Business Class

It's the only way to fly. This is what business class looks like on a 747. This is on the upper deck of the plane. The seats recline all the way for a good nights sleep. Each seat has it's own TV screen, complete with movie choices, TV shows and games. With an 11 hour flight we were served 2 meals with any drink choice from a full bar. This flight was picked up by Barclays in which we shipped our furniture from Arizona to the UK.

The Smart Car

These little cars are quite popular here. With gas prices $10.50 per gallon this car is cheap as it gets, getting over 50 miles per gallon. It will go over 70 mph and is about the size of a golf cart. There is a sport model that is even smaller with a removable top. It can be parked almost anywhere, and has all of the options.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007

I GUESS THIS IS OUR OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS LETTER..AFTER FINALLY GETTING SETTLED, WE CAN WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SUCH A SCRAMBLE FOR US THAT WE ARE HAPPY TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY EACH OTHER WITH OUR 3 FT. CHRISTMAS TREE. IT IS JUST LIKE THE USA, WITH EVERYONE ON THE STREETS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, A BLOODY ZOO! THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS IS ALSO A HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND. IT'S CALLED BOXING DAY. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, IT RELATES TO BOXING UP ALL OF THE EXTRA CHRISTMAS DAY FOOD, AND GIVING IT AWAY ON THE DAY AFTER. SO THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WE WILL BE THINKING OF ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS. DON'T' WASTE TOO MUCH TIME FEELING SORRY FOR US BECAUSE WE'RE LIVING THE DREAM, MEETING NEW PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND HAVING A BLAST.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM PHIL & JULIE

British Breakfast Special

Here's how I started out the day...complete with poached eggs, cooked tomatoes, boars sausage, english bacon, beans, toast, and a large mushroom. I'm eating just as always,"as much as I can" and still tend to loose weight. This is a very active society, with most people walking between trains and buses. It is the the same for us. The good ol USA should get off the couch and try it.

Our New Town

Here we are in Guildford, getting used to our new Flat. We won't have internet access for another week so I go to an internet bar, with my laptop to stay in touch. That is why I haven't been bloging lately. We will both go back to Az for New Years. It will be great to see family and friends. This weekend we will go into London for a Christmas party. It's fun for me to get to know some of the Barclays crowd that Julie works with. I just found out that we have to get a license to watch TV. (134 pounds per year) I couldn't believe it! Even though you plug in the TV and get several free channels. They have a sensor that can check if you are getting a singal. The fine is hefty if you aren't licensed. I've started running again, doing 4 to 5 mile runs 3 days a week and lifting some weights in-between. I'll never see a 36 minute 10K again, but I feel I can hold off the old-age if I keep active. Julie is getting very busy manageing 180 branches. She spends some nights away from home because of her large territory. But she's challenged and is determined to do a good job.
So that's a small up-date. We're sure missing that Arizona weather. Cheers

High Street in Guildford

Saturday night was our first night in our Guildford flat. I will go to Phoenix next week to ship some furniture. Julie will remain in London until I return. It took us over a month to get a lease signed. Business moves a lot slower here than in the US. Our flat is 3 bedroom, 3 bath, partially furnished penthouse, giving us just enough to live comfortably, until our furniture arrives. Julie & I did have a fun night in our new town. We are in the heart of Guildford, and within a 3 minute walk to 10 restaurants and tons of shops. This picture is taken outside of our building looking down High Street.

HARLEY UK

Well here it is...I've finally found the ultimate "Must See" attraction in England. Warr's Harley Davidson. Since 1924, The oldest Harley Dealership in the UK. But the USA has got them all beat for old, since that's where Harley started. I've been to the Dudley Perkins Harley Dealership in San Francisco which opened in 1914. It might be the oldest. There is a huge HOG club here. The Harley's are quite popular here and all over the world. I've been excited to ship my harley over here but I just learned that pipes, lights, turn signals, and emmissions have to meet very strict UK standards. It's called an SVA inspection, so I might reconsider.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENT

December 1, 1977 30 years ago, son Brent was born. So we're thinking about him Today Here he is now, 30 years old with his own family. Doesn't time go by. Now we're Grandparents.

