August 2002

Tuesday 6th August 2002

On my last Monday in Japan I went to the Dubliners in Akasaka, before meeting up with Toshi, Yuji, and Marty, in Mad Mulligan's. It was good of Marty to pop in as he had another engagement and I hadn't seen him since Christmas. After a not inconsiderable number of beers in Mad Mulligan's, minus Marty, we took a taxi to the Empty Bar, as usual, it was virtually empty. It would've been nice if I'd managed to make a permanent difference to that bar's population, but I hope it will run and run nevertheless. Yuji, Toshi and I were joined in the empty bar by Yuki and Marlon, and it turned into quite a boozy night. Thanks Toshi and Yuji, you were, and will continue to be, most interesting and amusing friends!

The next day was a leaving party at the Black Lion with my team from the office and a few friends, Rob, Ashley and Marlon, to name just a few. This was also goodbye to the pub and all those great characters within it, especially Ashley, Richard, Justin, Bull, Alex, Des, Frank, Norm, Frasier, Cliffy, Woody, Kobayashi san and numero uno himself, Scott. It was by far the hardest leaving party, particularly after the first six pints or so! Scott let us take a few drinks outside at closing time, and we drank on at the bench for a while more.

On the Wednesday, Yuki and I went to the bank and closed my account (I'd already transferred all the cash to the UK). Then we spent most of the day in the hotel, just enjoying the facilities. I went to the Black Lion for one last time to say goodbye in a far more sober fashion, then returned to the hotel to watch a very disappointing magic show performed by some French guy.

In the morning it was time to go home... home? Where is that? I said bye to my wife, and caught the eight o'clock train to Narita. I was lucky to get my overweight luggage through without question, although they did deflate the football my colleagus had signed for me on my last day - it may have exploded in the hold otherwise! At the imigration counter, I handed in my gaijin (alien registration) card, and passed through as a non-resident of Japan :-( .

After an uneventful flight and picking up my hire car, I made my way to Fleuchary House guest house in St Albans, and went to sleep. Of course, I was awake by two in the morning, and after watching several hours of educational television, I went out and about looking for a home! I registered with every estate agent in the city, and picked up details of the few properties that were currently available.

On Friday evening I went with Keith and Justine to visit Phil and Debbie in Tring, about twenty minutes away. The lads all went out for a few beers and an Italian meal. During the meal Phil presented me with a key-ring, there were miniature red and yellow cards hanging from it. I was ecstatic when I saw that one of them had been signed by Pierluigi Collina, the referee of the World Cup final, and most famous ref in the world!

On Saturday, I viewed three houses in St Albans, I drove past many more without bothering to look in.

Thursday 22nd August 2002

After seeing the houses in St Albans I put in an offer on one of them, it was only two and a half percent below asking price, but such is the property market right now, it was rejected. The next day I made a slightly improved offer which was accepted. It's now down to the estate agents (rip-off merchants, all of them), and the solicitors to get everything completed. The mortgage company hasn't been too bright, they sent the paperwork to my address in Japan!

By the end of my first full week in the UK I'd also found a car, an Audi A4 diesel automatic. Diesel for my ninety miles a day commute, and automatic at Yuki's request (although I must admit, it's quite a pleasure to drive an auto).

There are several things which have wound me up since my return, mostly related to the appalling level of service offered in the UK. Car dealers can't tell you what they have in stock (do they want to sell them?), estate agents don't return your calls, insurance telesales people that aren't permitted to call you back, and the bank tells you you must wait two days to receive your own cash! Then of course there are those people in shops who can perform a whole transaction without one word passing their lips, not even "Thank you".

England is not the worst place in the world by a long way, but coming home from Japan really highlights the areas with room for improvement.

As a balance, I think it's only fair to list some of the positive things. Although still very expensive, I can afford a bigger house in the UK, The television programmes have infinitely more variety than the formulaic churned out Japanese offerings, despite the rain, the weather is far more comfortable (for me at least), and last, but not least, beer is half the price! It would be nice if the pubs stayed open late enough for one to take advantage.

Since last Saturday, I've been living in my flat in Radlett. The company-funded two week stay at the guest house ended, so now I'm sleeping on an airbed, with just a borrowed kettle and TV to keep me company, I'm sort of "camping in"! It's nice to see my old neighbours again, even if it is just to tell them I'll be moving on.

Work is fine, I've rejoined the team I was with previously, it's interesting and there is already a trip to Japan on the horizon. I had my first visitor from Japan on Monday, Amano san, a colleague from my team in Tokyo. From the office I drove us into London for an evening's sight-seeing - it was his first trip to the UK. I think he enjoyed it, but he probably would equally have enjoyed a good sleep!

Every day I call Yuki on the phone to find out what she's up to, and tell her how things are going over here. It's great to talk, but I'm really looking forward to her arriving in just over a week. I'm then hoping we can move in to our new home as soon as possible - that's when things will be really good - I'm so looking forward to that.