As pretty as this location is, it was probably never going to live up to the hospitality that Pauline and Steven extended us in Shadwell. That said, although these folks are nice enough on the surface, and certainly can't be called mean, it's not a location I would return to (terrible wi-fi/phone reception in the bedroom, which wouldn't be a problem if we were permitted in the lounge room. Making phone calls while shivering on the doorstep is NOT fun; cooking is not allowed ... actually, the kitchen isn't meant to be used outside of breakfast, but I got permission to put our milk for tea in the fridge; no laundry permitted, etc). There is a lovely cat here with a silly, common-as-muck name. I've privately renamed her Cat-sheeba; equally silly perhaps but at least she doesn't sound like a cheap pole dancer down on her luck. She's napping on my lap as I write this, which also isn't allowed but neither the cat nor myself are about to give away our secret.
Last night, Mat and I were hit with challenge after challenge with our technology, beginning with accidentally cooking our adaptor, to not being able to access our on-line banking or having a means of paying Mat's UK mobile phone bill, and no phone reception in the room to talk to support services. Seriously, in the space of 20 mins it was one thing after another and it felt like we had been cursed. Maybe we had. I will say this: we have incredible people in our lives who came through for us big time. Thank you again, Shine and Julie! Because of these two angels, our heart rates have returned to normal. The on-line banking issue has been sorted too and today Mat bought another adaptor, this time one that can handle my iPad. Now we focus on the help wanted ads.
I'll wrap this post up here with some random photos from the last 48 hours. With much appreciation for our family and friends and all your support and prayers. Love reading your comments!
Keep the peace,
M
St Paul's Cathedral
The Globe Theatre, circa 1997 - first thatch roof permitted within 1 mile of the City of London since the Great Fire of 1666
'When you have an old, burnt out shell turn it into a garden' - Mat, on coming across this minute oasis. Christchurch Greyfriars Garden.
Engine room, Tower Bridge 
View out of engine room - interesting lines
That could be modernised to read Royal Snail Mail. How about this for a fancy washbasin? It was in the ladies' loos at the Woodman Pub in Highgate, where 'children and dogs' are also welcomed.
I bought a tin mug for my Tea Granny with this saying on it.
This quote will resonate with some - you know who you are.
The Tea Granny and Cat-sheeba
Over the ten years that we moved from Canada to Australia and then to UK it's amazing how complex basic living has gotten. Simply acquiring something where a bill is issued on a regular basis and then paying that bill can be a monumental task. And if you don't set up your financial network in a very precise order, which is agonisingly time consuming, it all comes crashing down. It's all laughable now but the mad panic to pay a bill before it becomes a late payment and registered on my credit rating was ridiculously hard. In the UK it appears late payments are listed on credit ratings and the one thing you can't afford when just starting out in a new country is a bad credit rating - good luck in finding a place to live, getting insurance... Anyways it's all good now... or at least till my phone bill is due again LOL.
ReplyDeleteMy chair doesn't spin that well lol :) Glad you are overcoming Mic. Sending you mental hugs to keep you going. And, I am loving your blog. You are a talented writer. Take care of yourselves!
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