As some may have noticed, my blogging habit has become, well, non-existent in the last half of this year. I'm here now to rectify that, by giving a bit of a wrap-up of the year, at least in terms of what I have been up to.
First of all, I began my new job at RBB Economics in London in August this year. RBB had offered me a job in about March, and I accepted the post towards the end of my course at the LSE. RBB is an economic consulting firm specialising in competition economics. Basically, we analyse the economics of cases where competition law appears to have been infringed.
One of my first cases was an excess pricing case. The plaintiff was a company called At The Races (ATR); they broadcast British and Irish horseraces to the UK, Ireland, and a number of other countries, including Australia. ATR claimed that they were being charged an excessively high price by the British Horseracing Board (BHB) for the information that ATR shows with the horseracing pictures (i.e. information on the horses, jockeys, colours, starting positions and so forth). We were hired by ATR to explain the economics of the case to the court. This involved things such as defining the product, the market, and then working out whether the price BHB was charging to ATR was excessive. On the other side, BHB hired economists (one of which was my supervisor from last year at LSE!) to show that BHB's price was not excessively high.
Now, one of the first rules of economics is that economists never agree, and this was certainly true for this case. Happily, however, our side convincingly won the case on all points. Some of the press the judgement received can be seen here:
Friday, December 30, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas Wishes from Peter & Natalie
Happy Christmas to all our family and friends. Wherever you are this Christmas season, we hope you have a safe and joyful time.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Our Christmas
With Christmas day just over 24 hours away I thought it time to talk about what our plans are for the Christmas-New Year period.
We are having a quiet Christmas here at home, with Natalie's sister, Kate, visiting us.
Between Christmas and New Year I intend to watch alot more college football, as the cable broadcaster for it over here has come to agreement with ESPN to show games, including the Alamo Bowl, which features Nebraska playing Michigan.
It should be a nice time, so long as I get over the cold which has been hitting me around for the last 36 or so hours. But I am looking forward to a bit of quiet time, to recharge the batteries after quite a busy and full-on year.
We are having a quiet Christmas here at home, with Natalie's sister, Kate, visiting us.
Between Christmas and New Year I intend to watch alot more college football, as the cable broadcaster for it over here has come to agreement with ESPN to show games, including the Alamo Bowl, which features Nebraska playing Michigan.
It should be a nice time, so long as I get over the cold which has been hitting me around for the last 36 or so hours. But I am looking forward to a bit of quiet time, to recharge the batteries after quite a busy and full-on year.
Fun in Bremen
Last weekend was a great time for Natalie and I.
We had a wonderful time visiting some friends in Bremen and playing in the snow. It was the first real snow we have seen since we arrived in London in August of last year. As you can see from the photos below we did get quite a bit. So it was our white Christmas come early.
We also went to the Christmas Markets - the Weihnacht Markt. We also visited a Medieval themed market along the river bank. We will be posting more photos soon.
We had a wonderful time visiting some friends in Bremen and playing in the snow. It was the first real snow we have seen since we arrived in London in August of last year. As you can see from the photos below we did get quite a bit. So it was our white Christmas come early.
We also went to the Christmas Markets - the Weihnacht Markt. We also visited a Medieval themed market along the river bank. We will be posting more photos soon.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Some views of Bremen
We had a great weekend in Bremen, which included fun in the snow. but more on that later. Here are some links to some webcams which show you the city in the snow (it's still there) and the Christmas markets.
- Marktplatz Bremen
- Bremen University - overlooks the city, airport and football stadium.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Goggles
I am now wearing glasses for computer work and reading.
My eyes have been getting very tired of late and after seeing a local optometrist I found that I am longsighted in my left eye, but almost OK in my right. As a result, my eyes are working harder when I am working at the computer or reading.
It is the first time I have needed glasses - not bad for someone who has spent so much time in front of screens, both computer and TV.
I would like to thank my fashion advisor, Natalie, who wouldn't let me choose just any frames at the shop. They had to look right! :)
My eyes have been getting very tired of late and after seeing a local optometrist I found that I am longsighted in my left eye, but almost OK in my right. As a result, my eyes are working harder when I am working at the computer or reading.
