OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Dec 3rd 2010, 7:18 pm
#8776
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Just checking in from Caterham, Surrey here.
Great flight over with no problems. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a holding pattern over London.
Our friend was unable to meet us as her sister arrived from New Zealand 2 1/2 hours before us and they only had one snow free car to pick up people because they had left a car on the main road which had been cleared. We ended up taking the Gatwick Express bus from Heathrow to Gatwick (National Express) 21 pounds each. I am sure it would have been cheaper if we had booked on line before but we had no idea of which route we would be taking until we arrived. We were then picked up at Gatwick where the roads had been cleared and were back in about 30 minutes.
Not much snow at Heathrow but by the time we got to the Reigate exit or thereabouts on the M25 it was more snow than I remember seeing in England for years. It was very beautiful to look at.
The high point was turning into our friend's road and seeing all the neighbors out shoveling snow and guiding us into a cleared spot and then our friend bringing out a tray of hot mince pies and all the neighbors having one.
We were here by 3:15 pm local time which was pretty good considering the conditions.
Had an early dinner with wine and am about to have an early night also.
Great to be here and can't wait to get out tomorrow.
Great flight over with no problems. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a holding pattern over London.
Our friend was unable to meet us as her sister arrived from New Zealand 2 1/2 hours before us and they only had one snow free car to pick up people because they had left a car on the main road which had been cleared. We ended up taking the Gatwick Express bus from Heathrow to Gatwick (National Express) 21 pounds each. I am sure it would have been cheaper if we had booked on line before but we had no idea of which route we would be taking until we arrived. We were then picked up at Gatwick where the roads had been cleared and were back in about 30 minutes.
Not much snow at Heathrow but by the time we got to the Reigate exit or thereabouts on the M25 it was more snow than I remember seeing in England for years. It was very beautiful to look at.
The high point was turning into our friend's road and seeing all the neighbors out shoveling snow and guiding us into a cleared spot and then our friend bringing out a tray of hot mince pies and all the neighbors having one.
We were here by 3:15 pm local time which was pretty good considering the conditions.
Had an early dinner with wine and am about to have an early night also.
Great to be here and can't wait to get out tomorrow.
How lovely to see all that snow from the comfort of inside. I look forward to hearing your stories........
Dec 3rd 2010, 7:19 pm
#8777
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,933
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Just checking in from Caterham, Surrey here.
Great flight over with no problems. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a holding pattern over London.
Our friend was unable to meet us as her sister arrived from New Zealand 2 1/2 hours before us and they only had one snow free car to pick up people because they had left a car on the main road which had been cleared. We ended up taking the Gatwick Express bus from Heathrow to Gatwick (National Express) 21 pounds each. I am sure it would have been cheaper if we had booked on line before but we had no idea of which route we would be taking until we arrived. We were then picked up at Gatwick where the roads had been cleared and were back in about 30 minutes.
Not much snow at Heathrow but by the time we got to the Reigate exit or thereabouts on the M25 it was more snow than I remember seeing in England for years. It was very beautiful to look at.
The high point was turning into our friend's road and seeing all the neighbors out shoveling snow and guiding us into a cleared spot and then our friend bringing out a tray of hot mince pies and all the neighbors having one.
We were here by 3:15 pm local time which was pretty good considering the conditions.
Had an early dinner with wine and am about to have an early night also.
Great to be here and can't wait to get out tomorrow.
Great flight over with no problems. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a holding pattern over London.
Our friend was unable to meet us as her sister arrived from New Zealand 2 1/2 hours before us and they only had one snow free car to pick up people because they had left a car on the main road which had been cleared. We ended up taking the Gatwick Express bus from Heathrow to Gatwick (National Express) 21 pounds each. I am sure it would have been cheaper if we had booked on line before but we had no idea of which route we would be taking until we arrived. We were then picked up at Gatwick where the roads had been cleared and were back in about 30 minutes.
Not much snow at Heathrow but by the time we got to the Reigate exit or thereabouts on the M25 it was more snow than I remember seeing in England for years. It was very beautiful to look at.
The high point was turning into our friend's road and seeing all the neighbors out shoveling snow and guiding us into a cleared spot and then our friend bringing out a tray of hot mince pies and all the neighbors having one.
We were here by 3:15 pm local time which was pretty good considering the conditions.
Had an early dinner with wine and am about to have an early night also.
Great to be here and can't wait to get out tomorrow.
Dec 3rd 2010, 7:23 pm
#8778
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,933
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Now we've heard from High Tide (David). Great news he and his partner arrived safely - wondering how Rodney is doing - hopefully he got to his mother's house a couple of days ago. Just hope things are going okay for him and he is able to post soon to let us know. It seems as if there is way more snow in England than ever before - I cannot remember England getting that much snow (especially in the South). I know Scotland can get hit badly but it's unusual for England. They have far more than we have had here - just a dusting so far. Shouldn't speak too soon, sometimes it starts snowing here and forgets to stop!
