Getting to Know U (K)

I've been here for almost two weeks now and there are a few things that I've had to adapt to in my new country:

1. No matter how many times I clean, there always seems to be a layer of dust on all the furniture even with the windows and doors closed! Can someone explain why this is so?! As you all know, I'm horribly anal, so I'm often up and down picking up fluff and throwing it in the kitchen bin. Grrrr. Maybe houses built in the 1800s are just that way due to the many years of Brits living in them and not cleaning properly like us sgbabes are apt to do.

2. The staircase in our Victorian conversion house is so steep that I've almost fallen down them twice. And no, I wasn't drunk at the time. There are a lot of steps with very small threads, so you can't put your entire foot on it. Two of our close friends, Yeller Fever and the Gorgeous M are coming over at X'mas. I foresee copious amounts of drinking and as the one bathroom is upstairs, don't say you guys haven't been warned!

3. Eating out is soooo expensive and we've been reduced to (shock! horror!) COOKING AT HOME!!! That has by far been the rudest jolt to my system. Like me, P also hates cooking but now, we have no choice but to share the pain and prepare meals together most evenings.

4. When I first arrived, I was chilled to the bone and would go to bed in a jogging suit and socks. I've adapted quite quickly and can now go to sleep in the...better not continue, my dad reads this blog too ha ha.

5. P and I spent a lot of money furnishing my apartment in September last year and now, we have had to buy more furniture for this house. I saved us lots of money by getting all of our furniture online, but it has also introduced me to the dubious concept called doorstep delivery. This means exactly what it says. The delivery company will not bring the furniture into your house, but leaves it...on your doorstep. We first found out about this when our three-seater leather sofa arrived and was carried into our front garden and no further! I was still on our small island so poor P had to maneuver it into the house on his own. He ended up taking off the front and living room doors and even had to balance the sofa on his head at one point. I just wish I had been there, not to help, but to take photos!

I do miss my friends on our small island, but I'm also enjoying myself here. The emcee at our wedding came by for dinner on Thursday and it was great to see her. Our dining table didn't arrive until the next day, so we had to eat off our laps in the living room!

Our first overnight guests arrive in a couple of months and I just can't wait to hang out with my good friend of 18 years and her partner.

That will be one of the best parts of living here, sharing this fantastic place with those that we love and care about. Come and see us soon people!

Happy Easter!

We hear all the time about white Christmases, but never white Easters! However, this morning we sat in our living room with the heat blasting and looked at snow falling outside our window.





This is the gorgeous view from our guestroom, which overlooks our neighbours' backyards:





So beautiful.

P took me for an early birthday lunch and we walked half an hour to a cosy pub up the river. I had roast belly pork with mustard mash and greens while he had a traditional roast beef with all the trimmings. For dessert, we shared an apple and blueberry crumble with cinnamon custard and a warm chocolate cake. Can we say, "Yum!" Bailey's coffees and winter Pimms (Pimms, hot apple juice and brandy) helped the copious amounts of food go down. Burp.

It's toasty warm in the house now and I think time for a nap..zzzzzzz....

I'm in Brrringland!

I arrived safely in London after a five-hour delay on Oz Airways as there was a mechanical problem on the original plane and they had to find a replacement. I am jetlagged but at the same time, excited and happy to be here. P and I have had a long distance relationship for a year and thankfully, our time to be together has come.

The house that P found us is just perfect and I love it! We took a short walk along the river yesterday, which is literally just around the corner. Even with the gloomy skies and slight drizzle, the scenery was still stunning. I can only imagine how beautiful it will look in the summer when the trees are in full bloom. But don't take my word for it. See for yourself and drool!

The last couple of weeks on the Small Island were bittersweet. It was hard saying good bye to all my good friends. But I know that I'm lucky that I have so many great people in my life! I will miss you all a lot.

However, I also can't wait to start my new life here! I already have a lunch appointment this week and will meet more friends coming into town next week.

Anyway, my stuff should arrive next month so once the house is fully decorated, I will post photos. You can be sure that it will all look amazing! P really outdid himself with finding us this place. I am writing this in the living room right now, which has a lovely period detail like the carved ceiling light. This house was built in the 1883 and is much bigger than my apartment on our Small Island (though that really wouldn't be difficult). I would estimate it at at least 1,400 square feet excluding the garden courtyard.

Take care everyone and I will talk to you soon!