Getting Started

So, we're getting a late start on this blogging thing. Let me try to catch you up.

So, late in the summer Tracy became aware of what seemed to be her dream job. Relocating to London seemed too good to be true. If you know us, we love to travel. We also have had an interest in living abroad for several years. What better place than London to accomplish those goals? 

NBC London bureau office

Well, we decided that this was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. I won't fill you in on all the details of what we've been doing to get ready, but needless to say we've been spending a lot of time online researching. There have been budget discussions, apartment (sorry: flat) hunting strategies, arrangements for Pongo, work visa applications, job hunting (for me), banking questions, getting our house ready and on the market, selling stuff we didn't want to keep and storing stuff we didn't want to take, and on and on.

Of course, we aren't selling our house at the most opportune time, but we don't want the hassle of renting. So, if you know anyone looking for a 3-bed, 2.5-bath, 2-story in South Charlotte...

Tracy flew to London and arrived on November 29th and started work later that day. What a trooper! I flew over the following weekend and we went flat hunting, as well as some sight-seeing. We found what we thought was going to be a great place, though there have been some difficulties that we're still waiting to get worked out. And it hasn't been easy being apart. Tracy was gone for a month this summer during the Olympics... coincidentally in London. So now, except for those few days early in the month during the flat hunt, we'll be apart for about another 6 weeks in addition to the month this summer.

The movers came Monday and Tuesday and packed up our stuff for shipment. I'm now living like a squatter with a desk chair and an old printer stand for a table in the living room. And I have an inflatable mattress...and not much else. I am trying to use up our liquor and beer, however. I also bought a tiny little Charlie Brown Christmas tree, just to complete the sad picture.

I've set my last day at WSOC for January 4th. I've been there over 18 and a half years. Feels a little strange to leave and not have something lined up, but my hopes are high. A few days later Pongo and I will join Tracy in London, and we'll begin the adventure together. We look forward to visitors...just give me a little time to design my pub tour.

Cheers!