#international storage london

[internationalremovals23]

[myretaildistribution]

We are working with Parc Fermé. Parc Fermé, co-founded by sisters Lydia and Alice Harper — is a creative agency and lifestyle brand documenting the human stories in motorsport through creative production, collaboration, and product design. Parc Fermé work with drivers, teams and brand partners to capture unique racing content.

[vismaviedetraducteur]

Built-In London An illustration of a small, modern built-in closet design

[i-cried-and-i-was-in-the-impala]

Closet Built-In Small trendy built-in closet photo

[shinjuutokyo]

Built-in wardrobe - small, modern built-in wardrobe idea

[reasonsforhope]

"India’s announcement that it aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and to meet fifty percent of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030 is a hugely significant moment for the global fight against climate change. India is pioneering a new model of economic development that could avoid the carbon-intensive approaches that many countries have pursued in the past – and provide a blueprint for other developing economies.

The scale of transformation in India is stunning. Its economic growth has been among the highest in the world over the past two decades, lifting of millions of people out of poverty. Every year, India adds a city the size of London to its urban population, involving vast construction of new buildings, factories and transportation networks. Coal and oil have so far served as bedrocks of India’s industrial growth and modernisation, giving a rising number of Indian people access to modern energy services. This includes adding new electricity connections for 50 million citizens each year over the past decade. 

The rapid growth in fossil energy consumption has also meant India’s annual CO2 emissions have risen to become the third highest in the world. However, India’s CO2 emissions per person put it near the bottom of the world’s emitters, and they are lower still if you consider historical emissions per person. The same is true of energy consumption: the average household in India consumes a tenth as much electricity as the average household in the United States.  

India’s sheer size and its huge scope for growth means that its energy demand is set to grow by more than that of any other country in the coming decades. In a pathway to net zero emissions by 2070, we estimate that most of the growth in energy demand this decade would already have to be met with low-carbon energy sources. It therefore makes sense that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced more ambitious targets for 2030, including installing 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, reducing the emissions intensity of its economy by 45%, and reducing a billion tonnes of CO2. 

These targets are formidable, but the good news is that the clean energy transition in India is already well underway. It has overachieved its commitment made at COP 21- Paris Summit [a.k.a. 2015, at the same conference that produced the Paris Agreement] by already meeting 40% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuels- almost nine years ahead of its commitment, and the share of solar and wind in India’s energy mix have grown phenomenally. Owing to technological developments, steady policy support, and a vibrant private sector, solar power plants are cheaper to build than coal ones. Renewable electricity is growing at a faster rate in India than any other major economy, with new capacity additions on track to double by 2026...

Subsidies for petrol and diesel were removed in the early 2010s, and subsidies for electric vehicles were introduced in 2019. India’s robust energy efficiency programme has been successful in reducing energy use and emissions from buildings, transport and major industries. Government efforts to provide millions of households with fuel gas for cooking and heating are enabling a steady transition away from the use of traditional biomass such as burning wood. India is also laying the groundwork to scale up important emerging technologies such as hydrogen, battery storage, and low-carbon steel, cement and fertilisers..."

-via IEA (International Energy Agency), January 10, 2022

Note: And since that's a little old, here's an update to show that progress is still going strong:

-via Economic Times: EnergyWorld, March 10, 2023

[sgiandubh]

Oh, hello

The Sibyl of Tydavnet was supposedly back home, and we finally have something to speculate upon, after a week-end with no news from both of Them (go figure). So much so that it's been very, very quiet in here:

This is, of course, a latergram, When being the important question, here. I have to say I was a bit surprised, after two hours of research (and cooking, but that is a separate story).

Let's unpack:

From 1974 to 2023, the Monaghan County Museum has been open and free to visit. Until 1981, in the old Courthouse building of Monaghan Town, then temporarily hosted by the Christian Brothers Secondary School, and since 1986 in this building on Hill Street:

I am not inventing anything, this info comes straight from their official website:

On May 18th, 2023 (on International Museum Day), the venue was closed and the collections were planned to be moved at the new Monaghan Peace Campus:

The Peace Campus is a very important local initiative, funded by the City Council, the Irish Department of Rural and Community Development and the EU, via the Irish SEUPB (Special EU Programs Body - ironically, the counterpart of my new job, starting next Friday, LOL). It was inaugurated on May 10, 2024:

Where was C, in this clip, posted today and suggesting a recent trip to Ireland?

In the old building, of course, exactly as it was on May 18, 2023:

Apparently taken on an extensive private tour that included the storage area, where this pic was taken:

How do I know it? I simply combed the meager social media accounts of the Museum, that's all. See and compare for yourself, with this screenshot of the moving operations, from the old Hill Street to the new premises (posted on Facebook, on June 14th, 2024, but very likely shot slightly before):

In April 2023, the new Peace Campus looked roughly like this. There is no way that clip would have been shot there. Not then...

