London - a lament

I miss cold, crisp mornings when commuters fall on icy platforms and hot chocolate warms you right down to your toes.

I miss rainy days when the pavements flood and you get home with wet socks.

I miss sushi.

I miss St Paul’s churchyard and lazy lunch hours spent there.

I miss Camden Market.

I miss half flat Pepsi at KFC and Daffodils blooming in April.

I miss tube buskers and the dude at Liverpool Street Station that can’t really play guitar.

I miss Highgate Cemetery.

I miss central heating and my brilliant hairdresser Emma.

I miss Superdrug, the DLR and off licenses.

I miss the Cosmopolitan and Glamour, free samples and Pret.

I miss toblerone, the poundshop and New Look.

I miss my friend Stephanie and our long emailed chats (thanks for the letters though Steph).

I miss how my wrist aches at the beginning of winter.

I miss what passes for English Spring when there’s still frost on the ground.

I miss the cold. I especially miss the English cold.

I miss public transport, my books and CSI Sundays.

I miss having my nails done, colouring my hair whatever the hell colour I want and tattoo parlours.

I miss t-shirts that fit, stylish coats and red double decker buses.

I miss sav & chips, my puffa jacket and my duck down duvet.

I miss barbequing in Crystal Palace park, drinking cider under a tree and using the Su-Ria and Hennie establishment when nature called.

I miss having king prawn fried rice on Fridays after work, eating Cheerios out of the box and having time to myself.

I miss being able to do what I want, when I want.

I miss sherbert fountains.

I miss rainy days spent in bed reading all sorts of amazing books, old and new.

I miss the spritzer girls at Debenham’s perfume counter.

I miss bagels, cinnamon & oat cookies and 5 pack tights.

I miss chicken kievs, gammon with pineapple and Burger King Whoppers.

I miss shaking along on the DLR towards Bank, listening to my Ipod on full whack.

I miss reliable internet connections, online shopping and post that actually arrives.

I miss buying make up, M&S knickers and good quality handbags.

I miss my handmade fuchsia-pink leather cashmere-lined gloves. 

I miss the smell of my flat when I come home from work.

I miss affordable DVD’s, gadgets, magazines and BOOKS!!!

I miss being able to buy carrot batons, blueberries and delicious, almost black cherries.

I miss the daily mail.

I miss M&S’s chocolate milk, spaghetti carbonara & mac & cheese.

I miss the walks from work with Sash to Liverpool Street Station.

I miss being in charge of birthday, leaving, new-baby and congratulations whip rounds, and deciding on gifts for said recipients.

I miss amazing wrapping paper, envelopes and stationary at Paperchase.

I miss boxing day sales, mince pies and mulled wine.

I miss grit on pavements, patterned wellies and black cabs.

I miss dog walkers, ignorant pedestrians and self service ticket machines.

I miss the bus rides home, getting a seat on the train and Pimm’s & lemonade.

I think, in short, it’s obvious to say I pretty much miss EVERYTHING of London.