Massive shock to the system arriving back in London on Monday morning - immediately noticing how different everything is to NZ. One of those strange feelings where it both feels like ages since I was here and only 5 minutes ago. Headed straight down to Otford on Monday to catch up with my dad before he went off to Cheltenham. Tuesday I went for a look around Sevenoaks and couldn't resist having a look round Waitrose - still great quality food in there. Cheese, oatcakes, bran flakes (proper ones!), hot cross buns. Love it. Seemed to be quite a few empty shops in Sevenoaks, even Maccas has gone! Loads more restaurants though, but less pubs/bars. Terrible coffee and muffin in Coffee Republic - surely it's not hard to get that right?!
Had to take the FEAR on and get up to London in the afternoon, dropping in at Jarmarl's first of all for lunch. His flat loads posherer now - all looking good. Over to mine to do an inspection on the property - pleased to find that my tenant has kept it in immaculate condition 
. The same cannot be said of the grounds though. My [mis-]management company seem to have done absolutely ***-all since I left - the major works are now 3 years overdue. Unbelievable. 
. Went for a look round Balham, having a decent coffee in the Nightingale - always rely on them! Things really have got even better in Balham - aside from Waitrose taking over Safeway, there are 4 new delis, loads more bars and restaurants, all looking great now. No wonder house prices have got so ridiculous round there.
Had a look round a very empty TSA - no luck getting any gloves though. Got myself a bit confused trying to get from there to Waterloo - amazing how quick you forget things! Matt, Jarmarl, Oscar, James, Chris, Maisy, Colonel all came out to the pub, got pretty messy (well, I did) and ended up at the curry house over the road.
Wednesday, Chris, Maisy and I went out walking near Sevenoaks - something I'd been looking forward to ages. Great weather, great scenery, great to be back with the boys. Walked from Ivy Hatch via Ightham Mote, One Tree Hill, Bitchet Green and Stone Street. Pint and crisps at the Padwell Arms then lunch at The Plough. Shame no ploughman's lunch but food was pretty good anyway. Dave came down to Sevenoaks in the evening for food at Strada.
Anyway, we're supposed to be getting the snow train in an hour or so but Mr Jamroll is still working at it and not packed. Shitsticks! Just got news that all Eurostar services are suspended due to a fire. No no no!!! To be continued....