So where to start?

It has been a while since my last update. Time just seems to be flying by. It is strange to think that I have been in the UK for over a year and in this job for 8 months or so. It does not take long for the unfamiliar to become familiar, and feel like I have been here forever.

This is all going to be a bit random as there is a bit to update, but will try to put it in some logical fashion.

America:

So the last update was day 1 in New York. So will update from there, in some sort of random fashion as things come to mind. Had an absolutely fabulous time travelling round America with Lee. Andy and Mary's wedding was fantastic and we had a great time. Mary looked gorgeous - even more so than brides usually do - and Andy looked quite dashing, as did all the chaps! It was lovely to be able to spend some time with the rels, although not as much as I would like (although I did see an airfare to Vancouver priced at under £200 so I could be back sooner rather than later.

New York, which was where we were before the wedding was great - even though it snowed. We managed to hit all the tourist high points (Empire state building, ferry past statue of liberty, bus tour, snow in central park which just about had to be my favourite thing) but I feel like I need to get back there for a proper look round - we just had a taster really!

After the wedding, we headed down to Las Vegas, where the weather was sunny and sultry when we arrived, but by the time we had checked in, the weather had become cold and windy, which was how it remained for the remainder of our stay there. Managed to catch a David Copperfield show while we were in Vegas. The magic was quite cool, but he was so blasé (well seemingly), it was kind of hard to get excited about it all! But the last few tricks were definitely brilliant - no idea how he did it!

From there, it was onto LA and the final part of our journey! 2 days at Disneyland which was good fun - although quite busy so we seemed to be spending quite a bit of time in line, even with the fast passes. Splash Mountain was closed which was a bit disappointing - but we did get to go on Pirates of the Caribbean 4 times. Last night in LA, we went out with a friend of mine in Hollywood. Was pretty low-key although we managed to eat smores on an open fire while overlooking sunset bvld watched my friend ride the mechanical bull - lee and I are way too sensible for all that!

Then suddenly it was time to go our separate ways. It was quite odd to be saying good bye to lee at LAX, esp. since my flight was delayed by more than 2 hours, so I had no-one to talk to. Luckily once we finally got on the plane, it was mostly empty so I managed to snag a row and sleep for a bit of the flight! But the late departure meant my cunningly organised plan to get home not much after midday, meant I didn't get home til after 7pm. Just managed to put some washing on, and then went to bed as I had work the next day!

Back On the Canals - sort of:

I have been helping friends of mine get their narrow boat ready for their season on the canals (www.bywaterholidays.co.uk) over the past few weekends. Spent Easter up near Oxford with them getting the boat painted. Their boat is a proper hotel boat where passengers sleep on board, so got my first taste of that. The cabins are quite small, but all have ensuite showers, so all the things you need. Hanna's kitchen is tiny - smaller than the one we had last year. She was experimenting in the kitchen over Easter so we got to try all sorts of goodies!

A couple of weekends after that, I head back up to Oxford to help Hanna and John do the last clean up, wash windows etc. Dad joined us from Bath, and was able to steer the boat down to Oxford while we got on with the various cleaning etc that needed to be done. I then went back up to Stratford upon Avon a few weekends ago as a semi-passenger as dad was going on a trip with them, so I stayed with him in the twin cabin for a night. Unfortunately couldn't get any time off so didn't get to go too far on the canals. Basically from Stratford to Wilmcote ... but the weather was a bit miserable and drizzly so didn't mind too much.

Egypt:

And now I am planning my next adventures. Am just sorting out all the details now, but a good friend (an old flatmate from Wellington) is getting married in Cairo, and they have taken it upon themselves to then organise a cruise down the Nile with various site seeing bits and bobs - going to Luxor, Abu Simel (?) and the like. Hopefully will get to Giza to see the Pyramids but not sure as we are pretty jam packed while we are in Cairo. It is going to be quite fabulous! But before that, I am going to Dublin with dad for the end of May bank holiday. Then I have a few days of work before heading out to Egypt. Dublin should be good fun. Am quite looking forward to it ...have to make sure we hit the Guinness and Jameson’s factories.

Work:

Work is busy busy busy, but I have a clear plan of what needs to be done, so that is quite good. The team is back to me plus my boss as the other girl left while I was in the US. However we are starting to interview for a junior BA next week, so hopefully we will get someone onboard ASAP. We are about to move offices (friday this week actually), which will be interesting … as my commute to work is suddenly going to get about 30 minutes longer. Well it is hard to know at this stage, but I think that is what it will be. Ah well, everyone pretty much has a long trip to work in London so can’t really complain.

Anyway, off to get some lunch! Will try and get some photos up, and generally get a bit more organised. But all is well here in London town.

I am posting photos at Flickr too, if you don’t want to wait for me to get myself organised.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franny_panels/