Health Care

I had a doctor's appointment this week to get a refile for my blood pressure meds.  I learned a lot about the health care system here!!

There is a doctor's office around the corner from our apartment.  I tried to get an appointment there.  When I went in to make an appointment, the woman told me that I needed to show proof of residence.  (The reason is because offices service certain areas or neighborhoods.)  That is easy... I went back with my Council Tax bill (property tax).  Well, apparently I needed more than that!  That only shows that I live in the area.  I also need to show my passport with my permanent visa.  I only have my 6 month visa...  my passport is at the Boarder Agency getting my permanent visa.  The woman told me that I could make an appointment but I would have to pay for the full visit.  I told the woman that I had BUPA insurance and she informed me that they did not accept insurance!

I told Marco what happened and he told me that I needed to call BUPA to set an appointment.  So I called BUPA.  They asked for my post code and they told me that I had 2 offices to choose from.  I picked the one near Marco's work...  I got an appointment for the next day!  When I got to the office I had to do the routine new patient paperwork...  The doctor, not a nurse but the doctor, came out and called me into his office.  He asked what I needed and then he asked if I was familiar with the health care system here.  He explained it very nicely.

We pay a monthly fee for BUPA insurance.  We have the silver level (vs. the gold level).  When we go to a GP we pay 64.89GBP for a 15 minute consultation.  If we were at the gold level, we could be reimbursed for this fee...  The GP works Monday thru Friday, 9-5:00 only!  If we need a specialist, the GP can make a referral and then we can see a specialist within a week or 2.  Then there is the NHS...  NHS stands for National Healthcare System.  A visit to a GP at a NHS office is free.  Prescriptions written by a NHS GP are cheaper and are a set rate.  NHS GP's work after 5:00 and on weekends.  NHS GP's have the same degree as non-NHS GP's.  The only drawback is if a NHS GP refers you to a specialist, it could take 3-6 weeks to get in.  I'm thinking we need to dump BUPA!

After the explanation the doctor asked what I needed.  I told him that I needed my blood pressure med refiled.  He asked what I took and wrote me a prescription.  I asked if he needed my medical records (that I paid $25.00 to get) and he told me to hold onto them....  He then asked if there was anything else I needed.  We were about to end our 15 minute consultation and then he asked if I wanted him to take my blood pressure.  You would think he would have done that before he wrote the prescription and you would think he would have looked at my records!  He didn't ask for any proof that I was actually taking blood pressure medicine... there is no telling what I could have told him I was taking!!

In the end it was all good...  I am going today to get my prescription filled.  I hope it is unadventurous!

I hope you have enjoyed!

PS - this blog post has absolutely no political agenda behind it!  It is strictly part of our life and adventures in London!

British 102

Okay... this one is a little tougher....

• Wellies - a have 2 pair of these and they do come in handy - rain boots
• Water Butt - this is something the water company suggested people have to water their gardens - a rain barrel (I have a feeling I'll hear some wise cracks on this one!)
• Hose Pipe - you can use this with your water butt - a water hose
• Gully - gutter - I saw a sign letting residence know that the council is gully cleaning on 22 March
• Fly Tipping - this one cracks me up... - dumping trash illegally

Some things I hear on a regular basis...

• Mend - fix or repair
• Hoover - this can be a noun or a verb - vacuum or to vacuum
• Post - this can also be a noun or a verb - mail or to mail
• Nibbles - finger food or appetisers
• Vest - a sleeveless top like a camisole or tank top
• Tick - check mark
• Nappy - diaper
• Nickers - underwear
• collect - to pick-up
• dodgy - someone that is suspicious or fishy
• flog - (slang) for sell - there is a show on TV called Flog It - it is kind of like Antique Road Show
• Call 'round - come by or visit
• Ring - to call on the phone
• Broiler - hot water heater

The following took some some research...

