217. No it isn't London

11th October 2014, Kingston

As previously established, I don't get out of London a lot.

It's the whole public transport and planning combo that I'm struggling with and sadly it's not yet socially acceptable to get a cab from zone 1 to anything outside of zone 6. Or to employ a chauffeur and not pay him. Damn this socialistic society (say the Swede).

The next stop on my list of UK destinations to visit; the lovely little town of Kingston. In spite of my favourite boot camp buddy Dolly's claim that she lives in London, it is not really London.

After successfully missing two trains due to my house not being next to Waterloo Station I had arrived in Kingston and was picked up by Dolly in the world's smallest car. We contemplated sights to see, culture to take in and the decision landed at Pizza Express and Bentall's Shopping Centre. I, after all, never was one for churches or museums.

Lunch consisted of two hours of gossip, veggies in place of pizza and more gossip - us meeting up was way overdue. After covering the topics of shoes (Louboutins), ice cream (Whey Hey), running techniques (appalling) and all the men in our lives (grand total; zero and none) in excruciating detail, we were off to do some serious shopping.

I was rather disappointed with us both as far as shopping went though. Visits to MAC, H&M, a dozen shoe stores and Zara - my usual safe bet - and I had not accumulated a single bag. For a girl who has permanent scarring to her palms breaking the shopping bag record in several major cities, that is not an acceptable outcome. Yes, the shopping bag record is a thing.

There was only one thing to do. Primark. There is no excuse not to shop when in there. Not buying a £3 pair of cut out brogues is hardly a valid option. Shopping bag disaster averted. Good old Primark and their wonderful advent calendar, motif sock and cartoon PJ selection. I did not have to admit defeat and shopped for dear life.

Like the old ladies we like to act as, we decided that 5 pm definitely was late enough and tomorrow was another day after all. Rock on. Unfortunately, we forgot to take into consideration the amount of time it will take two blondes to find the world's smallest car. In this instance, that was circa 30 minutes.

My visit to Kingston did in other words result in a superfood salad, Moomin pyjamas and a lost car.

I'll take it over sightseeing any day.

Greatest find of the day and some crazy lady in the background.