The title for this latest blog posting has a bit of a double meaning. Despite both of us getting rather sunburnt last weekend, in true Alberta style, the weather changed dramatically and since then we have had torrential rain and a number of thunderstorms. Whilst we were glad of a some rain, to water in our patched lawn seed we put down the other week, we felt like we were back in the UK. One of our candle holders on the deck had nearly 5 inches of rain water in it! Yet again the weather has changed and today it has been rather muggy and warm, with it set to stay nice over the weekend.
The other meaning for the post title is more bad news on the work permit/visa front. After waiting some time to hear back from the Private nursing job I applied for, they requested my references last week and I anxiously waited a phone call. I thought that they might have started the process to get me a work permit, so that if for some reason they couldn't, they were then able to offer the position to another candidate that didn't require one. I recieved an e-mail this afternoon to say that they had offered the position to someone else. Both Nige and I thought it was strange that they had taken so long to get back to me and were wondering if they had spoked to Service Canada about likelihood of them getting me a permit, and had decided that it was too much hassle. This seemed even more likely after the phone call I had later about 2 hours later. My manager in the OR where I used to work, contacted me the other week and advised me to apply for some upcoming maternity leave positions. She was then going to approach the HR department and request a work permit for me. I applied for the 5 jobs that were listed and was feeling pretty confident that with my manager on my side, Alberta Health work be willing to apply for one for me. However, after speaking to my manager and the lady at HR that deals with work permit applications, this was not to be the case. It transpires that Service Canada (the department which, amongst other things, decides which occupations Canada wants to bring from other countries) have made the decision that no more temporary work permits are required for nurses in Canada. As a result they are refusing all Registered Nurse work permit applications.
This gives us one of two options.......keep every possible body part crossed that the immigration lawyer working for Nigel's boss is successful and that Nige will a work permit (thus allowing me to get an open work permit) or pack up and head back to the UK and wait for our Permanent Residency to come through. So we've gone from some hope to one hope....Nige, the pressure is on for your boss!!!
Friday, 18 June 2010
Sunday, 13 June 2010
An Afternoon at Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows is an equestrian facility in Calgary, built by the Southern Family and opened in 1976. The show jumping complex comprises of over 360 acres and is about 5 minutes drive from where we live. Dispite this though we hadn't yet had the chance to visit and were really excited.
This weekend Spruce Meadows played host to to the National, the first event of the summer series. The event showcases some of the best show jumping athletes and horses from throughout the Americas. The 'National' features the Spruce Meadows Canadian Show Jumping Championship with almost $1,000,000 in prize money.
We we lucky enough to be invited by our Neighbours to spend the afternoon, taking in the sights, watching the entertainment and browsing the exhibits. They had been given free tickets, and knowing that Nige and I are feeling somewhat caged at the moment, (what with not working and trying to spend as little money as possible), they wanted to make the most of the amazing weather and give us an excuse to leave the house.
Although we had driven past many times, but it really doesn't give you a true picture of just how vast the show grounds are. There are a number of arenas and in one of them we were treated to the RCMP Musical Ride display.
Before the main show jumping event began, spectators were given the opportunity to walk around the course and see all the jump, an opportunity not to be missed!
We weren't able to stay the entire afternoon as we had to be home for an important 'Skype' appointment, but after a few hours in the sun we were both rather pink (even though we had sun cream on) so we were glad to get out on the deck and under the shade of our parasol. As if our day couldn't get any better, for dinner I cooked a beef roast dinner, complete with yorkshire puddings. Now just to ensure that we incorporated a bit of Canadian culture to our roast, we have perfected the technique of cooking roast potatoes outside on the BBQ!
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
A Weekend at the Lake
Last weekend Sophie, Domino and I were invited to spend the holiday weekend with our neighbours at their parents lake house on Pigeon Lake, about 2 1/2 hours north of the city,
After the news about our PR we were both looking forward to a few days of R&R to take our minds off things. The 7 of us (4 people and 3 dogs) headed up in a two car convoy to meet up with our neighbours parents and sister (and a cat) at the house.
