Benson Boone, birthday treat

What a week!

We've had a birthday to celebrate

My Sophie is.....

....26!!!!
How did that happen? Where have the years gone?

I headed up to Cardiff on the Monday, stopping off at Cribbs en route. I stayed the night at Sophie's and then we headed to London, by train, on Tuesday morning (her actual birthday) We had a mooch around Marylebone before we could get into our hotel near Waterloo. 

Ready for the main event, our reason for being London bound...

The one, the only, BENSON BOONE!!

And it was!!
THE best live performer I've seen.

He was incredible

The best night ever!

And we were sooooooo lucky. 

He brought on Brian May at the end and did Bohemian Rhapsody.

Honestly, it was a once in a lifetime moment. The atmosphere was electric!

An absolutely incredible evening.

We joined the throngs leaving the O2 and headed for the Jubilee line back to Waterloo and our hotel. Could not get to sleep, still on a huge high, so was exhausted the next day.

We had a few hours to kill before our train back to Cardiff, so after a much needed coffee, we headed to Liberty's, Selfridges', John Lewis etc and had a mooch around their Christmas departments, getting a little inspo! Didn't buy much, everything was so expensive. 

I didn't take many pics either, as I didn't want to get my phone out, from the fear of it been grabbed by a bike thief, especially on Oxford Street!!  We were a day or two ahead of all the light switch on's and window displays being unveiled, which was a shame. 

We got back to Cardiff about 6'ish and then I had the drive back home. 

Was exhausted but my cup was well and truly filled! What a fabulous couple of days and I feel very lucky that I got to share it all with Sophie. Not many daughters want their mothers around, so I feel very lucky that we enjoy each others company. 

And I was home for the Traitors final!! Although Sophie and I texted each other throughout!

Was back to work and exam invigilation on Thursday, with a bump!! English mock exam, with 9 students with computer reader, extra time and rest breaks. Made working out all the timings, feel like I was doing a maths exam!!! Worked all Friday too, as I felt bad not being available at the beginning of the week, so have had a quiet weekend. 

I did however, go out on Friday evening to meet up with friends from my Sainsbury's days. 

Was lovely to have a catch up. I do miss the people but still glad I left the job!

Time is whizzing by again.

Just 4 weeks left of the term, before we head off to Italy for a few days. 

I'm invigilating all next week, morning and afternoons. Have Friday off, as it's my birthday. 

I did offer, but said, only use me if you really need me!! So far, I haven't been allocated anything.

I then have the following week off  but it's already filling up with appointments and coffee catch-ups!! So busy, but all good things, and then I'm back in for two days of chaperoning, a very welcome extra bit of money, as we throw ourselves into the festive season!!