Saturday, 07Jun

Here is the expected new post, it was a warm sunny day. Started out by going to the Camden Lock's Market - there are two and they are quite big - Camden Lock Market and the Stables Market. I strolled thru, lots of booths, lots of retro, crafts and antiques very diverse and interesting. I tried a country crepe for lunch - it was very good. Then walked along Camden High Street, that was very interesting, lots of retro, tattoo's and weird shops. Lots of interesting people to say the least. Took a picture of a interesting mannequin.
Left the markets for a stroll along Regents Canal. A nice the walk right along the canal, lots trees and greenery along the canal, pasted by the London Zoo and lots of stately homes. Saw lots of moored skinny boats which are people's homes. They live on them moored in the canal, some had lots of plants and outside areas set up, others didn't look so nice. One was decorated for a couple that just got married. I couldn't quite grasp this and wouldn't want to live on one they seem very, very small. To each there own I guess. I arrived at Little Venice which is a triangle in the canal, decided that was enough. When got street side I was lost had to get out my map and see how to get back - a nice guy asked me if I needed help and showed me which bus to take back to Hampstead. I stopped along the way at Woolworth to purchase some household items, then back on the bus home. No update last night as I feel asleep at 8pm - guess I was still jet lagged.

Back in the UK

Some of you maybe wondering what happened to my regular updates. Well I left on the 9th of May for California to get my work permit processed. Went into Reno for the weekend, Sandy Jones, my parents and my sister and her family joined me there. We had a great time, took in dinner and a show and of course lost some money. Then returned to Angels Camp with my parents, we went to Sacramento on the 16th for my biometrics appointment, then sent off the paperwork and my passport for it to be processed. After 3 weeks total for this process to finish I am know back in London, legally now for a year to work here. Enjoyed my visit with family in the states, now it is time to get back into working.
I am settling into my flat in Hampstead, will receive my household shipment on Wednesday morning, so will then have some unpacking and putting away to do, that will keep me busy. I will continue to post my updates so stay tuned... Missing you all.

Sunday was a beautiful day, had to make two trips on the tube to finish up my move. But now all my stuff is in the flat. What a relief, it is a nice feeling to know that it will be my home for the next year. I ventured out to the store, to get some things, hangers for one. This is a really great area, the streets are quaint with lots of cafes and shops, people all around, walked down to Finchley Road to the Waitrose (grocery), pick up a few things only as it is a ways back to the Flat. Figured out which bus I could take back to my Flat, as it is uphill with the bags. Then spent the evening settling in and unpacking. Now it is Monday - a bank holiday here. However I am working today as I oversee the European Desk and Europe is not closed today, so very quiet in the office with 3 counselors and myself here.

Saturday again- time sure flies, was a busy week at the office, I am learning more each day and getting more involved in everything. Really starting to feel like part of the staff and that I belong. Today was moving day. I took the tube this am to my new flat to check it out, met Clare, she is a welcome person, she helps me with things like where the doctors/hospitals/shopping/etc, in getting to know my new area and where things are. She was going to be in the area that I have been staying this afternoon, so offered to pick me and my suitcases up and take us back to the new flat. What a relief, it was really nice to be able to put them in a car and drive them there, otherwise it would have been a cab. What a ride - went down streets I've never seen before and I always think we are going to hit someone, as we are on the wrong side.. but no it is the right side. So getting settled, will have to make a trip to the store tomorrow for things that I need. Furnished - um still needs some things... I then tried to get a phone at T-Mobile, still working on that..long story. Then headed back to the old place to spend the night, so that I can take the few things left on Sunday and check out. Will use the Internet for tonight, as don't have it yet in the new place. Took a bus after walking a while, it was all new places, went by Camden Locks and Kentish Town - they both look like very interesting places so will have to put them on my list. The bus is really the way to see things, but have to learn where to get off. Got off at Westminster Abbey, and walked back from there, over the Westminster Bridge, then along the Thames, past the London Eye and Aquarium, then back to London Bridge. The weather today was great approx 70, didn't need a jacket or sweater. Great Day !

Sunday, 27th April

Not as nice today, so I ventured to an indoor mall, yes like the ones we have in the states. It is at Canary Wharf, which is a very new development. I was off to the tube station with route in hand, and the line was closed, so they told me how to get there, via the Bank station and the Dockland Railline, was easy. It was very clean, not real crowded, so enjoyed walking around and peeking in the stores. Not a very exciting day, but was out of the apartment. I also had to do normal things like wash today. As tomorrow is back to work again. This week I hope to be moving into my new flat in a completely different area.

Saturday, 26Apr

Another weekend, where is the time going. Well this Saturday the weather was wonderful, out with the sunglasses and left the coat at home. Was nice. off to another day of walking, went over the London Bridge into the city, headed toward St Paul's Cathedral, it is pretty impressive, then down Fleet Street to the Strand, past the Royal Justice Courts building, they are all locked up have gated entrances and all, ended up in Trafalgar square. From there I visited the visitors center, got lots of literature there of things in and around London. Then did a walk from Rick Steve's book, started at Leicester Square which is the central clearing house for theatre tickets, lot of people around, then on to Covent Gardens, which is lots of shops and street performers, along with a Market in the back, walked up St James street to Neal Street (lots of clothing and shoe shops here), is nice as no traffic on this street, then into Soho, up to Regent St and Oxford St which are the main shopping streets, they were packed with people, but lots of fun window shopping. Then a bus back to home to rest.

The weather was much better today, still a little over cast, but not nearly as cold. I went and checked out some of the street markets that London is known for. Walked over the Thames via London Bridge, then up thru The City to Liverpool Station then on to Petticoat Lane Market, this was a long street with all kinds of clothes, jewelry, shoes, and linens, many many stalls, that is all that you could see, then went on to the Old Spitalfield Market, it was is a building with lots of stalls, a little bit of everything there, so pretty cool stuff, then I walked along Brick Lane, which also has many stalls of vendors selling things, my final destination was the Columbia Rd Market which is a flower and plant market, it is a whole street filled with stalls. I purchased some flowers for my place to make it more homey, of course then had to find a vase, they look very nice, smell good and they do make it more homey here. Then I walked back, even got warm enough to take off my coat. So that was nice. It is now raining again, so glad that I am in for the night. ... see updated slide show...