Blogs from Hammersmith, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

There was a massive, shopping mall (as Australians and Americans know them), built in Shepherd’s Bush a few years ago so we went to check it out today. Prior to this, really the main way of shopping for Londoners was on the high streets, each high street all over London, containing the same chain stores. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to tell which suburb you’re in at all because all the high streets look the same! I love this though because it is so English and I’m sure a lot of people who feel the same way, weren’t too happy when this massive complex sprouted some years ago. But we went to have a look anyway. As it turns out, there are still all the same chain stores that you see on the high streets, just ... read more

Hi All, Arrived in London yesterday just after 5.00am and caught the underground to Hammersmith.The rental is good, a small terrace in a row of identical terraces. The weather as expected is cold and there has been a very nice dusting of snow today, so London is looking exceptionally attractive with fresh white snow and lots of Christmas lights. Have been shopping on Oxford Street yesterday, Westminster Abbey and The Cabinet War rooms today. Also walked thru a snow covered St James Park to Buckingham Palace, watched the changing of the horse guard and had a couple of close encounters with the local squirrels. More snow coming over the next few days, so it will be interesting to see how the city copes.... read more

Hey Guys Me is back in da London Town, wicked! Had such an amazing journey, 4 weeks of seeing some really great places and meeting some great people, but now am so glad to be back in my own place, with my own bed waiting for me upstairs, typing this blog entry on my own laptop, and about to have an obscenely stinkingly hot bath very shortly. Bliss! Thought I’d write one final entry to round things off for this trip, to let people know I’ve arrived back safely, and safely being the operative word when we’re talking Caracas and Venezuela it seems, and upload just a couple more photos from my last few days of travel. Also to say thanks for reading my blog. It’s been a really great way of travelling, and unique, and ... read more

Before we arrived, our plan was rock solid. We had enough living money for two weeks but we would not, of course, need this amount as Victoria would be working almost immediately and I would naturally follow. It has not quite worked out that way and, as I write, it has not really worked out at all. Despite some administrative hiccups and repetitions, Victoria has managed to work her way into 'supply' teaching quite confidently. The recruitment agencies can be rather brutal, stretching the truth in order to make their sales quota, but the work has been frequent enough for our basic lifestyle to be sustainable. From her reports the work is often difficult and demoralising but is mostly tolerable. The discontinuity and insecurity of the process, however, makes the longing for her own classroom come ... read more

When we first left, I had every intention of writing regularly. Last time we had travelled, I had been a consistent writer - something that I know others had enjoyed and I was glad I had recorded the memories upon our return. Five weeks after we have left, however, I am finding it considerably more difficult to reflect upon our journey. Something indefinable seems to have changed, as if I am a swimmer who is afraid to look back lest he discovers how far he has come. Before we left, I was full of anxiety at the prospect of such a move. This tension was not only from the prospect of living on the other half of the world, far from family, friends and my comfort zone, but of a transition from one stage of my ... read more