luckykaa

So, having breakfasted, unloaded the van, and turned the new flat into a box fortress wed decided to get an early start to Ikea.

Holly The Evil Satnav took us most of the way there but decided to send us right when the entrance to the store was to the left. Damn you Tomtom! Why can't you store entry points? Once again I was uirged to make a u-turn which I ignored. Instead I took a wobbly route around the streets to turn around. Plenty of room to park but no specific parking spaces for larger vans.

Too early to eat so we set off. For those not familiar with Ikea, the bulk of the store is a showroom, where items are labelled with a location in the self service storeroom. You write down the item code and location of the items on a pad (provided at various locations) with a pencil (also provided) and pick up the flatpacks at the end of the trip. Smaller items can be picked up on the way, and put into a heavy duty plastic bag (also provided). flickums started loading the bag with scented candles.

Sofas first. We needed to test several for snugglability.I found there was free wifi, plus a handy app for the shopping list so downloaded that while testing the comfort of the sofa. The sofa was quite comfy. Had a tryout of the desk I liked the look of. It was too low. This is why it's better to go to a showroom than mail order. I did find the idea of a pop-up power socket kinda cool but it was horribly expensive. My vanity demanded that I get a wardrobe with mirrored doors. Actually it was a really nice configurable design. I have a rail various hooks, a couple of shelves and some pull out drawers. Will enjoy building that. Also bought some under-bed storage now that I have a bed I can store things under. Have since realised that I probably went overboard here. I won't have access to two of those drawers.

Was a little disappointed at the pickup area. The sofa was way too big and heavy for the two of us. And the staff weren't willing to help. Also the hinges for the wardrobe were out of stock. Although decided to go for a 4 pack instead of a 3 pack, oddly, for the same price. Decided to get an armchair as a temporary measure while I decide on the sofa situation.

But, mustn't forget the most important aspect of any Ikea trip: meatballs! Flickums insisted. I was tempted by the loganberry jam.

Really should have bought some jam when I was there.

Also a cutlery tray.

Maybe I should head back. Get the jam.

Getting keys to new flat today. Moving stuff there tomorrow. Ikea on Sunday.

I seem to be inordinately excited about this trip. I think it's because I'm still a bit of a materialist at heart, and want my own stuff. Even if it is highly generic Ikea stuff. Ikea is generic, but inexpensive, reasonably stylish and unless you get the cheapest stuff, durable enough. If it does break it's easily replaced.

I want a nice rug! And I want some under bed storage. And more shelves! And a decent computer desk.

Just wondering whether I want one of their sofas.

And what colour to get.

Must remember to get a colour that doesn't hide remote controls.

Part 3 of the epic "Luckykaa moves home" series

I signed up to Three before I moved in, because Vodafone PAYG seemed really bad value for money. And I knew I'd want some sort of internet access short term. Figured tethering would do me for the short term.

Arrived at new flat. I got reception near the window, if I stood in exactly the right place. Zero bars. Not quite good enough for reliable browsing.

Thought I'd try to get Internet on a Stick. Tesco is open 24 hours. Sadly the local superstore didn't sell them. The big out of town store probably does but theit phone store was closed b the time I got there. (Was also planning to buy food but all the freezers had broken so that was out of the question too). Considered buying a pair of scissors but since they were all packaged in ways that need scissors to open I decided against that too.

Ordered a new SIM from Gifgaff. It took a long time to arrive but I may have ignored it initially because it looks like junk mail. Still, plugged it in, and set it up, and didn't have internet access. No information on how to get internet access.  No number I can call. Only help is available online. It's that damn Zen scissor riddle again!

Eventually using the slow unreliable Three connection I got information on how to set up giffgaff internet. And it worked! It was fantastic! Fast reliable solid 3 bars! It meant I could actually use the internet properly until Cable guy arrived.

Cable guy arrived after about 10 minutes.

Have now moved into new home. It's an odd place and not quite perfect. It's furnished, but I have furniture. The living room is miles away from the kitchen. It has 2 bedrooms and I only need one (one will become a dining room).

The kitchen is upstairs. This is weird. flickums declared it The Upside Down House. I agree wholeheartedly.

But on the plus side, it has a good kitchen (gas hob!), is in a good location and has heaps of space. Plus a few cubby holes where I can keep my junk.

Semi moved in.

Finding a place to live is stressful. It would be easier if I wasn't working... So far I've managed to look at a whpping 3 places!

Place 1 was a house. Out in the middle of nowhere.

I don't want a house.

Place 2 was a hobbit hole. Small but cosy.

The induction hob was tempting. There's something to be said for a city centre location. Can get it furnished if I want. Very small though. Basically a large kitchen with furnishings. I liked the agent. She seemed keen and knowledgable, but not pushy.

Place 3 is another city centre location.

Small living room. Really convenient for John Lewis! Spare room. Could actually set it up so the small bedroom is the bedroom, the large one is the living room and the living room is the dining room. Tempting, but expensive.

My other problem here is that the flats each come with a washing machine. I already have a washing machine. No idea what I'd do with that. It's better than the included one.