It is the first time I have needed glasses - not bad for someone who has spent so much time in front of screens, both computer and TV.
I would like to thank my fashion advisor, Natalie, who wouldn't let me choose just any frames at the shop. They had to look right! :)
The Woman in White
Last night Natalie and I saw the latest Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, 'The Woman in White' at the Palace Theatre, London.
While the cast had amazing voices and were almost worth the price of admission alone, and the story is a good one, I found some of the dialogue boring and repetitive, and the direction a little overly melodramatic.
And the music? Well, this is one to skip. There is one good piece in the whole show and sadly you don't come away singing any of the tunes. There just isn't anything to grab hold of.
The set was interesting, using computer generated graphics on 'blank curved canvases. But I found myself distracted by the scenery instead of paying attention to the leads as they told their story.
Would I see it again? No, not in a hurry.
While the cast had amazing voices and were almost worth the price of admission alone, and the story is a good one, I found some of the dialogue boring and repetitive, and the direction a little overly melodramatic.
And the music? Well, this is one to skip. There is one good piece in the whole show and sadly you don't come away singing any of the tunes. There just isn't anything to grab hold of.
The set was interesting, using computer generated graphics on 'blank curved canvases. But I found myself distracted by the scenery instead of paying attention to the leads as they told their story.
Would I see it again? No, not in a hurry.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Winter Weather
This morning we awoke to a very foggy morning. Not sure what the explanation was though the front page of Metcheck seems to have a reasonable, if technical, explanation.
But while the weather will remain pretty cool over the coming weeks, I really can't see it snowing for Christmas. So it looks like we will miss out on a white Christmas unless you count the frost on the ground.
But while the weather will remain pretty cool over the coming weeks, I really can't see it snowing for Christmas. So it looks like we will miss out on a white Christmas unless you count the frost on the ground.
Christmas is Coming
It is just like the song says, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
We have had some cold weather over the weekend and with only two weeks to Christmas we decided to buy a tree today.
Our enthusiasm got the better of us and we forgot how wide the tree was last year at its base. So we have another 6ft tree which is very nice but takes up alot of room in our lounge room. Next year we are getting a smaller tree! :)
We have had some cold weather over the weekend and with only two weeks to Christmas we decided to buy a tree today.
Our enthusiasm got the better of us and we forgot how wide the tree was last year at its base. So we have another 6ft tree which is very nice but takes up alot of room in our lounge room. Next year we are getting a smaller tree! :)
Friday, November 18, 2005
Brrrrrr, its cold over here
Winter has come.
Monday morning saw me venture off to work in -1 degree celcius. This morning it was -2 degrees celcius.
Very quickly I have become adept at scraping ice off the windshield, and other windows, before being able to drive to work. The car has a thermometer showing the outside temperature as I drive. Coming home it hasn't been much better. The car showed it being 0 degrees when I left work at High Wycombe this evening.
Our house though has been kept warm thanks to the central heating. We have it pretty well figured out now.
As for the rest of winter, while the Met Office has said that it will be a significantly colder than average winter - perhaps the coldest in 50 years other forecasters have said that winter will only be slightly colder than average - barely noticeable. At present we have a 50% chance of having a white Christmas.
Monday morning saw me venture off to work in -1 degree celcius. This morning it was -2 degrees celcius.
Very quickly I have become adept at scraping ice off the windshield, and other windows, before being able to drive to work. The car has a thermometer showing the outside temperature as I drive. Coming home it hasn't been much better. The car showed it being 0 degrees when I left work at High Wycombe this evening.
Our house though has been kept warm thanks to the central heating. We have it pretty well figured out now.
As for the rest of winter, while the Met Office has said that it will be a significantly colder than average winter - perhaps the coldest in 50 years other forecasters have said that winter will only be slightly colder than average - barely noticeable. At present we have a 50% chance of having a white Christmas.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
TDC TBC
OK. So I took the car back to the dealer yesterday with it stalling three times along the way. Oh what fun on London's roads.
