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Published: January 14th 2011
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Our holiday on holiday in Edinburgh was great. We had a lazy mornings at the hotel followed by walks around the old streets of Edinburgh. We visited Edinburgh Castle, shopped at all the touristy shops (for me of course) and managed to climb Arthur's Seat. Not an easy feat when I thought I was climbing the smaller hill and was not mentally prepared to climb the HUGE one. Ok, so it wasn't that big, but it was cold (she says with a sulky face). But it was a beautiful view of the city from the top.
We lugged our bags to the train station and caught the train to Scarborough. I love going on the train! =)
Gordon has been at work this past week; and I've been making myself at home. Gordon travelled to Wombourne and Peterborough while I stayed at home and carried out the many domestic tasks such as washing, cleaning and buying things for the house. Lightblubs, curtain fabric and carpets have all formed part of my day for the last few days. It's been great taking care of things and I feel at home here now. I know it's only for a short time, but
it's great to unpack my bag and feel like I'm in my own home.
It takes me double the time to buy groceries because not only do I not know the shops, but I don't know what the groceries look like. In South Africa I know the yoghurt, milk, cereal and bread that I like, but I have to really look and examine the food here. And then, I get to the till and, can you believe this, they make you scan and pack your own bags. It's so different from SA. People actually stop at robots (sorry... traffic lights), people arrive at your house to do something when they say they will and they know how to drive around circles (oops...roundabouts). The cops are really scary and do not accept bribes, you always see someone walking their dog and the post is so efficient and safe. Everything comes by post. Online shopping is fantastic!!
There are a few other things that make me smile to myself. Life is very different here. I'm starting to miss the sun. It's been raining and overcast and gloomy this last week. I'm missing not having my friends and family with me
for a quick chat and coffee. I really felt like a braai today. The perfect start to a weekend, but with the weather, and not having a garden, it makes it a little difficult.
With all this time on my hands I cooked a lovely pasta supper tonight, and I made butternut soup yesterday. I can see that our tastebuds are going to be tantalised over the next few months.
I've been making friends with the carpet cleaning man and the boiler-fixing-man. They are so friendly and chatty. They have both guessed correctly that I am from South Africa, and then they proceeded to mention the world cup. The English are football (soccer) mad.
When I walk around the neighbourhood and look at the chimneys on the houses, it reminds me of Mary Poppins. Cast your mind back (",) to the scene when the chimney sweeps are on the roof singing and dancing... the chimneys look exactly like that. Just another small thing that makes me smile to myself.
I went to York for the day on Wednesday. I was a bit nervous catching the train alone. I thought I was either going to miss it
or get on the wrong one and end up somewhere else far away. York was amazing. I went on a historic walking tour of the town and was amazed by the stories. Some houses date back to 1300s and there is a grave that is as old as the pyramids. The wall around the town that was built by the Romans (500s), and later altered during the medieval times in 14th century, still stands. The small shops line the cobble roads and there are so many treasures to find. After the walking tour, which was mainly a standing tour, I defrosted in a small pie shop with a sausage roll and hot chocolate. Then I proceeded to shop. I did walk past the same places a few times because the streets are very intertwined and even with a map, I got lost.
I made it home alive and safe but tired from taking it all in. It was a lovely day.
Gordon hasn't minded going back to work because he is training and not necessarily working. He has been chatting to his friends that he hasn't seen for a while. He still seems to be relaxed and at ease
with the change in work. I think things will get a little more stressful when he gets to the plant in India, but knowing Gordon, he will take it in his stride and do fantastically well.
Some bad news... we didn't get the apartment in India that we wanted. Apparently the owner found tenants without going through the agents. They are trying to see if there is another apartment available in the same complex, but it is unlikely. So, when we get to India, there is another house hunting trip in store for us. Joy! It was a horrible experience before. We saw such dumps. This time we're going in with strict requirements and we're not budging.
Gordon's home and I have some fabric samples for blinds to show him so I will say cheerio for now. I'm posting some photos from my walks around Scarborough and York.
I am missing each and every one of you.
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