...and not later, because the new display in the new venue looks totally different:

And it was completed around May 10th 2024, when this picture was taken, separately from the rest of the released info:

The pic was taken by Laura Hogan, the North East Correspondent for RTE News, a subsidiary of the Irish public TV and Radio broadcasting company:

But perhaps even more interestingly, the Museum shot several clips of people featured, like C, in the new inaugural exhibition. Such as this guy, back in June 2023, on their old premises:

Ardal O'Hanlon, Irish stand-up comedian and actor, based in Ireland and London:

This is a very, very, VERY late latergram. My best guess would be anytime between May 2023 and most probably around June 2023. Simply because it would be logical that the clip shooting be completed with all the people involved at the same time, for logistical reasons, and before the packing of the exhibits would have started in earnest.

As always, I could be wrong. As always, people will bitch around, especially the divas and those who know strictly nothing. But I'll be damned if C were in Ireland anytime near this last week-end!

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Timeline: Part 8 - November 2017

For earlier timeline posts: click here or here.

The one where Meghan's hustle finally starts paying off.

Also, Meghan's PR loyalties begin changing during this month. By mid-December 2017, she's stopped leaking to her usual sources - Star Magazine, US Weekly, and E News.

And when the engagement is announced, you can watch the official stories of how Meghan and Harry met begin changing in real-time.

11/1/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/2/2017: Meghan teases an engagement with adoption of a royal wardrobe.

11/3/2017: Meghan's role on a 2009 TV show resurfaces. Samantha Markle reveals internal family racism towards Doria and Meghan, and William's friends reopen a nightclub that Harry used to party at.

11/4/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/5/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/6/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/7/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/8/2017: Soho Farmhouse announces expansion plans. Meghan merches beauty products and calls Kate a fashion copycat.

11/9/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/10/2017: A television program searches for a Meghan Markle lookalike.

11/11/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/12/2017: Remembrance Sunday for the UK. The press points out that Harry is breaking military code by keeping his beard whilst wearing a military uniform. Doria sells her high school photos to the Daily Mail.

11/13/2017: Meghan papped filming wedding scenes for Suits.

11/14/2017: Meghan papped again on Suits sets. She fuels engagement rumors by hinting she plans to leave the show (but technically she already confirmed it last month).

11/15/2017: Affair rumors about Prince Philip resurface, ahead of The Crown Season 2 release. Promos reveal that the season will focus on tension in Philip and Elizabeth's marriage.

11/16/2017: Meghan lays groundwork for a PR narrative that the royal family is jealous of her popularity by reminding everyone that The Queen and Prince Philip were angry about Diana's popularity.

11/17/2017: Meghan's body-double/Suits stand-in reveals Meghan is moving to London soon. Meghan moves her dogs to the UK and merches her boots.

11/18/2017: Genealogists discover that Meghan's ancestor was beheaded by Henry VIII.

11/19/2017: Meghan owes her celebrity to her father's lottery win. Diana's former lover, Hasnat Khan, announces his engagement.

11/20/2017: The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate 70 years of marriage and Her Majesty appoints Philip Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. The royals celebrate with a swanky party at Windsor Castle; Meghan is not invited (her absence is confirmed next month). Meanwhile:

Meghan is papped arriving at the UK airport.

Samantha Markle gives an interview declaring desire to be invited to the royal wedding.

Financial reports announce that the Royal Family has contributed 1.8 billion pounds to the UK economy.

A rumor begins that Prince George will make a special guest appearance on Fireman Sam.

11/21/2017: Meghan is papped in London doing her Christmas shopping. She leaks to US Weekly that she has officially moved out of her Toronto house, her furniture was put into storage, and her personal belongings have been shipped to the UK.

The Daily Mail fires a warning to Meghan about how the 'needy' King Edward trapped Wallis Simpson and made it so she couldn't leave him. The implication is that Harry is similarly needy and will trap Meghan in a similar unhappiness.

11/22/2017: Meghan merches her scarf.

11/23/2017: Meghan gets a facial and merches the spa, fueling engagement rumors.

11/24/2017: Revisiting Prince Philip's stag party. Kensington Palace announces William and Kate will attend the Royal Variety Performance. Meghan leaks to E News that she and Harry are "practically" engaged, fueling more engagement rumors.

11/25/2017: No new Meghan or Harkle stories.

11/26/2017: Meghan merches her facialist and her treatment. The Daily Mail scoops Buckingham Palace and reveals an announcement is coming. They also recap Harry and Meghan's relationship and reveal that both Doria and Meghan have received RPO security details.

11/27/2017: Kensington Palace announces the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and:

The Telegraph republishes its "Meghan Markle: The Making of a Hollywood Princess" story.

Meghan merches her coat, shoes, health tips, beauty, skincare, and boots.

They hint at receiving Sussex titles.

Revisiting all of Harry's ex-girlfriends.

Meet Meghan's besties and potential bridesmaids.

The Markle family comments on the royal engagement.

Meghan and Harry will live in Nottingham Cottage.

How Meghan Markle went from seedy LA tenement to the Palace.

How Catholic Meghan Markle survived her parents' LA divorce.

