Goodbye 71a

It's strange when you're moving out and you do that last look around each room, lingering for a moment to relive some memories; you could swear you can actually hear and see those moments play out in front of you. Kinda like the array of carefully chosen flashbacks when a similar thing happens on tv, ranging from comical to poignant, the characters all misty eyed for times gone by...

..."71a, coming soon to E4". Me being the main character, F being the Ricky Ricardo type, my closest friends and family all regular characters... what would it say in Wikipedia...

71a ran from 2007 until April 2012.

K&F are in their late twenties. The series follows their lives as they finally decide to live together after nine years as a couple. Season one starts a bit slow, no one was sure whether it was going to be a hit. The first episode "Moving In" was chaotic. The flat didn't appear to be all it was cracked up to be and they wondered whether they had done the right thing. And with living together properly for the first time, the flat wasn't the only thing that was taking a bit of getting used to.

By season two the show had really taken off. The flat, despite its flaws, was all it was cracked up to be (especially after the new windows went in); massive rooms, sunlight streaming in all day, lovely neighbourhood, ideal location. After various furniture rearrangements, trips to Ikea and acquisitions here and there, 71a had really become home. Parties; movie nights; SingStar; highs & lows, comedy and drama; drams on the window sill; chilling out in the back garden; running; sunsets; Christmases; Hallowe'ens; turning 30; growing courgettes, tatties & tomatoes; the big declutter; music, music & more music: all key to subsequent seasons.

In 2011 a shock twist was set to spell the end of 71a: K&F split up. Cynics said it was just for a ratings boost, gossips said the actors were in dispute, however it was just time to call it a day. The series did however return with our protagonist still at the helm, enjoying solo adventures (and misadventures) and making 71a her own. F fans were glad to see regular appearances after the amicable split. It was soon mooted this would be the final season and questions were thrown up as to how it would end. A hint dropped in an earlier episode paved the way for "evil landlord decides to sell the flat". The last episodes did not disappoint. With the season finale two-parter; "The Flat Leaving Party" and "The Move Out" grossing the series highest ratings... cue the flashbacks and that last shot as the lights are switched off and the door closes...

And with that the door closes on another chapter in my life.

Goodbye 71a.

It's been emotional.

But loved every minute.

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