First week off

Update: 1

I'm loving this unemployment. The biggest hurdle has been overcome - moving out of our house was bit of stress. It's not something I want to repeat in a hurry but Tam sorted it out and I kept out of the way...

A few other minor problems like trying to speak to someone at NTL (it's easier to communicate with the dead) and filling in my P85 - which terrifies me - have been resolved, and now it genuinely feels like we are free of the shackles of society - if only for a year.

I think the highlight of the week was moving away from our neighbours who can now scream at and hit each other without keeping us awake every night. The miserable wench saw us packing the last of our belongings when she arrived home by taxi at 4pm (who gets a taxi at 4pm?) and walked past us, smiled and said "See ya later!".

I felt like replying: "Hope not!" but I've been in England too long and so I just smiled and thought I hope you choke on a pretzel you rabid mongrel.

We're having a week of quality time with Tam's parents before we leave the country. There's not much to write about other than we're in Machynlleth in North Wales, eating, drinking and walking Gemma the Labrador.

I heard Welsh spoken for the first time yesterday. That's not in the sense that the tourist information office puts it on for people who've come to gawk at the natives, this was a conversation where the speakers were oblivious to anyone listening. It felt good to see that the language is still alive.