Unfortunately we are still without a proper camera, so all photos are taken with Nigels trusty iPhone. The house was lovely and the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake were spectacular. After some good food, some board games, a few games of poker (which Nige won, giving us some spends for a Tims on the way home!) and a few classic movies we headed back to reality after a very relaxing break
After the news about our PR we were both looking forward to a few days of R&R to take our minds off things. The 7 of us (4 people and 3 dogs) headed up in a two car convoy to meet up with our neighbours parents and sister (and a cat) at the house.
Unfortunately we are still without a proper camera, so all photos are taken with Nigels trusty iPhone. The house was lovely and the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake were spectacular. After some good food, some board games, a few games of poker (which Nige won, giving us some spends for a Tims on the way home!) and a few classic movies we headed back to reality after a very relaxing break
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Visa Update (don't get excited!)
Just wanted you to know whats been happening this end over the last couple of days, when we had a letter from the immigration office regarding our visa application. Basically our Permanent Residency application was denied because the visa office did not have enough supporting documentation to prove that I was a registered nurse. (the reasoning behind our skilled worker PR application).
After contacting the immigration office and going over every bit of paperwork/information we'd got from them, we worked out that we had missed a link from our e-mail from the visa office. This had contained an extensive list of additional paperwork required for our application, so as this didn't get sent off they were missing all evidence of my work experience and qualifications.
Now, instead of giving us notice that this documentation was missing, so we could send it in, they just refuse our application and send us a letter informing us of the fact. Once this is done, the decision is final and there is nothing we can do.
This means that if we still wanted to become Permanent Residents, then we would have to re-apply, starting from the beginning (and this time make sure we include all the documentation required!). We couldn't believe it and to make us feel even worse, if we'd have sent all the documentation, then that letter we'd have received instead would have been our medical requests, meaning that about 2 months later we'd have been permanent residents!!!
As most of you know Nige and I only entered Canada with a 12 month BUNAC 'working holiday' visas, so neither of us have been able to work since we returned from the UK. We had anticipated a bit of time whilst we waited for our PR, but with us having to reapply this is going to be at least 12 months. As a result we have had to re-think our plans for the future.
After a couple of stiff drinks, some soul searching and a few tears the situation forced us to make a really tough decision (one that we were not really expecting to make for another 12 months) We then contacted our parents to tell them the bad news.
After coming home and seeing everyone, it made us realize how much we had missed all our friends and family, but it also made us realize that other than them, there was very little else. The main difference was our quality of life, which is far better in Canada. This quality of life would ensure we could make frequent trips to the UK each year to see the people we missed and also give those who came to visit us a fantastic holiday and an opportunity to see the Canadian Rockies. Then we had to decide what we want to do regards to living here permanently and whether it was really worth all the waiting, stress and hassle that would inevitably occur, were we to re-apply. We both came to the agreement that we didn't see ourselves going home in the next five years, so have decided that we want to do whatever possible to stay.
We only have enough money saved to stay not working for 4 months, before having to think about coming home so have spent the last two days applying for any job we can find, in the hope that they would offer us a work permit, allowing us to stay. We have even looked into the posibility of one of us going for a few months work in the UK while the other stays here with Domino.
As we've mentioned in previous posts I am unable to get a work permit through the Alberta Health (where i was working) as they are not giving out international work permits. But Nigels boss has got an immigration lawyer on the case to apply for one for him so we're feeling hopeful with that!
I have had a telephone interview today for a private nursing job, so we'll see what happens there, plus since people here have been finding out our situation, we've made a lot of contacts through people we know so resumes have been sent to a few big companies here!!!
We also know that the province to the east of Alberta are still employing international nurses so that could be another option as I could commute weekly to the other province and Nige could stay here and return to his job.
In Canada we have a legal union as common-law husband and wife, this means that if one of us get a work permit (which will be job specific) then the other is them eligible to apply for an open work permit (non job specific), so we only need one of us to get one through a job offer.
