London one-way!

Yesterday mum and I went to the Travel Expo in the city, held at the Old Exhibition Building. I tended to focus on a few of the issues we’ve currently been having when talking to the exhibitors, and not just picking up random pamphlets for random places that, let’s face it, I really won’t be getting to within the next 12 months!

I found out the difference between quarantine and customs, which yeah, I really never knew. And told the guy I think it sucks that I can’t take my knitting needles on the plane because I might stab someone with them – what am I supposed to do for a 24 hour flight?! Even a small tiny sewing needle isn’t allowed.

I found out a lot of information about the different insurance companies, a drunk Russian lady for Renault let me know that you don’t need an International Driver’s Licence unless you plan to drive in Spain, Portugal or Italy. Whether or not I trust what she says is under debate. Because I’ve been looking around I’m aware of my prices and I bought a combination lock, tag locks, a European adaptor, hanging shower bag and, oh yeah, a suitcase that, because we caught the train into the city I then had to lug back down to Melbourne Central!

I’ve decided to go blue (not green!) with all my accessories – suitacase, backpack, etc. so I have some commonalities, but one guy I spoke to made a really good point when he said he’s looking for the ugliest pack ever – to ward off thieves. He also made a good recommendation, saying I should make my bags look really “wanky” (his word) not only so they stand out, but again to deter thieves. Puff paint here I come!

 

A sigh of relief comes tonight and it’s all thanks to Daniella at the British High Commission. She has been looking after my visa application, and has been conversing with the passport department about my applications. Basically I explained the difficulty I’ve had getting original documents and Daniella gave me another option. I have one more document she needs to see, and I can get Right of Abode, which is better than a UK Ancestry visa. The right of abode will allow me to work and live in the UK indefinitely. How cool is that? I can still apply for the passport overseas, which is worth doing because the passport gives me more freedom in Europe. Once I hunt down the remaining documents overseas I can apply for the UK passport.

For now – I can live there as long as I want.

Lija texted me last night to say "OMG I can't believe it's April 1st, not long to go now, how exciting!"

My reply wasn't so positive. "SHIT"

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