The good news, so the dealer has told me, is that they appear to have figured out what was wrong. It was a faulty connection to the TDC sensor in the engine. The connection is now fixed. I am waiting on confirmation that the car now runs OK for more than 10 minutes. If so, I will pick it up this morning and then head into work. If not? I don't know. Throw something at someone, I think.
And what does a TDC sensor do? The TDC stands for 'Top Dead Centre" and it obviously is very important for the car to run properly. :)
Seriously, though, here is an extract from a document I found online:
The good news, so the dealer has told me, is that they appear to have figured out what was wrong. It was a faulty connection to the TDC sensor in the engine. The connection is now fixed. I am waiting on confirmation that the car now runs OK for more than 10 minutes. If so, I will pick it up this morning and then head into work. If not? I don't know. Throw something at someone, I think.
And what does a TDC sensor do? The TDC stands for 'Top Dead Centre" and it obviously is very important for the car to run properly. :)
Seriously, though, here is an extract from a document I found online:
The TDC system consists of the TDC sensor with integratedhttp://www.kistler.com.cn/pdf/2629e-12.01.pdf
TDC signal amplifier and TDC power supply. It is used for the
dynamic determination of the top dead centre position (TDC)
in piston engines.
Knowledge of the exact top dead centre is of great importance
for investigating processes occurring inside engines,
since all measurements are recorded against crank angle and
with respect to TDC. With some thermodynamic quantities
such as average indicated pressure (pmi), a deviation of only
0.1° crank angle from the true top dead location already
results in an error of several percentage points in the pmi
value.
The advantage of direct determination of TDC, compared
with determining the position of pressure maximum from the
motored-engine pressure curve, is that there is then no need
for a correction involving the degree of the thermodynamic
loss angle.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Our Car
I collected our car from the dealer on Friday afternoon. You can see the pictures below. It looks good and drives well.
Unfortunately we have had a problem this weekend with it so I will be needing to sort that out straight away. The engine stopped working a couple of times and on one particular occasion simply refused to start for about 15 minutes. We did get it home (luckily we were only about 10 minutes drive away) and I have looked into the problem a bit.
The good news is that the previous owner kept all of the service documentation for everything that ever happened to the car and the symptoms are identical to a problem she had. There is a sensor in the engine which goes on the blink (and this apparently is not uncommon in Renaults, though it wasn't information I came across in my research prior to purchase). This causes the engine to stop running and refuse to start again.
Hopefully the diagnosis will be able to be done promptly tomorrow (Monday) and the appropriate part/s replaced so I can be up and running properly quickly. I am certainly glad I purchased the warranty the dealer offered me.
Stay tuned for an update.
Unfortunately we have had a problem this weekend with it so I will be needing to sort that out straight away. The engine stopped working a couple of times and on one particular occasion simply refused to start for about 15 minutes. We did get it home (luckily we were only about 10 minutes drive away) and I have looked into the problem a bit.
The good news is that the previous owner kept all of the service documentation for everything that ever happened to the car and the symptoms are identical to a problem she had. There is a sensor in the engine which goes on the blink (and this apparently is not uncommon in Renaults, though it wasn't information I came across in my research prior to purchase). This causes the engine to stop running and refuse to start again.
Hopefully the diagnosis will be able to be done promptly tomorrow (Monday) and the appropriate part/s replaced so I can be up and running properly quickly. I am certainly glad I purchased the warranty the dealer offered me.
Stay tuned for an update.
Monday, October 24, 2005
More on New York
Below are some images from my trip earlier this month to New York. As you can see it was a miserable, wet Saturday for my 'day off'.
QPR Football
Natalie and I went to the QPR football game against Norwich City yesterday.
Our seats, about 10 metres from the goalline and four rows back from the fence, on the end with the Norwich fans, were close to some intense chunks of action. From our seats we saw a much more physical game than comes across on the television.
QPR won the game 3-0, scoring all three goals in the first half up our end of the field so we really had good seats for the action.
We had fun at the game and will go to another football game some time again in the future.
Our seats, about 10 metres from the goalline and four rows back from the fence, on the end with the Norwich fans, were close to some intense chunks of action. From our seats we saw a much more physical game than comes across on the television.