However, if neither of us can get a work permit in the next couple of months then we may have to look at coming back to the UK while we wait for our PR to come through, which could take up to 12 months. With the huge cost of returning home to the UK, storing all our belongings and shipping back Domino, returning back to the UK is really a last resort since we have made the decision to stay here for the next few years.
We have already printed off, and completed another application and are planning on posting it this week, so the countdown begins again.
After contacting the immigration office and going over every bit of paperwork/information we'd got from them, we worked out that we had missed a link from our e-mail from the visa office. This had contained an extensive list of additional paperwork required for our application, so as this didn't get sent off they were missing all evidence of my work experience and qualifications.
Now, instead of giving us notice that this documentation was missing, so we could send it in, they just refuse our application and send us a letter informing us of the fact. Once this is done, the decision is final and there is nothing we can do.
This means that if we still wanted to become Permanent Residents, then we would have to re-apply, starting from the beginning (and this time make sure we include all the documentation required!). We couldn't believe it and to make us feel even worse, if we'd have sent all the documentation, then that letter we'd have received instead would have been our medical requests, meaning that about 2 months later we'd have been permanent residents!!!
As most of you know Nige and I only entered Canada with a 12 month BUNAC 'working holiday' visas, so neither of us have been able to work since we returned from the UK. We had anticipated a bit of time whilst we waited for our PR, but with us having to reapply this is going to be at least 12 months. As a result we have had to re-think our plans for the future.
After a couple of stiff drinks, some soul searching and a few tears the situation forced us to make a really tough decision (one that we were not really expecting to make for another 12 months) We then contacted our parents to tell them the bad news.
After coming home and seeing everyone, it made us realize how much we had missed all our friends and family, but it also made us realize that other than them, there was very little else. The main difference was our quality of life, which is far better in Canada. This quality of life would ensure we could make frequent trips to the UK each year to see the people we missed and also give those who came to visit us a fantastic holiday and an opportunity to see the Canadian Rockies. Then we had to decide what we want to do regards to living here permanently and whether it was really worth all the waiting, stress and hassle that would inevitably occur, were we to re-apply. We both came to the agreement that we didn't see ourselves going home in the next five years, so have decided that we want to do whatever possible to stay.
We only have enough money saved to stay not working for 4 months, before having to think about coming home so have spent the last two days applying for any job we can find, in the hope that they would offer us a work permit, allowing us to stay. We have even looked into the posibility of one of us going for a few months work in the UK while the other stays here with Domino.
As we've mentioned in previous posts I am unable to get a work permit through the Alberta Health (where i was working) as they are not giving out international work permits. But Nigels boss has got an immigration lawyer on the case to apply for one for him so we're feeling hopeful with that!
I have had a telephone interview today for a private nursing job, so we'll see what happens there, plus since people here have been finding out our situation, we've made a lot of contacts through people we know so resumes have been sent to a few big companies here!!!
We also know that the province to the east of Alberta are still employing international nurses so that could be another option as I could commute weekly to the other province and Nige could stay here and return to his job.
In Canada we have a legal union as common-law husband and wife, this means that if one of us get a work permit (which will be job specific) then the other is them eligible to apply for an open work permit (non job specific), so we only need one of us to get one through a job offer.
However, if neither of us can get a work permit in the next couple of months then we may have to look at coming back to the UK while we wait for our PR to come through, which could take up to 12 months. With the huge cost of returning home to the UK, storing all our belongings and shipping back Domino, returning back to the UK is really a last resort since we have made the decision to stay here for the next few years.
We have already printed off, and completed another application and are planning on posting it this week, so the countdown begins again.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
A bit of Comedy for the Homesickness!
Knowing that when we come back from the UK we will initially not be working, there will be little to distract us from having just left all our friends and family. So one night, whilst having a browse on the internet we found out that two of of favorite comedians are coming to Calgary. Eddie Izzard and Danny Bhoy were however, both playing in Calgary on the same night. So we made the decision to see Danny Bhoy at the University last Friday and then travel the three hours to Edmonton to see Eddie Izzard the following Monday. We had a great evening both days and It was just what we needed to cheer us both up! We have put a couple of links below for a snippet of the two comedy routines.
