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“A good friend who was a cunt of a friend”
The news hit me like a physical blow, a punch to the gut that left me winded and disoriented. Stéphane. Gone. The word echoed in the hollow chambers of my mind, refusing to settle, refusing to make sense. And yet, amidst the initial shock and the burgeoning tide of sorrow, there was another, more complicated…
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Bordeaux Bound: Kicking Fifi to the Curb!
I gave my inner hedonist, “Fifi the Frivolous” a swift kick in the butt and finally made my way to the last leg of my holidays: Bordeaux! Ah, the city of wine, elegant architecture, and a cultural scene that could rival a perfectly aged vintage. Have you ever had the pleasure? My base of operations…
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Culinary & Cycling: From French Frivolity to Spanish Sunshine
Oh, the perennial holiday dilemma! You set off with grand ambitions of being a productive, travel-blogging machine, but then your inner hedonist (mine’s named “Fifi the Frivolous”) takes over, and suddenly, the only thing you’re documenting is the precise indentation your head makes on a pillow. After a monumental battle of wills (and a good…
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Patience and Pondering: My Epic Train Trip to South West France
The night before a holiday, I’m just like a kid on Christmas Eve! Sleep was a no-go, my mind buzzing with excitement and a wild burst of energy. The main difference now is that I’ve learned patience and won’t be asking “Are we there yet?” every hour. My journey was to France, kicking off with…
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Brixton Recreation Centre
Living in Brixton for a few decades is like a proper love affair – you’re almost certain you have seen it all, from the evolving shops to the ever-present aroma of delicious food and weed (London Aroma)! There’s a place that holds a special place in my heart: The Brixton Recreation Centre, or Rec as…
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Going East to the Victoria and Albert Museum Storehouse
And off I go! I’m heading east, across the river to the Hackney Marshes, and more specifically, to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. That’s where you’ll find the brand-new, absolutely spanking V&A East Storehouse! My journey from Brixton to East London is thanks to my trusty over-60 bus pass – what a lifesaver! The bus route…
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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