• VAT - Value Added Tax - sales tax
• Supply Teacher - substitute teacher
• Surgery - to give professional advise / consultation - I went to the refugee centre to make a donation and I was surprised when the woman told me she that I was her surgery!
• Hob - this one a found when ready a recipe - a burner
• Poussin - Cornish Game Hen

Okay... now you need to learn these so when you come visit.... and note I used the British spelling.

OH!  A couple other helpful things to know.... the letter Z is said pronounced zed.  When you give a date (such as date of birth) you give the day/month/year...  I've confused some people by giving month and then the day!  And 1/2-8 is 8:30 not 1/2 of 8 (7:30).

I hope you fancy this one...

London Bridge

Contrary to what most people think... This is London Bridge!  It was originally built of wood by the Romans to cross the River Thames from the north side to the south side.  It has been built and rebuilt many times. The nursery rhyme, 'London Bridge is Falling Down' was believed to have come about after the Norwegian Prince Olaf, "pulled down" the bridge in 1014.

At one time the London Bridge had houses and shops on it (much like Porto Vecchio in Florence or Rialto Bridge in Venice). Because of the importance of the bridge and congestion, this later was put to a halt.

 

This is Tower Bridge.  It is called Tower Bridge because of the towers but also because it leads to the Tower of London.  The Tower of London is a historical castle and was once the royal residence.  Since 1100 the castle was used as a prison but not for just for your common murders and thieves.  It was for prisoners of high-status.  Elizabeth I stayed there before she was crowned Queen.  Henry VIII's wife, Anne Boleyn, also stayed there but before she was beheaded.  The Tower of London is now the home of the Crown Jewels.

The bridge use to be a green colour.  For the Queen's Silver Jubilee, the bridge was painted red, white, & blue.  This year, the Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.  I new coat of paint has just been applied to the bridge.  It was a 4 year process.

There are tours of the Tower Bridge but we have not done that yet.  You can see the gear room that lifts the bridge for tall boats and you can walk across the walkway between the 2 towers.

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are a short walk (1.3 miles) from our new place.

Hope you have enjoyed!

The Story of Keep Calm and Carry On

My brother, Scott, found this and shared with me... it is an interesting story!

Hope you enjoy!

Welcome to Our New Home

It did happen overnight but we are moved in. With such a small place you wouldn't have thought it would have taken so long but everything had to find the right place... some things moved around more than once before finding the right place to stay.  Some things also had to be put in the donation box...

The Family room with a view of the River Thames.... I don't think those frames have been in the exact same pattern twice (GA, OH, UK) but I am glad we brought them

River view with a nice balcony.  Marco sat out there the other day and enjoyed his pipe!

Entertainment center...  the river view can be a little distracting :-)

The other side of the Family room

Dining room and kitchen. 

Kitchen and family room (again).  Marco is not crazy about the Disco ball chandelier (there are 2) but they really aren't that bad... I've seen worse.

Entrance to the Family room.... yes, my little red grocery cart is in the family room... there was no else to put it!  There are 3 small closets in the hall way but there are SMALL and have other uses.  One is the extension of the kitchen - a.k.a. 'the china cabinet' and the router-room.  Another is where the hot water heater (boiler) is and it is a.k.a. 'the utility closet' - the tool box, umbrellas, bike equipment, etc. house there.  The last closet is the cleaning supply closet.  Don't judge - it works!

The Master Bedroom.  The curtains don't exactly match but they could be worse... (Marco has pink curtains in the Office/Guestroom)

Other view of Master.  I still to need to organize the cabinets over the bed but in due time...

I did not show the Office/Guestroom because it only has bookshelves and hanging laundry at the moment.  Marco wants to get a small desk so he can work from home on Fridays... and during the Olympics.  I also did not show the bathroom.... I did not think it needed to be shown but the shower is awesome!  It feels so good.... Oh, and FYI to visitors - the hot is on the right and the cold is on the left.  I'm not sure why but the hot knob does get very HOT as well.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour... I am going to go for a walk...

Still Getting Moved In...

Over the weekend we gathered the last of our belongings from the old apartment.  Marco didn't call me madame like the furniture movers did but we are ALL moved into the new place!  Now the fun begins of finding a place to put it all! 

