Bright lights

How exciting - a trip to London! After living and working there for nearly nine years, little did I know that when I finished work on 16 June last year to begin my maternity leave I would be leaving and not returning for over nine months.

But an invitation to a 40th birthday provided the incentive for Number Two and I to leave our darling daughter for a whole twelve hours. We got ourselves onto a train and arrived at Waterloo Station a couple of hours later. I felt quite nostalgic, passing through Surbiton, Wimbledon, and Vauxhall Stations, all familiar parts of my route to and from work the last couple of years when we lived out in zone six. As I looked at the people standing on the platforms waiting for connections, despite the fact that the weather was quite warm that day, my lasting memories will always be of waiting endlessly in the freezing cold, wrapped up in coat, hat, scarf and gloves. This winter I didn't even manage to find my hat, much less need to wear it.

After spending 20p at Waterloo, we walked across the bridge and on to Covent Garden. Number Two and I had our first real date at Chez Gerard in Covent Garden. We were both so nervous, despite having known each other for a long time already. We both knew that night was the beginning of a new phase of our relationship. We ordered what seemed like half the menu and, once it all arrived (and we had to move candles and glasses to fit it all on the table), we barely touched it.

I realised walking through Covent Garden that I have very quickly reverted back to the small-town mind-set I arrived in the UK with in 1997. After living in London for a while I got used to getting about quickly and efficiently, knowing exactly where I wanted to go and avoiding slow-paced tourists easily. And I didn't really mind the crowds. But this time I found it frustrating and uninspiring. I didn't feel like shopping, or even browsing. We went into a couple of shops to buy tee-shirts and trainers, and then ended up in a bar. We didn't even manage to buy a present for Number One - we went into one shop that sold teddy bears and children's clothing, but when we discovered that the clothing, which was tiny, wasn't for children, but for the teddy bears instead, we decided she didn't need a present.

After dinner (why why why didn't we have Thai?) we taxied to the party. We arrived early, mindful of the fact that we had to leave early to catch the last train. It was lovely to catch up with people I haven't seen for ages. And to meet new people. And to wear heels for a change. It was a shame to go, but we still had a two and a half hour journey ahead of us.

The journey back was uneventful. Number Two is thankful that I don't sleep heavily on trains, and was able to wake him up when we had to change trains. And I am thankful to Number Two's inside knowledge of the route. When we had to change trains, he knew exactly which carriage we should be in to arrive at our station right beside the stairs to the exit, resulting in us being first in the taxi rank, and avoiding standing in the cold with 100 drunk and rowdy travellers.

I couldn't help giving Number One a little pat when we got home. She stirred just enough to know it was me, and then we all went off to sleep.