I have discovered Basildon library with free internet… so this is my first UK post, and my initial reactions…
The flight here wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I feared. Long and tedious certainly, but I didn’t get a nasty back ache and got to see a couple of films I had wanted to before I left Australia. We were delayed at Singapore for an hour while we waited for someone who was too ill to continue to have their luggage removed from the plane. Delayed again for 10 minutes on arrival while the police came on board to take details from any passegers who were evacuated from the Asian tsunami disaster. (Loads of coverage of the tsunami here – so far about 30 UK tourists confirmed dead, far more still missing. Extent of the disaster is inconceivable…). Loved flying over the Middle East… endlessly fascinating. Europe disappointing though; thick cloud from Turkey until we got to the Channel with just a couple of alps peeking through. England clear and sunny! Who’d have thought? Great views of London as we circled overhead.
My exchange partner’s home is very comfortable, and quite big by English standards (it even has a front and back garder), although snug by ours! I am 10 minutes walk from the local Tesco (supermarket) which is endlessly fascinating. Don’t recognise a single label, except for Vegimite, a few chocolate bars and soft drinks, and Tim Adams (Clare Valley) and Jacobs Creek wines in the alcoholic drinks section.
Have had a few stereotypical English expriences so far! Saw a squirrel frolicking in the back yard from my bedroom window a few days ago and another one in the park near home today. Caught a black taxi at Heathrow (actually have caught more taxis here in a week than I ever have in Australia). The nice young man who sold me a pay-as-you-go mobile phone for £10 (a steal even by English standards) seriously described it as ‘pukka’! Successfully negotiated the underground and went into Oxford Circus on New Years Eve to meet my friend Beth for tea, scones, and clotted cream (how much do I love clotted cream?) at Liberty.
Must finish off… am running out of time on this computer. Thanks to all who have emailed. Will email back as soon as I can find another opportunity!
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