What goes around...

Comes around.


Ca. 1985



December 2008

Fairfield Road Happenings

The combination of new job and dark winter days means I've not had much time (or sunlight) to take many photos. But here are just a few from this month to date.

We got new chairs. They're a stop-gap until we're rich enough (ha ha) to get the ones we really want, but until then, these from Habitat are really great. It's nice to have 4 matching ones, for a change. They're natural oak with charcoal grey "slings" as they call them.



Santa Paws has been busy at our house. With family & friends near and far (mostly far), we are "forced" to shop and ship early. It's kinda nice, because it means at this point in the season, I get to leisurely cruise the holiday sales... for myself! :)

Checking the stock...


Approved!


Stockings at the ready

Holida-ay

Here's a reason for staying in the UK:

"In October 2007, the minimum entitlement [of annual leave] was increased to 4.8 weeks paid holiday from four weeks. This works out at 24 days for a full-time worker, with a pro-rata entitlement for part-time workers too. From April 2009 this will increase to 5.6 weeks.
....
While one in five people get the minimum amount of paid holiday, the average full-time employee gets much more at 33 days leave including bank holidays. Union members are even better off on average, getting 37 days leave."

I get 30 annual leave days, plus 8 bank holidays and 8 days off over Christmas & New Years (with the University - slightly different to how the Council worked it). We may be underpaid, over-taxed and the weather may be crap, but hey, at least we get time off work to complain about it!

Nordic Music Sessions

We went to our first gig in Newcastle last night. The musically beautiful Tina Dico performed at the architecturally amazing Sage Gateshead, and it was wonderful. Whilst Tina was fab, I kinda think her supporting (not opening act, but playing with her as the band) multi-instrumentalist Helgi Hrafn Jonsson nearly stole the show. He was really amazing; his songs were mystical and dreamy and just plain beautiful. How is it such a tiny country (Iceland) can spawn such amazingly talented musicians? I would highly recommend trying to catch either of these artists if they're out your direction.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you believe it's Thanksgiving already? I can't. It kinda caught me by surprise this year. We were debating having people over, but I ended up working this week (despite being on annual leave - ha!) and, well, it all just ran away. So, I tried to do a small scale, funky version of Thanksgiving fixin's, but for 2 people with limited prep time. Here's what we had:

Turkey tacos
Cranberry salsa
Sweet potato chips
Harvest beer
Pear & pistachio cake

(here's a bad photo of our meal - I'm not kidding about needing a new camera)


We did, however, miss being with the Finchams. We've celebrated T-day with them for the last 3 years. Anyway, we're both really thankful for family & friends, of course, and for good, steady jobs in a time of instability in all sectors. What are you thankful for?

So Long, Stonehaven

It's been a few weeks since I left my office in Stonehaven and to be honest, I still miss the group (awww). Part of the reason I liked my job so much was down to having a great group of colleagues.

As is the custom, I had a "leaving do" on my last day in the office. We had some drinks in the office at 4:00, with Brian giving the presentation - kind words and thoughtful gifts. Then our small office went out to Molly Gunnings for a beautiful meal and walked along the boardwalk to the Marine, where we parked it until the wee hours of the morning.

Farewell, Finchams

Rosie's favourite friend Joni came to visit this past weekend. It was her last few days in the UK before moving back to the States and we're all quite sad about that, so we won't talk about it anymore.

We took Joni out to have English Afternoon Tea at the Jesmond Dene House. 3 words - cakes, cakes, cakes! It was sumptuous, although I could quite easily go another year before going back again. I'm still stuffed.

On Friday, Joni & I walked around the town, stopping by the Sage Gateshead (amazing building), Baltic arts centre (excellent gift shop & views) and getting some super yummy dark cherry mochas at Starbucks (not as sweet as you'd think!). We had the first snow of the season, so it was cold, but it was a gloriously sunny weekend.

Saturday Shopping

Much to Ole's dismay, we went into town today. I had been wanting to check out the market, which I understand is pretty good. Wow. Was it ever!

Grainger Market is in the heart of the city centre, in this jewel of a Victorian building. We cruised around, checked it out, and made a few purchased for our wine & cheese night tonight. The cheese shop alone is enough to win you over! They had EVERYTHING and then some, and it was dead cheap. We got 5 different cheeses for £8. Nice! There are several butchers, fishmongers, green grocers, tea & coffee shops, pet shop, fabric shops, people who fix various things, etc. Pretty much everything you need.

We've decided to support local business and produce, and do the bulk of our weekly shopping at the market. It'll be interesting to see how it impacts on our budget, because I think we'll actually get better quality items at cheaper prices, and that sounds like a winner to me.

Friday Night

Pre-dinner, post-drink nap:

Let sleeping dogs...

There's not been much happening lately to write about. We're both busy with work and with the dark winter evenings (and mornings) firmly set in, we don't get up to much in the evenings, save dinner invitations!

Rosie, however, got a furcut this week. I'll spare you the full body photos. She looks disgracefully like a large, white rat with bat ears. Here are some before & after photos. She usually likes sleeping in blankets, but now, being nearly naked, she seriously buries herself in the duvet.



Before

Weekend in Northumberland

When we announced we were moving to Newcastle, without fail, everyone here said, "Oh, you'll like it there. The people are so nice." Well, they really are. We're not even both permanently down there yet and already have had a weekend away with some of Ole's colleagues.

