Life in an English town
Oct. 6th, 2004 12:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_vultureSo what's it like to live in a town of 70,000 about 45 miles north west of London? Rather dull, actually. Granted, I rarely actually get much in the way of free time, but, when I do, I'm often challenged when trying to keep myself entertained. Much of that has to do with the fact that I've only really got one day to get anything done in town as I'm in school during the rest of the business week (which usually shuts down by 5 or 6; even Subway closes by 8). That really limits the time I have to explore elsewhere, especially given how limited public transport is on a Sunday.
There's only one video store I have access to, and it's fairly small. The selection wouldn't be so bad if I had access to a working DVD player, but, until the one we have is sent into the shop, I'm stuck with video. What about reading a book? Well, the local library is absolutely pathetic; I'm more likely to find a video that interests me than finding an interesting book (and the video cost more to rent than they do at the video store (yes, the public library CHARGES for a number of loans)). The best I was able to find the last time I went was a BTVS novel (I'm serious).
The theater is a bit behind on getting films in, but I did at least get to see both "I, Robot" and "Hero." I'm still waiting for "AVP" and "Resident Evil 2." And, while it's a bit pricey, the theater itself is rather pleasant. As for any other form of culture, forget it! There's not a gallery to be found anywhere. Plenty of clubs and restaurants, though, not that I frequent any of 'em.
The scenery is rather bland. Unlike Victoria or Adelaide, the Victorian style buildings here have been rendered drab by the overzealous and unthinking application of modern trim and signage.
And there's very little in the way of green space. I didn't realize how much I would miss being able to take a hike into a forest whenever I needed to. I have no idea how far away the nearest forest even is. I seem to be surrounded by highways, towns, and farmland (plenty of sheep). Even if I could get into some forest, I wouldn't likely be doing so right about now; the weather had been rather cold and wet (it's much like early winter in Victoria).
At least the house I'm living in is relatively pleasant. Cozy would be the best word to describe it. The only real annoyances about it is that the washer/dryer doesn't dry worth a damn and the toilet is stuck up very near the radiator (meaning one butt cheek gets really cold or really warm depending on whether or not the radiator is on). The lack of a wall shower unit was quite vexing until I found a way to use a plastic hook to hold the hand held shower wand up on the shower curtain rod.
There's only one video store I have access to, and it's fairly small. The selection wouldn't be so bad if I had access to a working DVD player, but, until the one we have is sent into the shop, I'm stuck with video. What about reading a book? Well, the local library is absolutely pathetic; I'm more likely to find a video that interests me than finding an interesting book (and the video cost more to rent than they do at the video store (yes, the public library CHARGES for a number of loans)). The best I was able to find the last time I went was a BTVS novel (I'm serious).
The theater is a bit behind on getting films in, but I did at least get to see both "I, Robot" and "Hero." I'm still waiting for "AVP" and "Resident Evil 2." And, while it's a bit pricey, the theater itself is rather pleasant. As for any other form of culture, forget it! There's not a gallery to be found anywhere. Plenty of clubs and restaurants, though, not that I frequent any of 'em.
The scenery is rather bland. Unlike Victoria or Adelaide, the Victorian style buildings here have been rendered drab by the overzealous and unthinking application of modern trim and signage.
And there's very little in the way of green space. I didn't realize how much I would miss being able to take a hike into a forest whenever I needed to. I have no idea how far away the nearest forest even is. I seem to be surrounded by highways, towns, and farmland (plenty of sheep). Even if I could get into some forest, I wouldn't likely be doing so right about now; the weather had been rather cold and wet (it's much like early winter in Victoria).
At least the house I'm living in is relatively pleasant. Cozy would be the best word to describe it. The only real annoyances about it is that the washer/dryer doesn't dry worth a damn and the toilet is stuck up very near the radiator (meaning one butt cheek gets really cold or really warm depending on whether or not the radiator is on). The lack of a wall shower unit was quite vexing until I found a way to use a plastic hook to hold the hand held shower wand up on the shower curtain rod.
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"I rarely actually got much in the way of free time"
Date: 2004-10-09 05:10 pm (UTC)BTVS novel?
See if the library has a map of the area. You'd at least know where the nearest forest is then.
Re: "I rarely actually got much in the way of free time"
Date: 2004-10-10 03:42 am (UTC)(ptbtbtbtbttt....!!!)
BTVS = "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
I've been told that there are some forests about an hour or so bus ride away and that I should get a hold of a survey map of the area.
Thanks for the suggestion!