... and so far, so good. To be honest, I haven't done much yet. I wanted to get the cats settled in, which is happening, and to get used to the idea of being here. And really there's no rush to do anything anyway, since I'm here for good now. Yesterday, I went into our local town, Enfield, to scout out places to buy some things I need - a printer, clock radio, orthopaedic pillow, etc. - and was pleased to find I could buy everything locally - though pound for dollar pretty much on the price and, of course, with less convenient parking. One thing that seems to be lacking here is a big-box office supplies store. I used to do all my shredding at Office Depot and I can't find anywhere that provides that service here. Any ideas? I've been thrilled by the gorgeous weather, which has been a nice reintroduction. And I find I need to catch up on several episodes of Downton Abbey, which doesn't start in the US until January. My mother and I are doing OK together so far, but I need to unpack some boxes today to get to my warm-weather clothes so we could start clashing on wardrobe space! She has stuff in every one of them!

Good to hear your update! Hope your able to claim some wardrobe real estate with out incident!

Hello CarolPat

I read your posting with interest. I had noticed that you mentioned in a previous post that you were from North London. I am also, and Enfield is my local shopping centre. I fly back from Tampa to the UK on 2nd November and will be staying with my Mother also. I have a 12 year old cat who will be flying over in January as I didn't start the process in time. As you know the rules change in January. It just seemed we had a few coincidences.

I have been in SW Florida this time for nearly 10 years, but overall in the US the majority of the past 29 years.

I would love to have a coffee with you sometime in Enfield when I get back. I would be interested to hear your views on the area as I am always hearing from my Mother and sister how it has changed. Anyhow regardless I am coming home, and must admit I am a bit nervous.

Hope things continue to go well for you.

Sue

Yes, let's meet up once you're here. There is now a Starbucks in Enfield so we can meet there or pick somewhere a little more British! Get in touch once you're settled and we can exchange phone numbers to arrange things. Good luck with the move. I still can't quite believe I've done it - but here I am!

Carol

Hi and Welcome home to the UK!

My mother-in-law used to live in Chingford so I vaguely recall driving through Enfield from time to time.

There is a Staples office supplies store in Tottenham Hale - you can find the address on their UK website:

http://www.staples.co.uk/wrapper.aspx?param=StoreFinder

hope this helps!

Glad to hear you got home safely and thanks for the update. I'm returning home next year after 11 years in the US and can't wait. I love to hear views of England from those newly returned

Argos, Wilkinson, B&Q, W.H Smith sell pretty much anything and you could find a shredder there.

We too looked for specialist stores when we came back but readjusted to finding the things in general merchandisers rather than specialist.

Welcome back

and I meant to include; But I haven't seen anywhere that provides shredding as a service

This tends to be something provided more for commercial companies than individuals. We (university) hire out our shredding, which I find a little unsettling - I'd much rather know I put confidential documents in a shredder myself than send out in a bag and hope it gets shredded instead of being dumped on a landfill.

That is nuts, isn't it? What's the rationale?

Jo

I've been back a week now and am settling in. Yesterday was surprisingly pleasant and productive. I went shopping in the local town, parking centrally and quite cheaply in the market place, and I bought a lot of things in less than an hour, finding all the sales staff incredibly friendly and helpful and even people on the street quite chatty and nice [Maybe I should take back what I said about Brits being so closed and private]. I explored various health clubs and was amazed to find that the local leisure centre is not only cheaper than the private clubs, but also nicer with more and better facilities and much friendlier staff [yes, those unexpected friendly Brits again]. Things are working out quite well with my mother. She has agreed to get rid of some of the clutter and we waited in most of today for the Heart Foundation to pick up some items - only to be told when they arrived that all but two were "too old-fashioned and unsellable". Really! We wouldn't be giving them away if they were brand new. But the council came to the rescue again. They have a great electronics recycling program, will pick up furniture for a different charity and even collect things like records and videos for Oxfam. I think I'm a happy Socialist again! And, the big news, my mother has taken pity on me having to share my modest single bed with two cats, so tomorrow we are going bed shopping! And the sun still shines! Overall a promising start, I think.

You should check your local paper for recyclers, where my mom is they have a local company that will take and refurbish furniture and appliances and sell them on cheap to those of us who haven't much cash for doing up a house. They also pick up.

Glad it is working out for you. Funny you should mention the people in shops and on the streets, before my recent trip back to the UK I was led to believe that everyone was miserable and grumpy, a VERY pleasant surprise when I found people to be helpful, cheery and happy.

That's Mary Portas's doing ... she got all the charity shops to realize that they could make a lot more money if they stopped taking things that would never sell and started soliciting for really good stuff. It's fab for the charities who are doing better than ever, but bad for those of us who want to give old clothes away.

Glad things are going well with mum - I bet she just wants to make you as happy as possible so you don't go away again

Glad things are going well for you, my partner and I and our 2 cats and 2 dogs arrived in Skipton North Yorkshire a week ago. They people are so friendly and helpful even the Govt people on the phone are really nice and helpful. We are still in shock that we are here, it is such a beautiful part of the country. All our neighbours are over 65 which is great!! and they love to chat
good luck to everyone making a big move