Flatmates

When I first moved to London flatmates were an adjustment. I went from having my own house, with lots of space to sharing small London flats (some very small) with others that I didn't know. I've learned a lot over the past 4 years and come to appreciated my flatmates who make up my family here in London. It is nice to come home to a house full of people.

All in all I've shared space with 12 other people over the years. Some were dossers, those that stay temporarily on your coach while looking for their own place. All of whom I have stayed in touch with (minus the crazies). 

One thing learned is it isn't always easy to vet out the crazies in meeting someone for 20 minutes, about the length of a flatmate interview.  Another is, it can be a harder to flatshare with someone who owns the flat, you never feel on equal footing or that you have a say in how the flat is set up.  Over all it is best to stay flexible when it comes to common areas, be respectful of your flatmates, pay your bills on time, buy your share of toilet roll, and do your share of the cleaning.

Tweasel, it doesn't feel like home without my kitty around.

Camden Flat "Family Night Out"

Part of the fun is learning about another contries culture, and traditions, and sharing your own Olympic Hockey - Go Canada!

Girls night out

Some flatmates are temporary, aka dossers. 

Current and past flatmates.

My current flatmate and lovely boyfriend.

The one where Tweasel (my kitty) arrives from Canada!

After being in England for 18 months it was time to make a decision about Tweasel, find a place for us to live, or give up on having her join me in England.  Giving her up was too sad so I went on a new search for a suitable flat that would allow a cat. I found a lovely flat that was bright and spacious and had a cat living in it, the catch it was about £100 over my budget. I would have Tweasel but I would struggle and have no life. I turned it down, gave it a weeks break and started again.  This time I found a flat that fit my budget was in a good location and I would be sharing with only 1 other person.

I gave my current flatmate/landlady my notice. The next day my flatmate/landlady said she would rather have me and Tweasel and deal with her allergies than lose me.  Very sweet of her to say, and I was ecstatic not to have to go through moving, and stay in Notting Hill. So other than having telling the other flat I wasn't moving in after all it was ideal.

Tweasel recovering from jet-lag. 

Out on the town.

In London there is always something going on, and the Christmas season is doubly busy.  Below are some pictures of my first birthday in London spent with friends in one of my favourite bars in Notting Hill, as well as some of the Christmas parties, there was 4 work ones in total. 

Trailer Happiness, a kitsch basement bar I really like in Notting Hill, it reminds me of hanging out in friends basements in Canada, notice the wood panel walls. 

The Volcano drink, they light it on fire for you, very dramatic.

Some of the Sky Sports girls and I at the  Football department Christmas party.

Soccer Saturday (one of the shows I do travel for) with Helen, Alan.

Some of the guests I book travel for.

Boys being boys... Tony, Condo and Tony. 

Rob, Jess, Helen, and me.

Night out Soccer Saturday

Notting Hill

Here are some shots of the area I live now. This is part of the street I live on. I love the colors of the houses along this section.

Just a couple random cute houses.

My coffee shop.

As winter is approaching I think I will find myself spending more time here at my favourite cafe with super comfy big leather couches. I will miss sunning in the parks of London but winter here isn't so long as in Halifax, and spring actually exists!

Riverside life.

Some of the amazing houses along the river, they are so diverse.

I love all the different colored roses growing on the front of this one.