QPR won the game 3-0, scoring all three goals in the first half up our end of the field so we really had good seats for the action.
We had fun at the game and will go to another football game some time again in the future.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Auto Matic
Today Natalie and I made a purchase. We bought a car.
I have been travelling 80-90 minutes each way on public transport for work each day. It is also expensive so getting a car to drive to work seems to be the best solution.
Our selection is a 1998 Renault Megane. It looks good, seems to be well looked after and goes well from our test drive. You can see a Yahoo! cars review that I read before we purchased it.
We hope to pick up the car late this week. More later.
I have been travelling 80-90 minutes each way on public transport for work each day. It is also expensive so getting a car to drive to work seems to be the best solution.
Our selection is a 1998 Renault Megane. It looks good, seems to be well looked after and goes well from our test drive. You can see a Yahoo! cars review that I read before we purchased it.
We hope to pick up the car late this week. More later.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
QPR
QPR is for Queens Park Rangers.
They are the local football, read soccer, team for Natalie and I these days.
We are heading off to a game on Saturday afternoon. QPR will be playing at home against Norwich City, who were relegated (demoted) from the Premiership last season. So the game should be a good one as QPR are always tough to beat at home.
Natalie and I enjoyed our only previous trip to an English football match, earlier in the year, so we figured we should do it again. This time instead of sitting up in the stands we will be sitting nearer the field.
They are the local football, read soccer, team for Natalie and I these days.
We are heading off to a game on Saturday afternoon. QPR will be playing at home against Norwich City, who were relegated (demoted) from the Premiership last season. So the game should be a good one as QPR are always tough to beat at home.
Natalie and I enjoyed our only previous trip to an English football match, earlier in the year, so we figured we should do it again. This time instead of sitting up in the stands we will be sitting nearer the field.
On the Road Again
I have been out and about quite a bit with work recently.
Of the last nine work days, I have been in the office for three of them.
I spent a couple of days in New York a week and a half ago, a couple in Paris last week and I am back to Paris tomorrow.
Now, while this sounds like the life of a jet-setting playboy it is far from it. For the most part I am sitting in meetings, or travelling between the airport/train stations and the offices or hotels. Not very exciting. And then I am away from Natalie too.
Still, New York was fun to see again - the first time for me since I was there shortly before September 11, 2001. I did visit the World Trade Centre site and had a walk around the city. But the weather was miserable so I needed no further excuse to sit myself down in front of a TV and watch the Huskers take on Texas Tech.
The game was a great one and the result was in the balance until the last 12 seconds. The winner, Texas Tech. But the Huskers have improved dramatically from where they were a year ago, having come from 21-0 down to get ahead in the final quarter. Alas it wasn't to be.
Paris has offered no such entertainment thus far. But you never know what you're going to find.
Of the last nine work days, I have been in the office for three of them.
I spent a couple of days in New York a week and a half ago, a couple in Paris last week and I am back to Paris tomorrow.
Now, while this sounds like the life of a jet-setting playboy it is far from it. For the most part I am sitting in meetings, or travelling between the airport/train stations and the offices or hotels. Not very exciting. And then I am away from Natalie too.
Still, New York was fun to see again - the first time for me since I was there shortly before September 11, 2001. I did visit the World Trade Centre site and had a walk around the city. But the weather was miserable so I needed no further excuse to sit myself down in front of a TV and watch the Huskers take on Texas Tech.
The game was a great one and the result was in the balance until the last 12 seconds. The winner, Texas Tech. But the Huskers have improved dramatically from where they were a year ago, having come from 21-0 down to get ahead in the final quarter. Alas it wasn't to be.
Paris has offered no such entertainment thus far. But you never know what you're going to find.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
The No Cable Blues
We had NTL cable installed here 15 days agom and at the start of the weekend it went on the blink. It has been off now for 5 days. The cable TV company has tried a few things but rather than occasional TV as we had originally, we now have nothing.
First it was a network problem, then something in our area and now it is just us. Either way we aren't very impressed.
NTL has a bad reputation for things like this. But alas, we have nowhere else to go as there are no other cable TV providers in the area. Sky TV (satellite) is also out of the question as there is a giant tree in the way.