Dec 3rd 2010, 7:40 pm
#8779
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Puglia, Umbria and London
Posts: 864
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Lovely to hear David and partner arrived safely, how fantastic to be greeted with mince pies, neighbours clearing the snow for them, it conjoured up such a lovely picture.
Joan, it may well have been a relative of yours, it was at the junction after turning right at the roof top neon advert sign on Corso Roma, Gallipoli, it was lady and my OH said she was miming "oh I'm so sorry for having nearly killed you" in his review mirror.
All's well that ends well
Joan, it may well have been a relative of yours, it was at the junction after turning right at the roof top neon advert sign on Corso Roma, Gallipoli, it was lady and my OH said she was miming "oh I'm so sorry for having nearly killed you" in his review mirror.
All's well that ends well
Dec 3rd 2010, 7:42 pm
#8780
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I think you mean snow shoes - the reference to tennis racquets. The non-slip items for walking on ice are crampons, they come in various weights and thicknesses, on a rubber base. You stretch the rubber base over the soles of your boots, and walk on the sharp metal spikes. There are similar ones for walking sticks. A disabled friend on mine used one when I lived in Wisconsin, and without it she would have been housebound. I have a set to use over my boots, and they are packed away in Ealing, across town from where I currently am. Pity, I really could have used them now in Purley. Have a look:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Tr.../dp/B002ULFQ8I
and http://www.fashionablecanes.com/Ice_...ing_Canes.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Tr.../dp/B002ULFQ8I
and http://www.fashionablecanes.com/Ice_...ing_Canes.html
Anyway very impractical for the British high street LOL!!
I have never seen these crampons until your post, wow they look like a must and I will definitely be investing in a pair, thanks for sharing.
Dec 3rd 2010, 7:52 pm
#8781
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
On the theme of odd news stories, here is the news from England http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/we...n-snowman.html
Dec 3rd 2010, 8:17 pm
#8782
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Just checking in from Caterham, Surrey here.
Great flight over with no problems. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a holding pattern over London.
Our friend was unable to meet us as her sister arrived from New Zealand 2 1/2 hours before us and they only had one snow free car to pick up people because they had left a car on the main road which had been cleared. We ended up taking the Gatwick Express bus from Heathrow to Gatwick (National Express) 21 pounds each. I am sure it would have been cheaper if we had booked on line before but we had no idea of which route we would be taking until we arrived. We were then picked up at Gatwick where the roads had been cleared and were back in about 30 minutes.
Not much snow at Heathrow but by the time we got to the Reigate exit or thereabouts on the M25 it was more snow than I remember seeing in England for years. It was very beautiful to look at.
The high point was turning into our friend's road and seeing all the neighbors out shoveling snow and guiding us into a cleared spot and then our friend bringing out a tray of hot mince pies and all the neighbors having one.
We were here by 3:15 pm local time which was pretty good considering the conditions.
Had an early dinner with wine and am about to have an early night also.
Great to be here and can't wait to get out tomorrow.
Great flight over with no problems. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a holding pattern over London.
Our friend was unable to meet us as her sister arrived from New Zealand 2 1/2 hours before us and they only had one snow free car to pick up people because they had left a car on the main road which had been cleared. We ended up taking the Gatwick Express bus from Heathrow to Gatwick (National Express) 21 pounds each. I am sure it would have been cheaper if we had booked on line before but we had no idea of which route we would be taking until we arrived. We were then picked up at Gatwick where the roads had been cleared and were back in about 30 minutes.
Not much snow at Heathrow but by the time we got to the Reigate exit or thereabouts on the M25 it was more snow than I remember seeing in England for years. It was very beautiful to look at.
The high point was turning into our friend's road and seeing all the neighbors out shoveling snow and guiding us into a cleared spot and then our friend bringing out a tray of hot mince pies and all the neighbors having one.
We were here by 3:15 pm local time which was pretty good considering the conditions.
Had an early dinner with wine and am about to have an early night also.
Great to be here and can't wait to get out tomorrow.
Dec 3rd 2010, 8:32 pm
#8783
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I just read a post on another forum from Denise2 that she posted two days ago.
She has been concentrating on getting her ILR which she got the day before yesterday.
No jobs yet.Still spending money that can't be helped.Still living with 'Mother-in-love'
Quote:
Received my ILR this morning at Croydon. At today's exchange rate, it cost $1,965.50.
Windows! Windows! Windows!
The Home Office was very understaffed today - about half of their employees did not show up to work due to the weather.
There is a small canteen that sells pre-prepared sandwiches, sausage rolls, pastries, candy, crisps, juice, tea, and coffee. CASH ONLY.
