Dear England:

It has almost been six months since last I saw you. While I think of you all the time, I know the decision to leave you was for the best, at least for now. I wish I could say it's me and not you, but I'm afraid that would be a lie. I am in a place in my life where I need sunshine, and here, in what is effectively the desert, I get plenty of that. Like I said though, I think of you always. There are many things that my current residence cannot provide (despite the vitamin D) and I feel that you need to know about them. So here's a list, in no particular order, of why I instinctively want to board any Heathrow bound plane whenever I'm in an airport.

~Oxford Circus - in particular Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Oasis, Warehouse, Uniqlo, New Look, River Island and the 3 H&Ms within 10 minutes' walk of each other. And of course, Vapiano's. 

~LUSH

~Itsu, Wasabi and the delicious sushi buffets available all week long

~Whittard's, oh how I miss Whittard's and Twinings too

~And Dragonfly tea, Cape Malay Rooibos Chai, Vanilla Rooibos, English Breakfast Rooibos and Early Grey Rooibos, all so good

~Gelato! Especially Scoop in Covent Garden and ZaZa in Canary Wharf

~Kings Cross

~All the green fields

~The relaxing drive from Potters Bar to London Colney (usually to pick up tea!)

~Covent Garden and the Lauduree & Paperchase shops there 
~Chicken katsu curry 

~The Thames (practically any river would fill this void)

~Pret a Manger!
~Decent Mexican food 

~Boots (the chemist) - buying contact lens solution will never be as cheap...nor will toiletries 

~And despite all the madness, Tesco. I miss Tesco and the 2 for £5 Haagen Dasz offers, the whole foods section, the unbelievable choice of cooking sauces and abundance of fresh, semi-skimmed milk.

So there you go, a few reasons why I miss you. But for now, this is how it has to be. 

Sx