Pampering

I tried to get up early this morning but I seemed to be as quick as the speed of a really, really slow snail; it took me ages to get ready. I reckon it had to do with the fact that it was pissing down with rain and I had to get to the other side of town by bicycle. My choice though because I really miss being able to cycle through London without the danger of running yourself into something or being hit by a handbag of an old hag.
I went to the hairdresser today which was very very relaxing although by the time I arrived I was soaking wet… I’ve been going there for ten years already, ever since I moved into that area of Amsterdam. Had a great time because the girls that I met ten years ago are all still working there and they’re a bunch of silly gals and a good laugh. I was finished at 13.30 and went to buy some stuff that I can’t get in the UK. I need some stash back home or else I’ll get serious withdrawal symptoms. When I got most of my stuff I went over to see DM., one of my best friends.
On my way there I went to my favourite shop in town: second hand clothes, and bought some really nice dresses with a variety of designer labels attached to each of them. I’m no designer label addict but if I can get decent stuff for a decent price then I’m willing to pay… I noticed though that the clothes became a bit pricey ever since I left this country, still a good deal so I ain’t complaining, just something I noticed. When I was done going through the racks I went over to DM.’s.
She owns a sun bed studio nearby, so I had too many lattes there while catching up on the latest gossip and rumours. Had a great time and stayed till 19.55 when I had to go and meet up with KvD. and DvD. her son, who invited me over for dinner. It was really good to see both of them. DvD. is nine years old and addicted to PSII and had to show me most of his games. I promised him the latest Lord of the Ring game, it’s a belated birthday gift. I also bought him some clothes, a football shirt from England which he loved; he has been wearing it all evening and he told me he is going to wear it to school tomorrow.
I left at 00.45 and got home about 45 minutes later fighting a force 6 all the way back home which was pretty annoying but also a good workout and I still love riding my bicycle, even when it pisses down or when I have to face force 6… It’s just something I took for granted. These couple of days have been a true eye-opener in many ways and I almost feel like I start to appreciate this country again which is good. I see the good things again instead of just negative things, I realise it sounds odd but that’s just the way it is. I’m not saying I will move back, I chose to live in the UK for a while and give it a chance so I ain’t gonna change my mind.
I might end up loving both countries, who knows, but I reckon I still have a long way to go…
[forgive my typos it’s really late and I’m so totally knackered]

Great! …

I thought I’d left them behind when I left the country, but I guess I was mistaken… These creatures used to show up at the Vondelpark in Amsterdam each summer. It was just plain gross! And guess what…
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A potentially deadly caterpillar – whose bristles can trigger asthma and allergic reactions – has arrived in Britain from the Continent. Nests of oak processionary caterpillars have been spotted in dozens of trees in London over the last few weeks.
The discoveries have prompted fears that the species – normally found in the Mediterranean – has settled in the UK for good. They are covered in 63,000 poisonous hairs which can trigger allergic reactions and conjunctivitis if they are touched. Even if they are not handled, the bristles can break off and be carried in the air. If inhaled, they can trigger asthma. In extreme cases, they can even trigger anaphylactic shock.
Although spraying kills them, the caterpillars release thousands of hairs as they fall to the ground. The presence of these hairs – and the fact that the toxin in them can survive for up to a year – means the risks remain even after the caterpillars are destroyed. Last year, officials at Kew Gardens in West London were forced to use hairspray to stick the nests together before burning them with blowtorches.
The creatures first appeared in Britain last summer after they were brought into the country on trees imported from the Netherlands.
Watch a gross BBC movie here

Small but potentially deadly:
The hairs of Oak processionary caterpillars can trigger allergic reactions

© Daily Mail
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