So for now we have to wait and see what NTL can do.
First it was a network problem, then something in our area and now it is just us. Either way we aren't very impressed.
NTL has a bad reputation for things like this. But alas, we have nowhere else to go as there are no other cable TV providers in the area. Sky TV (satellite) is also out of the question as there is a giant tree in the way.
So for now we have to wait and see what NTL can do.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Fifth Test
My friend Nick (below) and I went along to the fourth day of the Fifth Test of the Ashes series last Sunday.
It was the most boring day of cricket I have ever witnessed. When England were fielding they played the game at a snail's pace, ensuring that an absolute minimum number of overs would be bowled and that they would keep their strike bowler, Flintoff, fresh.
In total, we saw about three hours of play, but only the equivalent of about two and a half hours of cricket.
With the poor light for most of the day aiding their cause for a draw, the English batsmen didn't hesitate to come off the field when offered by the umpires.
But in all honesty, the way Australia played for much of the series they really didn't deserve to win the series. They were never truly able to get on top of the English team except for the first test.
It was the most boring day of cricket I have ever witnessed. When England were fielding they played the game at a snail's pace, ensuring that an absolute minimum number of overs would be bowled and that they would keep their strike bowler, Flintoff, fresh.
In total, we saw about three hours of play, but only the equivalent of about two and a half hours of cricket.
With the poor light for most of the day aiding their cause for a draw, the English batsmen didn't hesitate to come off the field when offered by the umpires.
But in all honesty, the way Australia played for much of the series they really didn't deserve to win the series. They were never truly able to get on top of the English team except for the first test.
Settled in
It seems like an age since I last posted on here. But yes, we're back!
Natalie and I have settled into our new home well. It is in western London. We are enjoying the greater space and small backyard (below) that we have here compared to our previous digs near Russell Square.
I am pleased to report that Natalie is very much enjoying her new job. I am also back up to speed well and truly with my work.
It has been a crazy month but things are settling down for us and we are looking forward to some relaxing weekends in the coming months.
Natalie and I have settled into our new home well. It is in western London. We are enjoying the greater space and small backyard (below) that we have here compared to our previous digs near Russell Square.
I am pleased to report that Natalie is very much enjoying her new job. I am also back up to speed well and truly with my work.
It has been a crazy month but things are settling down for us and we are looking forward to some relaxing weekends in the coming months.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Off the air
Natalie and I are moving house this weekend and our broadband internet is probably being disconnected on September 1. We don't know when we will have the internet on in our new place. So this might be the last entry for a little while.
Stay tuned...
Stay tuned...
Friday, August 26, 2005
Almost one year
This coming Monday, Peter and I will have been in London for exactly one year. Lucky for us, Monday is a bank holiday (English for public holiday) so we will be able to enjoy it even more!
So far we are planning to see a play showing at the Old Vic near Waterloo station called The Philadelphia Story. It has has some good reviews and stars Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Ehle (Lizzie out of Pride and Prejudice). We saw another one of Kevin Spacey's films earlier this year and enjoyed it, so we're hoping it will be a fun evening out.
Besides that, if the weather is good, we might head ouside during the day. But we have the whole long weekend to enjoy it :)
Next weekend (2-3rd September) we will be moving (oh the joy!) to our new place. More details will follow...
So far we are planning to see a play showing at the Old Vic near Waterloo station called The Philadelphia Story. It has has some good reviews and stars Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Ehle (Lizzie out of Pride and Prejudice). We saw another one of Kevin Spacey's films earlier this year and enjoyed it, so we're hoping it will be a fun evening out.
Besides that, if the weather is good, we might head ouside during the day. But we have the whole long weekend to enjoy it :)
Next weekend (2-3rd September) we will be moving (oh the joy!) to our new place. More details will follow...
Thursday, August 25, 2005
What's your number?
Hi everyone.
My Australian SIM card has gone missing. I don't think it is stolen, it is just lost. The trouble is, it has all the contact numbers for my family and friends. I always save numbers to the SIM card so when I change mobile phones I don't lose the data. Unfortunately this has backfired on me, especially since I haven't saved many of the numbers elsewhere.