Meghan's life in photos

Meet the Markles

Meghan and Crown Princess Mary (of Denmark) are style sisters.

Mishal Husain was hand-picked by Harry to conduct the engagement interview.

Speculation about the wedding dress begins, with Meghan teasing an Australian designer.

Meghan leaks to US Weekly that she and Harry spent the weekend away before announcing their engagement.

Meghan leaks about her preparation and support from Harry to become royal.

Diana and Meghan would have been best friends.

Meghan retires from acting.

How Meghan tamed Harry

Royal fashion showdown: Meghan, Diana, and Kate

11/28/2017: Engagement coverage continues.

Violet von Wesetenholz is the royal matchmaker.

Doria gives a statement on the engagement.

Meghan's sixth grade school photos are published.

Meghan's sexy online photos resurface.

Quid pro quo: How Meghan supports her friends

Meghan and Harry merch Luckington Manor as a prospective home.

No, it's not Violet. The royal matchmaker is Misha Nonoo.

Harry papped at the gym in Chelsea.

Meghan did the calligraphy for Robin Thicke and Paula Patton's wedding.

Actually, Markus Anderson is the royal matchmaker. (I believe this one; the source is US Weekly, which is a confirmed Meghan ally. The Violet and Misha stories are from the Daily Mail.)

Samantha Markle says Thomas wants to walk Meghan down the aisle.

Meghan leaks that she and Harry secretly visited The Queen after announcing engagement.

See? Meghan can do royal glam too -- 11 times she won the red carpet.

Meghan merches her fashion sense and style.

11/29/2017: Engagement coverage continues.

All about Meghan's genealogy (again)

Meghan reveals Bogart was too old to fly and was left behind in Canada. She also leaks that the BRF is forcing her to stop acting and that the BRF is also making her stop her private charity work.

Meghan the humanitarian

Ninaki Preddy sells pictures to the Daily Mail. The motherlode includes a photograph of Meghan posing outside Buckingham Palace.

Meghan expected to join the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas.

Meghan merches tongue massages.

Aaron Korsh, the creator of Suits, reveals that Meghan was written out of Suits in 2016.

Meghan leaks her expectations to be better than Princess Grace of Monaco.

Meghan merches her beauty routine again.

11/30/2017: New day, same story.

Meghan is on the cover of Elle France.

Meghan merches her nose.

Meghan's soap commercial resurfaces.

Meghan's sorority pictures are published.

Kensington Palace announces wedding will be in May.

Remember when Meghan was a fashion expert/consultant for the Today show?

Northwestern University remembers Meghan.

Meghan has royal ancestors.

How will Meghan become a British citizen?

[aishangotome]

Elbert Greetia: Chapter 2

Chapter 1

♡———♡

After breakfast, Lord Elbert, Alfons, and I were invited to the parlor by Victor and William.

Victor: We've already informed you that the inn you went to last night is a temporary storage for stolen goods by a criminal organization...

Kate: Yes, I've heard.

William: The organization operates under the guise of an art dealership called "Bernard Trading Company"...

William: They procure and sell anything, from art to humans, depending on the request of the "collectors," their clients.

(Even humans...?)

A shiver runs down my spine at the casual mention of such a disturbing word.

Victor: It's an international criminal organization. They've been causing damage in various European countries,

Victor: And recently, they've started to extend their reach to England as well.

Alfons: The inn last night was also functioning as a branch of that organization. But it was shut down for some reason...

Alfons: That seems to be the case.

(To think that such an ordinary inn had connections to a criminal organization...)

As I'm surprised by the proximity of the dark underworld, I suddenly feel a gaze from the side.

(...Huh? Is someone watching me?)

Elbert: ........

I turn towards Lord Elbert, who was standing next to me, but he subtly averts his gaze.

(Was it just my imagination...?)

Elbert: ...If it's been revealed to that extent, why haven't they been arrested yet?

Victor: It seems that government officials from various countries are also among the "collectors" of the trading company.

Victor: Obstruction efforts have been made in every country, and they're always one step ahead.

William: If we can crush the organization, we can alleviate Her Majesty's concerns and also gain favor with other countries.

Victor: Exactly! As luck would have it, the organization seems to be holding a party for its "collectors" soon--

Victor's eyes sparkle with excitement as he raises his index finger to the sky.

Victor: Elbert and Alfons are the perfect candidates to infiltrate and make contact! And Kate, you too!

Kate: What!?

William: It was Elbert's own suggestion. Quite unusual.

Kate: Lord Elbert...?

Elbert: I asked Victor if I could go with you...

Elbert: .......Did I do something wrong?

Kate: No, not at all!

(It's thanks to Elbert that I've decided to take my storyteller duties seriously.)

(If I can work by Elbert's side, I'll do my best.)

Kate: Thank you very much. I'll do my best.

Elbert: ... Yes, please do.

Alfons: Now that that's settled, we must get you dressed for the party.

Victor: Great! The weather is nice today, so it's the perfect day for shopping.

Victor: Be careful, especially Elbert. Don't destroy any stores.

