12 Months in London

The cast of the musical Rent sang “525,600 minutes how do you measure, measure a year?” and when it comes to London, how exactly can we measure a year?

In expensive cups of coffee? In sweltering tube rides? In disappointing Tinder dates?

As I pass my first year in the capital, it’s time to reflect on what has been a momentous year, which I can only measure in the amount of good times I’ve had…

In April, I was lucky enough to visit the Maldives for a week, accompanying five journalists on a press trip. This was the definition of a work perk – with truly spectacular sunsets, delicious cuisine, sun-drenched beaches and amazing snorkelling excursions, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is one I’ll never forget!

Working in travel PR in London has definitely inspired me to travel more, with our lovely client DFDS providing ferry crossings and inspiring me and some friends to take a trip to the beautiful Champagne region in June.

There’s been some really notable moments: doing my first new business pitch, getting client coverage in the Daily Mail, Express & Metro and as an added bonus, winning Coverage Hit of the Year at Rooster.

Out and about in London I’ve spotted a few celebrities too, Hugh Grant holding a bike helmet in Soho, Louie Theroux speaking at an event, Lily Allen getting out of a car in Bond Street, but best of all our very own royals William and Kate being driven to Twickenham, where I happened to be walking by a main road and got a good look at two of the most famous people in the world.

On a personal level, I got adult braces (self-improvement is the best kind of improvement), found a signature style in long skirts and winged eyeliner, I’ve also grown my hair and gone back to my natural colour. Exploring London is easy thanks to the lovely work mates I’ve made, we’ve enjoyed rooftop bars, open-air cinema screenings and live screenings of the Opera – all for free!

Some things haven’t changed though, living in a fast-paced city means I still get infuriated by slow walkers, the lack of air-conditioning on the Tube is enough to make anyone sweat, and don’t get me started on sky high-rent or Brexit – but if this year is anything to go by I predict it will only get better from here.

Heading home to the Midlands is still a treat, it’s much greener and the air is infinitely cleaner, the parks and cafes aren’t over-crowded and there’s a slower pace of life that I do sometimes miss. But every time on the train journey back when the intercom announces our arrival into London Euston, I’m hit by the same overwhelming feeling that anything can happen and anything is possible… that’s what London can give you that village life just can’t.

It’s with optimism that I think “bring on the next 12 months!”

By Jo Kendall