Of Bubbles and Butterflies

I have never pretended to possess anything but extreme naivety...some might call it trust...others, probably more correctly, would call it gullible...whatever you want to call it, when our amazing friend Mel told us that she wanted to treat us to a special surprise meal on our last night in the UK I was touched and honoured...looking forward to relaxing with a glass of red and something delicious after a long day of packing and sorting (...and nose blowing..!!). Indeed it was a busy day and when Mel and Liam suggested that Liam take Matt and I to the Norfolk before dinner so Mel could get on with the cooking, i tried to plead out. Excuses flowed....i wasnt dressed appropriately for going out (one doesn't need to 'dress' for the local, mel insisted...true). I had too much to do...(Mel looked pointedly at my loaded backpack). I wanted to help with dinner preparations (apparently i had been banned from the kitchen)...so with the promise of that glass of red even earlier than expected I decided that a trip to the pub probably was exactly what the dr ordered and that my friends knew best as always...and happily toddled out the door...

In hindsight i now realise that in between and around convincing me to drink (who would have ever thought i would need convincing?!!) Mel had been acting rather oddly i guess...answering the door and conversing in hushed tones with the 'neighbour', writing long texts with no explanation...but it wasnt until we got back from the pub (after only 10mins and only half of my vino because suddenly 'dinner' was ready....) and walked into a room filled to the brim with some of our dearest friends and a 'bon voyage matt and kirsh' banner across the window that i put 2 and 2 together and realised we'd been had - and that my reluctance to go to the pub had almost ruined an amazing surprise party!! thank you so much liam and mel – once again you've outdone yourselves as incredibly generous and thoughtful friends....to spend our last night surrounded by some of the people who have meant the most to us over the past 4 years was just so special...being toasted with bubbly champagne and laughter and the most sincere of well wishes polished off a week of being completely spoilt and loved by so many special friends.

and as i woke at 4.30 this morning with a bubble induced headache i felt butterflies in my stomach...nervous yes....who wouldnt be with such a trip before them...? but, the excitement had finally set in and i was finally ready to go...

so as i write i'm on the flight to NYC....Ive just watched the 'Sex in the City' movie once again and lapped up the scenes of the girls striding round the city in their jimmy choos...I cant believe im only 4 hours away from being that girl myself (minus the heels...see previous post on backpacker chic)!

and now to sleep off the champagne hangover...is there any better kind of hangover?

stay tuned for adventures from new york city!!
xx