“Home” again after a hectic few days in London…
I love really going home, I honestly do, right down to the feeling that I can only describe as the big “expat knot” – a permanent feature in the pit of quite a few of our stomachs I should imagine – unravelling and unwinding itself as soon as I step off the plane on to home territory…
It’s probably familiarity more than anything else, people, places (although my favourite skyline is changing rapidly, I will get to the top of The Shard one day!), and fond memories of a life time ago…
So here are a couple of pictures of my favourite place. Sadly there aren’t as many as I hoped there would be as I didn’t to have time for the wander that I had dreamt about in between catching up with family, shopping (my case containing all of this precious English cargo is still stuck at Heathrow somewhere however, thanks to a baggage system failure – along with 9,000 belonging to other people!), and of course speaking at BritMums Live (I didn’t win this year’s travel category by the way, but it was nice enough to get to the finals), alongside Steve Keenan, Simon Calder, and my friend Trish Burgess of Mum’s Gone To. To those of you that attended our session, thank you! I hope you enjoyed it and picked up a few tips – even if it’s not to use too many exclamation marks!! (I might have done those last two on purpose)…
Anyway, give me a day or so and I will be back on track… Until then!
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
So lovely to spend time with you at the conference – having my pal on the panel with me was so reassuring.
I don’t know what I’ve done with my time since: no blogging, no commenting on blogging – it’s all gone to pot and now on the back burner while I get things sorted before heading off to Oslo. Hope to find my mojo there :-) xxx
bavaria says
And it was so lovely to spend time with you, and likewise having you on the panel really helped me keep my cool. I will never forget Simon mopping up after you – or being told off by Steve! :D Have the most brilliant time in Oslo, I am not exaggerating when I say that Norway is definitely up there in my top 5 of favourite countries ever. You will LOVE it! :D xxx
Jazzygal says
Can’t say I’ve ever experienced an ‘ex-pat knot’, not having been brave enough to live abroad. I did go to my childhood home today after a few years absence and I do believe I got a sense of what you’re talking about. Congrats on being a finalist! Well deserved :-) xx
bavaria says
Thank you J… Yes, it’s a feeling of coming home and feeling 100% at ease! :) xx
older mum in a muddle says
So sorry you didn’t win your category ( I really wanted you to). But what awesome pictures, especially the first one, and what a weekend. Glad you are home safe and sound. And again, it was so lovely to meet you. X
bavaria says
Nevermind… I always think mine is too much of a personal blog and less of a travel website! :D Thank you xx
Chamisa says
Lovely photos! I know what you mean – it can be thrilling and frightening to go “home” at the same time. I hope your case of British treats makes it to you soon!
bavaria says
Thank you Chamisa! It actually arrived last night after 4 long days, so pleased to see it again! :D
Funky Wellies says
I very much enjoyed the travel blogging session – sorry you are not too happy with the photo, I personally think you look great! – and I am glad we managed to meet briefly.
Let’s not dissect the suitcase situation again, but this waiting and false promises are getting rather tiring now… xx
bavaria says
Not a reflection on your photography skills at all you understand, just on my unphotogenic-ness! :D I have everything crossed your case turns up really really soon… xx
Funky Wellies says
I did not take it personally. :)
As you have seen, my luggage arrived on Day 6th, after wasting two days at home having been promised it would be delivered that day. I can feel a rant coming up on the blog… xx
bavaria says
I can’t believe it took so long… I thought being where you are, it would get to you quicker rather than down here. I too am not impressed. 4 days without so much as a “sorry for the inconvenience” was just a joke. At least we got it back I suppose. On my flight back here was the loveliest bunch of English teenagers, all super excited for a four day trip to Munich, most of them didn’t get their luggage. Mine arrived back on Thursday, when they were just leaving to go home again. I wonder if they have their stuff yet? :D xx
Funky Wellies says
Poor kids! :(
Thought about that too, it would have been a lot of stress arriving in London with no luggage…
Should it happen again I think I would drive up to the airport and go through the bags myself until finding mine, it would probably be a lot quicker!! ;) xx
bavaria says
I just don’t understand why they didn’t tell us that it was broken, given those of us with cases small enough to take on (like me who couldn’t be bothered to lug it around Heathrow) the option. Would have saved a LOT of hassle!! xx
Mari says
I am so pleased we met up beforehand as once inside it’s a nightmare isn’t it? You were great on stage!!! Don’t let Steve know about those exclamation marks eh? ;)
Hope you’re settling in nicely now and speak very soon xx
bavaria says
Thanks Mari, so lovely to see you! Speak soon xx
Sarah Scott says
So glad that you’ve had a good trip home, hope you get more of a wander next time.
bavaria says
Thank you… So do I! One day… :D
Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One says
I really enjoyed your session, I am extremely guilty of using way too many exclamation marks, but that just means I’m not perfect :)
bavaria says
Thank you Mary! And neither am I! :D
Frau Dietz (Eating Wiesbaden) says
Ahhh… London. I’m going back again for another visit in a couple of weeks – the Mini Dietz and I are taking the train, though, which means not being able to bring half of Waitrose back with us :(
bavaria says
Schade, can you not have a case in his name too!??!
Frau Dietz (Eating Wiesbaden) says
It’s sadly more about how much I can carry!! Especially with him strapped on my front ;)
I’ll just have to eat as much as I can prior to departure…
bavaria says
That is a very good plan indeed! :D
Midlife Singlemum says
I know that knot so well.
bavaria says
It’s a strange feeling isn’t it? Thank you…
Helen The good life mum says
hope you bought lots of tea and marmite and that you get your bags back soon :)
bavaria says
Thank you Helen… luckily for me, I didn’t choose to pack any perishables at least! :D
Elinor aka Beach Hut Cook says
Good to see you again Emma. Glad you are back safe and sound if not tired! It was a busy time, wasnt’ it! Elinor x
bavaria says
Thanks Elinor, it was hectic. Lovely to see you and catch up! :) x
Fiona Watson says
I know that unravelling feeling so well – being home, fitting in, speaking the language, no uncomprehending looks! I wish I could have magicked myself to Britmuns Live for the Travel bit to hear you, Trish, Simon and Steve talk. I once had a seven-hour flight delay at Havana airport with Simon and his cameraman. Lots of mojitos and beers, don’t remember much about the actual flight ;)
bavaria says
I can imagine must have been one interesting mojito session! Thanks Fiona, sorry not to see you.
mary @AsturianDiary says
Ooh, I know exactly what you mean about the ‘expat knot’. Love these pictures. They’ve given me a taste of the excitement I missed from not getting to visit London last weekend. Hope you had a fab time and look forward to reading more about it x
bavaria says
Thanks Mary… I missed seeing you! :) x