William: Your face can be a weapon in a way.

Elbert: ... I understand.

(Destroy stores...? A weapon...?)

-

Amidst the bustling crowds of London, I quickly came to understand the terrifying power of Elbert's captivating beauty.

Daughter with a Book: Oh my, what a handsome man... Could this be a fateful encounter? Wait for me...!

Gentleman with Moustache: Beautiful... Young man, if you have time later, would you be interested in modeling for a painting?

Chariot Coachman: Whoa there! Don't jump out, it's dangerous!!

Passersby were so mesmerized by Elbert that they nearly got run over by carriages...

Elbert: Al, what do you think of this teaspoon?

Alfons: Well... It has a lovely design, but I wouldn't say it's particularly beautiful.

Elbert: I see...

Young Woman: Then I'll buy that spoon! The one he touched!

Nice Lady: No, I'll take it! In fact, I'll buy everything on the shelf! Including everything he touched!

People swarmed and fought over the items Elbert touched... It was like a comedy unfolding before my eyes.

Kate: I-Is this a regular occurrence...?

Alfons: It happens every day.

-

(This is outrageous... Though I can somewhat understand the sentiment.)

And what surprised me even more was Elbert's own behavior.

Elbert: Which is the most beautiful dress here?

Shopkeeper: They're all the most beautiful! Or so I'd like to say, but if I had to choose...

Elbert: I see... Then can I have them all?

Kate and Shopkeeper: Huh!?

Ignoring our surprise, Elbert then stared intently at the displayed accessories.

Elbert: Which is the most beautiful jewel here?

Shopkeeper: T-This 10-carat sapphire necklace, perhaps. But it's a bit pricey...

Elbert: I see... Then I'll take that too.

(What the...)

Old Man with a Cane: Young man, are you looking for something beautiful?

Elbert: ...Yes, but...

Old Man with a Cane: Then you must have this. This is the most beautiful stone in the world.

Elbert: The most beautiful in the world...?

Old Man with a Cane: Indeed. I can't let it go for a pittance.

Elbert: ..............

Alfons: Hey, hey, don't try to pull out your checkbook. That's clearly just a random stone.

If Alfons hadn't stopped him, Elbert would have signed the check.

(Elbert, trying to buy everything...)

It's not my place to comment on someone else's shopping, but his extravagant spending was worrisome enough to make me want to stop him.

Kate: Lord Elbert, a simple dress is fine for me, so please...

Elbert: It's like I'm buying it for myself, so don't worry about it.

Elbert: ...There might be something I'm looking for in here.

(Something he's looking for? In women's dresses and accessories...?)

Kate: What are you looking for?

Elbert: Something I must obtain.

In the end, Elbert bought a vast amount of goods, if not the entire store.

(Elbert's curse was... "The Greedy Queen," wasn't it?)

Kate: Is this hoarding due to the nature of the curse?

Alfons: Well... It's unclear whether he's greedy because of the curse or if his greed attracted the curse.

Alfons: However...

Alfons: Lord Elbert is searching for the most beautiful thing in the world. That's why he joined Crown.

(The most beautiful thing in the world...?)

It was a vague and grandiose term, and it seemed a bit difficult to find something that lived up to it in the city.

Kate: Shouldn't we go to the British Museum instead of a street corner...?

Alfons: Of course, we've scoured museums and art galleries as well. But we haven't found it yet.

Kate: Ah, I see... So you're looking for the most beautiful thing "in Elbert's eyes."

Alfons: However, it's a bit troublesome because while he desires beautiful things, El doesn't trust his own intuition.

Kate: ....… He doesn't trust it?

Alfons: Yes. Therefore, he needs the opinions of others to determine whether something is beautiful.

With a somewhat bewitching glint, Alfons' gaze turned towards Elbert.

Elbert was now talking to a shoemaker, looking at the items displayed before him.

Kate: I see... Oh, but wait...

Kate: Doesn't that mean someone else will decide what's most beautiful for Elbert?

Alfons: It does.

Alfons: Well, if it's truly the most beautiful thing for El, he'll know it with a fateful ping when he gets it.

Alfons: ...Probably.

Kate: Probably.......

(Is it okay to be that casual...?)

(Is it like a hobby or pastime?)

Kate: You know Lord Elbert very well, Alfons.

Alfons: Yes. We've been "friends" since childhood.

Elbert: What are you talking about...?

Having finished his conversation with the shoemaker, Elbert came over and tilted his head beautifully.

Several men and women nearby fainted at the gesture.

Alfons: Just small talk. About your troublesome collecting habit of desiring beautiful things even though you don't understand beauty.

Elbert: Ah... That.

Elbert: ...If you find anything beautiful, let me know.

His hair swayed gently, casting a shadow on his ocean-blue eyes, making him look more dazzling than anything else in the shop.

Kate: O-Okay...

(I can't say it's right in front of me...)

Tearing my gaze away from Elbert, I looked across the street and noticed a large cat with pure white fur in a shop window.

