July

We started into July with Tree’s 4^th of July party. It was a good chance to dig out some old costumes which we hadn’t used for a while. (You will have to look at the photos to see which, but suffice to say they both went down a treat.) Everyone really got into the spirit of the night, with some cool costumes, beer pong and cheesy American hits keeping the night going into the early hours of the morning. Luckily Tree only lives around the corner so it was nice to be able to walk home (changed out of our costumes to avoid unwanted London muggings.)

We decided to get some culture into us with a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. We weren’t quite sure what the deal was, but turns out they have a large exhibition of original artwork every year for which you are able to buy the limited edition prints. Suffice to say the prices were high so we weren’t really in the market for any art but was good to see what the intellectuals get up to. After that we went for a wander around St James’ park and around Westminster, where we haven’t actually spent all that much time since arriving in London.

We also made it down to Clapham to Forrest and Laura’s place for Laura’s birthday. Was good to catch up with them and the likes of Monique, Matt, Fagan and Cameron (who had shrunk into virtual non-existence as a result of an extensive exercise regime he had been undergoing.) He was happy to share all his secrets with anyone prepared to listen. We like cake too much for that though.

We also had a couple of other birthdays in July. First we were out to West London to visit Abbie for an afternoon birthday BBQ. Considering it had been a pool party the year before it was a bit of a let down for Abbie that this year we all had to be rugged up against the cold. Blasted London summer! After our last catch up with Abbie before she goes home it was back to Islington for Ash’s birthday at the HUGE Wetherspoons converted from an old theatre on Holloway Road. We arrived pretty late so the place was closing not long after we arrived but that didn’t stop the birthday girl and it was off to Big Red, a rock bar up the road. We had never been sure about the place, with flaming skulls painted on the outside, but once we got in there we had a great night listening to our kind of music before again being lucky enough to walk home in the early hours.

We finally got a bit of sun the following day so we made the most of it with a relaxing afternoon at Regents Park. Was good to just enjoy some sun and read our books. We didn’t stay late though. This was our last weekend in London before our big van trip so we had organised to have a dinner with the flatmates at, where else but, Ziloufs. Had to get in our last dose of ribs and pork belly.

You would think that with our next week being the last before we left London we would be spending the evenings sorting out last minute plans. We were but it was also while going out for dinner with Michelle and Jason, who were also off on a long trip, but they wouldn’t be coming back as their planned destination was Melbourne where they were planning on starting afresh. We met in Stoke Newington where we had some tasty Mexican fare. Not too hot to burn our tongues off though.

It was another dinner as well that week. This time a last taste of Le Mercury with a few of our friends. Turns out July is the time to leave London because it ended up being a small event. As we were still coming back to London again we couldn’t be too jealous for those of our friends who chose to go to the other leaving dinners. Turned out to be a great night though and we left lingering with plans for a dinner club…

And with the week and the month coming to an end it was time for the biggest trip yet. The Iceberg was going to take us around Europe…

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