European Adventure Part VIII: Days Five & Six

DAY FIVE

It was time to try out working in London! The city is five hours ahead of DC which meant that I was going to be working in the afternoon and into the evening in order to keep up with everything. I’m very much a morning person, so I was a little apprehensive about this - but it turns out that everything was just great!

RISE AND SHINE

I decided that if I was going to work in the afternoon, I needed to get the day started with delicious breakfast. I found this diner called Where the Pancakes Are a few blocks from the flat. It was a cloudy and slightly chilly morning when I set out, but it was kind of nice to stroll through the neighborhood.

Soon, I found myself at the diner, and was seated outside with a blanket and a heater. The pancakes, bacon, eggs that I ordered were so delicious and really hit the spot. I was the most full that I’ve been the whole trip though, and was so glad that I had to walk back to the flat.

Delicious breakfast at Where the Pancakes Are

My spot at Where the Pancakes Are

Beautiful mural on my way to work

LET’S GET TO WORK

While the internet was great, and my flat was very comfortable, I’ve spent more than enough time working from an apartment while I’m home, so I decided to get a co-working space for this day. After picking up my laptop from the flat, I walked along the Thames to the office space. There was something that I loved about that little commute. The sun had decided to come out a bit, the air was invigorating, and the view was beautiful. I think part of it was bringing my work brain with me to London. I hadn’t done that before, and there was something that I found to be almost comforting about it. I think that it made London feel even more like a home. I wasn’t just there on vacation, I was bringing my daily life into this place that I love so much.

I soon found myself with cuppa tea working away. This co-working space had a beautiful high view over the river, and I was able to watch the sunset while pushing through my work. Around dinner time I headed back to my flat, picking up some delicious Greek food along the way, and then enjoyed dinner and finished out the evening working.

Probably the best Monday I’ve had in a really long time.

Bye London, see you soon!

DAY SIX

The time had come. Today was the today that I was going to get back behind the wheel in the UK. This would be my third time - first Scotland in 2015, then Cornwall in 2019. Those driving adventures has been relatively safe - and short - this time I was going to have the car for several days and drive over 600 miles. Yesh…okay, let’s go!

FAREWELL FOR NOW, LONDON

I had a few hours in the morning to pick up the car from Heathrow and then head to a country estate hotel about 20 minutes away from Heathrow. My Mom and brother were coming into London the following day, and before I dragged them across the country in our road trip, I wanted them to be able to enjoy a shower after their long trip and a real breakfast. I find that little things like a shower really help me to get on a time zone and not feel so much jet lag.

It was going to take me forever to get to Heathrow on public transportation, so I decided to hop in a car. I also wanted to watch every single thing that driver was doing so that I could remember how to drive in this country. I had my eyes glued to the steering wheel and was watching every single turn he made.

Far too soon, we were at the car rental (or car hire, as they call it over here) and it was time for me to slide behind the wheel on the right side of the car. I was so nervous about driving this time around, and I wasn’t sure why! In the past I’ve been a little nervous, but this time I felt like I was going to throw up on my way to pick up the car. Maybe it’s because I had to drive a larger car to accommodate three adults and all of our luggage? Maybe, I honestly don’t know. I spent a lot of time in the car before I pulled away and started driving down the road. This was an SUV and it felt so big, like I was driving a boat. I named him Charlie, and he was a big beautiful red Jaguar. (I foresee speeding ticket in my future - damn speed cameras!)

Wrong side of the road, wrong side of the car…

Okay so, driving on the left is not as terrifying as maybe I make it sound. It’s just strange to have to tamp down on every instinct that you have. I don’t think I realize, unless I’m driving overseas, how much of my driving is by instinct. The most challenge parts of driving on the left are turning, and remembering that the left side of the car is way farther away than you’re used to. Driving alone is also more stressful because you have to navigate alone, remember your turns, keep an eye on the left side of the car, and you can’t talk through any challenges with anyone. I was going to be glad when my family was in the car with me.

As I set off for the country estate hotel, I started a chant: “stay on the left, stay on the left, stay on the left!” A super helpful chant when it comes to making your turns. The other challenge of driving is that the roads are so much smaller. This isn’t a problem when you’re on the highway, but when you’re on “A” roads, (or God forbid “B” roads) it can be tough because everyone has to stop to let someone squeeze through. Everyone’s super polite though. Brits must be so confused when they come to the US and everyone drives like a jerk and has zero patience. Patience is required in the UK because there would be lots of crashes otherwise.

The beautiful place I was staying for the evening

OH MY GOODNESS, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL

I made it to my next hotel with little incident, and I only made one wrong turn! The country estate was simply stunning and so beautiful. I was so excited to spend a day in this place. I checked in to my beautiful room, and then headed to lounge for some lunch. Pretty soon it was time for work, and I headed back to my room to crank it out.

Even though I don’t usually eat after a certain time at night, I decided to head to the cozy bar for a drink and some food after work. There was a fire going and it was so quaint. I enjoyed my cocktail and journaled, relieved that my working for the trip was over - as well as the driving for the day.

UP NEXT: I’m headed back to Cornwall, a stop in my beloved Bath on the way. Also, my family will be joining the adventure!