Clothes that have not found space in a closet!

More stuff that needs to find a place to go!!

I thought we had gotten rid of a lot when we left Ohio but it looks like more stuff is going to have to go!   I did manage to get the kitchen arranged so I can store food... good thing!  I'm sure I will find a place for everything else as well.  I am enjoying this simpler way of living though.  And we LOVE the apartment!!

Oh, and don't worry.... we will have room for guests!

Stay tuned.... I will post pictures of the completed apartment soon!

Enjoy!

Day 1 of Moving In...

Oh, What a day!!  Movers arrived at 10:00 and had the truck unloaded by 11:00.  Let me back up a minute....  I left the current apartment at 8:00 and got to the new apartment at 9:30.  Bus #2 terminated early because of an accident so I had to hike to the next stop to catch bus #3... buses where not cooperating with me this morning!!  Good news... everything fit into the apartment!  It may not have a place to go but it is in!  I tackled the family room and (most important) the kitchen today.

Unpacking family room....

Still unpacking the family room....

Kitchen.... nightmare!

Not everything is in it's perenant place but we are getting close!

Getting there...  (Marco's bike is NOT staying on the balcony!)

'Dining' room and kitchen coming together  :-)

Kitchen is all tidy!  Looks can be deceveving though!!  Frying pans are in the oven... casserole dishes are in the fridge along with Tervis cups....  What didn't fit in the kitchen is tucked away in the hall closet (closet is only 1 foot deep but it works).  The only problem that I'm having at the moment is there is NO room for food!!  I may end up using the dishwasher as a cabinet....



Tomorrow, I'm taking what I can from our current apartment.  I can pretty much say that the bedrooms are over flowing so I have no idea where this stuff is going!  I have a pretty good feeling that we will be making a trip to the charity shop!  Clothes, shoes, and kitchen items....  and to think I thought I did a good job of down sizing!!

It wil be cozy but I think we will be happy!  And it may be small but nothing is too small between family and friends!

Hope you enjoy!



British 101

Well, I've been here about 2 months now and I am catching on to the British language.  I guess submersion really does work!  I can understand why non-English speaking people have so much trouble learning English.  American English and British English are quite different!

There are a few British words or sayings that most Americans are already familiar with....

• Car Boot - trunk
• Car Bonnet - hood
• Loo - bathroom
• Flat - apartment
• Lift - elevator

The English do indeed use these words but here are some new ones...

• Top Off - reload or add to - this is done on your transportation pass or your pay as you go phone card.
• Take Away - to-go or carry out - when I go to Starbuck's are order my iced tea, the Barista asks if I want it here or to take away.
• Leisure Centre (note the spelling of center) - this is like a YMCA with organized sports and classes, more than a gym
• Car Park - parking lot
• Worktop - kitchen counter
• Jumper - sweater
• Under Offer - pending or under contract
• Trolley - a devise to move something from point A to point B
• Till - a Cash register
• Lead - leash for a dog
• Torch - flashlight

Here are a few food items...

• Courgette - Zucchini
• Rocket - Arugula (salad)
• Prawns - shrimps
• Gammon - Ham steak
• Crisps - potato chips
• Chips - French fries (& Fat Chips are like steak fries)
• Veg - short for veggie

And here a few words that are helpful (G-rated of course!)

• Daft - someone that is stupid, silly, or crazy
• Cheeky - someone that is sassy or rude
• Chuck - when you throw something away
• Smart - looking cute, pretty, or beautiful
• Nicked - something that has been stolen or someone who has been caught
• Mad - someone that is crazy
• Flog - the sell something for a low price that might be dodgy
• Dodgy - suspicious
• Proper - prim, correct

That is probably enough vocab words for lesson 101.  Here are a few spelling words!

• Cheque - check (from a check book)
• Tyres - tires
• Colour - color
• Labour - labor
• Centre - center
• Neighbour - neighbor
• Neighbourhood - neighborhood
• Organised - organized

Make sure you study... you will be tested!

