Those who said we would miss London . . .

They were right and we were wrong. When Sheldon and I planned to leave London we were certain that there was nothing that we would miss, but friends. It has been almost eight months since we departed the shores of Britain and now I am pretty certain that I miss London . . . a lot! We mostly miss our friends and "family" of course. . . but there are plenty more things that are missing:

1. There is nothing like Zara, Topshop/Topman, Benetton, H&M or even GAP in Australia where you can walk in with 100 quid and walk away with an entire summer holiday wardrobe!! Com'on Ozzie. Get with it!

2. As much as we despise the large corporate owned, farmer bashing supermarket such as Tescos and Sainsburys . . .I miss being able to buy a nice sandwich, or some prepared fruit, or some pre-packaged meals for the oven and the range of tinned beans from cannellini beans to heinz baked beans. Coles and Woolworths don't even come close to providing the experience gained in Hackney Tescos.

3. Corner shops and supermarkets that sell booze. . . .it is bloody impossible to buy booze in this city without having to drive somewhere and get it! Supermarkets are not licensed so you have to stop at two places. Whipping down Aisle 5 in Bow Tesco and throwing in a couple of long necks of San Miguel and a bottle of Vodka on top of your rice crispies and sausages was a real bonus. Or whipping over the local cost cutter and buying a 3 quid bottle of red wine to throw in the tomato and basil sauce being whipped up for your veggie friends who have invited themselves over for supper . . . .I miss that! They call it grog here. Sure, you can drive right into the bottleshop (bottleo) and never even get out of the car when purchasing your slab of Cascade Premium,but the carbon emissions left by Kylie are pretty hefty every time I want a cold tinnie!

4. Speaking of Tescos, I understand from Hackney Council press releases in February this year, that all those chinese people selling illegal DVDs in the carpark have all been arrested! Well. . .. as you can imagine I was very pleased with that . . . but on the other hand . . .shopping there will never be the same again without them. . There is no-one here selling illegal DVDs. Everyone just downloads them! Aussies love a bit of technology!

5. Public Transport - people love to hate the tube and London buses - those bendy buses are crap right! BUT. . . .in comparison . . . .they don't even compare. In Sydney we get some air conditioned trains on hot days but that is about the best it gets. Ask Sheldon - he gets the train everyday!

6. A little moan from sheldon: I also miss the BBC. Australia may have beautiful beaches and weather, but it has nothing on good old British television and radion. The term 'Boob-Tube' must have been invented during a holiday in Oz. Put it this way, Home and Away is one of the bareable program options. I also miss Grazia Magazine, Rain, Muji and Broadway Market.

I love and miss you all, xxsh

Well, we won't moan anymore. There are lots of great things here that I wouldn't even begin to tell you about for fear that you will all jump on a plane to join us! (fingers crossed)

As for us. What has been happening, you all impatiently ask?
Well, work carries on as it does for moi. I start my first shift of nights in a weeks time! Youch. So many of you might see my Google account logged in at some hours that look good to you all!

We've also had a few of our favourite Londoners visit us here...

Sheldon is in his second term at college and loving in. He has now actually got scissors in his hands - so watch out Sydney, Sheldon's got a blow dryer, scissors and the need to give everyone a little of that Sheldon style!! He's even given himself a major new look as you can see.

We are close to getting the first structure on The Highbury. We have plans approved and deposits paid to build a 6x9m shed ready for our returns for sanity breaks. Can't wait to have it up soon.

Love to you all. We Miss you.