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The Lingering Presence of London’s Empty Homes: A Personal and Systemic Crisis
I am frequently reminded of a time, many years ago, when some friends were squatting a long-term empty terraced house in London. They were young, resourceful, and working in low-wage jobs, making squatting a desperate necessity for them to simply get by and have a roof over their heads. I recall that typical two-up, two-down…
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Salamanca, Spain: A Sun-Drenched Escape and Tapas Paradise
The end of 2025 was the time I decided to ditch the UK’s perpetually grey skies for some fabulous Spanish city-hopping. Earlier in the summer, I was lucky enough to enjoy a trip to L’Escala, Costa Brava—because honestly, if there’s sea, I’m happy. More recently, a brilliant excuse presented itself: a good friend decided to…
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2025 was the year of the kindness of strangers
Another year has absolutely sprinted past us, leaving 2025 in a cloud of nostalgic dust bunnies. I swear, the older you get, the faster the Earth spins. Though it was marked by slow, sometimes painful moments, it was also sprinkled with moments of pure, sparkling joy. It’s now making a swift exit, propelled by the…
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White Male, Working-Class and Against Far-Right Populism
Last week brought fantastic news: Plaid Cymru’s Lyndsay Whittle delivered a victory speech. I’ve been increasingly concerned by the constant noise, shouting, and prominence given to the populist right across the UK. It was gratifying to see Wales deliver a clear rebuke to Reform and, while they were at it, a slap to Labour. As…
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The fantastic things that keep me sane
The demanding nature of the hospitality business has consumed my days and nights, a relentless whirlwind that requires unwavering attention. It feels like a constant tightrope walk, with scarcely a moment of calm. Each day brings its own unique set of challenges, from the unpredictable drama of staff crises and unexpected equipment breakdowns to the…
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Waterloo Wander: A South Bank Stroll Through London’s Hidden Gems
I decided to seize the day and, more importantly, the glorious weather that was once again gracing us Londoners. So, I embarked on an early morning walk. You see, I figured the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, avoids the ‘after teatime’ terrors that some pearl-clutching fearmongers love to whisper and like…
The Loop Eclectic
Welcome to my personal blog, where I'm old enough to know better, and too young to care. Wander, wonder, repeat. And stay curious.
This is how it all started…
From Wallflower to (Wobbly) Wanderer!
Welcome to my corner of the internet! I’m delighted you’ve stopped by.
My UK adventure began in my late teens, intended as a brief cross-Channel trip. Four decades later, this island, particularly London, is still home. I fell instantly in love and never looked back.
When I’m not immersed in the exhilarating and challenging world of London hospitality (a delicious mix, though often a stressful one!), you’ll find me exploring life’s ups and downs. This includes invigorating walks through city streets and tranquil countryside paths (great for the knees at my age!) and a continuous journey of physical and mental well-being.
As an introvert, the word “sharer” felt foreign for a long time. My introverted nature often froze me at social gatherings – house parties, dinner dates, and especially networking events. The dread was real; I’d anticipate these moments like a dentist’s appointment, but with more awkward silences and fewer pain meds. Oscar Wilde’s words, “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying,” certainly resonated.
But with time (and a graceful piling up of years!), something shifted. I developed a newfound calm. Small talk no longer felt like a high-stakes poker game; starting conversations became mostly a joy, feeling less like rocket science and more like… well, talking! I’ve embraced the glorious truth that plans go awry, and I’ll probably say something silly. But you know what? So do many others, and it’s perfectly okay! (Seriously, some things I’ve heard! But we’ll keep those under wraps for now. My inner monologue often screams, “Shut up!” but that’s just between us.)
Don’t misunderstand; there’s a difference between innocently goofy and “run for the hills” rude. But those small, innocent, silly, and awkward moments? I’m completely at ease with them now. In fact, they’re charming! As Jerry Seinfeld wisely mused, “The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.” And my attitude towards awkwardness has certainly had a glow-up!
And that, my friends, is the genesis of this blog!
Consider it my personal therapy session, open to the public (minus the co-pay). More specifically, this is where I’m finally committed to translating the noisy, often chaotic chatter in my head—all those observations, half-formed opinions, and passionate annoyances—into actual words that exist outside the confines of my brain.
I’ll be sharing at a wonderfully slow, meandering pace—think Sunday stroll rather than Olympic sprint. (I’m fully aware this pace is likely “a curse to the internet algorithms,” but I’m choosing my sanity over the metrics.)
🗺️ What to Expect on the Slow Stroll
Expect posts on:
- Walk routes I’ve explored,
- Architecture I admire,
- Some of my travels,
- And, for good measure, a fair share of tantrums and rants—especially those inspired by the bewildering world of politics and current affairs, which I follow with obsessive curiosity.
The core reason I’m doing this is simple: I need an outlet. A space to process, categorise, and hopefully make sense of the world by forcing myself to articulate it.
So, welcome to the journey! And if you’ve stumbled upon new London finds, have travel memories to share, need a good, healthy rant, or have thoughts on the latest political absurdity, please tell! I’m all ears!
The Loop Eclectic
Welcome to my personal blog, where I’m old enough to know better, and too young to care. Wander, wonder, repeat. And stay curious.
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