York - England

A few weeks ago I went back to York. Having grown up abroad, away from the rest of my family, we'd always go back to York for Christmas or any other school holidays we had. It was a big trip. Going to York meant taking the Ferry from Belgium and that takes quite some time. I hadn't been on the Ferry in ages as I've been living in England for the last 2 years. But when I went back to visit my parents in August we took the Ferry all together like the good old days.

I love York. Even though I don't know it as well as a local of course, I have my favourite streets, favourite cafés, favourite shops and pubs. When I was little, I always used to notice the little things that made England different from Belgium, which I thought made England so much cooler. There were yellow lines near the pavement, the traffic lights would go orange before going green, the cars would drive on the other side of the road, I'd eat Cinnamon Toast (now called Curiously Cinnamon) for breakfast every morning, we'd always buy (a ridiculous amount of) all the typical English food that can't be found in Belgium, we'd go to the panto at Christmas which is something you don't have in Belgium and have a good old sunday roast on sundays.

If you've never been, York is a city in North Yorkshire, which was founded by the Romans and then Vikings took over for a while. They left some pretty cool stuff behind. York has one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, which was built over 2 centuries and is a city that is enclosed by medieval walls. The cobbled streets in the city centre are very small and narrow and the crooked shops have tiny doors. The shambles is one of the most famous streets and one of my favourites. Its imperfections makes it all the more beautiful. As you walk along, you'll find lots of little streets some with the most unusual names - my favourite street name being "Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate". The main streets are full of antique shops, tea rooms, sweet shops, boutiques etc. But when I go into town there's always one thing I do when I'm back in York : I go to Betty's.

There are very few Betty's tea rooms in England but luckily there are two in York. I always go to the teeny tiny one called "Little Betty's". Although the tea/food is the same as the big one, the small one is beautifully located and if you have a window seat, you overlook the gorgeous street that is Stonegate. I no longer have to even look at the menu when I go. Hot chocolate and pikelets, every single time. The waiter/esses are all dressed in their chic uniforms, and there's always a stand where you can read the papers if you wish to, otherwise there's an open fire in winter and an unlimited choice of cake and biscuits to choose from. In its relaxed environment, it really is an ideal place for a lovely catch up with a friend or an afternoon tea with someone.

One other reason why I love York so much (other than the fact it's a beautiful place!), is that I get to visit my Granny, uncles, aunts, cousins and any other relative that lives there. Having my friends at home get picked up by their grandparents after school or visit their family for just the week-end is obviously something I couldn't do in Belgium. However, it made our stay that much more special every time we went to York.

If you've never been to York, I hope you get the chance to visit it one day. I'm sure you'll love it. I'll attached some pictures I took below.

As always, thanks for stopping by xx

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A letter to you

7 years.. crazy. I've changed so much since. I'm taller now, my hair is longer, I no longer have braces, and I wear contact lenses. I sometimes wonder if you'd recognise me now. You'd probably mistake me for someone else. I know who. I wonder if she really did look anything like me as a teenager. You weren't the only one who mistook me for her.

You know, I finished school, like you always hoped I would. "Don't do what I did" you'd always say. But you know what, not everyone finished school, but we're all ok. R & E are both starting courses in September and L wants to be a Geography teacher. I'm sure that wouldn't surprise you. I know you'd be proud of us all. I'm now at university in England. So I'm slowly learning to be independent. I've been learning to cook recently, something you were very good at - Mum gave me some of your secret tips. I also live in a flat, on the last floor, like you did. I wonder if you used to stare at the sunset like I do. Did you find that relaxing too?

I know your secret. We all know. I only found out a year ago. And you know what? It's ok. I love you and it doesn't change anything. I wish you knew that. It must have been difficult for you, I'm sorry about that. And I'm sorry about the pain you went through because of it.

I went home in June and guess what I found? I was going through old photo albums and I found your old cassettes where you recorded yourself singing to us. I didn't think they'd work but some still do and it felt so good to hear your voice again. You really loved us, I know you did. And I don't care what people say, you made us feel loved and that's all that matters. I think that's the best thing you can do for someone. Mum says you'd write those songs at 2am or something - whenever you felt like writing or playing.

I also found the last song you wrote. I was going through your stuff and I wasn't expecting to find anything I didn't know about, but there it was. It made me cry. I showed it to Mum. It's a beautiful song. Thank you. A melody that I sing to myself from time to time and lyrics I can't forget.

I hope you're still singing up there. I hope you're at peace with yourself. The man I knew was a good man.

I miss you xxx

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