My trip to Oxford

[scooterscot]

Another problem with the UK is that although you can earn good money; the cost of living is too high, I know some Eastern European IT workers who have gone back home because although the wages are lower, they have more disposable income.

In Greece there has been rioting because they are going to introduce their version of council tax.

I am also in touch with some expats who moved to Europe and they all say it is the best thing they have ever done for their kids.

Totally Agree with that. You might earn good money but you're pouring it back into the system. As quality decreases it just rubs insult to injury. I understand the need to be defensive but cutting off your nose despite your face is denial.

With our first born newly on the scene, the government support putting €500 in here account every month, bringing her up out here seems like a great opportunity. In my office alone it's not untypical for some individuals to speak 3 languages. It's bad enough UK lacking technical education but our language abilities are really suffering also.

I think my daughter would stand a much better change in the world of work equipped with two languages under her belt. I'm going to make sure she gets that chance.

[shaunbhoy]

I am trying to write a novel in my spare time.

Well with your flimsy intellectual toolbox you'll be disappointed. The "Spot the Dog" market is all sewn up.

[doodab]

Well with your flimsy intellectual toolbox you'll be disappointed. The "Spot the Dog" market is all sewn up.

It might be more along the lines of spot the merchant banker. I'm certainly not expecting Bonfire of the Vanities.

[darrenb]

I think my daughter would stand a much better change in the world of work equipped with two languages under her belt. I'm going to make sure she gets that chance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/sc...versation.html

[scooterscot]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/sc...versation.html

Remember reading that.

A bheil Gàidhlig agaibh?

[darmstadt]

The English people I know who live in Germany seem to find it hard to integrate, probably both sides to blame a little: Germans and Brits can be very insular.

Don't know me then. I hardly know any Brits here and the ones I do know have been here 30+ years and I hardly see them now. Nearly all my friends are German and I spend practically all my time with Germans and that includes my German family. I'm the only English speaking person where I work and for most of my projects that is the case although I can actually see where you're coming from, you want to look at some of the pathetic souls on the Toytown forum...

[darmstadt]

I don't know if it still exists, but 20 years ago your best bet was to go to the Hotel Booking service in the Arrivals Hall. They had a list of Heathrow Hotel rooms to fill and you could get the same hotel at less than half the price than simply turning up, and maybe the bonus of a double room for the price of a single.

Quite a few years ago I did that. Acting as 'tour guide' for 11 East Germans on a trip to see the Rolling Stones at Wembley we didn't have a hotel for the first night. We got some dive in Victoria with 3 rooms to share between us. Some of the lads took the large one in the cellar and bought a load of booze, the couple had the double room and me and a mate went on the piss in London except, yep, all the pubs shut at 11pm. Ended up drinking coffee until midnight then wandered the streets trying to get into various clubs. Eventually some chap accosted us on Tottenham Court Road trying to sell us drugs but we just answered we only wanted alcohol and ended up in some underground boozer...and I won't go any further as I could incriminate myself. Suffice to say, we didn't need our room and the hotel was absolutely ******* tulip.

[eek]

Suffice to say, reader, I married her

FTFY

It does seem to fit so many stories here.

[sasguru]

I'm still trying to visualise your oil paintings.

Don't. With your lack of imagination, it'll be a waste of time