Mostly OK, but I’m battling box tree moths. We have a buxus hedge in front of our house, which we’ve been diligently tending for 20 years. These bastards are just munching through it. I sprayed the hedge with a parasite for these moths on Saturday, so let’s see how they like that. I fear this is a losing battle, though.
How was your week?
It was actually really good. I went to Berlin with my friend from Friday to Monday, which was really good fun. Plenty of drinking, eating, and zooming around Berlin on eScooters and just hopping off when we saw something interesting. As bad as it sounds, it was great to get away from the kids and just be able to do what I wanted, when I wanted, without being asked the same inane questions a billion times a minute.
It was a bit disconcerting when my flights suddenly got cancelled, finding out on the Wednesday evening. Luckily I managed to quickly book some new flights, which got in earlier which did give us a bit more time on the Friday.
The new EU entry/exit system is a farce. I'm not really sure what they're playing at but they'll need to sort it out before the summer. It took 90minutes to get through passport control, where you put your passport into a machine, have your picture taken and finger prints taken, only to join a huge queue and have teh border security do the same thing. EU passport holders had to join the same queue, so it wasn't any quicker for them.
I still hate Manchester Airport.
Shite. Had to pull out of the marathon I was training for at the last minute and I've just been in a foul mood all week since. So frustrating and disheartening to fumble something you've put so much effort into.
Ahhh I can only imagine how annoying that must be! I was training to get to a half marathon distance but stopped due to shin splints and THAT was really tough mentally, can't imagine what it's like when having to do that for a marathon!
fumble
what happened?
Knee injury.
Damn I'm sorry, swift recovery to you -- there'll be other marathons
My week involved moving from Sydney to London. Thirty hours traveling and in between it; stale airports. We (my wife and I) took the long way around, because the world’s decided to stay interesting (or breathtakingly stupid, as I see it) and the routes that would normally fly by the middle east now can't.
We're holed up in temporary accomodation now. Its clean and functional, soulless but convenient. Suitcases still mostly packed as if we might find permanent accommodation tomorrow, even though we wont.
It’ll take time to settle in, no doubt. But the food’s been good. Proper good. The customs run a little different to back home, sure, but the people… most of them have been decent. Courteous at the very least, and sometimes even warm about it.
I miss my dog, a mini Australian bulldog, who wont fly over until we find our new home.
That’s been my week. Figured I’d say hello while I’m at it. Seems like as good a place as any to start getting to know a few people here in the UK.
Welcome to the UK ya Aussie cunt!
I hope everything goes smoothly for you! There's been a few people who have moved fairly recently from Aus/Nz to our org in the UK. Are you planning on living in London, or is it just a temporary base for now?
yeah nah, that's a fucken warm welcome, aye.
We're planning to live here. For our first year we are thinking in zone 2-3. After a year we'll evaluate if we should move a bit further out. In our spare time we're going to take the opportunity to see as much of the countryside, so maybe we'll fall in love with another city or town--but we're tethered to London for work at the moment.
Welcome topside stranger! I'm surprised you find UK food better than Australian (tastewise, not pricewise), but always happy to hear it
London's pretty well connected, and there's a few places in the south (Croydon) that might have some decent lodgings if that helps
Thank you! There are some meals I suspect Australia does better. I'm from a suburb with a large Vietnamese population which means I got pretty good Vietnamese food. I have doubts that London will have as good south-east asian food (but I am happy to be proven wrong). In my limited experience the pub food and Indian food is way better over here.
My wife's company has engaged an agency to help find us something near both our workplaces--I will mention Croydon when we meet with them next. Thanks for the recomendation.
Beach days are here, and we have a nice secluded cove ten minutes' walk from the new place. Kid has started an after school club on Tuesdays, made a big lovely batch of cinnamon rolls over the weekend, and my coworkers are more effusive than ever about my output, despite the fact that I'm finishing everything about twice as fast as they think I am. How much better can it get, really?
Beach days are here, and we have a nice secluded cove ten minutes’ walk from the new place.
How do you feel about adopting a 40 year old man?
Depends on if you'll show up for DnD sessions using my home-brewed system and settings. If yes, I'll need someone to vouch for your mental health
My imaginary friend Derek who appears on weekends can vouch for my mental health, can't you Derek!
Derek?
Lucky break there, if Derek answered you'd have been certifiable. If you'll just pass that application over to my colleague in the mirror over there...
Weird. Had a major health scare a few weeks back, quite a few sleepless nights, and decided to take my health seriously. Cut out excess sugar and fizzy drinks (I still snack on nuts and fruit), and only one major meal a day (can be anything).
20mins pilates every morning, 1hr cardio at the gym or other fitness class almost everyday. I've lost 6kg in 24 days. I feel sore, but great. In a month I'll be down to 9 1/2 stone.
Went on a date last weekend with an absolute beauty and it went really well (we scavenged a freecycle table using a locked ebike). I'm just... happy?
Work is work, but I'm less affected by it
That's great progress! Sorry to hear about your health scare though.
Went on a date last weekend with an absolute beauty and it went really well (we scavenged a freecycle table using a locked ebike). I’m just… happy?
Great news mate, long may it continue!
Thanks! I think she might be a keeper, she satisfies the holy trifector of: stunningly beautiful, independent and driven, and can teach me so much and is happy to learn in return
I'm in cloud cuckoo land, but keeping my adoration in check so as not to frighten her
Community for asking and answering any question related to the life, the people or anything related to the UK.