London Moves Quickly

October 7, 2010

London is the epicentre of “the new” in England. Slang comes quicker and faster than the rain, trends go out of fashion before they know they’re trending, and the news reports on itself. It’s a very strange place, by all accounts, but it has it’s upsides.

If you spend a night out in London you’re likely to hear some of the music that will be coming your way over the coming months. I remember “No Speak Americano” suddenly appearing in the bars of the South country – when I visited London the same week I was taken apart for singing such an over-played song. Apparently we were about a year behind! The prices are absolutely out of this world as well, so unless you’re on a London wage it’s all about wealth management and convincing yourself that you’re paying for a top notch lifestyle (albeit temporarily).

The fashion scene is an absolutely massive market in London: it’s a similar state of affairs in that it usually marks the world of tomorrow for everywhere else in the country. If you’re interested in following it in England I’m afraid it looks as though you’ve arrived a little too late. In true London style the arrangement for the next year has already happened – we’re barely into October and the 2011 spring/summer collection has already been shared.

The wagon has rolled across to Paris for this month – it all ends tomorrow, but you can follow all the latest at the official Fashion Week page. There are preview pictures here but try not to get it wrong. As I’ve already mentioned – London moves faster than most. If I can get ribbed for getting a song that’s out-dated you really need to watch your step when it comes to fashion!

Amazingly, in the race to prove just how much the race to France is hotting up, Siemens have just won out on a contract to produce 800million euros worth of speed train.

The statement said the Siemens trains, which run on electricity, consumed the equivalent of 0.33 litres (0.7 US liquid pints) of petrol per passenger per 100 kilometers (62.5 miles), or “just enough to fill a can of coke.”

It’s a big money game in our fair Capital. High rise, fast paced and full of juice. From music to travel there’s not a second to stand still!

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Moving House in London

June 28, 2010

Moving house can be a bit of a pain. Moving house in our humble city centre can be a lot of a pain. Moving house in London without any friends in the area and no access to a removal company (that you can trust) can be damn near impossible. So what’s the craic?

First things first we’ll be looking at getting valuables stashed somewhere. Instead of trying to force all of your stuff through in one trip (in the car, on the tube.. however you’re planning on doing it) just start working on the least expensive. I know that it sounds simple but it’s something you’re not likely to think about until it’s too late: if you’re carrying a few bits and bobs (that, if you’re honest with yourself, you wouldn’t mind being stolen (hello Christmas presents)) you’re better off making a mistake with those rather than the heirlooms. If you’ve got to get out of the place quick smart this might not be an option for you, so just stick with the “away in one” plan.

When it comes to packing everything together in the van/car make sure you’ve got the most valuable stuff in your possession: front seat is a good idea, otherwise pack it in last so it’s the first thing you can grab at the other end. An important point to note here is the “I’ll remember that” factor: all too often have I packed up cardboard boxes to forget what I’ve filled them with. Label the outside as comprehensively as possible. You never know when you might need your nail clippers.


Secondly make sure you book van rental. You’re going to be looking for a reputed company, and if possible a cheap van hire. Talk to people in the local area, try to avoid “man with van” advertisements as they often end up being a “man with van & several unmarked cardboard boxes for sale”. Van hire London is especially dodgy because of its metropolis nature: you’d do well to see the same person twice in the city centre, let alone a chap who may well have made off with your prized shoe shrank.

Thirdly try to plan your entrance to the new property: there’s nothing more annoying than having to lock the van every time you go back to the house/flat with another armful of your stuff, and this is assuming you don’t have a buddy to a) sit by the van and watch over or b) help you move stuff and require the vehicle to be locked even more frequently. If you can plan a route and even keep your eye on the van you can get away with leaving the back doors open on to your entrance gap. Quick in/out is the key.

The key is simple, really: plan to make it as quick and easy as possible. I still have a certain amount of trust in the human race, but you’d do well to get a security plan together. Take a friend.

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Snakes and Vans

June 14, 2010

As the old saying goes: Snakes and Vans go hand in hand. Wait.

An MOT garage in Bedmont played location to the great snake appearance as Prem Gharu (one of the mechanics) put the finishing touches to a check he was doing on the engine of a van. Hire of an animal handler was definitely not on his mind when he came across a ribbed black lining of what could only be.. rubber? Underneath the bonnet lurked an eight-foot nightmare in the shape of an American Rat Snake: this report suggests that it’s considered one of the more popular house-pets, which immediately puts it into a “safe as houses” category.

Poor Prem wasn’t to know that though, as he “called over one of the apprentices” to see the otherwise motionless reptile begin to squirm.

The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre were called down to take away the slippery intruder, with manager Rob Quest saying: “These types of snake are very common in the pet trade.

“He will have gone missing and was looking for somewhere warm to hide.”

It seems as though all is well in the land of animal rescue, and this can be considered one of the more normal situations in life. Maybe for a mechanic, or a trained animal handler: what about the regular Joe?! I’m no fan of snakes, and if there’s on that’s 8foot, black and right infront of my Swede, I’m liable to be getting a quick-step towards the door.

Of course it’s nothing on finding a Mexican chap in your bonnet, but these are things that I would assume a regular driver might notice after A) feeling the weight of something unusual over the front axle or B) smelling something slightly unusual as the engine begins to heat up.

This leads to my query: how in the name of all things holy can you take a vehicle to be MOT’d without having first checked the engine? I know there’s not really much you can do prior to an MOT when the nerves have kicked in and you’re lacking mechanical training, but having a quick look is part and parcel of letting someone else have a longer look, surely?!

Maybe I’m sounding like a bit of a grumpy granddad now, but I’m starting to think van rental would be a safer option than owning a potential safe haven for snakes in the colder months.

For better or worse, I will not react well if I am ever produced with a “snake in face” scenario. No sirree.

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