Why I love living in Canada Water

Before I started working at my most recent job, I'd never heard of Canada Water. If asked, I would have assumed it was over by Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs. Not so, although it is part of what was the docklands. After realising how unhappy living in my Tower Bridge flat was making me, I decided to start the arduous (but necessary) task of househunting again. I was incredibly lucky and managed to find the perfect houseshare in Canada Water straight away. After a nervous week waiting for the girls to decide if they wanted me as their new housemate, they thankfully saw sense and agreed that I could take the room! 

Since moving in at the end of July, I've come to really appreciate living in this area. Although my house is a little way from the station, that doesn't bother me. I became the proud owner of a bike earlier in the year (and put it together myself which I'm very proud of!) and it only takes me about 10 minutes to cycle to either Canada Water or Rotherhithe tube stations. There are also a couple of decent buses that pass close to the house so it's pretty well connected.

Having said that, it's not so well connected that I'm in the centre of the noise and crowds of London. In fact most of the time you can forget you're even in the city. It's so leafy and green you feel worlds away from the pollution and dirt of the city centre. It's probably not, but it feels like it! I live right near the river, so it's easy to take a walk along the Thames, and this is a great way to spend a couple of hours. You are reminded of how close you really are though, as you catch glimpses of the skyscrapers at certain points as you walk (or in my case cycle) around. As I head back to my house from Rotherhithe I head straight towards the big buildings of Canary Wharf - as it's directly opposite us on the other bank of the river. Usually on my way to Canada Water station (bus and tube) I spy the top of the shard over in the distance. 


I'm writing this post from Canada Water library, an incredibly busy library that is always full - many people studying, children running about (!) and people enjoying a cup or coffee or a language exchange in the downstairs cafe. The building itself is an unusual design - one people are likely to either love or loathe for its quirky shape. I actually quite like it, and I hope that when the new shopping/apartment complex that's currently being built is finished it will complement the library as well. I'm very excited this week as I've checked out three books from the library, and have another on the way that I reserved this week. Although I do love owning books, I don't have a lot of space to store them, and really only put them on a shelf to get dusty when I've finished reading them, so I'll probably try and get more for the library when I've finished with these - actually two of them are cookery books which I'll probably just take photos of decent recipes from before I take them back. I've usually thought that a downside to library books is that new releases are not available, but I noticed today as I picked up Girl on the Train, that they have the newest Nigella cookery book that came out last week. So perhaps the days of waiting for a new release are over!

For the sake of this post, I walked into the library today so that I could more easily take photos of my walk through Russia Dock Woodland. Created in the old Russia dock basin, this is now a park, ecological nature reserve and has a small man-made hill from which you can gaze over the famous London skyline. 

A few weeks ago, I spent a Sunday morning in the Canada Water Cafe - mostly because I had turned up to use the library 3 hours before it opened (they need to update their website!). I was surprised at how busy the cafe was on a Sunday morning. Although this is a very busy and residential area I wasn't expecting quite so many people to be out eating breakfast in the cafe. Although I think the drinks are overpriced for what you get, it's a nice space to sit and work, or to catch up with friends. I've eaten there a couple of times, and the food seems decent too. I really enjoyed the ambience and atmosphere and in the end it was a slightly nicer place to work than the library - although with the prices I wouldn't make it a habit! 

Mostly, I love living here because it gives me the best of both the worlds I've grown to enjoy. Nature, trees and open spaces, but near enough and well connected to the city to not feel isolated. Canada Water, I'm here to stay!

I like cycling through the woodland and encountering all the ducks, moorhens and coots that live there as they run across the path just as you're approaching - why do they wait until you're nearly on top of them before they run across?! The less said about the foxes the better, they never fail to scare me particularly at night! There are also plenty of little squirrels scampering about and as we have a small garden, we see quite a lot of cat traffic passing through.

I really appreciate how much care Southwark council take of the woodlands too. Each day I go through the park they seem to be there - clearing out the waterways, repairing benches, and caring for the trees and plants.

