Highs and Lows of 18th Year - Part 1...

My apologies once again for the lack of posts. Not only have we been moving around a lot until just recently, we still don’t have proper WiFi in our new flat. So, I’m once again going to take a big jump ahead in our timeline and will start with our Highs and Lows of 2023 and then pick up our story in January 2024...

Hard to believe that we’ve lived in Europe for 18 years as of November 22, 2023. Once again, the four of us weren’t together then, but were reunited for Christmas, this time in Glasgow, and have decided to change the timescale of our annual highs/lows to the calendar year instead. Usually we make our list while enjoying a meal at a restaurant, but we reflected on 2023 after our Christmas dinner at Ashlynn’s flat before heading to a family gathering with her Scottish boyfriend. As usual, here are our lows first:

• Saying goodbye to Kati and the Netherlands
• Climate change
• Train strikes
• UK visa stress and cost for all four of us
• Israel/Palestine Conflict
• T*%@p running for dictator
• COVID disrupting Melissa’s 60th birthday celebration
• Broken down ferry transporting us to Scotland from Ireland
• Missing Jimmy and Chloe’s wedding in Jacksonville
• Attacked by millions of flying ants on hike in Ireland
• Jimmy: disappointment in Port XL Program; disastrous DJ set at Imperial College starting too early for dancing; winge-y City H3 hashers whining about how he lays trail
• Melissa: tough adjusting from a Dutch village of 25,000 to the insanity of London; living in a dollhouse for 1.5 months; everything’s just a little bit harder in London; deafening noise in the Tube; having to step down as Religious Advisor for the FILTH; missing BMPH3 Christmas Party Weekend
• Veronica: having to leave Penryn; unfulfilling master’s degree and emotional rollercoaster of doing a second master’s dissertation; long distance relationship with Brett and the realization that being apart could last for years; flat tire and difficulty finding vegan food in California; constant sewage alerts in the sea; stress house hunting in Exeter; difficult conversations about the future; experiencing US Black Friday
• Ashlynn: Missing Iris, the dog; dream hospitality job shut down; academic strike causing long delay in getting grades; breaking up with James; missing Sophie; not exercising good work/life balance; marine biology imposter syndrome; no chance to scuba dive
• Jimmy/Melissa; moving chaos; living out of suitcases; Victorian plumbing; saying farewell to the FILTH Hash

First London H3 Hash...

While Jimmy studied for a big job interview later in July, I went to my first London H3 hash. It was a long journey to get to Epping Forest in the north east, further complicated because the closest train station was closed for repairs. 

Luckily it was worth the long journey as the trail was almost entirely in the beautiful national park with two beer stops (both of which we had to buy our own drinks, just like at the end). 

Despite a group of us spending some time lost since the trails by the two hares didn’t match up correctly, it was still a great hash.

Supposedly fit for a king, I figured this ale was fit for me. We’ve had to adjust our expectations since British beers are quite expensive, as well as much lighter than our usual Dutch and Belgian beers.

Getting a down-down is truly an award since it’s rare to get free things at London hashes and I got a free half-pint for doing my first trail with London H3. 
 

Subletting in Balham...

On July 14, we moved back into Jessie and Sam’s place, this time renting it for six weeks. This allowed us to unpack a little bit, store the rest of our stuff in the basement and not have to worry about having to move on while we were travelling in August. 

As grateful as I was to have a place to stay, I was stressed since it was like living inside a dollhouse as everything was quite compact. This was the entire kitchen with the frig/freezer on the right under the counter. Cooking was a challenge with limited counter and storage space.

It’s hard to tell from this angle, but the kitchen was beside the dining table. In addition to not having a dryer, dishwasher, microwave or television, the flat also didn’t have Wi-Fi. Strangely, the owner, who previously worked with Jessie, left many of her belongings. The living room looked nice full of books and art...

…but instead of a nice dresser for the tenant, her books and rocking chair cluttered the bedroom. The bathroom sink was so small that we brushed our teeth in the kitchen. At least there was a closet so we could hang up some of our clothes. 

The neighborhood was nice with quite a variety of flowers.

 

Colorful Bermondsey...

The following day, Jimmy left early for Brussels. I headed south to further explore Bermondsey, which was very colorful. 

The large and colorful East Street Market in Walworth, in southeast London, operates six days per week. 

On my way to the hash that evening, I passed by this colorful outdoor food hall complete with giant ants next to London Bridge Station...

…and this skyscraper on Bishopgate covered in cloud reflections.

This was my first Eels (Eely East London Something) H3 trail, a group started during COVID which continues to run monthly. Although we started and ended in a pub near Liverpool Street, the circle was on a cul-de-sac with this reminder not to pee on the wall. 

Finishing my day, I spotted this colorful garbage truck. Too bad all garbage trucks don’t have such cool paint jobs.
 

Tidal London...

The tide was high when I crossed the bridge at Butler’s Wharf in the morning.

It’s not obvious from this angle across the river...

….but it was definitely low tide when I circled around to finish the walk in the afternoon...

...as well as earlier when I crossed Canary Wharf.

 

Canary Wharf...

I’d only been to Canary Wharf (London’s financial district) for dinner once, so I saw a lot more when I walked across the entire area, including lots of cool architecture and funky balconies.

I also came across lots of gates that prevented the Thames Path from staying along the riverfront for long stretches.

The view back from further down the river was impressive.

 

Walking to Greenwich...

On July 12, I took an extra long walk when I set off to Greenwich following the Thames Path. According to my iPhone, I walked 37,537 steps during the 29.8 kilometers.

This sign outside a pub telling kids not to climb the scaffolding made me laugh...

…and so did spotting King Charles looking down over Greenwich Market...

…which was charming rather than too touristy.

My destination was the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, which opened in 1902 crossing under the Thames. It is used by approximately 4,000 people per day. This was the southern entrance with 100 steps down... 

...to the 9-foot wide and 1,215-foot long pedestrian tunnel.

Despite cycling being prohibited, I was passed by several bikes and was shocked to see several rental bikes abandoned in the tunnel. 

This northern segment of the tunnel was damaged during the Blitz of World War II in 1940. It was repaired quickly since the tunnel was essential for war efforts by allowing workers to cross from their homes in the south to industry and docks in the north.

Rather than crossing back under, I walked along the northern Thames Path to make a giant loop back to Bermondsey allowing for nice views back towards Greenwich, including the Old Royal Naval College...

…Cutty Sark and southern entrance to the tunnel.