Greetings from London! If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram you may have seen that yesterday I left Geneva for my first weekend in London! After 11 days apart I was more than a tad excited to see Bo! He said goodbye to New York City yesterday with a one way ticket to Heathrow Airport where I met him around 10pm!
As I’ve mentioned before, when Procter & Gamble offered me the expat assignment in Geneva Bo and I had a tough choice to make as there weren’t any options in Geneva that would allow him to stay with his employer or further his career based on his current work. By sheer luck, there was an opening on his same team with Barclay’s in their London office, where Barclay’s is based. Through an internal interview process he was offered the role! Therefore, Bo and I will be living in separate cities Monday through Thursday each week. But, each weekend we will be together either in one of our home cities or another European city. While for some, this may be hard to fathom, but keep in mind we have been together for ten years. Over the course of this time we’ve been in different cities for four of the years. The key for us has always been constant communication via email and phone along with seeing each other as often as possible.
Luckily, Bo has already visited Geneva a few times so he is familiar with my network of friends and colleague. Beginning today, I’ll have a chance to begin meeting his colleagues here so I can become more familiar with the people he will work with and spend time with each day. This familiarity and our choice to not prioritize one of the cities as home base will help ensure each city and flat feels like home for us!
We kicked off our morning in London with a run along The Thames. Unfortunately it wasn’t the most scenic or easy run until the end as running from Canary Warf westbound towards Millennium Bridge doesn’t have a constant running path. But, regardless of scenery or ease enjoying 5-6 miles through the streets together is our favorite way to begin discovering any new city!
We ended our run in a perfect spot, Borough Market! Located in the London Bridge neighborhood, this large outdoor market has existed in some form since the year 1014! Today it’s filled with local vendors sourcing the freshest produce, game, fish, and culinary creations!
Today is Bo’s 29th birthday so we’re going to spend the rest of the day doing anything he wants! So far this includes fish & chips for lunch and walking around two of our potential neighborhoods taking in the sights and the lovely, cool London weather together.
If you’ve been to London, what sights or restaurants do you recommend we enjoy soon?
Love this approach to life! Enjoy London this weekend and HBD to Bo! PS Those flax bars look fantastic.
If you find yourself in South Kensington, Jim and I LOVE the Anglesea Arms. Super cute pub with picnic tables out front. And really great food and an even better Pimm’s cup!
Not hard for me to fathom as I’m based in Dublin while my boyfriend is in Zurich. Let’s just say we traveled a lot in the last 2 years, meeting in various places – London was actually one of them! My favorite place there was Sushi Samba, but I guess that’s nothing special for a New Yorker – I loved the view though! It’s on the 38th floor of the Heron Tower and the view over nighttime London is spectacular.
I love the Wahaca Mexican restaurants – there’s a few around London. Also, it’s very unimaginative, but I never get bored of walking in the parks – especially St James for the tame squirrels. Battersea Park is good for running – it’s bit quieter than some of the other big parks and there’s a long stretch along the river which is pretty. It’s not on the tube though, so not the most accessible.
I love what y’all are doing!!! I would die to be in your shoes! Enjoy every moment and treasure both the time together and the moments apart. I think being apart is healthy for a relationship at times.
We lived in London for nearly 3 years. There’s a beautiful pub just off of Notting Hill Gate called Churchill Arms that has amazing Thai Food. The outside is covered in flowers. It’s a must see. The Saturday market on Portobello road can be fun too, but be warned. It gets really crowded, so you have to be in the mood. This is probably coming too late for you for lunch today, but our favorite Fish N Chips place was called Rock & Sole Plaice in Covent Garden on Endell Street. I could go on and on. What postcode is Bo’s apartment in?