So if you would like to send me your contact numbers so I have them (this time they are being put in a safer place), please email pvasey 'at' tpg.com.au with the details.
My Australian SIM card has gone missing. I don't think it is stolen, it is just lost. The trouble is, it has all the contact numbers for my family and friends. I always save numbers to the SIM card so when I change mobile phones I don't lose the data. Unfortunately this has backfired on me, especially since I haven't saved many of the numbers elsewhere.
So if you would like to send me your contact numbers so I have them (this time they are being put in a safer place), please email pvasey 'at' tpg.com.au with the details.
Monday, August 22, 2005
On the move
Natalie and I received good news on Friday afternoon when a real estate agent told us that our offer for a 2 bedroom flat near Ealing had been accepted. I had only put the offer in Friday morning following a viewing Thursday night.
The place is very nice and is close to the tube station we need so that I can go to Ruislip to catch the mainline trains out to High Wycombe when my work moves at the end of next month. It will also give Natalie easy access to central London.
And so while the agent does all the checks to make sure we are worthy tenants, Natalie and I have the task of planning our move. First stop for Natalie has been to collect boxes to carry the things we have collected this past 12 months. We have books and food and other items which need transporting, along with our clothes.
It looks like our move will be about two weeks away as the place will probably not be ready until then.
The place is very nice and is close to the tube station we need so that I can go to Ruislip to catch the mainline trains out to High Wycombe when my work moves at the end of next month. It will also give Natalie easy access to central London.
And so while the agent does all the checks to make sure we are worthy tenants, Natalie and I have the task of planning our move. First stop for Natalie has been to collect boxes to carry the things we have collected this past 12 months. We have books and food and other items which need transporting, along with our clothes.
It looks like our move will be about two weeks away as the place will probably not be ready until then.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Wedding Anniversary
Well, we celebrated our first wedding anniversary on Sunday, 14th August. Happily, we didn't look at any properties, but spent the day relaxing. It was a nice repose from the regular activities.
We ended the evening with a lovely meal out in a small restaurant in Islington, just a bit north of where we live. It was a three-course special treat: and if I could cook steak as well as they can, there would be no need to go out for dinner! But alas, I cannot (...yet!).
Below are a couple of photos from the evening.
We ended the evening with a lovely meal out in a small restaurant in Islington, just a bit north of where we live. It was a three-course special treat: and if I could cook steak as well as they can, there would be no need to go out for dinner! But alas, I cannot (...yet!).
Below are a couple of photos from the evening.
Back to square one... almost
Well, today was a bit sad. We missed out on a property that we were hoping to get because of some mis-management by the landlord and the real estate agent. It was very disappointing.
So we're back at square one... almost. We now have an area to look around in, and we know what we would like in a flat - plus we know now what our money will get us. So that is a bit better than square one. Still, it is frustrating not to have it all sorted out yet. It looks like this weekend, at least, will be spent looking around again.
In other news, I am enjoying my work and getting to know my colleagues. I have also joined the local gym and am hoping to pick up my fitness again over the next few months without having to brave the cold (and wet) weather coming up.
We'll keep you posted re the new digs.
So we're back at square one... almost. We now have an area to look around in, and we know what we would like in a flat - plus we know now what our money will get us. So that is a bit better than square one. Still, it is frustrating not to have it all sorted out yet. It looks like this weekend, at least, will be spent looking around again.
In other news, I am enjoying my work and getting to know my colleagues. I have also joined the local gym and am hoping to pick up my fitness again over the next few months without having to brave the cold (and wet) weather coming up.
We'll keep you posted re the new digs.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
New London digs for Natalie and Peter
It has been a crazy time for Natalie and I over the last week or so. Really, ever since we arrived back in London we have been looking, searching, researching where we should move to when our stay at Goodenough ends in a few weeks.
I am pleased to say that this search appears to be drawing to a close. For a start, we have truly settled on a particular area of London. It is called Ealing and is located in the Western suburbs of London.
Ealing is very suburban and not like central London at all. It seems that many Australians and Kiwis call it home. I think I know why. It does seem more Australian in terms of it character than any other part of London I have seen.