Hope you enjoyed!!

Pubs!

Pub is short for Public House.  Pubs were and are a major part of English life... some say they are the 'heart of England'.  Pubs are believed to date back to the Romans (no surprise there).  Pubs were a place where locals would gather to discuss local issues, gossip, meet with friends, drink ale (of course), etc.  People still gather to do the same today!

The name of the Pub comes from an event, someone famous or of importance, a battle, or some local something or other.  Signs hang on the outside of a Pub so travelers would know they could stop for a rest and/or refreshment.  Pictures were put of the signs so those who could not read would know the name of the Pub.  Some Pubs I have seen are: The Bird Cage, The Cat & Canary, The Cock Tavern, The Hare, The Royal Inn on The Park, The Crown, The Victoria, The Dolphin, Maddigan's, The Crooked Billet... to name a few.

Pubs were also, at one time, used as Inns or Bed & Breakfasts for travelers.  Most Pubs serve more than just snack bar food.  If you are looking for a typical English meal, a Pub is a great place to go.  They also have great burgers!!  On Sundays most have a Sunday Roast.  I have not tried this yet but it is on the list of things to-do.  If you do go to a Pub for a pint (they also have wine and spirits), you order from the bar and pay in advance, even for your meal.  That being said, Pubs were the first establishments to introduce a counter for serving... known today as a bar!

This is a tiny Pub near out apartment... locals pack the place!  The local dogs are even allowed in as long as they are on a leash.

This is The Prospect of Whitby which is near our new apartment in Wapping.  It claims to be the oldest Pub along the River Thames, dating back to 1520.  It was at one time called the Devil's Tavern because of the sorted pirates and thieves that frequented the place.  The original floor is still there.

This is The Captain Kidd (also near our new flat in Wapping).  Captain William Kidd was a Scottish sailor who was hung for piracy.  The Pub is located near the site where Kidd was hung.

Hope you enjoy!!

A Walk in the Park and Along the River Lee

If these trees could talk!!

Crocus

Can Spring be springing?

Right after we saw this little guy...

we saw a brown hairless tailed squirrel run across the path in front of us!

Egyptian Geese

Canadian Geese... A long way from home!

Cute Coots ;-)

A Moorhen

Swan

House boats parked along the River Lee

House boat planters

People live on these boats.  I would like to find out what they do.  We see them travel up and down the river.  It must be a hard life, especially in the cold of winter.

Not all the boats are lived in but this one had a nice herb garden planted around it.

An look... The Anchor of Hope Pub on the way home...

Hope you enjoyed!!

Suz

PS - I fixed it so you add comments on the blog....

Flat in Wapping

We submitted an offer on an apartment in Wapping - London Borough of Tower Hamlets - along The River Thames. 

There is a lot of history in Wapping.  Because Wapping is situated along the river it was a key maritime port for importing and exporting... and pirates.  The Execution Dock was located in Wapping.  Pirates that were convicted were hung at Execution Dock.  Other prisoners were also executed here.  They were taken from prison on the south side of the river, across the London Bridge and past the Tower of London to the dock.

In 1811, the Ratcliff Highway Murders took place.  There were 2 murders 12 days apart.  The fact that these murders took place inside homes made them different and more frightening to locals.  Several books have been written about the murders.

Painter, James McNeil Whistler lived in Wapping in the early 1860's and painted several paintings of Wapping and the River Thames.

John newton, a hymn writer, was born in Wapping.

Cher lived in Wapping during the the 1990's.

Fictional character, Dr. Lamuel Gulliver from 'Gulliver's Travels', lived in Wapping before going off to sea.  And then there was 'Toothless in Wapping' from PlayStation 2's game Stuntman.

We still have some paperwork to do before we can move and the apartment needs to be painted, etc.  We will not be moving until February 20...  But here are some before pictures...

The outside... (bus stop across the street... 1 bus for Marco to go to work and 1 bus to Liverpool Station or St. Paul's Cathedral

Reception Room - a.k.a. Family Room

Kitchen... small but nice!

