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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Moving to the UK!
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Hi all,
I'd like to declare that, for love and/or labour, I'm moving to England!
Me and the woman in my life will be settling down in Chertsey, just southwest of London, for an indeterminate time period. Now, I'd like to ask the Ship whether they have any advice for this Scandinavian moving to England?
Culturally, I expect it to be somewhat stiffer, but the humour is fairly shared as is the general European way of life, I feel. What little experience I've had has taught me that the Brits are worse drivers than the Italians, but apart from that they seem fairly reasonable. What else should I know?
Does anyone know of any good restaurants or evening entertainment in the Kingston area? Any advice for churches? Where can one find nice sporting company? Feel free to write in this thread or PM me!
I'm moving in on the 18th May. Anyone up for a Shipmeet?
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Oh, by the way, on the 18th of May me and the Woman are planning to purchase a sofa in Richmond. Neither of us have either a van or have had driver's licenses in Britain for long enough to rent one, so we're looking for a cheap man with a van service in Surrey/southwest London. Does anyone on the Ship know of and could recommend such a service?
We would also be open to a job centre client with the required infrastructural status (over 25 and had driver's licence for 3 years and thus able to rent and drive a van or trailer) at a reasonable fee + dinner at Nando's, if anyone knows a person whom that would interest! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Kitten
Shipmate
# 1179
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Posted
Good luck with the move An De Freude. My Son was at university in Kingston and lived there for a few years after so I have visited it a few times.
I can't advise on Churches there but there it ( or was anyway) a very good vegetarian restaurant called the Riverside Vegetaria, a little expensive but very good quality.
You will not be far from Hampton Court, always well worth a visit, they have ice skating there in the winter
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Maius intra qua extra
Never accept a ride from a stranger, unless they are in a big blue box
Posts: 2330 | From: Carmarthenshire | Registered: Aug 2001
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
Are you sure you're doing the right thing, An De Freude? This is a horrible country. Everything I've heard about Sweden suggests you'd be better off staying there.
But still, if your mind is made up, welcome!
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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Ferijen
Shipmate
# 4719
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Posted
Many furniture shops will deliver your sofa for you, for a charge. Also, if you're on a budget, check out charity shop furniture stores (who will also delivery on a budget).
Italians are FAR worse drivers than us, you must have got confused (although I'll grant you that inside the M25 its all a bit crazy).
Welcome to our green and pleasant land!
Posts: 3259 | From: UK | Registered: Jul 2003
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
I can't offer any advice about Surrey - it's not an area I know at all - but would like to wish you and Mrs. Freude all the best in your new abode.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
Re. evening entertainments: the New Victoria Theatre in Woking has a lot of good "mainstream" shows. For "proper theatre" you might prefer to go to the Richmond Theatre although it's further away - about 35 minutes on the train with a quick change at Staines (car parking in Richmond is difficult and pricey).
You can, of course, easily go up on the train to London. Waterloo Station (where you arrive) isn't exactly at the heart of things although it is very near to the excellent South Bank Centre (for top-notch concerts etc.)
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
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Posted
And don't forget, you are never far from an Ikea store. Your nearest would be the Three Chimneys in Croydon. Just in case you get that homesick feeling. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by jacobsen:
And don't forget, you are never far from an Ikea store.
You are, here in deepest East Anglia. Our nearest one is 65 miles away.
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by jacobsen:
And don't forget, you are never far from an Ikea store.
You are, here in deepest East Anglia. Our nearest one is 65 miles away.
That's a hop, skip and a jump, BT - ours is 1550 miles away. ![[Waterworks]](graemlins/bawling.gif)
eta: including an overnight boat journey ... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
[ 29. April 2015, 14:48: Message edited by: Piglet ]
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Thank you all for your kind advice!
I shall have to look into the Riverside Vegetaria, Kitten, thank you very much!
As for Sweden, it's somewhat overrated unless you're precisely like everyone else and sternly aim to keep it so.
Me and the Woman (not yet a Mrs, albeit the odds seem to be in our favour) have already decided and paid a deposit on a sofa from Gumtree, and are looking for the best way to bring it home once we move in.
Thank you also for theatre and IKEA advice! This is all very much appreciated!
And on a last note, I have travelled in Italy, America, China, the UK and a handful of other countries, and whereas the British drivers outrank the Chinese, the Italians are at least two or three positions ahead. (Not to mention the French.) ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Chocoholic
Shipmate
# 4655
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Posted
I like the Kingfisher pub by Chertsey Bridge, the food is good but not that cheap. On the other side of the bridge is the boathouse which is a nice restaurant.
Kingston is a nice place to shop too.
Chertsey was hit hard by flooding last year so it may be worth seeing if it affected where you are moving to and any effect on insurance but the government have said they are investing in flood defences there.
Posts: 773 | From: London | Registered: Jun 2003
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
[tangent]
For really bad driving try the road from Colombo to Kandy in Sri Lanka!
[/tangent]
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
I'm sorry - I couldn't resist this. ![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by jacobsen:
And don't forget, you are never far from an Ikea store.
