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The Life & Adventures of Laura The triumphs and tribulations of UK living & teaching.

A Country Affair

UNITED KINGDOM | Thursday, 23 Jun 2016 | Views [604]

When it comes to weekends, we are always looking for interesting things to do locally. England is a land of seasonal events. In spring farmers open their fields so you can view their bluebells, in winter you can rug up and enjoy a cider by a warm fire ... Read more >

Tags: country, dogs, england, fair, local, posh, uk, weekend, west sussex


Under the Tuscan Sun

ITALY | Monday, 13 Jun 2016 | Views [638] | Comments [1]

I’ll admit I often visit places because I like the concept of them, or I have seen or heard that they are pretty or interesting. Quite often this results in seeing a sight or place that is amazing, but perhaps limited in its beauty, or has one ... Read more >

Tags: cinque terre, florence, italy, montepulciano, pasta, pienza, pisa, pizza, siena, tuscany


Brighton to the left of me, Hastings to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.

UNITED KINGDOM | Sunday, 22 May 2016 | Views [538]

It’s far to say that I’ve suffered a fair amount of ‘cabin fever’ since moving to the UK. Although I wouldn’t say I am outdoorsy, I do enjoy being outside on occasion and have missed having a back yard. Unfortunately, we ... Read more >

Tags: aussies, cabin fever, expats, new job, travel, uk


Somm into the Bottle – A Medoc Winery Region Adventure

FRANCE | Tuesday, 10 May 2016 | Views [691]

It is said that what makes one’s favourite wine is whether, “it tastes good”. With a week spare before starting my new job, I took up the opportunity to visit Bordeaux, which is perhaps the best red wine region in the world. So, ... Read more >

Tags: bordeaux, chateau, france, medoc, red wine, winery


And They Lived Happily Ever After

AUSTRALIA | Sunday, 1 May 2016 | Views [592]

The traditional idea of ‘happily ever after’ usually involves a knight in shining armour riding in on a big white steed to save ‘the girl’. He instantly woos her and they ride off into the sunset where they will shortly get married ... Read more >

Tags: australia, happily ever after, melbourne, robinsons, wedding


Meet The Robinsons

AUSTRALIA | Saturday, 16 Apr 2016 | Views [798] | Comments [1]

All Saints, the band, are back. They are a thing. I know this because they were playing their new single in the Co-Op (think IGA Aussies) when we stopped in for a cheeky post walk chocolate pud the other day. They were probably playing the song because ... Read more >

Tags: australia, bride, cake, groom, marriage, maylands, perth, sparklers, wedding


An 87 day engagement

AUSTRALIA | Tuesday, 12 Apr 2016 | Views [684]

87 days isn’t a very long time to be engaged. It also isn’t a very long time to plan a wedding in a country that is across the other side of the world to you and in a city that is unfamiliar to one of you. It could have and probably should ... Read more >

Tags: australia, bucks, dubai, emirates, family, friends, heathrow, hens, perth, wedding


A Sverige good time.

SWEDEN | Thursday, 3 Mar 2016 | Views [700]

St John in Canada is the further city away from Melbourne. I know, I’ve Googled it. With our trip to Sweden looming, I got to thinking about the furthest place away from home I could travel and that Kiruna in Sweden must be pretty close. In fact, ... Read more >

Tags: arctic circle, aurora borealis, husky, northern lights, snowmobile, stockholm, sweden, vasa


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ...

UNITED KINGDOM | Sunday, 7 Feb 2016 | Views [710]

Where has January gone? I currently seem to be measuring time by looking at the expiry dates on food in my fridge and making remarks such as ‘4 th of February … crap that needs to go in the freezer.’  I’ve lost a bit ... Read more >

Tags: a&e, bath, caernarfon, cardiff, christmas, engaged, romans, turkish baths, wales


The great scone debake.

UNITED KINGDOM | Tuesday, 22 Dec 2015 | Views [625] | Comments [1]

There is some debate over how one should prepare their cream tea (Devonshire Tea to us Aussies). We learnt this upon the arrival of Pete’s distant relative Sam, who is staying with us for a week to do some work experience at Pete’s work, ... Read more >

Tags: brighton, burning of the clocks, christmas, ice skating, london, trafalgar square, uk, winter


Oh hail the brussel sprout tree...

