Cutty Sark

The four of us then walked down the hill towards Greenwich, where we had a walk around Greenwich Market before having pie and mash in Goddards. The local pie and mash shop has been selling the little pot pies, mash and jellied eels with green liqour since 1890. From there we walked to Greenwich Pier on the Thames, passing the Cutty Sark along the way. This majestic clipper had won the annual clippers race from China to London back in 1871 in a time of 107 days.

Nat West Tower & Swiss Reinsurance Building

If the walk to the Royal Observatory wasn't pleasant enough in the spring sunshine, the view from the crest of the hill was definately breath-taking. To the east of us we could see the towering shape of the Millennium Dome towering over, to the north (straight ahead) we could see Canary Wharf with the Canada Tower (the tallest building in London), and to the west (in this photo) the previous tallest building, the Nat West Tower, and its new shadow, the cucumber-shaped Swiss Reinsurance Building.

The National Maritime Museum

Today we picked Paul's dad and brother up and had a ride over to Greenwich in South London. Parking the car at Blackheath, we were able to enter Greenwich Park and enjoy a incredible panoramic view of London with the National Maritime Museum in the foreground.

Sat, Apr 29

Today we had a ride up to Hertford. Paul wanted to pop into the office to install a lock box, so we used the excuse to check out the town and enjoy a pub lunch. Luckily Paul's trip took but 30 minutes, so we were able to enjoy the local shops together. Hertford is a nice quaint town with a small maze of streets with dozens of little shops. At the weekend, there is a farmer's market, so locals can pick up anything from fresh produce to cheese and fresh fish. The town even has its own castle. We'll probably check that out another time.

Wed, Apr 26

Today Dawn had to get the train and tube on her own for her trip into town, as Paul was at work. She had two interviews sandwiching a lunch date with a couple of ex-work colleagues from Schiller in London. The first interview was a University just around the corner from where Paul worked for over 17 years at the Angel. The second was for the National Health Trust, who called Dawn later in the day to tell her she had been very good, but they preferred someone with NHS experience.

As for Dawn's lunch date, she met Margaret and Mavis at Charing Cross station and walked the short distance to St Martin-in-the-Fields and enjoyed a light meal in the crypt of the local landmark that overlooks Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Mon, Apr 24

Today was Paul's first day at work as Systems Support Manager, and almost seven years to the day after he left Bowers. His drive to Hertford, a town 15 miles north of us, took him about 30 minutes. So that wasn't too bad. It took twice as long for him to drive to Bowers when we lived in Enfield.

St George's Day

Today was St. George's Day. Paul gave Dawn a card and furry lion to celebrate our 1st St George's Day back home. Later in the day we drove over to Holloway and took Paul's Dad and brother George up to Highgate, where we had lunch at the Gatehouse again.

Fri, Apr 21

Over the last two days we have been tying up a few of the outstanding jobs. We registered ourselves with a local NHS doctor, opened a new joint bank account, transfered some of our US dollars still sitting in our account back in Florida, and (probably most importantly of all) registered Tiny with a local vet. All we need to do now is sort out her pet passport so we can take her abroad with us whenever the need arises.

Wed, Apr 19

Once again we left the car at home and headed into the city. This time Dawn had an interview with an enviromental consulting firm at the back of the Law Courts. If they're interested, they will get back to Dawn to arrange a second interview. Needless to say, we're keeping our fingers crossed, again.

Tues, Apr 18

We couldn't resist posting this picture of our neighbourhood fox. We have seen this cute little creature wandering around our cul-de-sac several times already. Hopefully Paul will be able to get a better photo in the coming weeks and months.

Tues, Apr 18 - Good News

Today we drove to Hertford, because Paul had been invited back for a second interview with the company he interviewed with last week. Nearly four hours later, he left the offices having been offered the job and now starts work as the Systems Support Manager next Monday.

Obviously, with this good news, we had to go out for a celebratory meal, so we popped around the corner from where we live to enjoy our first Indian meal since arriving home at Spice of India in Green Lanes. It was pretty good, so we can definately confirm that we will be going back there.

Sun, Apr 16

After Paul dropped his Dad and brother George off home, he picked up a bunch of flowers to thank Dawn for helping him accomplish one of his goals for the year.

Easter Sunday

Today we drove over to Holloway to collect Paul's dad and brother George, and brought them back to our flat for dinner. One of Paul's goals for this year was to cook a meal for his dad on Easter Sunday. Needless to say, we all enjoyed the roast turkey and potaoes, brussel sprouts, carrots and home made gravy and Yorkshire pudding that Paul dished out. Dawn then called her mum Brady and and sister Kelly while Paul took his dad and George.

Fri, Apr 14

Today was Good Friday, and Paul got great pleasure toasting some hot cross buns for breakfast.

