There’s always a risk with massive time difference that your body clock is completely messed up. Today’s start was evidence of that. At around 4.30am I woke up, completely wide awake. Not being able to get back to sleep we decide to head out for a morning coffee to a cafe we know never shuts. It also happens to be right near the trade meat market that I’d heard about and would be buzzing with activity So we rug up and head out.

The streets are strangely busy still, not crazy busy but a lot more cars and people about that I expected. We head straight to the coffee shop and chat with a lovely man from Portugal who was also interested to hear about Australia and commented on how different the weather must be now. He knows how far it is to travel from that part of the world as he has an Indonesian wife, and while the heat is amazing, it’s not enough to coax him over there too frequently cause the flight times are a killer (don’t I know it). We admire some Portuguese tarts in the window as we head for a wander around the meat market, and decide we should grab one on the way back.
The market is a buzz with activity and it’s fascinating to watch the countless trucks coming and going, loading up all their meat for deliveries around London.

It’s an interesting insight into a world I have never seen before. Full sides of beef, wrapped in clear plastic bags, putting on show the various cuts of meat I had only seen separately, rib eye and fillets. I was so engrossed in this dance of men in white clothing moving boxes and bags of meat around. They were just simply going about their jobs while I looked around and peeked into the walkway of the many market stalls, only reserved for trade so not somewhere we could meander through.

We walk a little further up to find that the bars in the area are getting ready to open, as it will soon be knock off time for the workers who will be looking for their ‘beer after work’ despite the fact that it is so early in the morning, which would just be something so normal for them.

We head back toward the cafe and are approached by a homeless person asking for money, which has been a daily occurrence. I do feel great empathy for them, as living rough in a cold climate such as London in the winter, would not be a very comfortable time I am sure. We swing by the cafe to be greeted again with a big smile and we grab a couple of tarts to enjoy for our walk back.
I get straight into writing and despite the fact that the world around us hasn’t quite woken up yet, Matthew jumps into some work too. I really love my opportunity to recount my days and share the stories of the people we meet and the places we see.
Once I have finished the blogs, I opt to take a nap as Matthew only has to work a half day today, and we have plans to head down toward the CBD and I will see with my own eyes the places he had shown me through the phone when we’ve chatted in his lunch breaks. Before setting out, we check our tickets to the theatre, cause we want to make sure we are back in plenty of time to get ready and grab a bite to eat before heading to the show tonight. It’s lucky we did, cause it’s actually not till tomorrow night, and we laugh as we realise that we have a catch up with Matthew’s best mate instead. Lucky we didn’t forget that. I am excited to be able to immerse myself in Matthew’s world as he was able to do in mine at Christmas time.
We jump on the tube which is only a couple of stops before we arrive at Liverpool Street Station. It’s a busy train line, but nothing like it would be during peak hour I am sure. As they generally pack in like sardines.

I am quiet and thoughtful as I look around. Taking all the sights in around me. We look somewhat out of place in our casual gear, but I enjoy see the incredible architecture in around Leadenhall Markets. Both modern and traditional, with a little bit of industrial. I see outside of the Lloyds of London building a rainbow flag raised proudly.

We weave through the back lanes and knock on the window of Matthew’s barber who has become very familiar with me through Matthew’s stories. He has a big smile on his face and waves at us and gestures ‘have a drink later’ to us. We laugh and keep walking as we stop for a quick bevy at a local pub. It’s full of men in suits, and I wonder where all the women are. It’s very noticeable to me, but not intimidating, as I have always been very comfortable in the company of people, men or women so we just order a drink and find a seat.
We chat away for a bit and I make contact with a friend who I’d made at a coffee shop in Soho last time I was in the UK. We make plans to lunch later in the week which is awesome. For those of you that have followed my blogs for some time you might remember me being quite aloof about his profession, but that aside, I am so looking forward to spending some time with him again. We have only managed to stay in touch with each other’s lives through social media.
It’s not long before I get to meet the famous Scotty, who is Matthew’s best mate, so we head off to grab some food before meeting up with him later on. Matthew leads me to a place called Caminos where we enjoy a bit of tapas.

The selection we got was so interesting, which included some peppers that apparently they always sneak just one super hot one in and you never know which one it is going to be. Fortunately we didn’t get through them all to experience it, but we were due to meet Scotty.
We head off and as we walk not far to the pub we are meeting Scotty at, it really has begun to rain and Matthew slips about 4 times in the short 5 minute walk. Clumsiness is standard behaviour for both of us, so we just chuckle as we keep going. Soaked but happy we are joined by Scotty just a few minutes after we arrive. He is all smiles as we hug and exchange pleasantries. It’s safe to say I am keeping him. What a wonderful human he is. I can see why Matthew and him have formed such a strong friendship, sharing similar family values, integrity, and most of all, a lot of fun.

After a few bottles of wine we all decide it’s time to finish the night, and we part ways knowing that I have made a new friend, and from what I can gather, so did Scotty. A short uber ride home was uneventful, but I was very happy to be getting into bed. The excitement of the day too much for this princess.