Home and Away

29 October 2008. My time in England draws to a close.

As the loud bangs of fireworks fill the air in the evenings leading up to Guy Fawkes night, I'm reminded of how fast two years passes. Last year at this time I was just settling in to Bristol. Two years ago I was hunting for places to live in Nottingham. It's hard to believe I'm on my way home.

The last few weeks have been busier than I expected them to be. I've gotten a few last minute travels in, albeit to the two most popular destinations of my time here, but travel nonetheless. I made a trip to Nottingham to have one last hurrah there. It coincided with a beer festival at the castle which was a nice bonus. I also did the touristy thing that I had wanted to do for a while but never got around to. I went to City of Caves, a tour into the caves below Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, once home to many generations of dwellers. I also had a nice lunch with Tom and his family on his mom's birthday. I hung out with friends at the old workplace and said my goodbyes to them before heading back to Bristol.

I finished up work shortly after that. That came with the usual lunches and beers after work. I wish I could have stayed on there but everything has worked out too perfectly for me on the other side of the pond to resist. I've enjoyed my time there, and the experience has been incredibly valuable to my place in the field.

This past weekend I went to London, to see friends; some whom I've been visiting since first going to London, and some new arrivals, friends from Winnipeg who are just starting the two-year journey that I am now finishing. I hope the advice I have given them helps to make their stays here as comfortable and barrier-free as possible. While in London I went to a Halloween party with friends, hung out at Camden Lock on a bustling Saturday, and met an old friend for a couple of pints at the Maple Leaf and elsewhere.

So now, in just a few hours I depart the United Kingdom for the sunny, though frigid, skies of the home country. But I will definitely be back, if only for a visit or two. This country has definitely captured a part of my heart, especially Bristol, in a similar way that Winnipeg did during my time there. So the next little while will be challenging, with jet lag, reverse culture shock, and adjusting to all the changes that have occurred over the year and a half since I've been back there. I don't exactly know how it will all pan out but...

I'll figure it out when I get there.