A Swedish colleague here regularly makes the pilgrimage to Sendai, a distance of about 70km, to visit IKEA. A couple of hours by train each way.
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
[tangent]
For really bad driving try the road from Colombo to Kandy in Sri Lanka!
[/tangent]
We were discussing the question of why different countries drive on different sides of the road, making a list of "left" and "right", and then thought of some places where it's "whichever side I feel like".
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
It certainly is like that in Cairo, and some argue in Italy as well. As a bit of trivia, in the early days of motoring the rule of the road in Italy was to keep to the left in towns, and to the right out of them. Or perhaps the other way around. My authority for this is an article in one of the UK motoring magazines by a man who drove his 2 cylinder Riley from the UK to Italy. Even allowing for time out when he badly burnt his hand, it took an extraordinary length of time, very much longer than had he put the car on the back of a train once he had crossed the Channel.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
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Sandemaniac
Shipmate
# 12829
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
We were discussing the question of why different countries drive on different sides of the road, making a list of "left" and "right", and then thought of some places where it's "whichever side I feel like".
Do I recall rightly that Sweden changed in the 1960s?
AG
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"It becomes soon pleasantly apparent that change-ringing is by no means merely an excuse for beer" Charles Dickens gets it wrong, 1869
Posts: 3574 | From: The wardrobe of my soul | Registered: Jul 2007
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IngoB
Sentire cum Ecclesia
# 8700
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by An die Freude:
What little experience I've had has taught me that the Brits are worse drivers than the Italians, but apart from that they seem fairly reasonable. What else should I know?
I don't think that the British are particularly bad drivers, and I'm a German... The main problem British drivers seem to have is that they think lane markings are largely decorative, in particular in curves. However, British road planning is atrocious, indeed, often vicious. If your stress levels were constantly high while driving on British roads, then I would bet it was mostly from trying to find out just where you are supposed to go and how you could possibly do so without smashing into various other streams of traffic. And I don't know how Sweden is on roundabouts, but they love driving in circles around here. In any other country on earth, the inventors of the magic roundabout would have been hung, drawn and quartered. And yes, I have driven through this particular road planning insanity.
On the upside, this is the only country I have ever lived in where (1) you do not need to do anything about your health insurance, you just are insured, and (2) you don't need to do any kind of tax return if you are just a regular employee. On the downside, getting your children educated decently around here requires either a lot of luck, or a lot of organisation, or a lot of money.
I moved two years ago to Reading, Berkshire, which is not far from you. If you need further "expat" tips, just ask...
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They’ll have me whipp’d for speaking true; thou’lt have me whipp’d for lying; and sometimes I am whipp’d for holding my peace. - The Fool in King Lear
Posts: 12010 | From: Gone fishing | Registered: Oct 2004
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Karl: Liberal Backslider
Shipmate
# 76
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Posted
British drivers in the main aren't quite as mad as Italy, but do tend towards the impatient and are quite ignorant as a rule of the needs and rights of more vulnerable road users. Put it another way, if you motorcycle, cycle or walk they will harass you and try to force you out of their way.
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Might as well ask the bloody cat.
Posts: 17938 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: May 2001
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
We were discussing the question of why different countries drive on different sides of the road, making a list of "left" and "right", and then thought of some places where it's "whichever side I feel like".
Do I recall rightly that Sweden changed in the 1960s?
AG
Yes, in the late 60s, to do away with the strange layout of border crossings where bridges would guide you to the altered rule.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Gee D:
Do I recall rightly that Sweden changed in the 1960s?
AG
quote:
Yes, in the late 60s, to do away with the strange layout of border crossings where bridges would guide you to the altered rule.
I have a photograph, taken in the 1950s, of a sign above a small road on the Norwegian-Swedish border quite far north. It tells drivers to change sides. I couldn't understand the language, but the idea was clear.
Moo
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Kerygmania host
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See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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Chocoholic
Shipmate
# 4655
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Posted
I don't know if gardens are your thing but RHS Wisley is quite close by, as are a few more arond there.
An annual membership to Wisley is worth it if you plan to visit a few times. It can be a bit busy at weekends in the summer but is lovely and when you are that close can be great to pop into for an hour or two (spending longer is very easy too).
Some of the area is very well to do, but its also quite a mix.
Posts: 773 | From: London | Registered: Jun 2003
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
British drivers are not that bad - but I did notice in Goteborg that I had merely to look as if I might be thinking of crossing a road for traffic to stop.
Whereas in Athens I found the only way to get across a road, even on traffic lights, was to tuck in behind a Greek granny.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
Whereas in Athens I found the only way to get across a road, even on traffic lights, was to tuck in behind a Greek granny.
Bill Bryson suggests that in order to cross a street in Rome, find a group of nuns and stick to them like a wet t-shirt.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
If you gaggle together in a sufficiently large bundle of tourists and pedestrians, it is possible to cross in Rome. They can ram one, three, even half a dozen pedestrians. But after you get to a dozen or so the mass clogs up the tires and damages the body work.
