London - Cardiff - Southport - Edinburgh

Travel City

The past week has been spent on the road, visiting friends, family (new!) and cows. From seeing long-time friends Jules and Sofia, to meeting the Nash's for the first time, I've had an extremely insightful and interesting journey. In London, I passed train stops like "Tottenham Court Road" and ate at "Bishopsgate Kitchen"; for those of you who know my Stateside address, it's uncanny that these road names are mirrored all the way across the world! Sofia is leaving the UK for Milan, where she continues her studies in Business, whereas Jules has just moved to London, where she pursues a career in film production. Jules celebrated her 24th birthday with good friends and plenty of dessert, and I'm so grateful to her for letting me stay (and paint her nails). Some things will never change (and aren't we glad).

The Nash Family

My father's mother's mother (i.e. my great grandmother) originally came from Lancashire, but she met a strapping Australian solider during WWI and moved to Sydney with him after the war. She left five siblings in the UK, including Jack's father. Meeting Jack for the first time when he and his wife are 87 years old, I feel like I've found another nugget of my heritage and identity. Of course, they fit some of the "old people" stereotypes, but I was entranced with them. Uncle Jack recounted his time as a business manager, (I paraphrase a bit here) "I saw that men and women could perform the same tasks equally well, but women possessed something more.... the ability to manage a room with gentleness. They weren't represented in the management positions, and I sought to change that." For an octogenarian, it's obvious that his idea of women in the workforce was revolutionary. We also talked philosophy, psychology, and family; we shared photographs and stories over many cups of earl grey tea.

His wife, Kathleen, is a bubbly, passionate woman, but she suffers from Alzheimer's and osteoporosis. Because of her ailments, she's limited to short walks, hardly leaves the house, and repeats questions many times, but I didn't mind. I think Alzheimer's is one of the world's most misunderstood diseases, and I believe those who suffer from it need much more attention than they are currently receiving. Our society invests so much more interest in causes such as cancer and STDs/STIs; I understand that these are very important subjects, but we are ignoring the older generation drastically. The monetary investment in research should reflect the population's needs; we have an increasing amount of dementia patients, but dementia-related research is highly overlooked by modern governments. SHAME ON YOU!

Regardless of this, Kathleen and Jack both had a beautiful light behind the eyes. I could sense their presence and did everything I could to encourage it, but I fear without visitors and mobility, this fire would be greatly diminished. Jack said, "You've been a shot in the arm! It's a British expression... We've been invigorated by your stay." He also mentioned that I have a gentle personality; when we discussed ideas, he said I ought to study philosophy; when he heard me singing (under my breath) he said I ought to be a singer. It's so refreshing to have someone believe in you so strongly.

Nash Family Gathering

Edinburgh Road Tripping

The Fleeced! cast drove up to Edinburgh, picking me up en-route from Wigan. Squashing 5 people in a 5 seater car with their 5 luggages for 5 hours.... actually, closer to 7 hours, hehehe... well you get the idea. Two lorries had crashed on the highway leaving us in stand-still traffic... well you get the idea.

Back-Seat Blues with Alice and Nickolia

Traffic wasn't moving. At all. So we decided to! Leaving James (the driver) in the car, we got out and traipsed the highway, got honked at by vans, got reprimanded by the police, and saw a family deposit a soiled diaper out their window. Winning.

Rebels on the Loose

Arriving in Edinburgh, we then squished our cast into a 3-bedroom apartment and settled down with guitar, trumpet, singing, and piano accordion until the wee hours of the morning. Actor-musos make for exciting company!

The City

The City is pretty: witty, walky, bright, elegant... built on a hill, it encourages exercise, shin splints, and wandering. With the little taste I've had, I'm already sold. The architecture is incredible, the hills are incredible, the grandiosity of it all... Plus, I found The Regent (sharing the name of my local back in Sydney)- so I feel just at home. 

I Wonder: Do You Do Trashioke?

Our phone reception/3G is horrible at our apartment, and the internet is not working. I'm sorry to say that I'll be out of contact until this is rectified, but keep the hope! Currently sitting in the "Word of Mouth Cafe" and enjoying a cappuccino with the most foam I've ever had. Well done, team!

That's Right, Edinburgh, I am.