April 6 - Homecoming Week

It had been over 2 weeks since I had slept in my own bed - technically speaking my own matress on the floor - when I returned to Uppsala after being in Northern Sweden. But the biggest shock was not that I still had food left in the cupboard which hadn't been devoured in my absence, but that the snow had almost completely dissapeared. And being surrounded by 2 metres of the stuff in weeks prior the sight of actual grass came as quite a surprise. So of course it was painfully obvious what had to be done - and quickly before the snow totally dissapeared - a jandal season maiden voyage..

Kim and I flexing the jandals on the way to the shop

Being Easter a lot of the students headed back home to France, Italy, Belgium, Germany etc and as tempted as I was to duck back to NZ for a few days I instead headed for my second home of Liverpool where I lived on and off at for a year or so the last time I was in Europe. So with all the comings and goings it meant little opportunity to socialise, but after organising a lunch in town for Sunday afternoon (ah you gotta love facebook) I was lucky enough to catch up with some fellow students before we headed off once again. And of course gave me some precious bonding time with Rex. So if youre ever in Uppsala head to Stockholms Nation and ask for a Chicken Wrap and I assure you you won't be dissapointed.

I have been observing the onset of spring now for a few weeks and the whole time thinking how quickly it was coming, but it was in reality nothing compared to what Ive seen these last few days. With the flick of a switch the snow dissapeared, the sun came, and the t'shirts came of the backs of lads who were in such desperate need of the sun one could easily be forgiven for thinking that white t'shirt never came off at all. And like that Winter was over.

A kayak slalom competition held in the river swollen with snowmelt


ENGLAND
As the plane descended through the fog and towards the dazzlingly hazy lights of Liverpool below, and the first specs of rain met an early fate as they collided with the window, I knew I was home. England: bleak, cold, grey, miserable, beautiful. Getting into the car and driving to Upholland with Brog made me feel like I never left - and the only real difference was that the dining room table in my second home had been rotated 90 degrees. Keeping it all a surprise made the whole thing that much sweeter and once I was brought up to speed on the latest, it was as if the last 2 and a half years never passed. It just goes to show what true mates are.

Walking down Central Pier, Blackpool