There have been several ups and downs since I left the City, some predicted but most unavoidable, thus I’ve just had to make the most of what this adventure has thrown at me. Whilst 99% of the time being a single girl abroad is no bad thing, it has has indeed been such a free and fun experience, there are occasions where I rue not having a plus one.

The obvious? Weddings and other formal events are that bit more fabulous when there’s someone to share the day with. Less obvious, but more frequent; have you ever tried to double up a leaky binbag on your own? Nightmare.

As is the fact that there’s no-one to hold a spare key for me. Hence I found myself locked out the other night, until I managed to follow someone into the building annex – corporate security would not have liked that breach! – and then broke into my apartment through the bedroom window.

This isn’t the first minor drama in recent times exacerbated by the fact I’m here alone; I have twice now attempted to leave the country, and had to ask the taxi bus to turn back because I forgot something. There was the time I worked myself into paranoia over the fact that my cat might get herself stuck in the dishwasher, fully aware of the bizarrety of the request I proceeded to ask my letting agent to go in and close it. Then, who can forget the occasion my dress was busted at a friend’s wedding, in the church, and a stranger had to rip me out of it in the charity shop…..

I am an awkward blend of someone who likes to be invisible, and a creature of habit. I go to the same Irish pub and order the same dinner most days: the reason I favour it is because they smile and ask if I’d like the usual, then leave me be. Yet they also let me stay with them until 2am when I was locked out.

Being a single lady abroad does have one slightly scary aspect; if I went missing, how long until I’d be missed? It does occur to me on occasion, especially when I’m out of my regular space; plane hopping or staying in Spanish pensions….. perhaps that’s why I keep up with this blog, and the frequent facebook cat updates. I hope someone would notice if I went a bit too quiet.

But it’s not all bad!

I stay up late watching trash on Netflix; I listen to Shania in the lounge; no-one questions me for eating the same thing every day for a month; and I sleep like a happy starfish amongst my oversize throw pillows.