Bank Holiday Today!

In Canada we have names for all of our holidays - such as Labour Day, Victoria Day, etc. Well, the Brits have names also, but decide to call them all "Bank Holidays", because obviously, the banks are closed. So, today is a Bank Holiday and everyone is enjoying the day off. I went for a run earlier in Greenwich Park - I think that was everyone else's idea as well, as there were runners, picnic-ers, young families with babies, old couples, just about anyone you could imagine in the park. It is so nice to see so many people out! I also made a stop into the local leisure centre (aka gym). There are two pools, plenty of cardio equipment, and tons of weight machines and free weights. There are also courts and other interesting amenities. However, the rate per month is a little steep, but I hear from other people around Mrs. Wilson's that it is a very competitive price. I might just stick to running outside until I am actually making some money!! 

I am settled into my new place. It is bigger than the condo I used to live in!! There is a fireplace and skylights. It is so lovely! I cooked my first meal in it this morning. It's definitely comfortable, except I am still working on getting internet there - so I am back up at Mrs. Wilson's to use hers for the meantime. 

Last night Mrs. Wilson invited me over for dinner and a SCRABBLE game!!! I had brought it up in passing that I enjoyed it, and 90 seconds later she had scrambled her old bones to the basement to dig out her game. We made pasta with a zucchini and green pepper tomato sauce, then onto the scrabble. A Japanese lady with terrible english joined us for the game - she was definitely more entertainment than a challenge. I beat them both. Mrs. Wilson continuously used the old "oh you took my spot!" every time I played a word. It was a lot of fun and there will be plenty of more games to come - she promises :)

A girl arrived from Canada today, from Port Dover in Southern Ontario, named Diana. She is new and fresh as well, and very interested in seeing the sights around the neighborhood, so I have someone, besides Mrs. Wilson, to explore with! I forgot to mention that Mrs. Wilson and I took a walk the other day to a few "charity shops" (Goodwill). Well, geeze, that lady looks for bargains. Anyway, as much as I deeply appreciate Mrs. Wilson, I am pleased to have someone my own age to go about the town with who is just as excited as I am.

Tomorrow I have the task of purchasing a watch. I have been told that there are no bells in the schools!!! Apparently teachers are responsible for the timing on everything, so a good watch is a must! No bells. I still can't get over that. 

Anyway - I am sure there are more random things I could tell you - but I'll keep my rambling to a minimum!

All my love

~amy~

 

My New Home - The London Borough of Greenwich

Greetings from Jolly Ol' London! I am happy to say that after a relatively uneventful journey I am safe and sound, enjoying my first full day as a resident of London, England.  So far, my conclusion is this: I feel like I live in the movies. I expect Hugh Grant to walk right through the front door and sit down for a spot of tea and I would certainly be pleased to ask him if he wanted one lump of sugar or two, dear! In other words, Greenwich is the most beautiful, quaint, history laden, fairy tale looking place I've ever seen. I know I've only just arrived, but it already feels like home. 

I am staying at 64 Beaconsfield Rd at Mrs. Wilson's Guesthouse. The title should actually be Mrs. Wilson's plethora of Guesthouses - as she and her children own several properties around the area. I am at 64 for the moment, but moving down the street tomorrow when my place is ready. Mrs. Wilson is a wonderful lady in her 70s - and she thought the 3rd floor of century home with a kitchenette and skylights would suit me just fine - and I agreed. I will report on it once I get there! 

Mrs. Wilson has been fantastic. She has shown me all around the neighborhood, by car and on foot. I think she is lonely, but I would be too I suppose if she wasn't so keen on making me feel welcome! I had a few questions upon my arrival for Mrs. Wilson. The first (and clearly the most obvious...lol) was when I could get together with the Queen. I hear she is a busy woman of sorts, and doesn't just open up the front door to anyone, so Mrs. Wilson said I may have a challenge on my hands. The second question I asked her was where the pub might be. She assured me that in the area are 28 restaurants and pubs, so no worries there!

I've met 5 other teachers living here so far, all girls from Australia and one from Canada. The Canadian has been here for 3 weeks already, getting settled and exploring, but the others have been here for months. I've come to gather they are getting a little cynical, and school is only just starting again! AH! I've had some good chats with them and from what I hear, the children are monsters, absolute terrors! Bring it on, I say. Classes don't start until the 7th, so I have plenty of time to get my bearings and start another job serving up pints of Guinness to the local rugby hooligans! I am going to go out to one of the 28 options starting tomorrow or Monday! 

Today I went for a walk on my own to snap a few pictures and pick blackberries. Along my walk earlier with Mrs. Wilson we walked through a small park and there were loads, and I mean a ridiculous amount, of blackberries growing. So I decided to go pick as many as I could. Also, Mrs. Wilson has hundreds of ripe plums in her backyard! Ha Ha - Lunch!!

I'll figure out how to post pictures and will get on that soon as well.

Love,

~amy~

The Beginning of the Blogging

Since I am moving to London, England in two weeks time, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to start blogging. I am lousy at writing individual emails so this keeps everyone in the loop! 

For those of you who don't know, I have just recently graduated teacher's college from York University and have decided to pack up my bags to a place where I will be able to teach, since the employment opportunities in Ontario could definitely be better. 

I will try my best to write weekly blogs and keep everyone posted on the adventures I am sure I will get myself into!