I know, i know, it's been a while.....and it's soooo hot, no air-con in the kitchen ....by the time i actually contemplate a 'Not so Greek Goddess post', I have usually been so busy (on face book)......that i am exhausted!!!.....Or been in the fridge too many times....for cold beer or wine!!! That's the problem with the computer being here, why don't they make adult locks for the fridge???
I've been on a little trip, back to England and to the place where i spent my years...'growing up'.....it had been 5 years since my last visit, so it was lovely showing my children the 'City' and reliving some of those memories.....!!! And visiting the places of my youth....(not just the pubs!!!)
They simply adored the double decker bus, and a train, one that actually runs on a track....!!! I couldn't believe how many people use public transport....and don't wash!!!). We annoyed the hell out of everybody, oohing and arrrhhhing....at everything, so we switched to 'Greek', not a good move, not only was i now a 'single mother, with 4 children....(major death stares), benefits coming out of my ears (obviously)......but was an immigrant too'........!!!(resulting in tut-tutting as well as the stares.)
People were as helpful as ever, and friendly, I would say "Good Morning" to most, and they looked at me as if i was some kind of weirdo, that, or desperately trying to remember where they might possibly know me from!!! I hit a guy in the face trying to get my stroller off the bus, accident of course, but honestly he could see me struggling. I didn't realise you had to press the 'button'....i thought that was for an emergency stop or something....so we almost ended up walking home from another village too!!!
I also managed to fall down the steps of Debenhams, and graze all my shins, and not because i had been in the Murderers (The Gardeners Arms), at lunch-time, but again trying to manoeuvre the pram god, where are the ramps.....they are always moaning here about access....!!! Of course everyone rushed to help....(.no.!!!)...
Isn't it a shame though that now with all the Safe & Healthy issues, some of the 'fun' has been taken out of life, for example you are no longer supposed to 'bump, on the Bumper Cars, you can't feed the animals at the farms (due to e-coli), and you can't even take pics of the kids just in case you get someone elses kid in the background......and are a paedophile.
Everything you say, has to be 'PC'....which i thought was something to do with a computer until friends enlightened me.....Life is changing. as are we,.....gone are those days on the Broads in a dingy.... not a care in the world ......without mobile phones......away all day....
Reunions....High School
OMG, would have to be....having read all the 'Do's and Do NO T's lists of what to wear, talk about, etc, etc....behaviour, forgot the most important one......do not get intoxicated.......!!! Oh well, at least I wasn't the only one. How weird, to find yourself back as a16/17 year old......in a body of a almost 40 year old, thinking OMG....OMG....OMG, but still so lovely to see people of 'yesterday', and although everyone has got older, more responsibilities....etc...etc....none of us have really changed.........???
I am not going to mention any beer bellies, lack of hair, cellulite, or anything else.....just thank god for Primark's big nickers and gel fillers, we girls are sooo lucky......!!!
I could have done with some Polly filler as well though!!!
I spent most of the evening accidentally brushing against everyone , cos my chest had grown two sizes over night, and worrying that i might not have recognised someone.....perhaps name badges would be good next time....and glasses even!!!
Which brings me to the next 'do not do'....and that is flash everything....yep, hadn't even actually 'got in' to the 'Reunion' and went to the loo....window was open, didn't realise, i was desperately trying to haul these super size hold everything in.....very tight long/ big nicks up....and realised (mortified), i was in fact in full view of everyone in the bar opposite....ended up crawling down on the floor....still trying to get the bloody things up, when someone says....Ohhhhh....Tracey Harding......how are you??? AHHHHH!!! By the way, it was the hottest day of the 'so called summer', so imagine....trying to pull anything up. Why didn't i just wear the white dress???...(Or Burka)!!!
In General
Something else I realised is how many people still smoke. Whilst travelling during early hours of the morning, i could not believe how many people were smoking in their cars on their way to work (probably the only place you can smoke these days in England)...........apart from 'out-side' the pubs, which seem to give men even more of a reason to stand around admiring the views???.........
Life is not always black or white, or greener on the other side....and memories are what we all carry with us. (although the men, seem to lose a few on the way ,their brains are scientifically different.!!!...) some fade away or are conveniently forgotten, but they make us what we are....god, I now I have found all my old diaries too....., which are slightly disturbing!!! Who went out with who when, what was happening in Neighbours....and who didn't I go out with???.....thank god, I met my husband when i did!!!
So if i ever go away again, lessons i have learnt are:-
Go alone.....(haha!!!)
Not a good idea to give the kids milkshakes with crushed smarties in, when you are about to be confined in a small space for more than 3 hrs........!!!
Make sure your teenagers pack all their makeup in their luggage, not in the hand luggage, it took us about half an hour to then pack it all in those little plastic bags at Gatwick!!!
and having had my bra searched,( must have been the Terry's chocolate oranges down there)......not to wear any padding AND when then asked to remove your belt, shoes earrings.....don't suggest to the good looking Security Guard about removing your dress as well!!! (Not good when they are in serious National Threat mode.....and no humour!!!.....meanwhile my children had disowned me....!!!)
Plus, never listen to anyone who tells you to "just to bring summer clothes'......i lived in the same jeans and cardigans for two weeks!!! XXX
The excess kilo's on the way home were generally to do with treacle pudding and custard, eccles cakes, pick n mix...etc...etc.....so next time i will make sure i take expanding clothes with me....!!!
Hope you are enjoying your summer, will be off 'on tour' around the island next week, (my car is finally fixed
and people can't hear me....before seeing me....!!!)
and blogging 'A little Greek Island'....
Lots of Love
Tracey XXX