Joanna invited us for dinner on Saturday at her & Simon's place waaaaay out in the sticks. Because it was so far out, they said we should stay the night. As it turned out, those dinner guests (10 of us total) who didn't live local also stayed, so it was good fun. Simon cooked this amazing venison (killed the day before!) stew in the Aga. Melt in your mouth!

The next morning, we trailed Joanna to feed the lambs and cows. Rosie especially liked that part. She's decided she suits the country life. The scenery was stunning - sorta like the Highlands, but with more trees. And the colours - I'm telling you, New England has nothing on Olde England!

Fur-osh!

Rosie brought in a stick in today and preceded to dismantle it into tiny slivers. I knew I would have to get out the hoover for the 4th time that day, but couldn't resist letting her finish the job. She looked like she was having fun.

Still not used to it

I was driving around today when I saw a police car in my rear view mirror. I panicked, checked my speed and tried to remember if I had done any dodgy lane changing at the last roundabout. While I was analysing my driving, the police passed me and did some dodgy lane changing themselves, and I was reminded - again - how different policing is here from the States.

The cops here don't cruise around looking to bust you. You really have to be doing something bad to warrant being pulled over. Unless they're traffic cops, if you see police cars on the motorway, they're not bothered about you - they're likely en route to something else.

Funny how some things are just ingrained in you. After living here for nearly 5 years, I still have a fear of the police, even if I've not done anything wrong. How very American.

Girls Night In

The girls of North Deeside Road had a great night in on Friday. We put on our doggie PJ's (I'll let you guess which belongs to whom), had some Ben & Jerry's, and watched Ugly Betty. Rosie wore a fur coat. She always shows us up.

2008 or 1808?

The joy of living in cold, damp Britain is that you get to experience Dickensian-type problems in the "modern" era. Yes, they have indoor plumbing, but no, the taps aren't mixed (and plumbing is generally mounted external to the house). Yes, they have modern radiators and even underfloor heating (if you're lucky), but they still use coal for the fire.

Anyway, I've finally found out what's been wrong with my fingers during the winter. (Thankfully, I can dismiss arthritis, as I was actually tested for this by my dr.) Are you ready for it? I have chilblains.

Tuesday Dinner

Joni (aka the Roommate) and I had a productive visit to Costco the other night. Amongst the purchases was this packet of Quail eggs. Mmm. We thought we'd try them in a salad with tuna. Delish!

Delicacy


Beautiful pairing


Rosie helping


The finished product

Crathes Castle Walks

Ole came up for the weekend and we lucked out with great weather today (Saturday). So, we decided to all go out for a walk around the woods at Crathes Castle. Afterwards, Rosie went back for nap time in the car, while Joni, Ole & I had lunch outside at the new visitor centre.

Old Man Winter

GO AWAY!

We had our first frost of the season last night. And they're talking about snow (on the high ground) tonight. I'm not ready for it yet. I'd first like to have a summer, thank you very much.

Journey to Fairfield Road

We’ve moved. Well, most of us have, anyway. Rosie & I are still in Aberdeen, now joined by Joni, and Ole is in Newcastle. Things went really well. There was lots of cleaning to be done, but I suppose there always is. We really love the area we’ve moved to. It’s vibrant and close to everything, but at the same time our street is quiet and we’re about 60 seconds’ walk from the Town Moor (where they still graze cattle!). We like our flat too. Yes, we’d do some things differently if we owned it, but it’s a great place to move into and set up base.

I didn’t get a chance to take many photos, but here are a few for your enjoyment. I especially like the one of my lazy boy.

Newcastle - Here we come!

The van's packed:



The dog's confused:



Must be moving day!

We'll probably be without email and phone (except mobiles) for a week, so catch you later!

From one Sarah to another: Shoot this

Today was an historic day: I decided the fate for the rest of the world. That's some power! I know I'm a wee bit early, but I placed my vote for the US presidential election today. It's a nice feeling and was quite fun to see Obama's name on the ballot. (No points for guessing who my vote went to...)

This is actually the first time I've voted. In my adult life, I've always managed to be overseas during elections and never bothered with what I perceived as being a hassle - getting an overseas ballot. In truth, it was a ridiculously easy and quick process, which is encouraging. This is also the first election where I feel there is potential for change, campaign slogans aside. It's the first time where I actually want to vote. That takes some doing!

So to my fellow Democrats and to those wanting to right the wrongs - please do your thing.
To the Republicans - take the 11th off and stay home. You've done enough damage, dontcha think?

Hot Dogs & Ice Cream Cones

Newcastle Adventure

You may have gathered that we recently spent a few days in our soon-to-be hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne. Ole had been there for a couple days before, but it was all brand new to me. I was completely surprised by it and after walking for miles (literally - we clocked 10 on Sunday) around the city, we both think it's tops!

I think I had previously lumped Newcastle together with all the other northern England cities/towns and thought it would've suffered as heavily from Maggie's axe. But Newcastle somehow seems to remain fairly buoyant. Sure, it has some of the most depressed areas of the UK; but on the whole, it's a gorgeous, vibrant, and looks like it'll be a great next move.

We chose a flat in an area called West Jesmond. It's a mix of students, professionals (like us, ha!) and families. It has a really nice feel to it and we've already met one of our potential (not wanting to jinx it all!) new neighbours. At the end of our potential street is - wait for it - allotments! And surrounding them is the town moor; so ideal dog walking territory.

New Hoose

Our flat-finding mission to Newcastle this weekend was successful! And, we had a great time exploring the city (more on that later). We're quite excited about the flat, particularly due to its location/area/neighbourhood. Which one do you think we chose?

Jesmond



High Heaton



Gosforth