(Wow... What a beautiful cat.)

Kate: How about that one? It's a real beauty.

Elbert: ...A cat?

Elbert: If you say so... Maybe I'll take it home.

As we crossed the street and approached it, the cat in the shop window showed interest in us and walked towards us adorably.

Kate: Hehe... So cute.

Elbert: ..............

Elbert gently reached out his hand, and the cat rubbed its cheek against his palm through the glass.

(...Huh?)

Alfons: ...........

I suddenly noticed Alfons watching the scene with a strange expression.

Kate: ...Alfons? Is something wrong?

Alfons: ...No? It's nothing.

(He looked like he wanted to say something... Was it just my imagination?)

Alfons: W-Well, let's wrap it up. I'm busy tonight.

Kate: Do you have something to do?

Alfons: Yes, I have some wicked fun to have in London tonight.

(...Is he joking or serious?)

(I still don't know much about Alfons either.)

-

––In the end, the carriage was filled with a mountain of luggage.

Kate: Is it okay to buy so much? Do you have enough money?

(Even for a noble, money can't just flow like water, right...?)

Alfons: Crown is employed by Her Majesty, so we're paid quite well.

Alfons: And there's one more secret.

Alfons: The things that don't meet El's standards are left in his room like junk.

Kate: Huh?

Alfons: I sell them off without his permission.

Kate: Sell... What!?

He said it so nonchalantly that my surprise came out as a voice.

Alfons: The funny thing is, they fetch a high price just because "Count Greetia collected them!"

Alfons: Thanks to that, the Greetia family's finances are always in the black.

Alfons: I do dispose of obvious trash like stones and glass shards, though.

Kate: C-Can you really sell them without permission?

Elbert: ...Yeah, it's fine.

Just before getting into the carriage, Elbert said, almost like a monologue, in a dazzling voice.

Elbert: I have no interest in things that aren't beautiful.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 3

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[internationalremovals23]

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[gatheringfiki]

The following ficlet was written by @abradner1 based on this photoset.

DarkHawk, Explicit

You might also be able to read this story on AO3.

If you’ve enjoyed this story, please leave a comment either in replies or on AO3. :)

I’ll be Home for Christmas

---

Jim has been working like mad to get his home ready for Ross’s arrival from England.  The candles in the bedroom were ready to be lit, and there were fresh linens on the bed.  The bathroom had been scrubbed spotless.  The living room has been dusted and vacuumed, and there was a stew in the slow cooker.  Ross finally received his work visa and was able to move to America and move in with Jim.  And now it was two weeks before Christmas and Ross was on a British Airways plane and will be landing at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC in four hours.  There had been a snowstorm the day before that had worried the couple that it would delay his flight, but luckily the snow had stopped before Ross’s plane departed from Heathrow.  Jim had held off putting up a Christmas tree, wanting to share the experience with Ross for their first Christmas together! 

Ross had been fidgeting the whole flight.  He was just a few hours from landing in Washington to DC to begin his new life with one James Hawkins.  The couple met in a Royal Army field hospital in Afghanistan after Jim was injured as a photojournalist.  He was brought into the hospital where Ross was a doctor that treated him in triage. Jim had started flirting right away with Ross and wouldn’t stop until Ross finally caved and gave Jim his number.   The couple became serious after Ross’s medical discharge and eventually had been forced into a long distance relationship after Jim was reassigned back to the DC area as a photojournalist, and Ross was still in London and had to wait for his visa to come through so that he could make the move to DC.  But finally, finally Ross was on a plane headed for a new life in Washington DC and more importantly, with the love of his life.

*********************

Jim was beginning to pace around the house now, looking for something else that he could do to get ready for Ross.  He double checked the bedroom again, fresh linens, candles ready to be lit, and plenty of lube in the bedside tables.  He had cleared out part of his closet for Ross to put his clothes in.  Jim stopped in his tracks.  “Oh fuck!  This is actually going to happen!  Ross is moving in and I’m going to be sharing my home with him!  My closet, my dresser drawers, my bed.”  He looked around the bedroom again.  He wished that he had a second closet to give Ross, but Jim rented an older duplex and there wasn’t much storage space.  He looked at the dresser and realised that the top was littered with his personal things, so he removed half of the stuff and crammed it in one of his drawers.  He looked at his watch and saw that it was getting close to the time that he needed to leave for the airport.  He felt like his heart was going to pound out of his chest, “For fuck’s sake Jim, quite acting like an idiot!  You’ve been waiting for this for so long.  Get your shit together!”  He took one more look around the bedroom and didn’t see anything else that he could do to help Ross feel welcome and at home, so he headed downstairs to get ready to leave.  After one more peak at the stew he threw on his coat and headed out the door.

***********************

Ross woke to the plane landing at Dulles International Airport.  Ross was more than ready to get off this plane, and he wasn’t alone on that thought.  He could hear the sighs of relief from the others around him.