Canada Water Library with a lovely red dusk sky

What do you love about the place where you live? Are there certain things you will never compromise on where your home is? Do you have ideas about where you'll move to in the future? Let me know in the comments!

Wanderings lately :: October

I've been reading some interesting blogs lately, which have kind of sparked a feeling of sadness that I don't really blog anymore. I could blame this on life getting in the way, or not exploring exciting places now that I'm not in Asia. But really the motivation for documenting life at home just isn't there. It's not really because I don't have anything to write about, I still try and experience as much as possible in life, but I am no longer writing about my life for friends and family to keep up with. Being in your home country - and although London isn't my home city, it's only an hour away from where I grew up - doesn't feel like much to shout about.

I've tentatively decided to try and motivate myself to document a little more. This blog was always a way to keep track of exciting times, things that I've got up to in life that I could look back at months or years in the future. I do this, a lot actually. I love to look back over blog posts from this month last year, or two, three years ago. What was I doing? What was I writing about? The thing is, now I don't write about what I'm up to, and looking back at last year or the year before there are no posts to reminisce over. That makes me a little sad - although I wouldn't have been travelling to exotic locations in those months, I would have been doing something, but as time goes by I'll forget what they were.

So I want to try and keep more regular little updates - maybe trying to commit to weekly is a little optimistic, and it may end up being monthly (that is if I keep it up at all), but for now I'm going to try and say these will be fortnightly, every two weeks, to post some pictures and some words about what I'm doing or seeing lately.

So here are the last two weeks; the end of September and beginning of October. Excitingly this is the start of Autumn in London. It my favourite season, one of transition and looking forward to a change in temperature, weather and for me right now maybe also life... more on that another day. Probably.

Autumn arrived in the form of a cinnamon and apple muffin and pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. A clever marketing ploy to issue these nicely designed cups that really make you feel you're entering into the spirit of a changing season... we'll soon be onto the red Christmas ones so better soak up the leafy, pumpkin-y ones now whilst you have the chance...

Actually I've been slowly trying to live a life of less waste this year - it's not easy and it's something that I know I will never be able to fully put into practise like others have. In keeping with this idea, I'm planning to invest in a keep-cup. I'm not sure yet whether all cafes/coffee shops will accept the cup but I have recently used my metal flask in a couple of places for tea. I'm not sure whether the shape and design of that would work for a latte though. I like the initiative and it would be another step on my mission to produce less waste.

I had a fabulous time visiting my friend Chelsea to celebrate her 30th in 1920s style. This was my fourth visit to see her over in Den Haag, and this time we managed to squeeze in a little trip to the beach near her house.

Last week I attended the Cake and Bake show in London's ExCel Centre. My mum and I had been to the show a couple of years before and we decided to go again this year, as it's a nice day out, you can pick up a few freebies and we always strive to use some of the tips or techniques that they show you at the demonstrations. We were lucky enough at the end of the show to walk past a section that were packing up and giving away loads of cakes and sweets from an afternoon tea for free. These mini lemon meringue pies were absolutely delicious, and I enjoyed every single bite! After the show mum and I decided to jump on the emirates airline for a slightly different travel experience and to catch the last of an absolutely beautiful dusk sky. Although there isn't a great deal to see view-wise from the cable cars, I definitely think going in the evening when the city is lit up makes for a better view than during the day as this area of London doesn't have a particularly nice area to gaze out at.

This weekend I stumbled upon this old hat of my mum's from a long time ago, I've had it in my wardrobe for ages but either forgot about it or felt like it wasn't a good time to wear it. Although it's slightly too small to wear completely on my head - which is amazing since I have such a pea head! - if I wear it slightly tilting on the back of my head it's perfect and it looked pretty good, even if I do say so myself! The best thing was when I asked my Dad what he thought of my hat and his answer was 'It looks nice, your mother had a hat like that when we were young'... its the same one Dad! :-)

The beginning of October, with all it's promise of crisp autumn days and changing colours, comes with a slightly difficult position for me as I lost my job and am now applying for something in that mixture of slight desperation at needing a job, with the added desire to find a job that can interest me, develop some skills and help me find my place here in London. There are a couple of options in front of me at the moment, so fingers crossed it all works out for the best!

