A Fond Farewell to City Guinea

Farewell Citi Guinea?? Good heavens I hear you say “Why on earth would she want to leave the big smoke”? Yep, I can hear the sharp intake of breath from here and “here” is Suffolk right now and for the foreseeable future.

Those of you that read my Internet Dating story will know that the Cockroach Inspector stole my heart and ever since we have been strolling along nicely, taking it in turns to visit each others “pads”.

I liked my life in London (at least I thought I did). I didn’t mind the daily journey to the Wharf (at least I thought I didn’t), I liked working from 08:30 – 18:30 (who am I kidding?) and relished looking at the daily round of redundancies in the city just in case I was next (now you know I am lying!). Meanwhile I was working myself into the ground, grabbing my Blackberry every time it buzzed in case I was being asked for something, and it was taking a toll on my mental and physical state. I was becoming extremely stressed.

The more I visited Suffolk – the more I liked it. I realised I preferred the slow pace and congeniality that is common here. Folks here tend to like their jobs. They work 9-5 and get paid accordingly. They work in a substantially more laid back environment which still manages to function and make a living.

The decision was pretty much made for me 2 months ago when I was admitted to hospital in the early hours of the morning with chest pains, breathing difficulties and a strange tingling down one side. Once I realised I wasn’t because one of the cats was sitting on my windpipe I called my Mum (funny – no matter how old you get, you still turn to your mum when you are in trouble) and she called an ambulance.

I was admitted to hospital and treated for a heart attack. Eventually I was told that I’d had a panic attack (the symptoms are identical – only enzymes can differentiate between the two). I scoffed and said I wasn’t the panicky type – I’ve been internet dating and had Botox – I was a pioneer! What they then said scared me more than the pain. A doctor looked me straight in the eyes and said “It’s not you that is panicking, it is your body which is under too much stress, it’s a killer right up there with smoking and obesity – take this as a warning and remove the stress from your life”

So in my hospital bed, covered with wires in very unladylike places, having injections into my stomach (not to be recommended), on a drip and yet relieved I wouldn’t have to pop tablets under my tongue every time I ran for the Ice cream van, I realised he was right. I’d had a difficult year with broken ribs and a nasty car accident as well as some illness but nothing hit home as hard as his statement.

Right then and there I decided that continuing in a stressful job with the associated hectic lifestyle, worry about pay rises and bonuses to pay my credit cards, added pressure on myself about whether I could perform adequately to keep it, the travel every day, fretting about whether the Jubilee line was working, was going to get me eventually and no job or lifestyle is worth dying for.

That may sound a little dramatic but I was in a scary situation with a lot of time for reflection. And after a long discussion with my lovely man, we decided it would be a good thing for me and the kids (my two Siamese cats) to emigrate to rural Suffolk. So I did!

Suffolk is weird! They talk funny – they move vowels around so that words like “phone” becomes “fo-un” – “hound” becomes “how-and” and people talk to strangers – how weird is that? The nearest Waitrose is at Saxmundham - (Saxwhatham?) I ask you - how can anyone live without Waitrose?

People have asked me if I miss the City and of course there are a lot of things I genuinely miss. The email banter with friends and colleagues, WATC Events, lunch at Jamie’s Italian in the Wharf, Waitrose (obviously), meeting up for impromptu drinks after work and of course the Christmas Parties. I know I won’t earn half my London Salary and the buzz will be missing, but it was truly time for me to take a step back from life and head up the A12 for my health and sanity. Money suddenly became secondary and it was a very good feeling.

I’m sure my replacement will more than adequately fill the Guinea Choos and have as much fun along the way as I did. So farewell my City friends – thank you for all your support and complimentary comments about my articles. All I can say now is watch out for the 2010 Woman’s Institute calendar… (I think we are going to need considerably bigger buns again!)

PS: Obviously I could be persuaded to set aside the knitting if WATC are desperate for someone to test out any facial rejuvenating treatments... liposuction... Test drive a Bugatti Veron….

The team at WATC are sad to see our City Guinea go but are all happy for her and her new found love and life.

We are now on the look out for a new City Guinea to take 2010 and all the things that you want testing... If you are interested please get in contact with us.