After I split up with Dan, who I’d spent the whole of my twenties with, I was faced with a situation where many of my friends were now married, had started a family and were moving out of London to buy a home. I realised that over the last 11 years I’d not made an effort to expand my friendship circle other than the friends I’d naturally made at university & at work. And despite feeling lonely at points, I was still excited about single life, I saw it as an opportunity. I always knew London was one of the most exciting places to live, I was in awe of the lives others lived and I knew I was just skimming the service, I wanted to meet new people, stay out all night, go on dates & try new things.

This week's reading is taken from April - Aug 2013 and they are predominantly about one amazing man, and now a friend, he was the first guy I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship, and they touch on my first steps into dating and ALL the confusion that comes with it.

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Key Characters:

Dan - My ex boyfriend who I spent 11 years with from 2001 - 2012

Beth - My best mate

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship

Ollie, Atlas, Heather, Caroline, Holly - London Friends

Lily, Alf, Susie, Ellie - Some of my oldest friends

Jared - A one night stand

Locations:

Shoreditch House

https://www.shoreditchhouse.com/

Columbia Road

http://www.columbiaroad.info/

The Fox

Pub on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

Scolt Head

https://www.thescolthead.co.uk/

Duke of Wellington

https://www.frontierpubs.co.uk/your-local/duke-of-wellington-dalston-pub/

The Hunter S

http://www.thehunter-s-pub.co.uk/

Kempton Antiques Market

https://www.sunburyantiques.com/kempton/

A Little Bit Of What You Fancy

Restaurant on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

The Dead Dolls Club

Bar on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

John Lewis

https://www.johnlewis.com/

Old Blue Last

https://www.theoldbluelast.com/

Looking Glass Cocktail Club

http://www.lookingglasslondon.co.uk/

Broadway Market

https://broadwaymarket.co.uk/

Off Broadway

https://www.offbroadway.org.uk/

Entertainment References:

David Beckham retires from professional football:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-beckham-retires-the-time-is-right-to-retire-from-football-8619336.html

Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/tennis/23220414

Miley Cyrus and Robin Thick MTV VMA’s 2013

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twerk-it-out-miley-and-robins-vma-performance-one-year-later-65286/

Land of Kings

https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2013/04/09/dalston-prepares-land-of-kings-festival/

Grazia Magazine

https://graziadaily.co.uk/

Mud

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_(2012_film)

Burning Man

https://burningman.org/

New Girl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Girl

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell, and edited and engineered by Ethan Illingworth