:: What have you been enjoying this Autumn? Has October filled  you with excitement or are you dreading the coming cold weather? Let me know in the comments! ::

The SATC Tour

Essex's answer to Miranda, Samantha, Carrie and Charlotte

One thing I knew I wanted to do when I visited New York was to take the Sex and the City tour. SATC has been a constant presence in my life since I watched the final part of season 6 when I was studying for my A levels. When I was living abroad, I watched the series over and over. I would put on episodes in the background when I was cooking, or getting ready to go out because there were no English channels on my TV or radio. It became a familiar soundtrack to my day, Carrie's constant questioning and the glamourous nights out and outfits of the characters. When the first film came out, my 3 friends and I, having assumed a character inspiration each (I was Carrie), got dressed up for a trip to the cinema, smuggled in some wine, and then headed out for our own cosmopolitans when the film ended. I bought the film on fake DVD in China and watched it with my girlfriends. The second film came out when I was in Liverpool, and I went with a new set of girlfriends to watch that as my boyfriend at the time wouldn't be persuaded! I watched the prequel TV series 'The Carrie Diaries', which I also really enjoyed and was disappointed that it was cancelled.

So going to New York, I was extremely excited to see all of the places featured in the series. I already knew about the Sex and the City tour bus, and couldn't wait to step aboard and delve into that world again, surrounded by other people as equally obsessed as me. I managed to persuade Samantha to come along with me, and I'm glad to say she was pleasantly surprised at how much she also enjoyed the experience. 

The tour begins at The Plaza, and as we walked across to the meet up point, I immediately clocked the Paris Cinema - pointing out that this is where Carrie went to the cinema on a Saturday night 'date' night alone. One the bus, our guide was enthusiastic and entertaining. As the bus drives through the city, our guide pointed out each of the 'hotspots' we could see from the show and we were also reminded of the scenes on TVs around the bus. This was really great as it brought to life what we were looking at. There were a few stops throughout the tour - at an Ann Summers style shop, cosmopolitan bar, posh restaurant from the film and Magnolia Bakery. Samantha and I, of course induldged in a cupcake from the Bakery and enjoyed wandering around empty Buddakan restaurant (where Carrie and Big have their wedding rehearsal dinner). We skipped out of the midday Sunday Cosmopolitan drinks to briefly walk around Little Italy, and didn't stick around the site of Carrie's apartment steps or to look around the sex toy shop (preferring to grab a coffee nearby instead!) The tour ends at the HBO shop, where you get a slight discount, and where Samantha and I both bought a little souvenir.

Later during my stay, we went back to see the library, although it was unfortunately closed on a Sunday so I never got to see inside. We found the community garden featured in Miranda's wedding, which was lovely and I went back to the Flatiron building to get a decent photo. I really enjoyed the tour, and I think it was an excellent start to my visit to New York, as it takes you around the city and obviously it's an interesting introduction for any SATC fan. I also loved that I did this with Samantha, as she's completely familiar with the city and so as I continued my exploration of the city, she could point out how each place connected with what we'd see on the tour.

Buddakan restaurant

NY Public library

The Statue of Liberty

What better way to begin the posts about my American adventure than with the Statue of Liberty? Symbol of all things American, she stands there day after day holding up that beacon, having witnessed the entry of hundreds of thousands (millions?) of people arriving in a land of promise and prosperity.

On the day I visited, the weather was boiling, the boat packed, water calm and sky blue. I had bought a ticket for both Liberty and Ellis Island and I was actually more interested in spending time inside the Ellis Island Museum. I didn't bother with the free audio tour of the statue, and only spent enough time on the island to take a few photos, gaze over the sea back at Manhattan and make a quick loop around. Then I was back into the big queue to the boat over to Ellis Island.

