Saturday 26 November 2011

Home Sweet Home

Hi all,

Well, its been a long time since my last post and has felt like a long wait.  But my wife and I finally arrived back into the UK together a few days ago.  After a couple of busy days she's having a snooze so I thought it would be a good time for an update.

I flew out to Thailand just over a week ago to help my wife pack up.  I decided to make the trip over and travel back together as my wife is a nervous traveller at the best of times, never mind flying half-way around the world alone for the first time.  Not only that, but it also gave me a chance to say a little farewell to Thailand as I think it is going to be a while before we can go back.  Not the cheapest way of doing things but was the best way for us.

bye bye Thailand

So on a bright sunny Thursday lunchtime we arrived into Newcastle airport.  Another reason for me wanting to travel back with my wife, was so that I could be with her if she faced any hard questions at the border.  After hearing about some not-so-nice immigration officers at the London airports we were a little nervous about what she could expect, but no such issues at Newcastle.  The staff manning the queues were very friendly and helpful and said it was okay for me to join my wife in the non-EU line which wasn't long anyway.  When we reached the front we went up together and to my surprise it was I rather than my wife who faced the questioning.  I was asked how we are related, about my job, how long we have been married and if my wife intends to work here.  That was it, stamped in and all very pleasant and friendly.  My wife wasn't asked any questions at all or asked to produce her TB test certificate.  So from landing, clearing immigration and collecting our baggage was under thirty minutes.

Back home, Janny's first priority was to get everything unpacked, arrange all of her stuff and re-clean the house from top to bottom which I'd done just before leaving anyway.  But it has helped her to settle in and feel at home straight way.  The cold has been an issue and she's wearing several layers of clothes to bed but she is taking it all in her stride and I'm sure she'll get used to it.

After unpacking and getting sorted the last thing we felt like doing was going out and doing the shop, luckily there is an excellent Thai takeaway just a few minutes walk from our house and that drew a close to our first day together in the UK.




Our next priority will be to get Janny added to the council tax, registered at the doctors, dentist etc etc.

We'll keep you posted with our progress in the UK.  After all it's still only the beginning of a long journey for us.  But for now........life is good!!

Cheers
Steve