Friday, 14 May 2010
Our 1st Canniversary!
Well we can't believe it, 12 months ago, as two very excitable and nervous 'Brits' we arrived at Calgary airport for the start of our great adventure! We surprise ourselves as much as others with what we have achieved in the last year, and we can't believe how quickly it has gone.
We are still sticking to our original plan of being here for about two years before we decide on our long term plans. The only thing that we haven't achieved is to have brought a house out here, but the longer we've been renting, the more money we have towards a deposit, so we're hoping our Permanent Residency won't be long so we don't spend much of what we have saved already.
Having just got back from almost two weeks in the UK it gave us the opportunity to reflect on our move and the quality of life we had there, compared to what we have here in Canada. For both of us this trip had really poor timing, but due to our close friends wedding, we knew we had to make the trip. With the PR situation being very uncertain, we left Calgary feeling very unsettled about the future. I think that secretly Sophie was worried that she would see all our family and friends and that and the worry about not being able to work etc might have meant that she didn't want to come back. As strange as it sounded to some though, as Domino was going to be here waiting for us when we got back, that at least meant that as well as our belongings, we still had strong family ties here in Calgary.
I must admit though that even though it made us realise just how much we had missed our family and friends, it also made us realise that we had taken a lot for granted. When we left the UK we were, to all intents and purposes, extremely happy with the lives we had, although I had recently been made redundant, Sophie was in a job she loved, our house was exactly how we wanted it and we both had great cars. We had an amazing group of friends and a busy social life, and loved living in the UK. Then when we first arrived in Calgary, it was all a novelty living in another country and it took a long time before it no longer felt like a holiday. So returning to the UK after having been here for almost a year, the things that we previously had noticed became glaringly obvious.
Things we had missed.
So hopefully our next post will be our Permanent Residency medical request, Fingers crossed! But for now we shall be hoping for sun and enjoying a nice long relax!
We are still sticking to our original plan of being here for about two years before we decide on our long term plans. The only thing that we haven't achieved is to have brought a house out here, but the longer we've been renting, the more money we have towards a deposit, so we're hoping our Permanent Residency won't be long so we don't spend much of what we have saved already.
Having just got back from almost two weeks in the UK it gave us the opportunity to reflect on our move and the quality of life we had there, compared to what we have here in Canada. For both of us this trip had really poor timing, but due to our close friends wedding, we knew we had to make the trip. With the PR situation being very uncertain, we left Calgary feeling very unsettled about the future. I think that secretly Sophie was worried that she would see all our family and friends and that and the worry about not being able to work etc might have meant that she didn't want to come back. As strange as it sounded to some though, as Domino was going to be here waiting for us when we got back, that at least meant that as well as our belongings, we still had strong family ties here in Calgary.
I must admit though that even though it made us realise just how much we had missed our family and friends, it also made us realise that we had taken a lot for granted. When we left the UK we were, to all intents and purposes, extremely happy with the lives we had, although I had recently been made redundant, Sophie was in a job she loved, our house was exactly how we wanted it and we both had great cars. We had an amazing group of friends and a busy social life, and loved living in the UK. Then when we first arrived in Calgary, it was all a novelty living in another country and it took a long time before it no longer felt like a holiday. So returning to the UK after having been here for almost a year, the things that we previously had noticed became glaringly obvious.
Things we had missed.
- Friends and family and being able to go round to the neighbours with some bottles, unplanned and have a fantastic night.
- Decent clothes shops (Sophie rather than me!) the clothes here tend to be very expensive or rather 'dowdy' as Sophie put it. Thus giving her the excuse to have a days shopping to buy a new small size wardrobe in Primark Liverpool, spending a small fortune.
- Chocolate, it just isn't the same here, so remember visitors, bring plenty of supplies when you come!
- Fish, chips, mushy peas, curry sauce and battered sausage............mmmmmmmmmmmm
- Proper breakfast sausages, although you can get them in Calgary, we know of only one butchers that sells them and they ain't cheap!
