Day 65: Wine tasting

The theme this week was red. I was all set to post a photo of all my red things...my bag, my wallet, my headphones, my iPod case, my passport holder, my plan de Paris...but then I realised I had a wine tasting tonight! What better red photo than one of my favourite red wine of the evening. It was the very last wine we tried. This was a Cape Blend by Kaapzicht of South Africa...cabernet/pinotage/merlot. It was nice.

Day 64: My last train journey from London to Edinburgh

After a wonderful Diwali dinner last night, I woke up quite early so that I could reach Kings Cross for my 8:00 AM train back to Edinburgh. It was a nice journey, but I must admit I was a bit sad when I pulled into Waverley Station for the last time. There will be a number of 'lasts' over the next few days!

Day 63: Happy Diwali

Today was Diwali! After my late night yesterday (okay, how about very early morning today), I was up quite early to get to work for two meetings during the day. I had a harrowing experience dragging all my luggage across town and to my aunt and uncle's place (with Nimesh who helped me greatly). But it was worth it! Lovely dinner, lovely company, and the perfect excuse to wear my new sari from Pune. I wonder how many more saris I can buy when I'm there next week...

Day 62: Monday night Stompin'!

The highlight today was I was able to attend my usual Monday swing dancing event in London called Stompin' at the 100 Club on Oxford Street. I didn't know what to expect but one thing I did know was that there was meant to be a huge big band playing. Well, they fulfilled my expectations as they were truly amazing. During the break between sets, Simon (the organiser) DJd a special dance called a jam where everyone makes a circle around someone and people keep dancing with that person through the whole song. This is usually done for birthdays but as I'm leaving the UK they had one for me tonight. At one point I think I had two men dancing with me! It was just an altogether fabulous night, for many reasons, but most of all because of my wonderful friends.

Day 61: Girly weekend continues

Following the rousing night out at Kay's yesterday, we eventually woke up, I made pancakes for breakfast, and we managed to get ourselves out the door for Peg's birthday lunch at Dusit. After we took Laura to her train back to Inverness, we got the 14:00 to Glasgow. We met Tracey there and had a coffee at Starbucks, then went shopping. My new boss told me to 'fix the financial crisis' before I start in January, so I figure shopping is the least I can do to help in these desperate times. Anyway, Lush was a big part of the purchases today and this is the birthday girl herself showing us the "fluffy fairy sauce" she bought.

Day 60: Farewell from the girls

Saturday night was my sendoff from the Scotland lassies. Tracey, Caroline, Laura, and Kate all turned up from various parts of Scotland and Stacey came up from Surrey. Of course my darling Peggy came the furthest of all, from Chicago no less! We stayed in at mine having wine and cheese while we waited for the gorgeous Scottish weather to clear up - during which time Caroline managed to spill red wine on the carpet and break a chair - and then went right across the road to my local, Kay's. I suppose I really shouldn't have been as shocked as I was to find Caroline smacking this poor bloke's bum. Those Edinburghers...what are they like, eh!

Day 59: Edinburgh leaving do

My Edinburgh office leaving drinks were tonight and they were fab. Alana and I had a brilliant turnout and we all had a really great time. I was so thrilled to have so many lovely people turn out to see me off. I'm just sorry it had to end! One more week at work and I'm off for good...

Day 58: Farewell dinner at Lahore Kebab House

We held the third annual Diwali dinner at Lahore Kebab House off Commercial Road. As I am leaving in a few weeks' time, it was also my farewell dinner, and I was honored to have my aunt and uncle, my niece, my friend from Chicago, and our global director of consulting attend. It was good fun and I have posted the best photos on Facebook. This is one of the handsome men who turned out to send me off!

Day 57: Farrington's, Temple Bar, Dublin

Peg and me enjoying our last night in Ireland! We drove from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare today, then went down a bit further south, and then through Ennis across to Dublin. We met my friend Mick at our hotel and then went out to dinner and to the pub for a lovely Guinness. Great craic altogether.

Day 56: Tis Coiligh, Galway

I was given strict instructions from my Irish friends that in Galway, I must go to a pub, drink Guinness, and listen to music. And so we did. This was at a pub called Tis Coiligh. We had a lovely night.