Oh well. Two more to look at today. Perhaps they'll be better.

I am tempted by the hobbit hole, as a 6 month stop-gap measure. I'd at least be able to move some of my stuff up, and I could move in immediately (or as soon as I bedsheets and duvets). I could keep most of my stuff in storage in Brighton. I do only want this place until I can be in a position to buy.

Have finally moved the last of my stuff into the new apartment. Not as nice as the old one but at least I get to stay here for more than 3 months. Took a total of 4 journeys. I guess it would have been easier to have hired a car but I dread driving in Berlin.

It's a good location. Granted it is a little further from the station. Still walking distance if I don't feel like waiting for a tram though. What's great is that it's in Prenzlauerberg! So easy to get to all the places that the various social groups like to organise. Went to an Internations event under the TV Tower the other day! Kinda cool bar. Little hipsterish perhaps. TV Tower itself looks like it's worth a visit.

Having moved in I went and bought a new telly. Then I went and bought groceries because I have my priorities right. However I still need to do another shopping trip because once again the kitchen facilities are rubbish. No decent knife, no small saucepans. The frying pan is a shallow saucepan which is find for a lot of potential frying but I really need sloped sides. Boards are not colour coded so have no idea which I should use for what.

Having got used to the fact that everywhere is shut on a Sunday I was going to do a bit of shopping on Saturday afternoon. There are several kitchen shops and similar. Turns out they close at 1pm.

So, just the epic task of unpacking and organising to do. Sigh.

So, I have returned to Britain.

Moved out of my place in Brussels. Found I had nowhere to live except my parents. Now this is fine for a short time, but I think if I spend more than a week there I'm not visiting but living with my parents, which is a bit sad really. So I put out a call for people I know with a spare room. fortunately for me, shebit had a room becoming available, and hadn't had time to interview for other people so I took that.

Have now moved in, and moved surplus stuff out of my parents' place. Somehow this stuff has expanded considerably. I probably need to throw some of this stuff out. I have no idea how I got it to Belgium in the fist place though. I only did a couple of trips I'm sure. It's obviously breeding or something.

Now I'm looking for my next contract. Samsung didn't want me. But then that's based in Staines which is dull. TomTom wanted to give me a second interview, and that's based in Amsterdam. Have also had interest from an oil drilling services company in Norway, and one agent suggested a Finnish games middleware company which may be a little too games related for my taste but worth a look.

So if I get that I'll be moving on again, and have to work out what to do with what will probably grow to a vast quantity of luggage without my adding to it. I also have a storage locker full of my stuff. Stuff that I would like to be reunited with at some point. I'm a materialist and I miss my possessions. If I get this job I'll really want to get a flat and to shift it from storage to wherever I end up living. I guess Sean (my "man with a van who can") who helped me with my washing machine last year would be able to drive to me if I get the Amsterdam job. If I get the Norway one or the Finland one this is less likely.

Anyone know where I can get a sapient pearwood travelling trunk?

It was a shame to turn down a friend's invitation, but this place is a tip, I have a visitor tomorrow.  I seem to spend so much time just keeping this place tidy.  I'm not even in a lot of the time.  Junk just piles up.  And I have the eternal issue of too much junk and too little storage space.  I should get rid of some of this stuff.

The problem really comes from those weeks when I have 2 weeks away followed by a busy weekend.  I produce a whole load of laundry, have a car full of stuff to clear up, have most likely spent a weekend making stuff that produced a pile of debris.  It builds up.  So I now have a slightly tidy home, and while by bedroom is still a tip, at least I can see where the floor is.  I shall have another attack tomorrow.

Next step is to work out what the hell I should do with my computer setup. I suddenly have too many printers.  I should probably retire and dispose of the Deskjet 550C but that seems such a shame.  Plus, I have far too much media that only works with the inkjet.  Seems a shame to waste it.  Ink is getting harder and harder to source though and less and less reliable. 

Failed to get any writing done.  Maybe I'll bash out a few words later but all I want to do is collapse.

Well, Place 2 was taken.  Place 1 is still available so will take that.  Hopefully landlady will not murder me in my sleep.

Decisions are so much easier when there isn't one.

Maybe I'm just being too choosy.

What I want is somewhere convenient for Welwyn garden city (ideally train-able or even better - walkable).  That does give a decent selection of places.  Also must have somewhere to sit, somewhere to cook, somnewhere to shower and somewhere to park.  Ideally also a desk.  I'm sure that's not asking too much.

The thing is a lot of the nice looking places aren't available until 8th August. 

The first place I saw was perfect. Sadly there was a lot of interest so I didn't get it.  Arranged another place but the owner decided to let it to a friend.  Emailed several places (most people don't give phone numbers) but don't seem to get a lot of replies.  Looked at a couple of places today.  First one there was no answer.  Second I felt I'd get very lonely and miserable there.  It was a huge place where I'd be essentially on my own.  Been there.  Done that.  It's very miserable. 

I can afford hotels for the entire duration of the contract if I must.  Would rather not but I can afford to be a little choosy.