I have also already spotted the Ealing Cricket Club which is always welcoming new playing and social members - or so the sign says. So that definitely be a port of call once we are settled in. One of the places we looked at during our search last weekend was actually across the road from the cricket club and its home ground. However, it didn't suit our needs.
Organising a rental property over here through Real Estate agents is quite different than in Australia. This is mainly because the process is styled heavily after that of actually purchasing a property. The price that you see in an advertisement is not a hard and fast price by any means. Anyone who generally accepts the advertised price could be classed as a bit of a sucker. So then you go into negotiations with a landlord, with the real estate negotiator in between. It's not a whole lot of fun as natalie and I are finding out. However, we are hopeful that within the next 24 hours or so we will have secured a rental property.
So hopefully we will be able to bring you some good news in the coming days.
I am pleased to say that this search appears to be drawing to a close. For a start, we have truly settled on a particular area of London. It is called Ealing and is located in the Western suburbs of London.
Ealing is very suburban and not like central London at all. It seems that many Australians and Kiwis call it home. I think I know why. It does seem more Australian in terms of it character than any other part of London I have seen.
I have also already spotted the Ealing Cricket Club which is always welcoming new playing and social members - or so the sign says. So that definitely be a port of call once we are settled in. One of the places we looked at during our search last weekend was actually across the road from the cricket club and its home ground. However, it didn't suit our needs.
Organising a rental property over here through Real Estate agents is quite different than in Australia. This is mainly because the process is styled heavily after that of actually purchasing a property. The price that you see in an advertisement is not a hard and fast price by any means. Anyone who generally accepts the advertised price could be classed as a bit of a sucker. So then you go into negotiations with a landlord, with the real estate negotiator in between. It's not a whole lot of fun as natalie and I are finding out. However, we are hopeful that within the next 24 hours or so we will have secured a rental property.
So hopefully we will be able to bring you some good news in the coming days.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Fascinating Ashes Series
The Ashes Series has come alive over the last couple of days.
Thanks to an injury to Glenn McGrath, England has been able to bat with a little more confidence. And their bowlers have taken advantage of the good totals England have scored.
But the second test is not over yet. The English are getting cocky.
But the BIG question is: will my fourth day tickets for the fifth test be worth anything?
Thanks to an injury to Glenn McGrath, England has been able to bat with a little more confidence. And their bowlers have taken advantage of the good totals England have scored.
But the second test is not over yet. The English are getting cocky.
But the BIG question is: will my fourth day tickets for the fifth test be worth anything?
Looking for New Digs
Today Natalie and I have been looking at apartments for us to move into late this month or early next month.
It has been good. We have found some nice places within our budget though none have been quite right, for various reasons. But we still have four weeks to find something.
On our way home we came through Tavistock Square. We didn't go out of our way, it was on our way home. It was kind of eerie to walk through it. This is on top of us travelling on the tube all the way to Russell Square on Thursday - the first day that station has been open since July 7. It didn't bother me that we were travelling on the tube through the centre of town, even though it was only four weeks and one hour since the bombings.
Life here in London has returned to normal. There has been a reduction in the patronage of the tube and of those visiting the centre of town to see theatre shows and visit restaurants. But life has moved on for most Londoners.
It has been good. We have found some nice places within our budget though none have been quite right, for various reasons. But we still have four weeks to find something.
On our way home we came through Tavistock Square. We didn't go out of our way, it was on our way home. It was kind of eerie to walk through it. This is on top of us travelling on the tube all the way to Russell Square on Thursday - the first day that station has been open since July 7. It didn't bother me that we were travelling on the tube through the centre of town, even though it was only four weeks and one hour since the bombings.
Life here in London has returned to normal. There has been a reduction in the patronage of the tube and of those visiting the centre of town to see theatre shows and visit restaurants. But life has moved on for most Londoners.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Back in London
After approximately 24 hours flying with Austrian Airlines, Natalie and I have made it back to our flat in London.
We are both tired but have managed to sort a few things out today. One of the first tasks has been to start in earnest our search for a new place to live. We have one month left in our current residence.
