Friday Street

Essex, UK

After a heavy day on the tourist trail, it was time to take things easier. I figured Friday to be my last chance to actually relax on this entire trip, I spent most in Corringham with some quick fleeting trips out to pick up my freshly serviced snow board. I headed over to Clives place in Woodham Ferrers in the evening where he, Emma and I left their newest family member sleeping at home, while we hit the pubs of Maldon. A pub with an open fire, and that typical hundred year old musty smell was the perfect venue to chat into the evening.

I spent my Saturday with Sian and Megan. We headed out to "Saafent" (Southend) as the locals know it so fondly. We wandered the prom with Megan skating along besides us. Up through the precinct and to Pizza Express for lunch before hitting 'Adventure Island' for nine holes of Aztec mini golf. The wind was so cold... it seemed colder than that on the snowy peaks of Kashmir, yet probably had most to do with the fact I was only wearing a thin jacket and t-shirt.

We hurried back in time for another great dinner with the family, mums soon to be world famous Austrian style Schnitzel... I could seriously eat a few plates full of that stuff I swear.

With barely 5minutes to let dinner settle, I was back out again to Basildons Festival park one last time, for a few drinks and a boogie to some bad party music... or good party music - I think that one of those is any oxy-moron, I'm just unsure which though.

I said goodbye to everyone, knowing I would see a few of them in the not too distant future on another continent, though at that moment - thoughts of Thailand were a very long way from the forefront of my mind. I awoke about 7hours later to get the last of my packing completed before my belated Christmas dinner would take place once again, with Mum, Dad, Grandma, Sian, Tim & Megan. All too soon it was time for that nasty emotional part again.

Tim and dad accompanied me to the airport in similar fashion to the last time I flew back to Sydney, though this time we did get a chance to stop for coffees and more chatting.

I'll miss you all

x