Tying up Loose Ends

On Friday I'm off to Manchester for a wedding, so the past two weekends in London have been special, because they were my last in my house before the Big Pack Up takes place in two weeks time. The sun has shone in London, and I've seen or telephoned most of my favourite people. Now that it's all over, and the countdown has truely begun, I am feeling nostalgic.

Friends outside in the square outside the Prince of Wales pub

London is beautiful in the summer. The days are longer, people loosen up a bit and smile more, and hours are spent outdoors calmly conversing and considering the world. All this makes it feel harder to leave London behind. Everything is just getting started. Parties are being planned, barbeques bought, holidays booked. Meanwhile, I am trying to fit in everything I need and want to do before I leave: Quality time with my beloveds, visiting my favourite places, exploring new undiscovered places, returning borrowed belongings, using up the food in the cupboards.

The view from Primrose Hill

This weekend I walked through Regent's Park and climbed Primrose Hill for the first time, just in time to catch the sun setting. It was stunning, standing at the breezy summit, surrounded by green and trees, with the city centre just on the other side of the park. I was taken there by an old school friend, who I haven't spent time with for ages, and even though I had a great time, it's sad that it won't be repeated soon, and I probably won't climb that hill again for months, perhaps years.

Tom waves goodbye

I've also started trying to use up all the baking ingredients that have been lingering in our cupboards. My two housemates and I have all gone through phases of dabbling in a little baking, and somehow we've managed to end up with 3 open pots of cocoa, 2 pots of baking powder and countless bags of flour. So I've been throwing together my old favourite, sponge cakes, and trying out new recipes, like scones. I've come to really enjoy my weekly whisking/kneading sessions. Sitting around enjoying the products of my handywork with my friends is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

My first batch of scones

The ultimate "using-up" challenge took place last night, when my housemates and I roasted a joint of pork that we've had in the freezer for over 6 months (is that safe?). We named it Pig Day. It has been planned for several weeks because we're almost never in the house at the same time as each other, and so, Pig Day was the appointed Last Supper of our cosy abode in Kennington. None of us have ever successful roasted pork before, so we put out trust in Delia, and made crackling, roast potatoes and gravy.

Pig Day is served

As you can see from the picture above, it was a feast, and a memorable way to enjoy our last Sunday dinner together.

So I have had two wonderful weekends, that have given me even more 'London' memories to treasure. The problem that I've discovered with tying up loose ends, however, is that it seems to make me more entangled, more bound to the people and the places than ever.