Getting to, jetting to, catching up

I often think that chronological reports don't make the best blogs. I'd rather explore and share one single thought or happening and enjoy that moment. But then again, i also like flipping through a chunky album of vacation photos. The nostalgic charm of reliving the memories of the moments of yesterday, last week or last month is warming. So lets have a catch up.

From a chilly but festive Amsterdam, a few days before Christmas, we headed south to the German city of Freiberg. Cast list: Henrique the dashing Brazilian-Italian, NYC girl Tami, Bella Italiana Valentina and yours truly. We took to the road snugly squeezed into our Opel Corsa and wrapped in coats. This was to neutralise the strong breeze which becomes apparent when you don't have a drivers window. Freiberg was kind to us. It means 'city of the free' and our freedom from the breeze and coats came in the shape of a wonderful evening of couchsurfing, a good nights sleep and 5 morning hours at an Opel repair centre. We were fed coffee and cookies, treated to a colouring-in book and left with a brand new window. The art of on-the-road conversation became re-discovered.Best coffee in Freiberg? Opel Service Centre.

After the stillness and tanquillity of Freiberg it was a regrettable but victorious race against the clock. From the backseat of the car i sailed through southern Germany, climbed the Swiss Alps at sunset and entered Italy. Dark mountains tucked me in and endless tunnels put me to sleep for an early evening nap. The bright lights of a distant Milan were my wake-up call. It was 10pm. The same bright lights also signalled my turn in the drivers seat. A turn which took us six hours through thick fog and un-predictable truck drivers to Roma. I went to bed for the second time at 4.30am. However, this time i made my bed in the Catena family spare room and was treated to an auspicious breakfast of pasta and wine. Merry Christmas!

Sadly, my stay in Roma was only long enough to regain a regular sleeping pattern and get a bus to the airport.

Buon volo to you too Ryanair.

Back on English soil, t'was then the night before Christmas and along with the moderatley crushed gifts in my bags, i arrived in Northampton packing the gift of surprise. After a fabricated fairytale of day, date and flight confusion, i burst into the family home two days early and just in-time for a cosy Christmas eve evening with gran and an un-traditional traditional Christmas day lunch with the whole squad.

The next days were spent in rather blissful fashion. Sleeping in and sleeping to dream till late morning, taking time over the cooking, eating & sometimes ordering of breakfast, strolling, ambling and sitting in country pubs. As-per the lyrics in my favurite Chistmas song, i can't wait to see those faces. Together, little me you & i, family and friends made some nice memories and will make more soon.

Getting by with a little help from my friends.

Still in middle England and middle Northampton, New Years Eve was spent teaching gran the steps to Loui Vega' Mambo Number 5', before promptly being out-classed for rhythm. I always think January 1st is too early to make any resolutions. Mine are made in late January after the dizzy red wine and Ferrero Rocher heights of the holidays. But more on that later.

A black & white theme NYE.

Pots of tea in Great Brington...

And pints of beer in Camden...

Now i've landed once again. And once again, i type in the company of a packed suitcase. The borrowed Ogio brand bag is an ideal travel companion; stylish, colourful, sturdy and it qualifies as hand-luggage. This allows for a speedy exit from airports. Specifically, Amsterdam Schipol. After waking up at 3.30am in order to reach a snowy London Luton, my sharp 9am exit from Schipol this morning was in the form of a taxi straight to the first day of my new job.

Another mini-chapter of life begins.