Wednesday 1st June
Today we picked up our residence permit (yay) and went on to Kings Cross where Amy had an interview with a nursing agency. I took this opportunity to hire a bike and punch around Kings Cross and the Regent's Canal.
After Amy's interview we tried to open an bank account with Lloyds bank as they only need a passport and visa (tried 5 Lloyds banks to get an account open on the day but no bingo), we managed to book an appointment on Friday to open zee account. After this it was around 3pm so we used the rest of the day visit some of the main attractions inside London City.
Key points:
- Santander Cycles - So easy to get around and first 30min of each journey of the hire is FREE. So effectively you can ride from bike docking point to docking point around the key locations of London for nothing. The bike lanes and infrastructure is so much better than Melbourne! A cheap fun way to experience London. There is even a cycle superhighway.
- In most cafes you have to pay an additional 10-20pence to sit down and have a coffee rather than takeaway. Expect to pay 2.50 pound for a coffee.
- Just under 5 pound for a pint of beer at the pub, 1 pound for a 500mm can of beer at Tesco (the supermarket).
Thursday 2nd June
Today Amy had an 8hr training day with a nursing agency, so I was left alone to explore. I visited Brick Lane, a couple of blocks away from our accommodation, and then cycled down the the River Tames to see Tower Bridge and the London Tower which was bloody interesting. Some old stuff dating back to 200AD (the London wall built by the Romans).
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| The Great London Fire Monument - 1666 |
I also visited the sight of The Great London Fires in 1666, before coming back to our accommodation for an arvo nap. Amy had finished up and was back around 6pm after a big training day, was offered a full time job straight up (unfortunately the travel plans will postpone this), so we went down to Shoreditch for a beer and a catch up with an old school mate who has been living here for the last 3 years.
Todays points:
- Shoreditch is just like north side Melbourne, its trendy alternative ways are not too dissimilar to Brunswick/Thornbury which we loved about Melb!
- After two days we've ran out of phone credit (supplied by Lyca) - pretty disappointed with this service.
- Single speed bikes everywhere - I neeeeeeeed one!
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| Wrecker Dadswell - the great man |
Friday 3st June
Set up bank account - check
Visit Borough Market - check
Take Amy to tower bridge - check
Finalise paperwork with Amy's nursing agency - check
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| London wall - 200AD!!!! freaking old man |
Overall a pretty successful day, saw a few sights did a few jobs. Not an overly exciting but all in all a good day. Didn't spend as much money (averaging around 150AUD a day at the moment... not including accommodation) Early night and we'll have a big day visiting some sights and exploring another couple of markets.
- Borough Market is nearly my highlight of London - Salted beef bagel 10/10
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| Borough Market - salted beef bagel |
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