Truning Bridge

I've pictured this bridge before in the blog. But I didn't know opened. As a barge pulled by a tug came towards the bridge, police stopped foot traffic. A switch was flipped and the 300 ft. bridge spun on the center post until fully opened. The barge was pulled through and it closed, all in 15 mintues. This is one for my engineering friend Randy, to figure out. I took this picture just outside of our flat in London.

The Painted Hall

Julie pitcured here in the Painted Hall, telling people which way to go. This is part of the Old Royal Naval College. The painted ceiling is unbelieveable. It took this dude 19 years to paint it. Talk about a stiff neck! This is next to the Greenwich Hospital where wounded sea veterans were fed a daily diet of five pints of beer. I think people died to get in there. Now that's my kind of hospital. You can click on any of these pictures and get the larger version.

SECURITY ON THE BLOG

After a suggestion from a computer expert (my brother Dan) I've disabled the 'anonymous' users function on the blog. In order to comment you have to register. This blog has been a great way of keeping in touch with everyone. I had no idea that there would be up to 80 people a day visiting this site. This will help delete any potential bad material from showing up and ruining this site for all of us. So take an extra 10 seconds and register. Keep up with the questions, and comments. Phil

GOOGLE TALK

This is a great way to communicate. Go to Google and enter Google Talk, it will take you to the web site. You set up a gmail account that is like another e-mail address. Once this is established you can send us an invite to our gmail account which is julieroddy@gmail.com. If we are on-line our computer rings like a phone, we can accept the invite and then we are talking. If we are not home you can leave a voice message. The best time to send it is before 1:00 pm your time as we are usually up with the computer on until then. You have to have a microphone on your PC. We have a web cam on ours but haven't yet made a connection with someone else who has one. We have this set up with our family and a few friends in Arizona. We talk for free! Give it a try

The London Eye

This is a giant ferris wheel which is one of the 10 tallest structures in London. Each enclosed pod carries around 12 people. The largest observation wheel ever built, takes 25 minutes to go around. On a clear day you can see most all of London.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING & HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE

We had Thanksgiving dinner with several Barclays employees, some that also came from the US. England doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving so we did it for them. We also got to celebrate Julie's birthday on Thursday. She has now spent over half of her life with me. Isn't she Lucky!
We are thinking about our US family and friends. We miss you'all.

UK Eggs

Here you see eggs in the grocery store where we shop. They sit on the shelves without being refridgerated. I'm used to eating eggs most every day, and I always thought they would spoil if left at room temperature. I had to hesitate on buying these for about a week. After I kept watching other people buy them I finally took the leap of faith and started eating them.

I'm hoping I won't get the 'Bird Flu' and start hauking up chicken feathers!

HOUSING MARKET

Check out the morning paper. Just like home! I thought we might get away from this kind of press, but the housing woe's seem to be getting just as bad here in the UK. We won't be buying a house here, but it still hurts seeing other people not being able to sell houses when they need to, even at a loss.

The Golden Hinde

This was the galleon of Sir Francis Drake which he sailed around the world in 1580. It was rebuilt by Queen Elizabeth I, then she ordered it to be preserved. It then became the worlds very first maritime museum. This is open to the public. If you get tired of my boring history, let me know. Maybe I'll fill in with a few jokes. Phil

London"s TOWER BRIDGE

I walked across the London Bridge today. It was first built in 1014 then destroyed by Vikings. Rebuilt to handle heavy traffic in 1831, then finally taken down and rebuilt again in 1968. The old bridge was bought and moved piece by piece to Lake Havasu Arizona. So I have now stood on both London Bridges. Next to the London Bridge is the famous Tower Bridge, which is a draw bridge built in 1894. I took this picture standing on the London Bridge. It was bloody cold today with the wind blowing. At about 45 degrees I had to go sightseeing by myself

Hello all, well it is Sunday and I am finally going to update you on my new work life. It looks like we are doing more touristy things than actually working. My first week I spent at 1CP (it sounds like an acronym from Star Track but it is actully 1 Churchill Place which is the address of Barclays headquarters) I met a lot of key people I will be working with and I am getting brought up to speed about how things are done in the UK. Is is very different here in the banking world.
When people want to pay their bills they actually bring them to the bank and we process them here. We also do all of our own check processing at each branch so there is much more work expected from our tellers then in the United States, it is very interesting.

I spent this last week meeting with some of my new support staff as well as attending a couple of meetings on customer service. It has become pretty clear that even though I am around the world banking is banking and except for a few differences we all deal with the same issues.

