Leaving London: Bidding Farewell to my home of 8 years

Seeing my London home of 8 years empty reminds me of the first few days when I first purchased it. Brand new, with building works only just complete, the flat was a wonderfully polished open plan space. I couldn’t believe my luck when I first moved in, moving from an old cramped Victorian terrace in Camberwell to this über chic space fit for a bachelor. At first of course there was no furniture, and it is of those times that I am now reminded – sitting on the floor with only a television for company; watching the Eurovision Song Contest with my bottom shifting uncomfortably on the new wooden floors. 

The years in between have been perhaps the most formative of my life. It was in that flat that I graduated from my Masters and qualified as a barrister; when I was put through the hell of pupillage and ditched so unjustifiably at the end of it; when I experienced the elation of a new job in government and where I came home two years later knowing that I needed a new challenge; when I met the love of my life, experienced the birth of two nephews and the death of their father; it was where I had the accident that changed me forever, and where I used the compensation monies to forge a future for the better. 

My flat at its best

It is on that future that I now embark, although sadly that future must be without my beloved home. Packing up this place, the guardian of so many happy experiences, has undoubtedly been the hardest part about this move, but as each box was packed, a little bit of home disappeared. Now standing empty, it’s just a flat again – no longer my home. That home is currently making its way to Palma de Mallorca in cardboard boxes, and I cannot wait to get there now and unpack it. 

Packing up and getting Segunda Guernica out of the building!

But for now, I thought I would mark this passing with a few photos of my flat at its best, together with some views of the move. For this is truly the end of the era, but only the next phase of my life. And The Daily Norm is coming with me for the ride – so see you in Mallorca! 

All photos and written content are strictly the copyright of Nicholas de Lacy-Brown © 2014 and The Daily Norm. All rights are reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.