Oct 4: Old friends and pizza
SuperTrip2_2026 Blog Post
2026_2 BLOG
10/6/20262 min read
We got back from Santiago late on Thursday night. Carey had organised an Uber, which was clean and on-time. We were neither. Roadworks on the M25 (a London cliché) stretched our journey back to Bethnal Green into Friday morning. Fortunately, central London provides for night owls. The pizza place nearby is open until 3am; the convenience store next to it until 1am. I corralled the beers and Cadbury’s chocolate fingers. Carey, chivalrously, waited another 10 minutes for the pizzas. We were ravenous, so both went down very well. We turned in around 2:30am. It was good to be “home”.
After a gentle day, we joined a group evening at the Prince George pub to see Fabi off, back to Germany, after a month in London with Gareth. It was a good evening, with interesting people, decent beer and spent sitting outside. Reluctantly, we left early, still fried after our late, long trip home. We spent Saturday evening with Gareth in our apartment. He was out with a friend and they both swung by to say hello. Ben left for another party around 8ish. Gareth and I popped over to Tesco’s for some provisions and we ended up with a 4-bottle evening (prosecco), solving the world’s troubles on our sofa, fortified with crisps – and more pizza.
Before that, I was finally able to connect with my old friend, Alison. This was our third attempt this trip (with all earlier the failures down to me). We sat in the coffee shop just underneath the Monument (to the Great Fire of London) and talked for a couple of hours. She had so much to tell me about her research. It was really nice just to listen and learn – even nicer to enjoy her enthusiasm and energy. It was very nourishing. Between her and Gareth, I feel fully recharged by being with deep friends. I am grateful for them both.
We left the Town Hall today and moved over to Gatwick. Our flight to Turkey is not early, early tomorrow, but we should be at the airport by 8am. Carey has points and there is a Marriott conference hotel a 10-minute walk from the South Terminal. It turns out to be very fancy AND we were upgraded to a (junior) suite. We splashed out on a picnic from Marks & Spencer and are just lounging about in our fluffy robes, snacking. It’s all terribly civilised.
This trip, we have elevated the London parts of our stay with nice hotels. It’s off-season and we have points. It has made such a difference. When we have used hotels in London before, we have always gone budget (or super-budget). You are then uncomfortable, very much “perching” in a noisy city. Having a lovely place to hang, even to invite friends to, has made this a very bougie experience throughout, as befits the Big Beautiful Birthday Trip (Part 2). Carey always says “if not now, when?” I am increasingly trying to lean into that philosophy.
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Inspired by our 2024 Camino Francais, Karen has a periodic podcast called "I sent you a bloody boat", personal thoughts on faith by a person who believes in thinking. Also, known as "The Reluctant Christian". You can listen to it on Spotify and on Apple Podcasts at: