*sigh*
All around me people are flying all over the globe and I'm getting itchy feet.
Itchy feet and a sad heart...
It's been almost 4 years since we came home from the UK, and I'm missing it. I'm missing travel, I'm missing people, I'm missing new places to explore. I'm being so very Gen X and wanting it all...
Pomgirl is going back home for a holiday, she's counting down the days, and I'm getting maddeningly jealous about it. I want to be flying to Leeds... I haven't seen my Granny for ages and I miss her. I miss my Nanny, although Alzeimers is ravaging her ability to miss me... And I miss all my uncles and aunts, especially Michael and Judith. I miss that my cousin (also outside Leeds) is having a baby in the New Year, and I'm not going to see it. I miss that I can't be enjoying this time with her - she's been the cluckiest lawyer ever... freaky thing came to stay with us in Eastbourne while still studying at Oxford, just so she could spend more time with me and the girls.
I miss Tesco.
I miss the chocolate eclairs from Asda.
I don't miss the non-existence of good coffee.
I miss BBC2 and Channel 4.
I miss having to pay for a television licence and being threatened by Men In Vans With EarPhones and Scanners if I don't. I miss chuckling at the Young Ones episode... "did you eat the television...?"
I miss the fact that I don't get Dead Ringers anymore...
I miss nipping out to Pevensey Castle or Battle Abbey when I need to immerse myself in history.
I miss Kirkstall Abbey, the funkiest abbey in the whole wide world. When I drove past at night, with it all lit up, it sent shivers down my spine. Kirkstall = my mum. Even when mum's in Sydney, and I'm in Leeds.
I miss exit numbers on the Motorways. I miss Services. I miss Little Chef... And y'all know how sad that is...
I miss Debenhams '8 Items for 1.99' breakfasts.
I miss nipping over to Brighton to indulge my Habitat and H&M addiction.
I miss Wispa Mint bars, and Skips. I miss Boots. I miss Boots sandwiches. I miss proper sausages and pork pies. Yes, it does appear that mostly I miss shopping and food.
What I don't miss, and what I seldom remember, are the wracking, wrenching sobs of loneliness and heartache.
The sadness I feel now, as I remember my time in the UK, is a nostalgic self-indulgence... Something I can allow myself to dwell on occasionally, safe in the knowledge that I'm where I really want to be. With the people I want to be with.
But it'd be kinda nice to go back, just to be sure y'know...
Have a lovely time Pommie, and have some chips'n'bit just for me.
Itchy feet and a sad heart...
It's been almost 4 years since we came home from the UK, and I'm missing it. I'm missing travel, I'm missing people, I'm missing new places to explore. I'm being so very Gen X and wanting it all...
Pomgirl is going back home for a holiday, she's counting down the days, and I'm getting maddeningly jealous about it. I want to be flying to Leeds... I haven't seen my Granny for ages and I miss her. I miss my Nanny, although Alzeimers is ravaging her ability to miss me... And I miss all my uncles and aunts, especially Michael and Judith. I miss that my cousin (also outside Leeds) is having a baby in the New Year, and I'm not going to see it. I miss that I can't be enjoying this time with her - she's been the cluckiest lawyer ever... freaky thing came to stay with us in Eastbourne while still studying at Oxford, just so she could spend more time with me and the girls.
I miss Tesco.
I miss the chocolate eclairs from Asda.
I don't miss the non-existence of good coffee.
I miss BBC2 and Channel 4.
I miss having to pay for a television licence and being threatened by Men In Vans With EarPhones and Scanners if I don't. I miss chuckling at the Young Ones episode... "did you eat the television...?"
I miss the fact that I don't get Dead Ringers anymore...
I miss nipping out to Pevensey Castle or Battle Abbey when I need to immerse myself in history.
I miss Kirkstall Abbey, the funkiest abbey in the whole wide world. When I drove past at night, with it all lit up, it sent shivers down my spine. Kirkstall = my mum. Even when mum's in Sydney, and I'm in Leeds.
I miss exit numbers on the Motorways. I miss Services. I miss Little Chef... And y'all know how sad that is...
I miss Debenhams '8 Items for 1.99' breakfasts.
I miss nipping over to Brighton to indulge my Habitat and H&M addiction.
I miss Wispa Mint bars, and Skips. I miss Boots. I miss Boots sandwiches. I miss proper sausages and pork pies. Yes, it does appear that mostly I miss shopping and food.
What I don't miss, and what I seldom remember, are the wracking, wrenching sobs of loneliness and heartache.
The sadness I feel now, as I remember my time in the UK, is a nostalgic self-indulgence... Something I can allow myself to dwell on occasionally, safe in the knowledge that I'm where I really want to be. With the people I want to be with.
But it'd be kinda nice to go back, just to be sure y'know...
Have a lovely time Pommie, and have some chips'n'bit just for me.
posted by actonb at 10:20 am
8 Comments:
I was just thinking about the UK today.
I miss topshop and H&M.
I miss M&S ready meals for when I am feeling very lazy.
I miss PretaManger.
I miss pints of beer and lager tops.
I miss drinking much much more than I should.
I don't miss being very poor because I was spending all my earnings on rent (and beer).
I don't miss falling on my ass when the footpaths got all sleety.
I really don't miss the tube or buses.
I was just thinking about the UK today.
I miss topshop and H&M.
I miss M&S ready meals for when I am feeling very lazy.
I miss PretaManger.
I miss pints of beer and lager tops.
I miss drinking much much more than I should.
I don't miss being very poor because I was spending all my earnings on rent (and beer).
I don't miss falling on my ass when the footpaths got all sleety.
I really don't miss the tube or buses.
AB, the mind is a cruel, cruel thing. Time filters all the absolute shitful issues away, leaving you with a happy memory (whether it is travel, a job, or sometimes even a partner).
Think about the weather. The class-driven society. The soccer yobs. British Rail. Tony Blair. Tailbacks on the motorway. All the tourists...
KR - yes! M&S ready meals! Although Sainsury's were cheaper. I'd never touch an Asda ready meal though. Not if you paid me!
Donnie - I realise that the memory can trick you. But I happen to like drizzle... Tony Blair I also don't mind. Heck, I voted Labour in both elections over there. British Rail - didn't have to touch it. Class-driven society - didn't experience it. Tailbacks... meh, I could live with them.
the only thing i miss about the UK is my friends. seeing as there are SO many of them over there.
i want them back. now.
Sorry about the double post - and it wont let me delete it! Grrrr
Thankyou so much! This post actually made me cry which it embarrasses me to admit, what with being a tough-as-old-boots-northern-bird and all that. But you mentioned Kirkstall Abbey! I can't believe you mentioned Kirkstall Abbey! My favourite place in Leeds. I used to live just opposite, and can't wait to see it again.
And M&S ready meals - which don't have the same kind of emotional attachment - but did play quite a big part of mine and the boy's diet, and is probably where all our money ended up. I can't wait to watch Newsnight with the lovely Jeremy Paxman and stuff my face with Walker's Crisps. Yay!
Totally agree about the coffee though. I've been spoiled in Melbourne.
mex - I miss the people, but don't want to swell on it so much.
pom - hee! Kirkstall rocks. I loved the museum too. I still remember walking on those cobbles as a wee girl thinking how special it was. My Gran still lives in Tinshill where my mum grew up, so I got to indulge my love of Kirkstall quite frequently!
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