This was easily one of my most enjoyable days in New York. The museum was fascinating, I could have spent longer than the 2 hours I did there, only I was meeting Samantha in the late afternoon for a tour in the Tenement Museum. Ellis Island was filled with stories of family, bravery and hope. Although I have lived abroad, I always knew I could (and probably would) go home one day, but those European (and later Asian) immigrants left everything they knew, everyone they knew, to start a completely new life. With no real guarantee that things would work out, surviving mostly due to hard work and determination. I have so much respect for all of those brave people. Immigration is an extremely hot topic at home right now, and our government's constant attempts to stop people entering the country directly affects my job. So to say I am quite invested in it is fair to say. The UK has a long history of immigration, those coming from our former colonies and weaving a rich multicultural tapestry, particularly in London, of which I am immensely proud. But the UK never experienced that which America did. The peak immigration years saw Europeans pouring into the country to start their new lives, encouraged by the ocean liners, who, I was interested to find out, made most of their money from the poor passengers in steerage class. First class passengers demanded too much for the liners to make a profit off of their tickets, but steerage expected nothing and were given the bare minimum. They were the life blood of the companies.

Back in Manhattan in the late afternoon, we were booked onto a tour of the tenement museum. Another fascinating place, that is a fantastic museum to visit. I will definitely be going back there on another trip! The museum is housed in an old tenement block that was never upgraded by the landlord when the city authorities were making the city more fire-proof. It lay dormant and blocked up for years, until it was discovered by the tenement museum founders. A doorway into the past, and a real life example of what most of the city's buildings used to look like. After meticulous research they have uncovered the stories from immigrant families who inhabited the house over the years. Samantha and I heard the story of an Irish immigrant family, who were living in a German neighbourhood (Kleine Deutschland) we heard about their struggles and family life, the poverty they experienced and the prejudice and distain held towards the Irish - 'No Irish need apply' was one of the signature songs of the time. Truly captivating and thought-provoking I cannot recommend both the Ellis Island and Tenement museums highly enough.

"They asked us the questions, 'How much is two and one? How much is two and two?' But the next young girl also from our city, went and they asked her 'How do you wash stairs, from the top or from the bottom?' She says, 'I don't go to America to wash stairs'" 

This was my favourite quote of all the immigrants anecdotes in the museum! Good on you, Polish immigrant, not accepting the lowly expectations of the authorities!

The Tenement Museum

One thing I thought as the boat circled around the statue and came into dock, as the loud speaker gave us some general facts about the statue, was how this was originally copper; time and weather turning the shiny bronze to green. I think the weathering does nothing to diminish its effect, but for a second I wished I could go back in time, perhaps be on one of the first boats to arrive there, cheering along with my fellow passengers as the statue came into sight. Finally reaching our destination, and to look up, and marvel at the shiny, copper lady. Then all at once, I was back in 2015, jostling along with the Chinese tourists attempting to cut their mobile phones out of my picture and tutting as they stood on the seats the loud speaker had just asked us not to put our feet on. 

"Who would've thought an island that tiny would be big enough to hold all our old boyfriends?" (Miranda - Sex and the City)

The Haarlem Shake

Adding another Dutch city to the list of places I've visited when over in the Netherlands with Chelsea this time we headed to Haarlem. Fresh from our visit to the Keukenhof, we jumped on the train to Haarlem to wander around the town admiring the flower floats from the previous day's Flower Parade. The weather was less than perfect, a general mizzle (mist/drizzle) descended on the city whilst we wandered up and down, attempting to wait for people to get out of our photos. Chels and I are pretty patient in this as we would rather not take a photo than have random people in it! The best of what I took are below, the floats were fairly impressive, although after the Keukenhof the day before we were almost completely flower-ed out! 

After our jaunt admiring the floats we wandered back through the main square towards the station. Feeling pretty tired and fed up of the cold damp weather we ducked into a cute cafe on the way back, unknowingly happening upon a tea shop run by an English woman and serving cream tea! We were brought two massive scones each and a large pot of tea which remedied our low spirits. 

Back in Den Haag we prepared ourselves for Kings Night, which mainly involved waiting for ages to enter the Grote Markt, painting Dutch flags on our faces and dancing to random Europop!