Hello again!  Long time no update on the website, I know.  Anyway, here is wheres it is at....

I arrived in London on 16 April 2006 so I have now been here for 5 or 6 weeks.  So far so good!

I have now found work and had my first week last week.  I am working for a council (Hampshire County Council) in a place called Winchester.  Winchester is South-West of London (more south that west) and it is a very pretty city.  It takes me about 2hours to get to work each day (and another 2 home!!!) but the trip is by train over some amazing terraine so at this stage it is a pleasure.  I have also been using my time on the train to catch up on some reading...Dan Brown, Patricia Cornwell and John Grisham so far.  My job at the council is as an employment lawyer (which is great, it was clearly worthwhile holding out for that - the recruitment agents kept rying to get me to do family).  There are about 37,000 employees at the council so there will be plenty to keep me busy I am sure.  At the moment my focus is on dealing with a range of pension cases that have arisen as a result of a decision by the european court that it was unlawful for part-timers to be excluded from the pension schemes of their employers.  Follwing that decision about 60,000 pension claims were lodged over here.  most of the cases at Hampshire County Council have already been dealt with but there are a few more technical cases left and tht is what I will be dealing with.  It involves litigation which is great!  Once they have been dealt with there will be other work including advising the Hr team on disciplinary stuff, having uinput on drafting of employment policies and training other staff on employment law stuff so the role is great (it is just a shame it sin't in london).

I have just moved into an apartment with Corey Ross (who some of you will know).  Corey and I are friends from Pamerstn North and he arrived over here a little before I did.  The place is supreme and I have to say that I have never been so excited at the prospect of having my own bed!  We are able to stay there free of charge because Corey has been working on the apartments (which are brand spanking new) and that is a perk he gets with his job.  That is a huge bonus!!  We are not sure how long we wil be able to stay but hey, beggars can't be choosers!!

Having said that, I am extremely grateful to Jess & Dave and Ali, Roz & Cat who have very kindly housed me since I have been in London.  I had a ball staying at both places and owe a lot to all of them for their kindness and support when I was homeless and unemployed!

Now that I am working I am keen to start getting out and about round europe so I will keep you posted on that!

that's about all for now!  Hope everything is going swimmingly for all of you!

lots of love,

A

xx