- Sausage rolls from the Co-op...........yum, yum, yum!
- Not having to watch TV that's interrupted every 7-10 minutes with a commercial break, here it takes 3 1/2 hours to watch a film!
- Very Rude sales assistants. Before leaving the UK, Sophie could spend around 4 hours and a small fortune in Asda, our local supermarket, and would never have a bad word said about them. However, when we went for some essential chocolate purchasing and a spot of breakfast, we just couldn't believe how rude everyone was. Here you always feel like they can't do enough for you (unless you get someone on a bad day which is rare!)
- Traffic jams and roadworks.....how long were we delayed with a 40mph speed limit, going through supposed roadworks, which appeared to have a lot of cones dotted about yet no one actually working? We live in the city here and yet even when there are road works we don't really seem to notice!
- The cost of fuel.....WTF.....is over double what it is here, we were just gobsmacked. Thank goodness we only had a hire car for a few days that's all I can say!
- Tim Horton's (Obviously eh? goes without saying!)
- A dry climate, OK so we didn't need to slap on the moisturiser twice a day like you do here (unless you don't mind looking like a flaky raisin) but whats with all the rain!!
- A proper steak. Although Sophie's mum bravely took on the task of cooking some Steaks for our first meal, and they were fantastic, it just wasn't quite the same as a 'triple A' Albertan steak from Costco.....mmmmmmmmmmm
So hopefully our next post will be our Permanent Residency medical request, Fingers crossed! But for now we shall be hoping for sun and enjoying a nice long relax!
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Goodman-Baines Back in the UK
Well the day had finally come for Nige and I to return to the UK for 12 days for our very close friends' wedding.
DAY 1
We left Domino, to be looked after a friend from work, and we headed to Calgary Airport on the wednesday evening, the 28th and arrived at London Heathrow the following afternoon. We had only brought hand luggage as I wanted to buy clothes here, so we made it quickly through to our waiting family. Mum, Nigels mum and I had all been plotting secretly,\ and unbeknown to Nige. his mum and Step-dad had travelled down to be with my parents at the airport to meet us. The first things we noticed was how nice it was to hear some british accents! Then we saw some signs being waved by our parents. It was so wonderful to see them and a great suprise to them to see my over 3 1/2 stone lighter than I was when we left for Canada! They also had with them (as had been requested on facebook earlier on in the week) some UK chocolate in the form of a kingsize twix and kingsize snickers! So Nige and I said goodbye to each other as we headed into our respective mothers cars and headed up to Somerset to my parents house in a two car convoy!
After the 2 hour drive (with a phone call en-route to my sister in London), we arrived at my parents house. We both agreed later that evening that it was strange coming back there as that had been the last place we'd stayed before we left for Canada and although we had done so much since then, it felt like we'd just nipped out to the shops! We had known all along that the whole of this trip would be spent rushing around, trying to meet up with all our friends and family, so it was so wonderful getting to spend the night, just the six of us, catching up on all goings-on. We hadn't seen my parents since October and hadn't seen Nigels mum or step dad since we left North Wales for Somerset almost 12 months ago. After a wonderful meal, a few bottles of wine (and an emergency girly trip to Asda and Next to get some pajamas and a shirt and tie for Nige for the wedding) we headed up for our first night back on British soil in almost a year.
DAY 2 FRIDAY
After a good old 'Back' bacon butty, Nige and his mum and step-dad headed up to North Wales in their car, with us about 30 minutes behind. As we started to approach familiar countryside, it was really mixed feelings to coming back. We both agreed later in the trip that it felt like we didn't quite belong here or in the UK!
Both our parents had been invited to our close friends Emma and James' wedding the following day, but we'd arranged to stay with our other close friends Steve and Tracey for the time we were in North Wales. So after catching up with Nigels Grandad (who had come to Nigels mums to meet us), a quick cuppa and a bite to eat we headed up the road to our friends house, (which is actually just across the road from our house, which is currently being rented, very weird!).
