Travel Tips

Well, it seems strange starting this after being in Netherlands for 7 months. After being offered a role as sales manager -Europe/Africa with my company and finally accepting, i had three weeks to pack up my life, house, etc and move. Hence, no farewell parties (i am not good at these, didn't have one when i moved to Syd either).

I rented my house out, sent the babies to mom and dad's (which by the way, they have totally settled into life at the country club and i am sure do not miss me at all). packed 5 bags and jumped on a plane.

I arrived in Holland at the start of winter - not a smart time to visit Europe Nth. I had a very hard time in the initial months trying to get through the winter here, not seeing sun (seriously i didn't see the sun for days and days at a time), especially after the lovely mild summers of Sydney. A few visits to Russia, and Estonia made me realise that it was not actually that cold in Holland (relatively!!) - but there was sun, even if it was -15C.

I first found a house in Utrecht to house sit for four months, then decided to move closer to Amsterdam - where i am now. Holland is lovely in spring - all the trees have leaves, and the gardens are full of colour - yes, lots of tulips. The Dutch are very proud of their gardens (and rightly so - they are lovely). I am now living in Amstelveen, about 15 mins from Amsterdam. Am sharing a house with another Expat work mate (well, sharing when we are both there - he travels as much as i do). I am enjoying it being closer to the "big" city of holland :)

I have done a bit of sightseeing around Amsterdam with Dave when he came to visit from Germany, and Ness when she was on her contiki tour, and a little bit on my own. Also been for a few country drives (now the weather is nicer) to explore the small towns the exist here (Gouda, Delft are a few).

So just as i am getting to know this country, i am going to move to UK, Oxford with the company. We are setting up an international office and three of us are moving over there. Not there yet, have a few work visa issues to work out first.

Well, a bit of an update, i am not living in Manchester...would like to say sunny manchester, but there is about as much sun in Manchester as in Amsterdam :) Oh well, so this is the next leg of my work journed.

Moved here just after Christmas and decided to live in the city centre. However, have been getting out and exploring the surrounding countryside - which is rather pretty So will try and update my pages with some english travels.