Thur, Apr 13

Good and bad news regarding our shipping today. Paul called the UK company that is dealing with delivering our possessions and they confirmed that they are scheduled to arrive in Felixstowe this weekend. The bad news is that even if they arrive on Saturday, we will not see them for at least another three weeks at best. They advised us that instead of receiving them within 2 days as advised by the company we paid in the US, it will take at least 7-10 days to get through customs, and then another 14 days before it will be delivered.

Paul also got some good news regarding the interview he had on Tuesday in Hertford. He was called and invited back to go meet with the MD and Ops Manager next week. Hopefully, that's a good sign and he'll be successful. So don't forget to check this blog next week to see how it goes.

Wed, Apr 12

This back and forth week continued with today being Dawn's turn for an interview. This time we headed over to Muswell Hill for Dawn to meet with a Keystone recruiter. Dawn filled in an application form and gave her details and left being told that she would be contacted if they had any jobs that would suit her. They have since called Dawn back and will be sorting out an interview for her next week at a company in Crouch End.

Then we had a dentist appointment each to register with the dentist and have a check up. Dawn's went well and she won't have to go back for another 3 months. Paul, on the other hand, needs to go back at the beginning of May. The best news of all is that the visit (which included 2 x-rays each) cost us just £15.50 each. For all the criticisms made against the NHS, it won't hurt our pockets as much as the healthcare back in the US.

Tues, Apr 11

Today it was Paul's turn to have an interview. This time we had a 15 mile drive to Hertford, the county capital for Hertfordshire, the county north of us and just outside the M25 (orbital motorway around London). As with Paul's interview the previous week, he felt the hour long interview went well and left being told that the company still had some other people to see and should he be shortlisted, he would be contacted and would need to come back for a second interview. It was left with Paul being told he would definately hear something next Tuesday.

Mon, Apr 10

Today was one long day for Dawn. I drove down to Wood Green and dropped Dawn off at the London Borough of Haringey's office in Station Road at 8.45 for a two and a half hour test, that was to be followed by an interview at 2pm. In between we did some shopping and had some lunch. However, the interview was delayed over an hour. We eventually made it home about 4.00pm. Like I said, it was a long day for Dawn. As for Dawn's job interview, she got a phone call about 5.30pm to tell her she had been unsuccessful.

Fri, Apr 7

Today we drove over to Holloway again to see Paul's dad and brother George. This time we stopped at a Fish & Chips shop in Crouch End on the way to pick up lunch. So much for us watching our diet. This was the second time we've had fish and chips in the last two weeks. While we were there, Paul took a couple of photos from his Dad's balcony. As you will see, the view is a lot different from the one we had in Florida looking out at the Gulf of Mexico. Although, given the choice, we are more than happy with this one!

Wed, Apr 5

Today we travelled into central London by train and tube so Dawn could attend an interview for a PA position to the owner of a property investment company in London's West End. In fact, it was located just behind Oxford Street. Then we caught the tube again and headed to Red Lion Square, where Dawn met with a recruiter. It wasn't all hard work though. After Dawn's interviews, we headed to one of our favourite restaurants (Auberge in Waterloo) for a pot of mussels each.

Tues, Apr 4

Today we both had interviews. First we headed into London, where Dawn had another interview for a PA vacancy (this time in Kentish Town). Then this afternoon Paul had an inteview for an accounts support role at a local software company in Enfield. As we post this blog four days later, we have yet to receive any feedback (positive or negative) on either position.

Mon, Apr 3

Today we took our job searching to the next stage by starting our interviews. We drove the short distance to Middlesex University in New Southgate, where Dawn met a panel of three to apply for a PA vacancy. She felt the meeting went well, but on Thursday she got a letter that basically said ... thank you for applying for our job; however, there were too many able candidates and you weren't the one we wanted.

Sat, Apr 1

Today we drove over to see Paul's Dad and George, before taking them with us down to Bethnal Green for some much needed (or wanted) pie and mash. While we were there we also searched out a laundry basket. The three astute people in the photograph found some cheap ones (just £3.99)hanging outside a hardware shop just two doors away. Then it was back to Holloway to take Paul's Dad to his local grocery store before spending a little time with them back at their flat.

Fri, March 31

Today we drove up to Holloway to get our haircut at Supercuts. We were scalped. First the hairdresser removed more hair than was neccessary. We're not spring chickens anymore and need it as a distraction from all the lines forming on the faces below. However, it was worse when we got back to the car. With a minute past the expiry time on our ticket, a warden was writting out a £50 fine. And, that's if we pay it within 14 days. Otherwise it'll be £100. Then we popped into our local Morrisons to do our weekly grocery shopping. Luckily that only came to about £22. Dawn doesn't look too happy though. She kept on saying, "I've got no hair!!"