The big difference here is the press which is pretty interesting. They can pretty much report what they want with out any proof of what they are saying so anytime there are rumors out there they can report it as if it were fact. It feels really strange and you really have to take everything you read and hear with a grain of salt as it might not be true.

I have my first direct report meeting with my Area Directors next week. I have met 3 of them and they all seem very nice. My Area Performance manager is awesome, he has been holding things together until I was able to arrive so for the past 2 to 3 months he has been doing dual roles and doing a great job. I still don't have e-mail, lap top or a blackberry but those should be here next week. I guess I should be careful not to want that too soon as I know I will be inundated with e-mail once I get hooked up.

We are trying to get hooked up for our permanent residence in Guildford, hope to have that nailed down next week as well so Phil can then fly home and get things ready to be shipped.

Weather is starting to get cold, I am bundling in coat, scarves and gloves daily now. We miss everyone and our nice warm weather but we are making the most of this adventure.

The Duck Tour Bus

So there we were in Westminster London. For the first time in my life I had to pay to go to the toilet. 50 pence! All we had left over was just enough to ride this bus home. Do you believe that!

Westminster Abbey

One of the most famous sites in England. This church was first built in the year 960. It has hosted nearly every Royal coronation and wedding since about year 1300 when it was rebuilt. We also couldn't go inside because of preperations for the 60 th royal anniversary of the King & Queen. This is a huge tourist attraction, even in the winter months.

The House of Parliament

London's House of Parliament, which covers 8 acres is not open to visitors while in session. The clock tower with a 13 ton bell is best known as"Big Ben"

We checked this out Saturday while everyone in the States slept.

UK Money

Check this out... In England Money is measured by the pound. Today a pound equals $2.12 US. Paper bills are different sizes according to thier value. I just learned today that this is done so the blind can feel the difference in size, and then know what they are handing someone. A great idea. I've also learned that packing around a few extra "pounds" means money in your pocket, not lead in your ass!

Second "NEW DIGS"

look's like this will be our next new address beginning Dec 1. Yea! we get to move again. Nothing new about that. This is a penthouse flat in the heart of Guildford. It's a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, apartment on the rooftop, and has a swimming pool and exercise room available. There is a security officer in the entry, with secure parking in the basement. The security is not uncommon in newer apartment buildings and office buildings in England. It has a great view of the city, with a 15 minute walk to the train station, and an 8 minute walk for Julie to her new office.

Water Taxi

Another way to get around London, when you don't have a car. Come's equiped with a captian who wears a tux

DRIVING MADE EASY

At first I was quite intimidated by London commuters, cabs, and buses all driving on the wrong side of the road. Today Julie and I saw this traffic light which made all of England driving crystal clear. Just when I thought I'd seen everything.

This is a roundabout with 3 roads merging. Near as I can figure, you drive around until you find the color of light that you need. Then you exit promptly staying on the left side of the road, pull over and get out the damn map! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!

Coments

If you would like to comment click on the small "comments " word under each page. Sorry if it wasn't clear. Several people asked about it. And don't be calling me after 12:00 noon, from the west coast, because it's close to my bedtime. 8 hours time difference. I'll write when I find work! Phil

Bridge to town

This is a walking bridge into the financial district. It's about 100 meters from our flat. This is Julie's commute to work , and my way to all shopping and pubs. Who needs a car when everything is this close and gas is 1 pound per liter, or $10.50 per gallon. There are no golf courses in this area, but a pub or a starbucks on every corner. I don't know whether to brag or complain

Night View

Photo taken out of our apartment window on the Thames River. We've had a few cloudy days but have not yet seen any rain. The temp is in the upper 40's at nite. We use a light jacket in the day.

Lake Chelan AFTER

Here is the final result of a great summer project. These are the kind of jobs that I live for, because they always come to an end. After some recovery time I search for my next adventure. Guess what, I'm living it right now. I am in London looking at these pictures and thinking about all of our great Washington St. friends and family. Julie and I look forward to spending some quality time there next summer.

Lake Chelan Washington BEFORE.

Here's what happend last summer at our Lake chelan cabin, for you who didn't already know. A complete remodel of the cabin and a garage added. This took about 5 months of 12 hour days, with no water sports, golf, or harley rides in between .