Ross had made his way through the busy customs lines and was on his way to find Jim.  The airport is a pretty compact airport, so it didn’t take him long to finally spot him standing off to the side holding a red rose and with a gorgeous smile that reached his beautiful blue eyes.  Ross was still using a cane since his last knee surgery, but he walked as fast as he could with his luggage cart to get to Jim.  There were so many people in the terminal that he had to dodge around with the luggage cart. He finally reached Jim and they were both standing, grinning at each other.

Finally Ross spoke first, “Hi!”

“Hi!”

Ross pointed at the flower, “Is that for me?”

“Um yeah it is.  I guess it’s probably stupid to bring you a rose, but I felt like I should bring somet…” 

Ross quickly leaned down and put his hands on Jim’s face and kissed Jim on the lips.  At first it was a tender kiss that grew in intensity, Jim grabbing at Ross’s collar, neither one caring what others around them might think of two men kissing.  They did hear one lady say, “Aww that’s so sweet.”  Jim finally broke the kiss and they were forehead to forehead.  “C’mon, love.  Let’s go home.”

Ross closed his eyes, “I love the way that sounds.”

*************************

The couple managed to fit all of the luggage in Jim’s Jeep Wrangler.  Ross had previously mailed over seven boxes of stuff before he left but he brought with him two large suitcases, a carry-on and two more boxes.  “Bloody hell Jim I thought your Jeep was bigger than this!  I thought we were going to have to call an Uber to bring some of this with us to your house.”

“Our house,” Jim corrected his partner.  

Ross’s face had that huge smile on it, “Our house.”

Luckily it was evening time and with the recent snow,  the highway didn’t have its usual traffic.  “Look at all this snow!  Jazsus Jim I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much snow!  Do you have much trouble with sliding around in this thing?”

“Nah, I’ve got good winter tires on, and there’s some sand bags in the back.  And they keep the main roads pretty well plowed,”  he looked at his British boyfriend,  “ Ross, I can’t believe you’re finally here!!  I can’t wait to get you home.  I hope you’re hungry, I’ve got a stew simmering.”

Ross’s eyes were sparkling even in the dark, “Actually I am quite hungry.  My stomach has been in knots so I didn’t eat much on the plane.  Is it lamb?”

Jim chuckled, “No it’s beef, you’re going to have to get used to that.  We don’t use lamb much over here.  I did check for some but the grocery store didn’t have any lamb stew meat, and I really don’t know much about the cuts, so you’ll have to teach me.”

“Oh that’s alright, we’ll figure it out.  All these Christmas lights!  I could see some of them from the plane when we got closer to landing.  Have you decorated for Christmas?” Ross was rubbing his hands together to warm up.

Jim looked at Ross, “Nope.  I’ve been waiting for you, so that we could do it together for our first Christmas.  Here I’ll turn the heat up for you.”

Ross put his hand on Jim’s knee, “Aw thanks for waiting for me.  I did swipe a few Christmas decorations from my parents house when they weren’t home.  Just the few that meant anything to me, like the ones that Claude Anthony and I made when we were kids.  They were still in boxes in the attic so I doubt that my mother has seen them in years.”

“Did you say good-bye to your parents before you left?” Jim was hoping that the relationship between Ross and his parents would thaw even a little bit at some point before he moved to the states.

Ross’s face lost the smile it had, “Well I informed them that I was moving.  If you were hoping for a tearful goodbye from them, you’re out of luck.  I think it did shock my father more than my mother.  He did at least shake my hand when I left, so I guess that’s something.  Oh and I do have the check from Aunt Agatha.  I had her make it out to you so you would have less hassle depositing it than I would.”  Ross’s Aunt Agatha had insisted on giving Ross and Jim some money to help them as part of Ross’s inheritance.  Ross really didn’t want to take it, but she had told him that she would rather him have it now when it would be useful to his situation with having to do a residency all over again.  Ross had been told that he would not be able to transfer his doctor’s licence to America, so he has to do a residency program all over again.  So Ross was going to have to find a lower paying job in a hospital, plus go back to school.  

Jim shook his head, “That old bird, she is something else. How much is it?”

“Jim, it’s 40,000 bloody pounds!  I couldn’t believe it!  I really did try to give it back to her but she was adamant about it since my parents have disowned me.”

Jim’s eyes got as big as saucers, “Holy shit Ross! I didn’t think it would be that much when you told me what she wanted to do.”  Jim exited off the freeway, “Okay it won’t be much longer now.  I bet you’re tired.”

Ross shook his head, “I am.  I think exhaustion is starting to settle in.  I’ll probably just bring my carry-on bag in for tonight.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”  Jim noticed that Ross was quieter and looked over at him.  He was dozing off.  JIm just smiled at him.  He drove another 15 minutes before he pulled into his driveway.  He turned the car off and just stared at Ross for a minute before he woke him up.  He touched his shoulder, “Hey baby, we’re home.”

“Hmm.”

“Ross, baby, we’re home.”

Ross raised his head, “What?  Oh shit, we’re here?”

“Yep, we’re home baby.”

Ross looked at the house and smiled and then looked at Jim and leaned over and kissed him, “I love you.”

