Here

It took no time at all. Now I'm here. Settling in, trying to adjust to this lame weather and occasionally incomprehensible accents. I've been really homesick. I think it's the clouds and rain that are doing it. I hate that I'm missing summer. The weather here is the spring extended remix. Clouds, rain, sun, clouds, more rain, rain again, then clouds, did I mention rain? It doesn't make for a very warm welcome (excuse the pun) to the country.
My new home will be suburban. I'm staying in the dorms of the local university. It's spartan accommodation- no TV, no Internet. I've spent a fortune at the local Internet cafe! Thus I've had no time to blog. At $2/hr it's too expensive. Shout outs to Roger and Quentin for letting me house sit in their flat, watch their TV & use their Internet in exchange for some sewing and light housekeeping. I feel so comfy here that I don't want to leave! I'm such a slug... Tomorrow is moving day. It was supposed to be today, but the paperwork wasn't ready, so I wait... I found a nice 2 bedroom place which is close to work, shopping, and the tube! It already has a TV & Internet set up. I met with the landlord on Saturday. She's kind and accommodating. She'll also be in Australia when we live in her place...
This entire house hunting thing is bizarre. At home, you get the apartment shoppers guide & choose a few places. Then you go see them, fill out the rental applications & move into whichever place you've chosen. Here you have to hire the equivalent of a real estate agent to find places for you and show you what (s)he found. Then they negotiate with the landlord on your behalf, you do paperwork and whoever give the landlord the best offer gets the place.
I lost a darling little house that way. I wanted the landlord to include bedroom furniture and lower the rent. He said OK, but I was out bid by someone who didn't need furniture. Boo! It's all good though. The new place is nice too!
OK enough blogging for today...I'm supposed to be at the Tower of London or something right now. Sightseeing instead of couch surfing...curse this comfy couch!!!!