Finally

We are now fully moved in and unpacked, have got tv, internet etc etc sorted and our tv license, counsel tax, gas and electric.

I think some explanation is required here. In the UK, you are required to have a license to watch tv or taped shows or over the internet, it will cost us £135 a year for a colour license. The license fee is basically used to pay for BBC programming. There is freeview, basically a conglomerate of companies that broadcast digital tv for free, some on a limited time schedule but free is good, as long as you get a tv that has a receiver built in. If not you can get one for £50 - £75.

Counsel tax is a tax levied by the counsel (the local government) to pay for road work, schools etc, it is based on the value of your property, just like propert taxed in Canada but is also charged here for flats and apartments. Thats another £1300 a year!!

We are settling into a routine now, the people at the local shops are getting used to us showing up. We have done a good recognizance of the area. We are in Harrow weald, a 10 min walk East is the High Street, 10 min North West is Hatch End High Street and Wealdstone High Street, South East about 15min. High street's are for those that don't know, are typically the main street in the town which has most the shops, usually have a pedestrian walk and/or a shopping mall attached. Julie and I have walked all these areas most every day and we know the best markets, shops, restaurants etc. I found the “Local”, the Letchford Arms, it is a Tied house, meaning tied to a brewery and they supply the beer(some even own the pub and rent/lease out to the publican), this one is under Greene king. Conversely a Free House has no ties and can sell what they like. We have met some characters here but it is friendly but clearly is a local, not big on tourists.

We have Josh in the waiting list for school and hopefully will find out where he will be going by September. In regards to school, Josh being 15, should be going into his 11th year, the year of his GCSE's. It is massively confusing system, but from what I can gather, school is compulsory from 3 to 16 years of age. At the end of the compulsory period at 16, all students pass the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exam. Receiving five or more A*–C grades, including English and Maths, is often a requirement for taking A levels in the school sixth form or college after leaving secondary school. Most universities typically require a C or better in English and Maths, regardless of a student's performance in their other A-level marks . If you don't get those marks it is possible to retake the test and this is done often to be able to get into College or Sixth form school. Usually 3 subjects are picked to pass for their exam and get a notation with the highest grade being A. A GCSE at grades D–G is a Level 1 qualification, while a GCSE at grades A*–C is a Level 2 qualification. So basically level 1 – go to work or college learn a trade, level 2 to go to 6 form getting ready for University studies. Schooling is paid for (except for books and some incidentals) until you turn 18 on August 31 of that year. Unless you are going to a tutoring school to help with GCSE's, A levels etc. I told you...confusing.

Our Community Shield tickets sorted, The Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) is the first competition before the start of the regular season of the Premier League. Typically played between the winner of the FA Cup and the Premier League winner from the previous season. That would be Chelsea on both fronts!!! So, in that case the Premier league runner-up plays (Manchester United) The match is played at Wembley stadium. Julie is chuffed (Brit slang for pleased or delighted), her first time at Wembley stadium and I am as well.

I received a job offer this week. I had sent an emails to some of my work contacts back in Canada and got an answer from the president of a company called Team Solutions. John then called my immediately..good sign. I have known John for over 25 years and have kept in touch, on and off over the years. I have had job offers from him in the past but we just couldn't get to a deal. The job would be close to Derby however, about a 2.5hr drive North :-( Have an interview on Monday, so fingers crossed!! Julie has a lead on a job at an Audi dealership through a contact we met at our local, so things are looking good

Mahalo,

Burger