News and Views

Well we're settling back into London life. All the usual things are here, two trips to the cricket (Banz watching SA just beat England and both of us watching Surrey cruise past Gloucestershire), a visit to Wagamama and a furnitureless flat.

Well, the flat does have some furniture, it's just limited. We have our futon (which was the first bit of furniture we ever bought as a couple - unless you count the crisp boxes we used as a bed side table initially), a tv stand (on which to stand the smallest telly ever which has been most kindly donated by Nick H) and the mattress in the unregistered loft conversion to complete the skag den appeal. We also managed to be indian givers (I guess that's not a PC term these days, but there's no other way to describe it) and got our wok, fry pans, saucepans and microwave back off Spence and Cath - cheers guys - you can really have them when we actually do leave.

Time has been spent tidying up the garden for that buyer that we're sure is just around the corner as well as toning down the paint in the lounge. All those episodes of "House Doctor" haven't been wasted.

We've also been doing a bit of job hunting. I've had a couple of good phone calls today saying that I've been put forward for a couple of roles. Fingers crossed I get the one with more money. That's what my standards have been reduced to these days. Oh well it is only for six months (we hope). Banz has also applied for a few - including one at £50 an hour - that's if his postcard is still in the telephone box outside Kings Cross station.

Banz's time has also been taken up training for his century ride which is next Sunday, 17th August. The roads outside Harrow are not quite as inviting as those near Darlo but there are a few decent hillocks to contend with. The tarmac melting temperatures (no post could pass without a "Phew - what a scorcher" comment) have been a novelty but one which is wearing off. Perhaps our original plan to tackle southern Spain in August with panniers stuffed to the brim with kitchen sinks was not the best idea.... Maybe this is the "everything happens for a reason" excuse we've been looking for since the flat sale fell through. That makes two, the first being Maca's Wedding.

Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we'll be back amongst the employed in the next couple of weeks. The taxman's gain is Quincy ME's loss.