With regards to the flights, the trip was uneventful - as you like it to be. Despite it being my birthday when we took off from Sydney (and that I lost count of the number of people checking our passports) no one wished me a happy birthday. Not disappointed, but surprised.
The most interesting part of our trip was the delay in taking off from Vienna flughafen due to the Air Traffic Control computer system crashing. Planes were being sent out one at a time for safety which slowed everything dramatically.
Austrian Airlines are a good airline. We have experienced some mistakes made by them and they certainly don't rate up with Emirates or Singapore and Thai Airways. But Austrian are a match for United.
We are both tired but have managed to sort a few things out today. One of the first tasks has been to start in earnest our search for a new place to live. We have one month left in our current residence.
With regards to the flights, the trip was uneventful - as you like it to be. Despite it being my birthday when we took off from Sydney (and that I lost count of the number of people checking our passports) no one wished me a happy birthday. Not disappointed, but surprised.
The most interesting part of our trip was the delay in taking off from Vienna flughafen due to the Air Traffic Control computer system crashing. Planes were being sent out one at a time for safety which slowed everything dramatically.
Austrian Airlines are a good airline. We have experienced some mistakes made by them and they certainly don't rate up with Emirates or Singapore and Thai Airways. But Austrian are a match for United.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Enjoying the Gold Coast
Natalie and I arrived in Sydney last Monday and since Wednesday have been visiting family on the Gold Coast. It has been fun catching up with everyone.
Wednesday sees us back in Sydney with a highlight (among others) being a visit to Penrith for the NRL match vs Auckland on Saturday night.
Wednesday sees us back in Sydney with a highlight (among others) being a visit to Penrith for the NRL match vs Auckland on Saturday night.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Sunday, July 10, 2005
They failed
The events of Thursday by terrorists here in London can only be described as a failure.
It has not strengthened their cause, instead it has reinforced the spirit of freedom here in London. The claim of responsibility that has recently come through also shows defeat. The best that they can come up with is that they killed some people. Yep, that's what bombs do if people are too close. However, it has not stopped London residents getting on with their lives.
Apart from the media being everywhere here, the odd flyover by fighters and road closures, life is very much normal. Buses are running, people are shopping. Children are playing in the park at Russell Square, only a very short walk from the sealed off tube station. Why? Because the action brought about by these extremists has only proven their gullibility. Their leaders have told them that by carrying out such actions that it would scare the infidels into submission, help turn the world and the fight in the extremists' favour. How sorely they have been mislead.
This is no better shown than through the actions of the Scientologists who are to be found on several street corners locally. Whether you agree with them or believe that their religion has as much merit as a super-sized Maccas meal for someone with high cholesterol, the fact is this society allows the freedom for people to express their beliefs and share them openly with others.
My hope now is that Blair and Bush don't use this one incident to rally the troops for more Middle East stupidity. They need to rise above this and fight the good fight while ignoring easy point scoring against irrelevant targets, not matter how tempting it might be.
It has not strengthened their cause, instead it has reinforced the spirit of freedom here in London. The claim of responsibility that has recently come through also shows defeat. The best that they can come up with is that they killed some people. Yep, that's what bombs do if people are too close. However, it has not stopped London residents getting on with their lives.
Apart from the media being everywhere here, the odd flyover by fighters and road closures, life is very much normal. Buses are running, people are shopping. Children are playing in the park at Russell Square, only a very short walk from the sealed off tube station. Why? Because the action brought about by these extremists has only proven their gullibility. Their leaders have told them that by carrying out such actions that it would scare the infidels into submission, help turn the world and the fight in the extremists' favour. How sorely they have been mislead.
This is no better shown than through the actions of the Scientologists who are to be found on several street corners locally. Whether you agree with them or believe that their religion has as much merit as a super-sized Maccas meal for someone with high cholesterol, the fact is this society allows the freedom for people to express their beliefs and share them openly with others.
My hope now is that Blair and Bush don't use this one incident to rally the troops for more Middle East stupidity. They need to rise above this and fight the good fight while ignoring easy point scoring against irrelevant targets, not matter how tempting it might be.
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