Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Being friendly can go a long way...


To set the scene...

It was about 5pm and we (Erin and I) had just had an amazing day in Brighton. We went into a bar and were finishing our day off with two for one cocktails. We had ordered the first two and were sitting around chatting when...

An older man then approached us asking if one of us would like his other cocktail as he only wanted one. At first, we were very apprehensive - coming from London where there are 'creepers' everywhere. 

This man had a walking stick, was very wobbly on his feet and facially, there was 'something going on'. 

We both exchanged quick 'argh, we can't say no but let's just keep smiling and say yes' glances, and offered him a seat at our table. 

Hands down, best decision ever. 

After making the first part of what could have been an awkward situation, we found we were in the company of a very special man. 

He had an amazing sense of humour and was great with his comments and comebacks. We chatted about the usual stuff - our jobs, where we were from. We played some games - if you had to eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? If you could have any car in the world, what would it be? And so on.... 

As the conversation flowed, so did the beauty of it. Our new friend Chris said to us that he has Parkinson's and hadn't left the house in a long time, but was having 'a good day' today so thought he'd venture out. 

He was so lovely and proceeded to tell us that neither of us had "a bad bone in our bodies" and "were very lovely to let him spend his evening with us". 

His hilarity and wit continued to make us hoot with laughter, so much so, that we told him (and maybe convinced him a little) that he should become a comedian. He was oozing with so much happiness and gratefulness. 

A few hours later, Chris left us to go back home. He thanked us again, shook our hands a few more times, and continued to tell us how lovely we were. 

After he left, both Erin and I just sat there with big smiles on our faces and tears in our eyes. We had opened our hearts to a man who needed it. 

Times like these, they're more than amazing. It's so rewarding to give someone the time of day, when I know a lot of others would've turned their backs on a situation like this. 

It really made such a fun and memorable day, that much more. 




Saturday, April 5, 2014

That time we played in the sunshine


Last weekend we had a lovely Spring day which was fun to share with a lovely lady! My friend Erin and I met up at one of my favourite New Zealand cafes - The Long White Cloud. We ate, chatted, drank one of the best flat whites in London, then left to embrace the glorious sunshine! 
There's about a 100% chance I walked out of the cafe, hands in the air, twirling around, shouting saying "What a GLORIOUS day!". Sometimes, you just gotta. 

Our goal was to get to London Fields to sit in the sun. 

First stop: Hackney City Farm

I love city farms! The chickens scare me, but sometimes they look like they're wearing harem pants, so it's ok.



The pigs are so huge, they could supply you with a years worth of bacon. 

The goats are pretty suave. 


And those wee donkeys, they're just so cute and fluffy. And have really big willies!


Next stop: Broadway Market

We mooched on up to Broadway Market after our farm excitement. 

After battling the use of the footpath with some cheeky, scary, annoying squirrels, who really were out to get us, we made it to the hustle and bustle of proper hipster town. 


Broadway Market has been around since the early 1900's and was filled with an eclectic range of goods and people! 

Source
Next stop: London Fields

After treating ourselves to an ice block and a cider, we sat in the park with every other hipster in East London. That in itself is an experience and a half! It was the perfect place to people watch! and creep on the hipsters!


We left the park at that perfect time - the sun was going down, the hipsters were overwhelming, and the canal was calling our names!

We strolled back to Angel via the canal, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect day! 

I love London on days like these!