It was so wonderful seeing them, and it wasn't long before Steve and Nige headed out to have a few drinks with the Groom to be James, whilst Emma and her bridesmaids came round with a few bottles and a takeaway menu. It was great sharing a bottle of wine with Emma and Trcaey, but it was very strange, one minute it felt like hadn't been away, then the next I felt almost out of place. With the wedding party having to get up early, we all decided to head up for an early night.
DAY 3 SATURDAY
The whole day was just beautiful and we were so glad that we had made the trip over so that we could be with them.
We had such a wonderful day and were touched that Nige and I had a mention in the speaches, and a song played for us at the evening party.
The wedding was also a great opportunity for us to catch up with all our friends from street, and also see our parents again at the evening party.
Partying went on into the night and after many a drink to toast the bride and groom, we all headed up to bed!
DAY 4 SUNDAY
After a big breakfast, we waved the bride and groom off on their honeymoon from the hotel and Nige and I headed back with Tracey and Steve for some well earned rest! That evening our other friends from the street decided to organize an impromptu 'welcome back Nige and Sophie' gathering, so after a well enjoyed indian takeaway (the ones here, just aren't the same), it was back to base for some energetic Wii Games.
DAY 5 MONDAY
After very little drinking by either of us over the last 12 months, 4 nights in a row of alcohol consumption was beginning to take it toll! I had arrange to meet up with a friend early in the morning and then three hours later she was dropping me off at Nigels mums so the we could meet Nigels extended family for lunch. Due to finances we had been unable to travel back for Nigels cousins wedding late last year, and his other cousin and her husband had had a little girl, Orla, not long after we'd left so it was great to be able to catch up with everyone over lunch. We got home with time for a shower and change before we headed to some other friends for dinner. As we were not due to pick up our hire car until the the Tuesday we had been relying on other people for lifts, which had made us feel teenagers again! That evening we had another indian takeaway (and we can now conclude that they taste far better in the UK!) and a great catch up with our friends, that have been more involved that most with our initial move to Canada, as they are very good friends with the family, that first stayed with here in Calgary, whom have now become friends of ours. So a few bottles of wine later and it was another enjoyable, yet late night!
DAY 6 TUESDAY
We had arranged to pick the hire car up and then Tracey and I were heading to Liverpool on the train to Primark in order for me to replenish my depleted wardrobe after my weight loss. So later that afternoon we arrived back with a large number of bags and a light purse! Then we headed to some more friends of ours 2 minutes down the road for a cuppa, then I headed down the road for a quick hello to another friend, before we went back to the house for food. After food we headed out to meet up with a couple who we met last year, that are making the move to Canada later this year. It was so nice being able to share our own experiences, the way that others had done with us before we moved. Thankfully as I was driving my liver got a rest that evening, then it was off to bed, after another busy but fulfilling day.
DAY 7 WEDNESDAY
This was our last full day in North Wales before heading down south and early in the morning we headed out to purchase our UK chocolate supplies and a new camera (ours had stopped working at the wedding). I had also got a check up appointment at the dentist. I had recently gone to the dentist here for a filling that had come lose, and ended up using almost all my insurance allowence having root canal, only for them to leave me with just a temparary filling and the instructions to make another appointment for anothe root cannel on another tooth. I was keen to get a non-bias veiw, from someone that doesn't see me as a way of making money, so was pleased that my UK dentist could squeeze me in. I was able to get a cancellation about 2 hours later and returned so that my fantastic dentist could put in a prermanent filling in my previously treated tooth and then just put a filling in the other tooth, informing me that that tooth didn't need root canal treatment! (and we used to moan about the NHS, I've just saved myself $2500 thanks to my dentist) In the afternoon both Nige and I headed to our previous places of work. We both had a great time catching up with our former collegues, but with time ticking away before we left North Wales, we had to head back to say good bye to our friends before we left. We had been so well looked after, with fantastic cooked breakfasts, teas and coffee, a chance to catch up on all the gossip. After we had been made to feel so welcome, we knew it would be hard leaving in the morning .