UNITED KINGDOM | Monday, 7 Dec 2015 | Views [589]

It’s true; brussel sprout trees are a ‘thing’. Essentially the stalk of the plant with the sprouts still attached; shops here are selling them for around $5 a tree. Now, I’m not sure where you stand on the sprout debate, but personally ... Read more >

Tags: brussel sprouts, christmas, cold, dickens, ice skating, mulled wine, rochester, snow, uk, wales


This post is brought to you by the letter B for Bureaucracy..

UNITED KINGDOM | Wednesday, 4 Nov 2015 | Views [460]

I am currently a serf and the UK Home Office is my Feudal Overlord. Pete thinks I am a being a bit dramatic, but it is beginning to feel like it. The UK Home Office have had my passport to reissue my VISA for 2 months now and without it I’m stuck ... Read more >

Tags: bonded labour, coronation street, holidays, manchester, parentals, serfdom, tour guide, uk, uk


Oh hey, Canada.

CANADA | Wednesday, 23 Sep 2015 | Views [742]

Time has flown since my last post and we are rapidly heading into autumn. The days are noticeably cooler and long boots and jumpers are not out of place. Whilst we receive the odd ‘blue bird’ day, the clouds have firmly settled most days ... Read more >

Tags: baseball, blue jays, canada, hamilton, niagara falls, oh hey, toronto, wedding


Prague, it's a riot....(literally)

CZECH REPUBLIC | Thursday, 20 Aug 2015 | Views [694]

Being a part of former the Austro – Hungarian Empire, Budapest had given us a taste of what to expect of Vienna. Our hostel was centrally located, and only a few Metro stops from the heart of the city. We arrived late afternoon, and with only the ... Read more >

Tags: austria, czech republic, pastries, prague, riot, schnitzel, sushi, vienna, walking, wiener


Hungary anyone?

HUNGARY | Tuesday, 4 Aug 2015 | Views [536]

Budapest has always had a certain appeal to me. I didn't have a clear image in my mind of what to expect, however I knew it would be both beautiful and delicious. As we drove in on our bus 'Big Daddy' I wasn't disappointed. Traditionally Budapest ... Read more >

Tags: buda, budapest, food, hungary, pest, thermal springs


The Bus Journey Begins

SERBIA | Sunday, 2 Aug 2015 | Views [471]

The Balkans is not a region of the world that I ever really saw myself visiting, so when I went to book myself in to a tour of Eastern Europe with the idea of exploring Prague, Budapest and Austria I was a bit stuck when I found out that it was booked ... Read more >

Tags: balkans, bosnia and herzigovina, croatia, europe, montenegro, serbia


The sat nav is not your friend, and other directional mishaps

UNITED KINGDOM | Wednesday, 22 Jul 2015 | Views [411]

When it comes to finding your way around, it can be a little tricky at times. When you are overseas the places, things and systems that you are used to are all slightly different, or non existent and at times it can leave you a little bewildered or confused.... Read more >

Tags: anniversary, car, folkestone, isle of wight, portsmouth, school, uk, volvo


We're not in Kansas anymore Toto

UNITED KINGDOM | Friday, 19 Jun 2015 | Views [541]

On the 30 th of June, Pete and I will celebrate our 6 month anniversary of being expats. Unlike most people who go to live in the UK, we are not neck deep in other Aussies and Kiwis on the same adventure. Out here in East Sussex, we are something of ... Read more >

Tags: bureaucracy, car, east sussex, england, expat, frustration, uk


A Highland Fling

UNITED KINGDOM | Wednesday, 3 Jun 2015 | Views [490]

I’ll admit I wasn’t really in the mood for Scotland. To say the least, school here has stressed me out and by the time it came to the end of term, spending a week curled up in my doona was sounding pretty attractive. Despite my initial lack ... Read more >

Tags: edinburgh, glasgow, haggis, inverness, isle of skye, loch ness, oban, scotland


Belgian Snuffles

BELGIUM | Wednesday, 6 May 2015 | Views [707]

One thing that England does well is public holidays. May is particularly fortuitous with May Day the first Monday of the month and Spring Bank holiday the last Monday of the month. Needless to say, we had spotted these dates way back in January and decided ... Read more >

Tags: antwerp, beer, belgium, brussels, buskers, chocolate, croissants, eurostar, moules, mussels


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