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Thanarru!

I am back in Australia now. I left London late Thursday night and got in early Saturday morning. I didn't actually spend two days on a plane, just a solid 23 hours over three flights! Jet lag has been a killer!

I am finally starting to get over my jet lag. On Saturday I slept for at least 12 hours. When I got to Barcelona in April it did take me about a week to get over the jet lag so luckily it hasn't taken that long this time.

I am also truly relaxing for the first time in five months. I don't have anywhere I have to be. I don't have to move. I got to unpack my suitcase and wear different clothes - fresh undies feel amazing by the way!

Anyways... I found a few photos I never got around to posting. Enjoy.

I went to York because everyone told me I just had to go and guess what?? I had a shit time! It's boring and touristy and felt kind of hollow. But that's just me. I did have the best noodle dish in the UK there though, at the Shambles market at an Asian food stall. Bloody delish!

After York I got stuck in Leeds (was trying to get to Manchester during a train strike). I only spent the night in Leeds but I will say I had the best whisky sours at the hotel I bagged at the train station. As for the rest of Leeds, couldn't tell you, but I'd probably suggest that over York.

Then I made it to Manchester and I have never been anywhere that felt so... industrial. It's a city of big square buildings. I felt a little intimidated when I first got there. But then I did a walking tour and I saw just how impressive Manchester is.

Yes it's a massive industrial city full of warehouses and production buildings, there are no pretty buildings like most places in the UK, but it has its own beauty if you care to look. The Queer Street (not sure if that's the name that's just what I call it) is very nice, the garden there has a statue of Alan Turing.

There is a statue dedicated to Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the suffragette movement.

Manchester has 25 Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Manchester is also the only city in the UK to back the Union during the US civil war because it was a city full of Quakers and low class workers who believed slavery was wrong. So, knowing their economy would take a big hit they still sided with the Union. Good on em!

I really enjoyed Manchester. Oh and they have a cracker food markets in the main city gardens too. The best Indian and Thai food I had in the UK. Not the best ever, but the best in the UK. So yeah, if you get a chance go to Manchester and do the free walking tour.

I am not done with my travels yet. Still got to see Japan and Romania and I'm thinking maybe even Mongolia and India.

But for now I'm going to stay in Australia, spend some quality time with Radley. Do some sewing and knitting and even a bit of crocheting, and some cooking too. I'm also going to sit down and read my books. I did not actually get to do as much reading as I was hoping to while travelling.

I am going to also share that because I loved the UK so much I am thinking of moving there for a little while.

I think I mentioned in a previous post that one of the reasons I love travelling so much is because I get to be an Aussie overseas, whereas here in my home country I am an Abo... not a fun thing to be. And with the referendum coming up I was dreading coming back but thankfully I haven't experienced any racism. I am hoping against hope the Yes vote will pass, but I feel like that's just a fantasy.

One thing that pisses me off about the whole thing is people saying A) we don't need a Voice to change things we can change them now - then fucking change things now cunt!

And B) it's not perfect and we'll be stuck with it.... show me one thing that's perfect straight off the bat, just one! We tweak it as we go, and different governments (Labour, Libs, dare I hope Greens) can adjust or fix etc. We don't just keep the first draft forever.

And C) the slogan Don't Know, Vote No! What the fuck kind of advice is that. Everyone should be making an informed vote! If you do your research and still want to vote no than OK. But if you have no idea and don't care and vote no then fuck you! And that goes for any voting happening in this country. Don't vote Libs or Labour because your parents do, fucking do some research and think about your values and what you want and vote for the party that best aligns with that. Fuck me!

OK, rant over.

Anyways. I'll let you know when I'm off again. Enjoy the photos :)

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