DAY 8 THURSDAY
After an early and very tearful goodbye we left our old street and headed down the motorway to visit our very close friends and their son, our Godson, in their new home in Dorset. We stopped via my parents for a 5 minute cuppa to break up the journey and arrived in Poole later that afternoon. One of the highlights of our trip was seeing our three year old Godson jumping up and down on the front step with excitment when he saw us pull up!
We hadn't seen them since they visited us here back in November, plus they only moved into their new house just before christmas, so our Godson gave us a very indepth tour of the house, whilst we sipped a very welcome cuppa! The evening was spent playing games, eating, drinking and catching up on all the gossip, before another late night.
DAY 9 FRIDAY
The following day, after a hearty breakfast sandwich, we headed to the coast for lots of posing for pictures and a cream tea! Then it was sad bye bye as we headed to Englands Capital to drop off the hire car and to meet up with my sister Tiffany and Best friend Katie. My parents were going away for work the following day, which was my sisters 25th birthday, so we all met at hers to say goodbye to them before they left. That evening we had aranged to meet my best friend and her husband for a meal and a few drinks. I hadn't seen my best friend in almost 2 yearss as her and her husband had gone away for his work, and not moved back until after we'd left so it was amazing to see her. It was like we'd never been apart and the five of us had a great night, eating, drinking and chatting! Another late night!!
DAY 10 SATURDAY
Today was my sisters birthday and I had an idea to take her to a cafe I'd seen on TV here in Canada 'The Cake Boy', that was situated in south London. Well so as not to dwell on the situation too much, it was typical British weather, cold and wet, and we had all failed to make sure we knew exactly where we were going and how to get there, so after about 2 1/2 hours travelling and walking around getting nowhere we found a pub, ordered a large birthday drink for Tiffany and called a cab, to take us there.
As it had been my idea to find this cafe, so to say I got some stick throughout the day would be an understatement (especially as my sister is vegan so can't eat much of what they serve, and it was her birthday) But all that was forgotten about when we arrived, ordered a bottle of champagne and noticed that the guy behind the counter, was in fact the Chef himeself, Eric, Lanlard. After much girly giggling (From Tiffany and myself, not Nige) we were able to get our picture taken with him!
Whilst we were in London they had the 'Elephant Parade' which is a conservation campaign that aims to shine a spotlight on the urgent crisis faced by the endangered Asian elephant. The event had over 250 brightly painted life-size elephants located over central London, so we felt it rude not to have our picture taken with a few.
After the elephant hunting (for photo shooting only I may add), we headed into Covent Garden for some food before meeting up with Katie and her husband again. My sister had booked for us to see a show at the Comedy Club later that evening, so we left Katie to see that (very funny indeed), then hooked up with them afterwards for some more dancing! Unfortunately later on that evening, I happened to notice that my memory card was no longer in the camera, only to find the following morning that the camera was no-where to be seen. We were lucky that our time spent with our Godson had been snapped by our friends, and that my sister had taken almost exactly the same pictures as us, but to have only just replaced the one that broke the weekend before, we were glad we had only brought a fairly cheap one!
Well the following morning, there were many a sore heads, yet after some breakfast and a cuppa we packed up ready to get the taxi to Katies' house. We arrived later that afternoon for our last night in the UK before heading back home and we treated to a fantastic Sunday Roast.
DAY 11 MONDAY
We had been lucky enough to be granted an early night the night before and after 5 minutes in an extremely powerful shower, and another amazing cooked breakfast we were ready to try and squeeze in all our UK goodies ready for the trip home. After we'd eventually packed all our cases and bags we headed up to Katies local chippy for, fish, chips, mushy peas, curry sauce and battered sausage.........mmmmmmmmmmm. After our last UK meal for this trip, Katie's took us to the airport to catch our flight back home. What with the Icelandic volcano still giving out smoke we had to make a detour so our flight ended up being 11 hours so when we walked through the front door, we were so pleased to be home.
Apart from spending more than we had anticipated, us still having lots of people we didn't get to meet up with and giving our livers a bit of a shock! (oh and me gaining 10lbs) it was an amazing trip. At least we can have a good rest now before we have to think about going back to work!
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