“I love you too baby.  Let’s get you inside,” Jim said.

They got out of the car and Ross grabbed his bag and followed Jim to the front door.  He couldn’t really see much of it in the dark, just that it was grey.  Jim unlocked the door and took Ross’s bag out of his hand and set it inside the door and turned on a light, then he turned around and picked Ross up in his arms, “Jim what the fuck!  Put me down!” Ross was laughing at the situation.

“Nope, not until I carry you across the threshold!” Jim had a cheshire grin.  

Ross was laughing, “But we’re not married!”

 “Close enough for now!”  Jim crossed the threshold and then put Ross down.  

Ross was still laughing, “You wanker!” He pulled Jim close to him by his coat and gave him a very passionate kiss that went on forever. “Oh feckin hell Jim, I’ve missed you so much.  I can’t believe that I’m finally here.”  Jim could see the wetness in Ross’s eyes.  “I’ve missed you too Ross.  I know it was only four months but it seemed like forever.”  Jim reached up to kiss Ross again.  He wanted to kiss Ross’s neck, but it was impossible with his coat on.  “Shall I give you a tour of your new home?”

Ross was running his fingers through Jim’s golden hair, “Only if the tour starts out in the bedroom.

Jim was trying to concentrate but it was hard with Ross’s tongue in his ear. “Um, what about the stew? I thought you were hungry?

Ross kissed Jim again, this time with his tongue exploring Jim’s mouth, “Fuck the stew we can have it later.  Let’s start this tour of the bedroom.  Now please!”

Jim pulled away from Ross and went into the kitchen and turned the slow cooker off, and then came back to grab Ross’s hand and pulled him up the stairs.  

************************

Jim guided Ross into the bedroom while the two men removed their heavy coats. It was an older home with lots of hardwood floors, original woodwork and built-in shelving. Jim had painted the bedroom walls a beige.  Behind the bed, the wall was floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves that were filled to the brim with books. This bedroom was more masculine than the one in Jim’s London home.  In one corner was an old globe on a stand, with some antique nautical items in various spots.  The duvet was navy blue plaid.

Jim was walking around the bedroom lighting candles, “So I’ve cleared out half of the closet for you to use, and half of the drawer space in the dresser.  If you need more space, we can figure out something in the other bedroom.  There is a small daybed in the other bedroom that mom uses when she comes for a visit, but for the most part, I use the spare bedroom for my photography things.  Sorry it’s on the small side.”

“Bloody hell Jim, all those books!  I knew you read a lot but I didn’t realise you had a library full of books!  Have you ever heard of Kindle?”

Jim chuckled and ran his hand through his hair, “I do use a Kindle.  A lot of these are first editions.  My dad read a lot too, so a lot of these were his.”  Jim made his way back to Ross.  “No en suite here, but the bathroom down the hall is a decent size.  Meaning…”

“Meaning that two people can fit in the shower?” Ross brushed his hand down the side of Jim’s face.  

Jim cleared his throat, “Mmm yeah and maybe the bathtub as well.  If you want to change anything just let me know.  We could repaint or change the bedspread, whatever you want to help you feel at home.  I went with a lighter colour of paint because of the dark woodwork… and I’m rambling aren’t I?”

Ross removed his jumper and smiled at Jim, “Yes you are.  Are you nervous?”  He moved in closer to Jim and started unbuttoning his shirt.  

Jim cleared his throat again, “Oh maybe a little.  Part of me was worried that you would change your mind and not get on that plane.”  Ross removed Jim’s shirt and started unbuckling his jeans.

Ross sucked in his bottom lip and shook his head, “Hmmm, no way in hell, love.  You’re mine and I’m yours, remember?  I’m in this for the long haul, baby.”  He ran his fingers over Jim’s nipples causing Jim to drop his head back in a moan.  Ross gave a low chuckle.  He ran the back of his hand gently over Jim’s cheek, “This is the first night of the rest of our life together.  I don’t really want to talk about paint colours,” he leaned down and pulled Jim in for a long soulful kiss, making his way down to Jim’s jawline.  He whispered into Jim’s ear, “Take off your jeans, love.  I want to make love to you now.”  Jim felt a shiver go down his spine and removed his jeans while Ross removed his.  

Jim ran his hands through the beautiful brown curls on Ross’s chest,  “I love you Ross.”

Ross looked down into Jim’s brilliant blue eyes, “I love you too, baby,” and pulled off the rest of his clothes.

Jim looked down at Ross’s cane, “How’s your knee?”

Ross immediately let his cane drop, “What knee?”  Jim chuckled.

Both men’s chests were rising quickly from breathing fast.  Jim slowly moved his fingers over Ross’s pink nipples, pinching them gently and then leaning into him and running his tongue first over one nipple, teasing it until it hardened and then biting it gently.  Then he moved over to the other nipple, giving it the same attention.  Ross wrapped a hand to the back of Jim’s head, holding him close to his chest.  “Mmmm yes my love, that feels so good.”  Jim finally let go to rub his face and cheek into Ross’s chest hair, letting his hands caress over Ross’s back and his ass, and Ross enclosing Jim even more in his arms.  “Ross, promise me that you’ll never let me go.”  

