LONDON – England - UK (Sat 21 Nov)

We left Europe today bound for the UK via the Eurostar. But first we were required to go through border control. Yep … border control. The first time we have seen anything that resembles a serious attempt at customs, since we first arrived in Europe. After filling in several forms in triplicate, I was informed that being the holder of a ‘Right of Abode’ visa, no forms were required. In fact, the only other category to have that privilege are diplomats. Excellent! Go figure. What can I get away with? Justine on the other hand, doesn’t have that privilege, however I did wait for her to emerge from the clutches of the customs officials before boarding the train.

Two hours after boarding the train we were emerging into the London sunshine … hmmm … well not quite sunshine. As for the journey we spent the time observing the other passengers, after all there isn’t much else to look at when you are in a very long tunnel. The passengers were like passengers everywhere, some buried in guidebooks, others asleep, and the remainder engrossed in quiet conversation. There does seem to be one feature of the European peoples that does transcend all countries, and cultures, … they certainly like to talk.

Leaving mainland Europe is quite a sad day and caused us to reflect on the last six months. We have been asked many times, “Which part did you like the best?” and “which country is your favourite?” Both questions are impossible to answer, there are so many fantastic places that make them so memorable for so many reasons. Each place is so completely, culturally different and enjoyable in its own way. The nearest we can come to answering those questions is to say that there are many places that we would love to return to, places that we felt that we didn’t get to know well enough the first time around, and equally that are places that would take some persuading to get us to return to. We have found that the phrase ‘The European way’ doesn’t exist. It depends on which part and neigbourhood of Europe you are talking about. As the woman in the EU office said to us the other day Europe is ‘United in Diversity’, and that seems to sum it up perfectly.

It has been an amazing experience, seeing so much, finding so much, learning so much, far beyond what we had imagined. But now it is time to move on. It will be a strange experience to be in an English speaking country again, after so long.

Looking back on our trip we have pondered if we have explored Europe in the best way that we could have. We have sought out, and spent time in places that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to if we had done a ‘whistle stop’ ‘organised’ tour. On the other hand we haven’t had the privilege to sit in one place for 3-4 weeks and to ‘really get a feel for it’. We feel that we have spent this time in the best possible way, and at the very least we have ascertained where we want to return to. When? Who knows.

After landing we negotiated the various tube stops to our ‘digs’ for the next few days. A very small room (a tail-less cat is required for swinging), with a ceiling that has a definite lean on it. A stud height of barely six feet on one side of the room, and two feet on the other. Despite advertising this place as having a kitchenette in everyroom, the reality is a communal kitchen down two flights of stairs. However it does give you the chance to meet the other inmates with the same idea.

We shared the dinner space with a woman who originated from Spain and another from Germany. They are both working here now, the Spanish woman is waiting to move into a flat that she has bought. Although both she and the current owner agreed and signed on the sale, so far it has taken three months for their respective lawyers to actually process the sale, so that she can move in. British bureaucracy at its best.

We went for a walk down to the local Leytonstone shops and were pleasantly surprised by the food prices, after what we have been experiencing in Europe. However the accommodation prices are another matter altogether. But, this is London town. We met an interesting mix of people in our wanderings, of every creed and race that you can imagine. But despite their differences, there is one thing they have in common, they like to complain. Whether it be that the EFTPOS machine is always broken on weekends, or it be an altercation in the crowded underground about who it was that walked into whom, or whether it is about the weather. On that last point, they do have a point. The rain is enough to make anyone edgy.