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Well it took long enough – 6 weeks since we called to arrange it – but today I had an interview with JobCentre Plus to get my National Insurance number.

National Insurance numbers are the key piece of identification for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to collect tax and national insurance contributions. Up until you get this number you make contributions at an ‘emergency’ rate. The sooner you get this number the better because you have to wait until early April (end of financial year) to get the money back.

So today was a big day and boy did they make me earn the right to get this number. I really thought it was going to be a breeze but as it turns out, what I thought and what actually happened were two different things. IT WAS A GRILLING. I never realised how important dates you entered the country, dates you started living at the address on the myriad of documents you have to provide in support of your application. When I started to um and ahh about the exact date and then follow-up with a story all I got was a blank look. My saving grace was that I spoke English and that I was from Australia and my interviewer really wanted to go. He had heard such lovely things about the sun-burnt country.

Christmas party tomorrow night – I think it could be a big one. Katherine and I have some new clothes which is such a relief as we’ve been without the extended wardrobe for a while now.

I must admit it’s great hearing from old friends. I really appreciate all the e-mails that you all send me – I will write you back.

Week two at work was interesting. I never thought that I could be a salesman – but for a couple of days at the London ExCel I was doing just that. The Pension Exhibition was an industry show that all the major players turned up for. We were there generating interest in our software across the pension industry. It’s interesting to see how far behind the UK market is compared to Australia – especially in the process efficiency area. There is so much potential and the market is just massive!

I’m heading out for the rest of the day to do some shopping (or should I say looking as I don’t get paid until tomorrow).

Take care.

Well the first day of work came and went – all very nicely actually. I’m quite happy with the choice I made. What I did notice is that I had withdrawal symptoms from not being around Katherine! We’d been spending so much time together I missed having her around.

I must admit there is a lot of work on at the moment and there’s no time for boredom to set in.

Heading down tomorrow morning to Chichester to catch up with Youdie. I will take the camera down there and manage to get more photos on to Flickr (and therefore this site).

I forgot to mention that Grossy, Youdie and myself went to watch Chelsea victorious (2 – 0) at home against Schalke 04 in the Champions League. Since my boy Jose left Stamford Bridge, uneasiness has swept over the Blues, but new manager Avram Grant seems to be getting them on the right track. Time will tell – I hope they flog the Gunners (at Emirates) when the time comes. Then again I could be dreaming as the boys in red seem to be in some of their best form in a while.

Here’s a link to more:

I’ve been playing tourist in London for the past 3 weeks in between searching for jobs. I found one such job a couple of weeks ago now working as a consultant for a software company specialiasing in virtual banking technology in the city. I start on Monday morning – which will be a culture shock come 6:30am when the alarm sounds for the first time in eleven or so weeks since I finished work at my previous job in Melbourne!

Katherine and I are well – I probably need to get the exercise regime sorted again soon, but gym membership is going to have to wait until I get paid at the end of the month (all in arrears).

All in all it’s great living London. We’ve had some brilliant weather but it changes so much it reminds me of Melbourne. I’ve woken this morning to news that a great storm surge on the east coast has occurred – apparently this happens fairly frequently.

Anyway I hope you are all safe and sound. Perhaps you have had a win at the spring carnival. I don’t have the carnival here but the Apple iPhone goes on sale here today. Pity about the 18-month contract at £35/month and a £269 upfront handset cost. That makes it a pretty expensive piece of gear at £899 – but it is so cool.

Stay safe.