End of Summer

Week 1 – done! Admittedly, I haven’t actually started work yet but I’ve still had a very busy week. And now it’s Sunday and I start work TOMORROW……….aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

After two days of unpacking and putting things away and figuring out how the hell one uses a dishwasher(!) and lots of others things about the house, I ventured out of Canning Town, all the way to Canary Wharf. I met Matt (who is also starting on the TfL IM Graduate Scheme tomorrow) for a few drinks at The Ledger Building which was by far a more productive use of my time than watching the England game.

The Thames

On the meridian

Pa Brennan turned up with his overnight bag on Wednesday morning; two coffees and a burnt slice of toast later and we were out the door – me with my Oyster and dad with his day travel card. First Stop, North Greenwich to show him where I’ll be working and have a walk by the river. Despite the obscene amount of choice in the O2, we finally chose somewhere to refuel before moving on to have a wander around Canary Wharf, Greenwich and the Cutty Sark, and finally up to Stratford (mainly because dad wanted to ride in the front seat of the DLR so he felt like he was driving!!) to have a look at the Olympic park and get some stuff in for dinner. After a long day and lots of walking around, we were both suffering with what the Brennan’s call ‘Dome Feet’ – named after a particularly long day in 2000 where we all visited the Millennium Dome for the first time. So we headed back to Canning Town and avoided crap TV by watching Takers – a very good Idris Elba film – Recommended.

Once Mr B departed on Thursday morning I headed up to Grange Park to see the BFF and family and drink lots of cups of tea and have a good ol’ natter – lovely. And all of a sudden, it was Friday!

I was supposed to do a test run to where we’ll be based for the induction week – The London Transport Museum at Covent Garden – but y’know… I’m on my holidays aren’t I and slept in :) When I did  eventually get up, I headed to Oxford Street for a bit of office appropriate clothes shopping.  A couple of hours later, knackered and skint I headed to Euston to meet the LAD that is James Brook!..We went to meet up with other ex-Course Enquiries colleagues, Devy and Nav for a bevvy and a catch up.

Saturday was FABULOUS!

Southwark Bridge

James in The Clink

Lunch!

Borough Market, The Clink, Thames Festival, sunshine, smiley faces, cocktails by the river, Shoreditch, Light Bar, Hoxton Square, night bus – JOB DONE. Safe to say I woke up with a right hangover this morning, although nothing that couldn’t be cured with a bit of rugby and F1 (which I can watch in peace these days! – yes Jen, this is aimed at you!).

Party on the bridge

September 11th, or 9/11... 10 years ago today and hasn't time flown. 10 years ago I had just started year 9 at high school and now I'm about to start my career - mental. And the coverage of the memorial services today are still as moving as they were all that time ago.

Anyhoooo… As the last extended summer holidays i'll ever have come to an end, I have hung up my clothes and am ready (although still petrified) for tomorrow! So I must dash, I’m missing X Factor!!

Until next time,

Bren x