Now It Can Be Told

I’m moving tomorrow. To Fulham.

It’s been an interesting past month or so. I got a cold which didn’t go away and it became apparent it was glandular fever. I’m still not 100%—the weakness and lethargy can last a couple of months—but I’m not too bad. (Having said that, I do feel a bit rough at the moment, but I hope it’s just the fact that I got a bit drunk last night, against medical advice…)

It is really, REALLY unpleasant to be actually quite ill in a town where you don’t really know anyone. I’d have really appreciated someone being able to do a bit of shopping for me, or walk the dog once or twice, just to allow me a couple or three days of complete rest. But it wasn’t possible here in Brighton. I had to drag myself out at least once a day to walk the dog and get food. It was, on the whole, a hellish period for me.

Then there was the urgent hunt for a new home. I didn’t really want to do that when feeling unwell, but I did it anyway. I had one viewing of a room in Plumstead about a week after I got ill. They had a dog, so I had to take Fred along to see if the two pooches were compatible. It was a real strain on me, and wouldn’t you know it… the dogs weren’t compatible anyway! The lady in question’s dog, in fact, was very old and feeble, and seemed quite terrified of Fred. For no reason. Fred is just lively and playful. That was a real downer (the room and house itself was lovely), and it didn’t help my recovery much.

Another viewing near Canary Wharf turned out to be a high-rise sardine can; a block crammed mostly with immigrants (because if they’re recently in this country they have low income, I suppose), the living room serving as an extra room to get as many people in as possible. I almost took it but reason prevailed. There was no doubt this place would depress the hell out of me. The search went on.

Next up, a room in a maisonette in Brixton Hill. Not a bad location. A bit rough, but all right. The man who owned this place also had a dog, so again, Fred came along for the fun. He was a nice guy and I really liked the place, though the room was far too small. I was willing to take it though. Sadly, he felt his pooch wouldn’t be comfortable with Fred around, so it was another bust. *sigh*

It goes on! Then I saw a room in Lewisham. The area was frankly somewhat seedy, though not the worst you could find. Acceptable. The block, of about four stories, was not wonderful either. The woman who rented this place had a spare room, and custody of a dog part-time. I didn’t take Fred along this time, tho. The place was okay. Shoddy decor, cheap place… consequently, very nice (i.e. low) price, so again, I was willing to take it… but for reasons not entirely clear, this didn’t work out either.

Oh, anyway, finally I get to see a place in Fulham. Landlord/owner sleeps over on sofa for 2-3 nights a week for work reasons, but is otherwise based in North London. I found him to be a pleasant guy and we got along fine. Flat is on first floor of a small house-block with three or four other flats (didn’t count, but in that area). A shared garden area. My room is not huge but very spacious and clean… and light khaki walls, not white! Long-time readers will know that I dislike white walls.

Living room is comfortable and minimalist. Nice 26″ LCD bolted to wall (my own 32″ model will go in my room, natch). Everything in good order and tidy. I decided on the spot I wanted the place… and I got it, and the keys, last Wednesday.

My tenancy officially started yesterday, but I spent last Friday and Saturday night there (with Fred!). Just to sleep on a proper bed for the first time in almost four months. Y’see, I couldn’t get a single divan into this place here… it would only take a dismantled, self-assembly bed… so I’ve been sleeping on a little sofa-bed/mattress thingy the whole time I’ve been here… a very SMALL one, not as long as I am (I’m 5’8″), and basically not suited to sleeping on all the bloody time. Hasn’t been fun.

A real bed was sooooooooo nice.

Anyhoo, everything’s booked for tomorrow. Rubbish removal man coming in morning to take a lot of junk away. Local charity people coming in afternoon to take a lot of non-junk away that I can’t take with me. Then man and van should be here at 6.15pm to whisk me and my stuff out of Brighton and back into London. *phew*

Given that the last two moves were beset with serious problems (especially this last one, the Brighton Disaster), I take nothing for granted. But I do love the location. I’ll be just off the Fulham Road, which is a looooong stretch of shops, bars, etc. Tesco Express is spitting distance away. Local Tube is a five-minute walk away. From there, I can be at Victoria in 15-20 mins, and from there to any number of cool West End locations in a few minutes more.

So that’s all good.

I also got a call today about some possible work from a media company representing the Estate of a Famous Dead Author (ask me no more than that, my lips are sealed). As they are London-based, the move’s looking very well-timed. Hope to have a meeting about that shortly.

Some final bits of tidying & packing await me, but otherwise all is done and I’m just, well, nervous as hell! But excited too.