I spent last week sorting out what remains of my London life. I’m flying out on Friday night and I must say I’m looking forward to returning to Cape Town. Mentally I’ve moved on from this place and it’s no longer home. I think now that I’ve spent a couple months in Cape Town I thought I would list some things I really like about being back home.

1. I am 10 minutes drive from about half a dozen beaches. I go to the beach almost everyday. You have no idea how much I appreciate this and I get to go surfing. Woohoo.

2. The scenery in Cape Town is spectacular. Seriously. It’s a pleasure to be there.

3. There is something really cool about the vibe in Cape Town. People are much friendlier and more laidback than in London. It makes me feel like a human being again.

4. I get to drive my car. There is something to be said for being in control of your transport situation. I can actually get around fairly easily now.

5. Life is much cheaper than London. Of course you earn a lot less but still. When I get back I’m going to be moving into a flat share in a suburb called Seapoint. The flat is literally 5 minutes drive from the city bowl and the rent for my room is £167 per month. Unbelievable.

6. I’m nearer to my family. I’ve been staying with my Mom & Gran, which has been cool though I’m glad to have finally found my own place. My elder sister and her husband and kids stay 5 minutes down the road from my Mom so I see them all the time too.

7. I’m also much closer to Mauritius now and I hope to go out there a lot more often. I really like that place and I have lots of crazy aunts and uncles whose company I enjoy very much.

There is no question that London is a world-class city and I’m privileged to have spent so much time here. So these are some things that I will miss most about London …..

1. My friends obviously and the regular interaction with them. Cape Town is a long way away. I do have some good friends in Cape Town and once I’m in town my social life will improve. I have found though that because I’ve been away for so long there are some conversations I’ve been unable to contribute to. It will take me some time to get settled in.

2. Life at HTB. HTB is a special place and I really did enjoy my time there. I’m not going to find a church like that in Cape Town. I still need to find a church to attend regularly but this time I’m going to go with a smaller, local church. Watch this space.

3. Cheap travel. Travelling from London is a pleasure. You can get anywhere fairly cheaply. Flying somewhere from South Africa costs an arm and a leg. I’m going to have to do a lot more local exploring from here on out.

4. The tube. I never thought I’d say that but it’s true. While I don’t touch a drop of alcohol when I drive back home, every once in a while it’s nice to let your hair down. No can do anymore.

5. FREE BANKING. In South Africa they charge you for EVERYTHING. Monthly fees, online banking fees, card fees..... it just doesn’t stop. It’s disgusting and horribly expensive.

6. The NHS. Health cover in South Africa doesn’t come cheap. It costs about £100 per month for a basic hospital plan. You really don’t want to rely on the state system here.

7. Cheap, fast, unlimited internet access. There is no real competition in South Africa when it comes to internet service providers. And they are all a rip-off. Mobile phone contracts are for 2 years. Can you believe that? 2 years? I could be dead by then.

8. Culturally, London is great. There is so much to see and do you can’t really compare it to anywhere else. I also find the quality of the newspapers and reporting streets ahead of what anything Cape Town has to offer.

9. Our government sucks big time. I doubt there is one MP in South Africa of sufficient calibre who could make it into parliament in the UK. On the whole the UK government works and thinks progressively. The South African government is an embarrassment though I respect that it’s democratically elected which is more than most places in Africa.

10. London is a business powerhouse. You can just about make it in any career here. Financially, the good days are over for me. The South African Rand doesn’t go very far.

I think if I have one regret from all the time I spent in London, ironically it’s that I didn’t go to New York for a few years. I used to work for an American bank and I could have weaselled a transfer if I really wanted to. Had I known earlier how great New York was, I would have been there like a shot. Anyway.