FOOT & MOUTH

Julie & I just received our best news so far!!!!!!!!!! The Foot & Mouth disease contamination area where we will be living, has officially been lifted. Since I'll be there tomorrow I guess I can have a Big Mac for lunch. Life just gets better every day!

Kitchen/living room

Looking back into the kitchen. Very small and modern with washer/dryer under the counter in one unit. Notice the golf clubs that have just arrived with the rest of our personal items, which included up to 500 lbs. that was shipped for us. This is a very nicely furnished flat with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, that will be home until we find permenant housing. Here in England, apartments are called flats. I think this means that if you have to ask the price you "flat" can't afford it. The rent for this unit , 650 pounds a week ($1360.00) is common for this area.

As this is a working day for Julie it is my job to keep the blog alive. Tomorrow I will take the train to Guildford and meet an agent to preview properties. My focus on the perfect home will be half way between a golf course and a harley shop. I'm sure Julie will agree!

New Digs

Here is our living room looking across the water to the business district. Small but not bad for two inmates..

Greenwich

World clocks are set according to Greenwich mean time. I always wanted to get my clock set right. I'll bet somone somewhere owes me some overtime! So there we stood, Julie in the Eastern hemisphere, and me in the Western. Finally we know what time it is.

Greenwich

This is the Longitude line for the world. Greenwich is where all time around the world is set from. Phil and I were standing on either side of the Longitude line, one west one east, pretty cool! Another sunny day and a new adventure on the DLR (light rail system) We also walked under the Thames river to get there. The train would have taken us all the way but we wanted the experience, it was approx. 1/2 mile long tunnel that was built in 1909. Felt kind of eerie being under all that water!

First train ride

Julie and I got adventurous today and took the subway or "tube" south of London to the Waterloo station. There we somehow got onto the light-rail train to Guildford. This is where we will look for a home, at least for the next two years. This a great town from what we could see in one afternoon, about 60,000. Big enough to have all amenities that we are all used to. Guildford is a 45 minute commute into the financial district in London where the Barclay office is. We saw buildings that were built in the 1600's. I don't think there is dirt that old in the US.

1st day at work

Well, here it is Thursday and what I thought was my first official day of work. Got all dressed went in to the office and found out that I wasn't actually expected until Monday, (they all thought I was "keen" since I came to work before I was expected) I worked half a day and then left around 2:00.

Very interesting, the branch hours are all over the board but typically everyone opens at 9:30 am and closes from 3:30 until 5:00 with most of them closing at 4:30 (true bankers hours) and this is an extension of what they used to be. Each branch may be different.

I am learning the acronyms and the lay of the land. The flat is much nicer and Phil and I are enjoying city living (am I really working and living in London??) It all seems a little strange but we are enjoying!

Until next update, take care and keep us posted!

Day 2

Julie & I had our first official meal in our flat......We roasted our hair dryer Of course we used the proper plug in adapter, recommended by AAA which gave an instant 220 meltdown. Now we have a UK hairdryer. I'm working hard on my new accent. Tomorrow we will attempt to learn the train system...Updates to follow

Our first day

Well we arrived in the UK to sunshine. Arrived at our temporary residence which was supposed to be new and we found out that NEW is relative, I guess if it was built in the last 100 years it is considered new here. First thing I did was open the balcony door for fresh air, the door came off it's hinges and about knocked me over. We had some other issues and called our property people to look for alternatives.

The next morning we got up (twice, once a 2:00 am and then again at 8:00 am) looking forward to a days venture to find a new location. We were greeted with a COLD shower! We are not having any fun yet!

The property manager picked us up and we checked out alternatives. We landed on the first one we saw which is right on the river and very close to the office and shopping centers. We are much happier now.

Remember the time differenc is 7 or 8 hours depending on time of year. Right now with day light savings time change it is 7 hours later here so don't call too early.

Phil did discover that he can work with his permit so he is eager as usual to get into permanent residency to see what opportunities might be available.

We are getting a cell phone for Phil today and will keep you posted on the number.

We would love to hear from everyone so keep us posted!

Bon Voyage in Wenatchee

Oct 25th, Thursday night, Don and Laura Mounter threw us a surprise dinner at their house. There were so many memories shared and wonderful food and beverages enjoyed. Julie and I had a great time.