ourselves. It's cheaper than London here, so we're able to live alone, bit exciting. We lost the first 2 weeks of our lives here in Ikea getting our new home sorted.

Sought the local pubs, half the price for a Pint with a side of pie, mash n peas to fill you up. Winning!

oh, and we found an ice-creamery.

When we got here I dove straight into a bar job.

The Orange rooms patterned wallpaper, monkey graffiti, fish tanks, disco balls and brown couches had me at first glance.

 For the last 3 months I have worked there.

Despite it being my dream loungeroom and having awesome staff,

they don't pay enough and I'm not being challenged, so tonight is my last night.

It's been a hoot!

 

I'm off to the Christmas markets in France with Wez tomorrow

(as you do, lil' day trip)

New job starts Monday.

Here's cheers to the pursuit of happiness.