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
Nuns in wet t-shirts are not a pleasing image.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
Nuns in wet t-shirts are not a good image. Please, pretty please, desist.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
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Jane R
Shipmate
# 331
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Posted
Karl: quote:
British drivers in the main aren't quite as mad as Italy, but do tend towards the impatient and are quite ignorant as a rule of the needs and rights of more vulnerable road users. Put it another way, if you motorcycle, cycle or walk they will harass you and try to force you out of their way.
People who drive like that do it to other cars, too, although the consequences of being hit by them are likely to be less serious if you are in another car.
I did a double-take when I saw An die Freude's comment (I haven't been to Italy myself, but I've spoken to people who have) but then realised he was talking about London. British drivers seem to become more considerate the further away you get from London. I used to live in Reading and the drivers there were terrible (when they see a pedestrian on a zebra crossing, they accelerate and God help you if you aren't spry enough to jump out of the way). But they are very considerate in York. It's even safe to cycle on most roads.
And as IngoB says, British roads are... shall we say, exciting. The main roads are mostly OK, but the minor roads were not designed for motor traffic and many rural roads are still single-track with passing places.
Posts: 3958 | From: Jorvik | Registered: May 2001
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:
That, surely, depends on the nun?
It's the wimple, Zappa.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Jane R:
And as IngoB says, British roads are... shall we say, exciting. The main roads are mostly OK, but the minor roads were not designed for motor traffic and many rural roads are still single-track with passing places.
I think it's probably more true to say many rural roads (and some in towns for that matter) weren't designed for the volume of motor traffic we try and force down them, rather than not designed for motor traffic at all. But, that isn't unique to the UK - most countries have probably got more cars on the road than the roads were designed for. It's certainly the case here in Japan, where there are plenty of rural roads that are single track with passing places and in towns roads tend to be very narrow indeed.
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
Mate of mine spent a few days in Japan and on his return to Cardiff decided to try to drive with Japanese courtesy. I think it lasted for about an hour.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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Jane R
Shipmate
# 331
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Posted
Alan: quote:
I think it's probably more true to say many rural roads (and some in towns for that matter) weren't designed for the volume of motor traffic we try and force down them, rather than not designed for motor traffic at all.
That's true, but when I said 'not designed for motor traffic' I was thinking of a road I know in Nottinghamshire which twists and turns like a politician trying to avoid giving a straight answer, and was obviously laid out on the democratic principle of 'You're not taking that through my field!' 'Well, you aren't taking it through MY field either!'
Roads with hairpin bends were less of a problem when the top speed of traffic was however fast a horse could gallop.
Posts: 3958 | From: Jorvik | Registered: May 2001
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Mate of mine spent a few days in Japan and on his return to Cardiff decided to try to drive with Japanese courtesy. I think it lasted for about an hour.
Sometimes the Japanese don't drive with Japanese courtesy either.
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Jane R:
Roads with hairpin bends were less of a problem when the top speed of traffic was however fast a horse could gallop.
Do you know how fast a horse can gallop?
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Hello again and thank you all for the tips and the comments.
As for traffic, I'll have to admit that I've only been to the northern parts of Italy, which may be better than the southern parts or than Rome. In either case, my impression was that whereas the Italians seldom followed rules, they were surprisingly cooperative while doing so. In comparison, the Brits (IME, mainly from London/home counties and a road trip to York) may follow traffic rules, but often do so with a rather unpleasant Jeremy Clarksonesque attitude about it. The ensuing general atmosphere makes for most of my rating of the British drivers.
But apart from that observation (which may or may not be at least somewhat fueled by the amusement of Brits' indignation at the Italian comparison), Britain seems like a really interesting country to explore. Thanks for all the tips on restaurants and things to do!
As I said, I for one would find it very interesting to participate in a shipmeet sometime in late May or June. Any takers?
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Organising shipmeets can be a bit of a nightmare [Shipmates can argue dates and venues for months or years!] and may well benefit from a separate thread in due course when you have found approval to the notion.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Sarasa
Shipmate
# 12271
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Posted
I was thinking it was about time for a Londish shipmeet, so I'm sure one could be organised with only the usual amount of indisicion.
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'I guess things didn't go so well tonight, but I'm trying. Lord, I'm trying.' Charlie (Harvey Keitel) in Mean Streets.
Posts: 2035 | From: London | Registered: Jan 2007
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Curiosity killed ...
Ship's Mug
# 11770
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Posted
I would love to meet you in real life, not the café and will keep an eye out for the suggestions. The last week in May is half term which makes things easier.
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Mugs - Keep the Ship afloat
Posts: 13794 | From: outiside the outer ring road | Registered: Aug 2006
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Pomona
Shipmate
# 17175
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Posted
I live near Basingstoke so not too far away. A ship meet in May would be nice although for some reason I am ridiculously busy with job interviews, hospital appointments etc
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Consider the work of God: Who is able to straighten what he has bent? [Ecclesiastes 7:13]
Posts: 5319 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2012
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Yerevan
Shipmate
# 10383
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Posted
You need a copy of "Watching the English" by Kate Fox. I well remember an Irish friend of mine raving about how it explained EVERYTHING [grin].
Posts: 3758 | From: In the middle | Registered: Sep 2005
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