Balcony with river view

View from balcony.... 1 of those buildings is Marco's office

I forgot to mention.... London Bridge is a short walk away and across the river is Butler's Wharf.  Butler's Wharf is supposedly where Charles Dicken's characters Fagan and his pick-pocket boys hid out!

Apartment is small but we are very excited!!  There are 2 bedrooms so we have room for visitors....  make your reservations now!!

Enjoy!

Suzanne



It's a female thing....

And Marco's not happy!  To take public transportation around London (taxis are exempt) passengers have an Oyster Card.  You load your card and when you use up your balance you 'top it off'.  One day, I got on the 393 bus with Marco and I did not have enough for a full ride.  I paid the 2.30 for the ride.  When we switched to the 254 bus, I asked the driver if I could still use my ticket from the 393... he wasn't suppose to (technically) but he let me pass.  Marco was very surprised!

Another day, I tried to take the ferry but the ticket machine was not working so Omar told me to pass.... he told me when I got to the ferry to tell Michael that he said I could pass.  The ferry is 6.00 but with an Oyster card you get a discount of 5.10....  Marco could not believe my luck!

There have been other instances but....  Today, both Marco's and my Oyster cards were at the end.... we paid our way into Canary Wharf (cash).  While I was in town, I 'topped off' my card.  Marco did not.  On the way home, I used my Oyster card.  Marco tried to pay cash... the driver did not have change so he gave Marco a (yellow) ticket!!  I proposed at the next stop that Marco would take my Oyster card and I would pay cash.... Marco got on the bus.... I gave the drive 3.00 and he gave me 1.00 back and I got a ride!!!

It's not just a Southern thing!!!

Enjoy!

Apartment Search

Real Estate is a little different in Europe.  An agent can only show what is listed by their office and office typically only list in their area.  I landlord or home owner can list with more than one office/agent though.  Part of Marco's relocation package is 3 days with  a relocation specialist who arranges viewings with multiple offices.  Yesterday I spent the day with my relocation specialist and let me just say.... it was quite an adventure!

Clare picked me up at Marco's office and I could tell right off this was going to be interesting.  We got lost going to the first apartment...  come to think of it, I think there was only 1 that we got to on the first try!  After the first 2 apartments, Clare informed me that we could do much better!  I had to stay alert because we had multiple conversations going on at once!

Clare has 2 kids, a girl and a boy... she use to have a Jack Russel but when it died, her husband wanted a 'proper dog' so they got a working Spaniel.  The dog needs a lot of walking.... Clare's daughter was hit by a truck when she was 11 but was just bruised badly..... she has a cheeky sister-in-law.... her husbands great, great, great grandfather was an illustrator for Charles Dickens.... she had children later in life.... her doctor said she needs to drink my water....  she explained the coins to me - there is a Pound coin but if you take 2 50p coins, that equals 1 Pound, and 2 20p plus 1 10p makes 50p, and 100 1p coins make 1 Pound, etc, etc.... like I don't know simple math??  I'm she shared more info with me but you get the idea!

The day ended with Clare driving me past the last apartment (at 3:00) and telling me that I could meet the listing agent there at 4:00.  Clare dropped my at a Starbucks a few blocks away so she could head home before traffic got out of control!!  I met the agent at 4:00 to see the apartment and then she had to give me directions on how to get back to Marco's office.  It was a really cool area but the apartment was too small.  One of the warehouses in the area is where Charles Dickens based his book 'Oliver Twist'.

There was 1 apartment that has potential but it is way over priced.... I guess I get to look forward to another day out with Clare!

Enjoy!!

In And Around Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery Museum

A lion from Trafalgar Square keeping an eye on Big Ben

Olympic countdown in front of The National Gallery Museum

The Underground

Her Majesty's Theatre  (we were going to meet for a show but The Queen had something come up!)

The famous RED phone booths

Apple Market

London Ambulance Service... not sure how this works... must be for minor injuries

Bagpiper!

Hope you enjoyed!!

(Photographs by Marco)