The seats in the waiting area are made of cold, hard steel and very uncomfortable. If possible, bring something you can use as a cushion (puffy coat, etc.).
There is a small but nice mall across the street from Lunar House (connected to the parking garage) that has a Sainsbury's that opens up very early.
My appointment was at 8am; we were told to be there by 7:30am. It took us about an hour to drive to Croydon from where we live (near Heathrow). Thank god for SatNav that kept us off the motorway which, this morning, was a mess with all the snow.
We parked in the large parking garage directly across the street from The Home Office (Whitgift Centre). 5 hours cost us £10.20.
She has been concentrating on getting her ILR which she got the day before yesterday.
No jobs yet.Still spending money that can't be helped.Still living with 'Mother-in-love'
Quote:
Received my ILR this morning at Croydon. At today's exchange rate, it cost $1,965.50.
Windows! Windows! Windows!
The Home Office was very understaffed today - about half of their employees did not show up to work due to the weather.
There is a small canteen that sells pre-prepared sandwiches, sausage rolls, pastries, candy, crisps, juice, tea, and coffee. CASH ONLY.
The seats in the waiting area are made of cold, hard steel and very uncomfortable. If possible, bring something you can use as a cushion (puffy coat, etc.).
There is a small but nice mall across the street from Lunar House (connected to the parking garage) that has a Sainsbury's that opens up very early.
My appointment was at 8am; we were told to be there by 7:30am. It took us about an hour to drive to Croydon from where we live (near Heathrow). Thank god for SatNav that kept us off the motorway which, this morning, was a mess with all the snow.
We parked in the large parking garage directly across the street from The Home Office (Whitgift Centre). 5 hours cost us £10.20.
Last edited by cheers; Dec 3rd 2010 at 8:35 pm.
Dec 3rd 2010, 8:43 pm
#8784
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas, Nv
Posts: 1,000
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I just read a post on another forum from Denise2 that she posted two days ago.
She has been concentrating on getting her ILR which she got the day before yesterday.
No jobs yet.Still spending money that can't be helped.Still living with 'Mother-in-love'
Quote:
Received my ILR this morning at Croydon. At today's exchange rate, it cost $1,965.50.
Windows! Windows! Windows!
The Home Office was very understaffed today - about half of their employees did not show up to work due to the weather.
There is a small canteen that sells pre-prepared sandwiches, sausage rolls, pastries, candy, crisps, juice, tea, and coffee. CASH ONLY.
The seats in the waiting area are made of cold, hard steel and very uncomfortable. If possible, bring something you can use as a cushion (puffy coat, etc.).
There is a small but nice mall across the street from Lunar House (connected to the parking garage) that has a Sainsbury's that opens up very early.
My appointment was at 8am; we were told to be there by 7:30am. It took us about an hour to drive to Croydon from where we live (near Heathrow). Thank god for SatNav that kept us off the motorway which, this morning, was a mess with all the snow.
We parked in the large parking garage directly across the street from The Home Office (Whitgift Centre). 5 hours cost us £10.20.
She has been concentrating on getting her ILR which she got the day before yesterday.
No jobs yet.Still spending money that can't be helped.Still living with 'Mother-in-love'
Quote:
Received my ILR this morning at Croydon. At today's exchange rate, it cost $1,965.50.
Windows! Windows! Windows!
The Home Office was very understaffed today - about half of their employees did not show up to work due to the weather.
There is a small canteen that sells pre-prepared sandwiches, sausage rolls, pastries, candy, crisps, juice, tea, and coffee. CASH ONLY.
The seats in the waiting area are made of cold, hard steel and very uncomfortable. If possible, bring something you can use as a cushion (puffy coat, etc.).
There is a small but nice mall across the street from Lunar House (connected to the parking garage) that has a Sainsbury's that opens up very early.
My appointment was at 8am; we were told to be there by 7:30am. It took us about an hour to drive to Croydon from where we live (near Heathrow). Thank god for SatNav that kept us off the motorway which, this morning, was a mess with all the snow.
We parked in the large parking garage directly across the street from The Home Office (Whitgift Centre). 5 hours cost us £10.20.
) but her husband is British. What's an IRL?
Dec 3rd 2010, 9:38 pm
#8790
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Whats your date of arrival Jacky??
Don and his wife are 21st Feb. I think
Mine is 27th Feb.
Wow just think not that long from now people are going to be stalking/tracking US.
I wonder how Rodney is doing? It's been 3 days now, surely he has bought a laptop by now and fired it up!!
Don and his wife are 21st Feb. I think
Mine is 27th Feb.
Wow just think not that long from now people are going to be stalking/tracking US.
I wonder how Rodney is doing? It's been 3 days now, surely he has bought a laptop by now and fired it up!!