End of an Era

"I'm going back to a time when we owned this town
Down Powdermill lane and the Battle grounds
We were friends and lovers and clueless clowns

I didn't know I was finding out how I'd be torn from you
When we talked about things we were gonna do
We were wide-eyed dreamers and wiser too"

Sovereign Light Cafe - Keane
 
And so, my last few days living in Exeter are coming to an end (for now). I'm leaving soon, heading back to the countryside after five years, and I can't wait. I'm ready to leave this city, although I love it here and have so many happy memories. I'm ready to get back to the country and enjoy the summer (while writing my disseration...).

Over the last few days however, of course I've grown nostalgic, and there are going to be many things I'll miss.

Of course I'll miss the wonderful people, and my wonderful friends.

I'll miss being able to walk to the Boston Tea Party and hanging out there and writing, and being able to walk to the library and Waterstones when I fancy it.

I'll miss walking down to the river and the quay, and up to campus.

I'll miss only being two hours from Fowey.

But it's been a wonderful five years, with it's ups and downs, and it'll be tough to leave. I've got my dissertation still to write, and then it'll be the end of my university career (for now anyway). I can't believe it's been a whole five years - so nearly there now. I'll be glad to finish, but I'm so glad I've done it. I wouldn't change anything in the world.

In the last few days, I've said lots of goodbyes and gone over lots of happy memories, many of which seem to have happened a long time ago! But they're good memories to have. It's hard to leave, but it's the right thing to do.

So, in the slightly changed words of Darren Criss/Harry Potter/Starkid:

"take it easy Exeter... it's been totally awesome." 

See you soon Exeter! It's not goodbye, just.... see you soon*.

*That's totally a quote from something, but I'm not sure what. Anyone know?

And here's some bonus nostalgic Starkid lyrics:

"You can't hold on to what's gone
Don't try to fix it, just move on
Only then you'll see the world
All brand new"

Everything Ends 

2I don't wanna see you go
But it's not forever, not forever!
Even it was, you know that
I would never let it get me down

'Cause you're the part of me
That makes me better, wherever I go!
So I will try, not to cry
But no one needs to say goodbye... "

Days of Summer