Today started well. I was on an assignment for Fitness Blogger to go to the Launch of a new brand of Active Women’s workout drinks and capsules being presented by Melanie Sykes in some Swanky London Restaurant called Sketch. I was really looking forward to it.
So for once I was all prepared. I had booked my train tickets well in advance, charged up my bloggie, camera and laptop and was ready to roll. Deciding an outfit was tricky. Having done my back in doing Snatches the other day, and walking around London, comfort was the order of the day so skinny jeans and Knee length flat boots on, a lightweight single breasted jacket and matching scarf and that’s me – I’m not flash, I’m more about comfort than fashion nowadays as long as I look smart casual boho chic, that’s my average look.
So I am on the train, headphones in listening to my audiobook (yes I am into those recently) Dale Carnegie’s, How to Win Friends and Influence People and I thought I would just check my emails….
To my horror, I had to read it once, twice, three times, I had got the time completely wrong! There I am sat on the train smugly at 10am and I should have been in London – at 10am! OMG, how could I have got it so wrong, I was so convinced it was 12-2pm this event, I mean I wouldn’t have pre-booked my train tickets otherwise would I?
So here I am now sat on a train, about a half hour from London Paddington thinking what do I do now. I have spent the best part of £50 on my travel plus a day off work (rare) and I have ballsed up! At that moment I actually wanted to cry. There was an American lady on the train next to me getting irate with somebody on the phone, I had to keep turning my audio book up to drown her out and I just wanted to shout SHUT UP to her!
Anyway… shortly after, I arrived at Paddington, a little peeved (at myself) to say the least. First things first, toilet and caffeine (in that order) needed badly. I found a toilet and realising I had to pay 30p (have you ever heard anything so ludicrous) I am NOT paying to use the loo, I preceded to find a bar with a ‘free’ loo, probably much nicer anyway and then got myself a much needed Costa.
Heading for the Tube, I figured that the least I could do is show my face at the venue of the event and apologise for my stupidity. When I arrived and asked to be pointed in the direction of the people running the event, I was told it was over and they had all gone. *Sigh* least I tried.
Having then spoken with Fitness Blogger’s James, who I am pleased to say did see the comical side and told me not to worry, I felt relieved. I really don’t like to let people down and hoped it would not deter him from offering me other chances to blog for Fitness Blogger, which after chatting to him, I don’t believe it will.
So all that was left was for me to make the most of a day in the Smoke by myself, what to do… Well I am in Oxford Circus after all, it would be rude not to SHOP!
I love to shop… what girl doesn’t? But I must say, Oxford Street is so huge, you are left kind of thinking where do I begin? As it happened I spent so long in just a few shops, the time passed really quickly and I didn’t venture too far from the tube station! Starting in the Apple Store, I was admiring the MacBook sleeves and bags which were about £60 a pop and then moved onto H&M. Now H&M isn’t somewhere I usually go, but for a Hen Party last year a friend got some vest tops from there which were really good quality, so I popped in. I bought more vest tops! So cheap, you can’t grumble at £3.99 a piece.
From here I humoured myself a little in Ted Baker and FCUK, nice shops, nice prices too. Then I found the Nike Shop…. Oh dear. I love sport, I love sports clothes, I am a Personal Trainer after all, and my favourite brand… Nike. It’s like a toyshop in there for me. I headed straight to the women’s department – right at the top – by this time my back is aching pretty badly from standing on my feet for hours (poor old soul) and my neck a little from carrying the Macbook with me all day on my shoulder. I tried on a few things as you do. I am one of these fortunate (or not so perhaps) people who can chuck something on, straight off the peg usually and it fits a treat. I ummed and ahhed and left the store feeling pretty hungry, having liked some of the things I tried.
Time to find some food. As a healthy eater I could see a Maccy D’s up the road – and I really could have… I was THAT hungry and now and then I do, but I fancied noodles. I wandered aimlessly for a bit then found this place that looked like it fit the bill – ITSU. Never heard of it but it looked ok and it did noodles. Great. I ordered myself a pot of chargrilled chicken noodles with vegetables and a water – lovely and decided to sit outside with it, have a bit of a rest.
What the people sat in the window just the other side of the glass to me must have thought I don’t know, but I preceded to tip sauce all over my new vest top (one of the H&M ones I changed into as I was hot). Great! As I mopped it up trying to look discreet, I was delving into the pot “trying” to get some of the food on the fork. The chicken was pretty horrible, I can tell cheap chicken, and the noodles, I kid you not were like worms! The earthworm sort you find in your garden, BIG. £5 wasted, I just could not eat this and quickly grabbed my water and left! What a waste.
By this time, it was getting closer to needing to head back – time flies when you’re having fun. So I popped back to Nike, did some retail therapy and then head for the tube. Still hungry on arrival at Paddington, I went for the safe bet and good old M&S Simply Food came to the rescue, eyes bigger than belly I bought way too much (never shop for food when you are hungry – FACT) and sat eating my tuna pasta salad while waiting for the 16:36 home. The pigeon that kept hanging round me with a gammy foot was annoying me slightly so I finished my food once I boarded the train.
This brings me to the end of my adventure in London. While events are fresh I thought I would write a blog of my day anyway as that was the original plan and I have quite enjoyed sitting on the train writing I must admit. I feel like I fit in with the suits sat alongside me!
The day turned out ok in the end, if you don’t laugh about these things then I guess you’d cry and mistakes and misunderstandings do happen, so I thought I may as well turn the negative into a positive and enjoy it.
I do like visiting London, sometimes I think I would love to work there even, but it is nice to come home, to the countryside and reflect on the sheer busyness (is that a word?!) of the smoke – it is a different world up there. This is the girl who once upon a time would never have even entertained getting on a tube by myself, but I couldn’t do it without my iPhone, train and tube apps and my husband on the end of the phone to guide me when I go wrong! Its good to get out occasionally, there is a big world out there.
Nearing the West Country now, no more buildings but lots of green fields and canal boats, and its raining (again). I am looking forward to a cuppa when I get in. Hope I got on the right train..?! That would just about finish me off!
