Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, Central London,

Week 58 (or Week 21 of the new adventure), Saturday 25^th July until Friday 31^st July 2015.

 Mum, Jesse, SAZ and Leo.

It is said that “you can choose your friends and not your family”.  Last Saturday was what I am calling “Family Day”, the weather was warm in fact there were moments when it was actually hot.  This was the first time in over a year that I have seen everyone.  I’m very lucky to be staying with my sister and her lovely family in Surrey.  I have seen mum a couple of times but my other sister I have only seen once since my return, I looked forward to annoying her by blowing raspberry’s on her face.  My brother and his family has expanded since I last saw them, Leo is the newest member of the family and is such a handsome little man, I look forward to many more cuddles.

 They played all day.

The highlight of the day was watching my niece Anaia and my nephew Nicholas playing together.  There were a few tears because the concept of sharing doesn’t come easy to children.  But watching them running around the garden was great, as I said” you can choose your friend and not your family” but when you have a relationship like that who needs friends.  I really hope that they grow up the best of friends along with Jesse and Leo, I can see them in the future going round as a group to gigs, festivals and the odd party.  Mum said that the boys will be protective of Anaia, but I suspect she be the one looking after them.  The excitement in a child’s eyes when there playing is pure magic; it’s a pity that as we grow up we lose that.  Maybe that’s why I’m a fan of sci-fi I still want a little magic and adventure in my boring mid-life crisis adult life.  I enjoyed the day so much and really hope that there is another before I leave in September.

 This Walkie Talkie is a little big for my back pocket.

Sunday was back to normal, a rainy summer’s day as I travelled into London it lashed it down.  I spent the day roaming about London “town” with a plan to take pictures of the building known as the “Walkie Talkie” and the Monument.  I basically just wondered around London in their direction, stopping to take pictures of graffiti and sculptures that caught my eye.  In the end after walking in the rain for a number of hours there was the “Walkie Talkie” a huge imposing odd shaped building which I found out is actually called 20 Fenchurch Street.  Standing at the bottom looking up it is as imposing as it is from viewing it a number of miles away.  Stranding at the base looking up made me think of how a wave breaks above a surfer.  It’s a strangely beautiful looking building, London skyline has changed so much recently with many new odd shaped skyscrapers the “Walkie Talkie” is one of the prettier one I think.  I also found The Monument built after the great fire of London in 1666, very interesting to read about it around the base of the structure.  The Monument and St Pauls (I passed this as well) were built by a distant relative Sir Christopher Wren (see still talking about family) I could imagine him standing at these locations watching his designs being built.

 I think these are pretty.

There was child like magic in MY eyes when I pulled in to Redhill station in the morning on Sunday as a steam train was leaving.  That evening back at Redhill waiting for my late connection the steam train pulled in due to a red signal.  I ran the length of the platform and managed to get pictures while looking back along the platform just in case my train arrived. Everyone loves a steam train they feel alive, a living breathing creature chugging and puffing away, I do love that smell of the soot.  As it pulled out of the station people were waving the driver tooted the horn loudly.  I really wished I had someone to share that moment with.

 The Monument.

I haven’t seen MOZ all weekend which is rare, we were both busy.  MOZ is family as far as I’m concerned and she was missed at the Family day Mum and others said they would have loved to have had her there, maybe the next one.  My relationship with my family has had its up’s and downs of course.  I do love them more then they will ever know and I realise how lucky I am to have them in my life.  We might not see each other or speak for a while but pick up straight away when we do; I think that’s a good sign.

  A fave cinema and a building built by a relative.

I’m glad I didn’t choose my family, as for friends like MOZ I can’t remember if she choose me or me her, either way she’s family.

 A lovely old smoker.

In other news.  Celeb spotting Nigel Plainer at Victoria station & Richard Osman at St Pancreas station.  Passport form sent off.  A woman reading a London guide dated winter 2010.  Met MOZ for a free Starbucks, and stuck my shoe to a Starbucks stool with superglue.  Walked home while a beautiful almost full moon lit my way. New passport arrived within 4 days, wow.

 Free Starbucks tastes great.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Interceptor”, (ep 8), Humans”, (eps 7), “Cordon” (eps 9 & 10), “Orphan Black”, (Season 3, eps 4 & 9), “Witnesess”, (esp 1), “London’s Lost Graveyard: Crossrail Discovery”, “Shrek”, “Drones in the Forbidden Zone”, (Cooling Towers), “The Last Leg”, (Season 6, eps 5), “People Doing Nothing”, (Season 1, eps 1 to 4), “Partners In Crime”, (eps 1).

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Bob Marley”, “Smiths”, “Morrissey”, The XX, “The Maccabees”, “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds”, “Blur”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.