Lunching with Ladies

Lunching with Ladies

I have been feeling spectacularly down this week.  I think it is a mixture of a hangover from the summer, my son starting Year 1, the beginnings of a cold, and getting my period.

Nothing major, and I feel guilty for even mentioning it here when there are people close to me having so much of a harder time of life right now.  But, there I was, feeling sorry for myself and needing a bit of a boost, when the universe took note and sent some light relief my way.

I have never really taken full advantage of working from home and how this lends itself quite naturally to meeting friends for lunch, but this week I had two lunches with two ladies.

The first was with T.

I met T in Australia when we were both in our twenties.  I was living with a guy, who worked with her best friend (now also one of mine!), and our paths crossed at a few parties from time to time.  However, it was when I moved back to London and T came over on a working holiday visa that our friendship really grew.  So much has changed since then.  She moved back home to Australia for a few years, then we both got married and had our babies; but our friendship survived the test of time and last year, T and her family moved back to the UK.

It was a very impromptu meet-up, a quick-fire round of texts the night before and we realised we were both free for lunch the following day.  We met at Marylebone station, next to the hotel where the Greek God(zilla) and I held our wedding reception almost 5-years ago.

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After taking a photo, natch, we then walked along Baker Street until we found a little cafe that took our fancy.  Over quinoa salad and San Pellegrino (yes, we are THOSE people now), we talked about our husbands, family, work, housing and food.  I was having such a fab time that I forgot to even take a selfie of us together, but I did manage to get this shot of my lunch when T nipped to the loo.  I forgot to instagram it though #badblogger

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Our time together was too short, as always.  T had an appointment to get to, and I had to get back for the school run, but it was one of the loveliest ways to spend 2-hours, and on the tube back to suburbia I realised how much I miss Marylebone, and how much I love T.

My second lunch of the week was with V.

V lives locally to me, but we met at the wedding of another mutual friend in 2005.  Although, it was not until my son was born 4-years later that we became friends.

She has since confessed that she found me to be quite dismissive at our first introduction, but I explained that I was probably just VERY drunk.  Luckily, I am no longer as dismissive, or as drunk, and we have since shared many a Sunday lunch, much wine, and visited our friend  in New York together, without our husbands or kids.  Twice.

She is very funny, very dry, and her wise words are what helped me and the Greek God(zilla) get through two of the worst events of our life.

Anyway, with both her children now in school, V is able to meet for lunch on a weekday.  Over a pint of prawns, a green salad and two sparkling waters (my reputation will be in TATTERS after this post), we also talked about our husbands, family, work, housing and food.  Again, I remembered to take a snap of my lunch, but forgot to instagram, Facebook or tweet about any of it, which is exactly how it should be when you are enjoying the company of good friends.

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I’m still feeling a bit snotty and tired, but I have eaten well and laughed much this week, and really who could ask for more than that.

*****

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15 Comments

  1. September 19, 2014 / 10:04 PM

    Wish you lived nearer, but then I don’t think I could stomach all that bloody sparkling water! Is there an imposter on this site? Where’s my lovely friend Sarah who quaffs even more red wine than I do? I MISS her. And that’s obviously why THIS writer is feeling down. I prescribe more of those lunches X

    • Grenglish
      Author
      October 3, 2014 / 10:59 AM

      I wish YOU lived nearer too. Don’t worry, I am still quaffing the red wine – just not as often. I will make an exception when I see you next xx

  2. September 19, 2014 / 11:19 PM

    Wow, going through exact same thing here and just posted about one of my best friends visiting me from London yesterday as he was nearby at a conference and it made all the difference to a tough week-O starting school, period, feeling a bit rubbish. Great friends made things feel so much better! Lunches look gorgeous too! I’m back on the healthy band wagon after 9 lbs gained over the most indulgent summer! Quinoa salad here I come x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      October 3, 2014 / 10:57 AM

      Quinoa salad is definitely under-rated! Hope you are feeling back on form now x

  3. September 20, 2014 / 8:13 AM

    G starts school on the 30th so if you fancy lunch in town in Oct or Dec, I’d love to be your next ‘date’ xx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      September 25, 2014 / 12:53 PM

      Yes please! I would LOVE that. Let’s discuss later 🙂 xx

  4. September 20, 2014 / 8:29 AM

    Oh lovely, so sorry you’re not feeling great – but so pleased you got to catch up with great friends, even though your reputation is now officially in TATTERS! Look forward to catching up with you very very soon 🙂 Hope you’re feeling a bit better now xx

  5. September 21, 2014 / 11:12 AM

    How I wish to have been at the first lunch! I try to do a ladies breakfast once a week with my closest friends. In an age where women seem to be knocking each other down it’s so important to surround yourself with women who build you up and are there for each other.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      October 3, 2014 / 10:56 AM

      How we wish you were there too xx

  6. September 23, 2014 / 10:44 PM

    Don’t you just love it when friends admit to their initial impression of you on meeting? I find it so interesting! Sometimes not all that kind 😉 Sorry to hear that you’re feeling a little ‘down’, hopefully those lunches picked you up. And I love the term ‘natch’ that’s a new favourite for me! x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      October 3, 2014 / 10:55 AM

      It’s definitely a keeper!

  7. September 25, 2014 / 4:12 PM

    It sounds like a pretty good way to spend two lunches to me! I’ve loved having the time to have proper lunches and meet up with friends since being on mat leave. I even have an afternoon tea booked with my mum for after baby is born – luxury! Hope you’re feeling better now – almost the weekend now! x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      October 3, 2014 / 10:54 AM

      I loved maternity leave! Such a novelty having lunches and meet-ups in the middle of the day. Afternoon tea sounds like complete luxury, enjoy! xx

  8. September 25, 2014 / 4:37 PM

    Lunch with great girl friends is a true tonic 😉 xx Hope you are feeling better xx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      October 3, 2014 / 10:53 AM

      Much, thank you x

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