I just graduated law school (taking the bar on tuesday & wednesday!) and you make me want to start looking for jobs in europe! I’ve never been but I’ve always wanted to live there for a couple years.
this is such a cool experience! i was just in london about a year ago for a few days and loved walking around all the random burroughs. We were lucky to stay in a friend’s apt near Harrods (Read: very nice apt) so obviously do that and the food market which I’m sure you already know.
my MIA instagram comment, as well as I remember it…
“As a daughter of married 30+ years parents who I watched live in a similar manor for a season of our lives, I want to give you both major high fives for your tale of two cities. When I was in my early teens, my Dad took a promotion that led him to live in different state than us, having him travel back home each week on Thursday night. Though I know it wasn’t easy for anyone, it was important that we all supported our new, unique family structure. And I HONESTLY believe that this season of our lives has helped us all to become strong individuals [in about 73 ways – that I won’t get into on your instagram feed…]. I really admire your plan to purposely focus on making both cities home and look forward to reading along on the adventures you share. Happy Birthday to Bo!”
So very cool!!! Happy birthday Bo!!!
I’m sorry but this is so weird. Good luck. I hope it works out for you guys.
There is a group that does walking tours of London – there are so many of them and they all have different themes. I had a good friend that lived in London for a few years as an expat and she highly recommended them for locals and tourists alike! The company is called London Walks if you decide to check them out.
Happy Happy for a reunion! And a Happy Birthday to Bo! Question: So when Bo “dropped you off” in Geneva did he go back to NYC? Was that hard knowing that he was able to go home one more time?
Have you guys thought about reading a book together while you are apart and then discussing it on the weekends? It might help you to stay connected throughout the week as well as give you something to re-engage in mentally right away (instead of just talking logistics.) Just a thought!
Those English Muffins look amazing! Glad you and Bo are finally reunited! Sounds like you’ve got a good plan, enjoy the weekend!
What an awesome adventure! I did an exchange program at the University of London for a semester and fell in love with the city. I’ve been back multiple times since then and always have the best time.
Try Les Deux Salons, Wild Honey or Arbutus (same people) or the Hawksmoor restaurants if you like steak! Afternoon tea is great at Fortnum and Mason. Enjoy! 🙂
I highly recommend London Walks as a fun way to see the city and learn a bit of history. They’re about an hour and each explores a different neighbourhood – they also have pub tours! http://www.walks.com/ They usually start and end near a tube stop. The Old Hampstead Village one was fun, and you can spend a few hours afterward exploring Hampstead Heath.
Hampstead is a lovely area to visit- I work in the museum there! There are lots of historic houses/cultural things to do in the area: Burgh House, Keats House, 2 Willow Road (modernist house) and lots more! Pond swimming on the Heath is an experience too! Have fun on your London weekends!
Towards (and afterwards) is not a word! GAH.
and if you’re (y-o-u-‘-r-e means “you are.” Y-o-u-r means “your!”) scratching your head, the correct word is simply “toward.”
Wow! Great photos! It’s a proof that you really had a good time there. I’m so happy for you. 🙂
I love Black and Blue in Borough Market. It’s always a must when I venture down to London. But coming from NYC you guys will be used to damn good steaks already.
I’m not based in London but if you want any hints or tips for spots outside of the city then drop me a line. Highly recommend you spend a weekend in Bath 🙂
Best of luck as you embark on your new European adventure.
Oh and ditto Becky – Fortnum and Mason for brunch or afternoon tea is a massive, massive must. It’s my favourite shop. EVER.
ottolenghi is amazing (4 locations)
also tom’s kitchen for breakfast!
i love st john’s wood to walk around
oh and COS is an upscale version of H&M and has great clothes!!
Aaaagh. I’m a Brit, living (happily, gratefully) in California but when I saw your London photos, I had a twinge of envy and when I saw the Borough Market photos, I actually winced! Lucky girl to be there. Give London a big, grey-skied kiss for me!
I lived in London for 7 years. My best recommendations would be:
– Oxo Tower for cocktails with a view (bear in mind, I left London 10 yrs ago so it may not be cool now, but the views will always be amazing)
– Check out Leon for healthy food – chain of cafes! Amazing food.
– Read the Sunday Times in Hyde Park or at the Cafe in Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath.
– M&S Earl Grey tea…and M&S bras 🙂
Thanks for the great recommendations! We can’t wait to check them out!
Such exciting adventures. Glad you two could make it work!