Ross pulled back from Jim and put his hands back on Jim’s face and looked deep into Jim’s blue eyes, “Never.  I will never, ever let you go.  You are my forever, love,” Ross planted an eager kiss on Jim’s lips.  Suddenly he picked Jim up as Jim wrapped his naked legs around Ross’s waist, and walked them over to the bed and laid down on top of him as he set Jim down on the bed.  It wasn’t long before arms and legs were tangled together, lips and tongues were kissing and licking everywhere they could reach, teeth were clinking together eliciting laughing.  

Ross’s hands were running through Jim’s golden curls, “Oh fuck man, I love that your hair is longer.  I love how curly it has gotten.  There’s more me to run my fingers through ,”  he nuzzled into Jim’s hair, smelling it.  He kissed Jim’s forehead and kissed each of his eyes, then his cheeks and then his lips again.  “God Jim, I can’t get enough of you.”  Jim’s eyes were closed as he laid there and just took it all in, tears trickling down his cheeks.  Ross reached over to the nightstand and pulled out the lube that he assumed was in the drawer.  Jim heard the familiar sound of the flip of the cap, and spread his legs a little.  Ross poured some lube on his index finger and found Jim’s path and started loosening him up.  Ross knew that he would be a little tight since it had been a while so he took his time loosening Jim’s channel. Jim raised his hips and moaned.  Ross raised an eyebrow when he heard the moan, “Does it feel good baby?”  “Oh fuck yes, Ross.  Please, I need you.”  “Jim, are you sure?  Are you ready?”  Jim opened his eyes to stare at Ross, “Oh God yes, please Ross.  I need you so much.”  Ross could hear the need in Jim’s voice.  He rubbed some extra lube on his cock and lined himself up and slowly pushed in, eyes on Jim’s eyes the whole time.  It was so intense, both men moaned at the same time.  Jim was shaking his head yes at Ross letting him know that he was good.  Ross laid his head into Jim’s neck and nuzzled against him, kissing him, nipping at his neck, sucking on the thin skin causing a purplish bruise.  Jim wrapped his arms around Ross, caressing his sweat slicked back, the tear drops still falling down his cheeks, “Ross, I feel so full of your love.”

At that, Ross raised up on his arms and looked into Jim’s eyes once again and started moving his hips into Jim.  At first they rocked into each other slow and deliberate, but it didn’t take long for the heat to begin pooling in both of their bellies.  Ross had wrapped a hand around Jim’s cock to stroke him in the same rhythm that he was moving.  Jim raised up to pull Ross down for some heated kisses. Jim reached to grab Ross’s arse to pull him in closer and deeper.  “Oh god yes Ross, ngnnng!”  Ross’s eyebrows furrowed, mouth slack open, his hips were becoming erratic the closer he got to his end.  He could feel Jim’s body getting closer to his orgasm which was spurring him on.  It only took a few more strokes for Jim to achieve his shattering high, letting out a yell.  Ross yelled out a few strokes later at the orgasm that he had waited four months to have.  He laid his sweaty body down on top of Jim, breathing hard.  Jim wrapped his arms around Ross and kissed him lovingly on his lips, both men taking their time, not in any hurry to stop.  Both of the lovers showed each other the fierce love in their faces and hearts.  Words could no longer say what they felt.  

**********************

A few days later, Ross and Jim were hiking around a Christmas tree farm to cut down their first Christmas tree.  Ross was so excited about this trip to the tree farm that he was bouncing around like a little boy. They had decided that they were men and that they didn’t need to go to a corner lot full of Christmas trees that were cut down weeks ago.  They could go cut down their tree and didn’t need anyone’s help…  Except they didn’t have a saw, so they did need to borrow a saw from the farm owners. 

The couple were arguing over which tree was the best one.  Ross kept picking out trees that were way too big for the ceiling height in the house.  “It’s my first Christmas in the states, so I should get to pick out the tree.”  Ross’s voice had a childlike quality to it and was starting to pout!

“Well that would be fine, except you keep picking out trees that I know aren’t going to fit!  I don’t have 15 foot ceilings!”

They were starting to bicker over the trees and were getting laughs from other people looking for a tree.

Finally, Ross found a tree that was acceptable to Jim’s height requirements.  “Okay, I think this one will do,” Jim said, “I’m going to be on the bottom sawing the tree, you hold onto the tree so that it doesn’t fall over.  Got it?”

“Got it,” Ross replied.

Jim was laying on the ground, sawing back and forth on the trunk, while Ross was whistling, looking around at the other people picking out trees.  Some were families, some were younger couples like he and Jim.  Some even brought their dogs with them.  “Hey Jim, have you ever thought about getting a dog?”

“What?” Jim yelled.

“I said, have you ever thought about getting a dog?”

Jim stopped sawing, “Ross are you holding the tree?”

Ross quickly put his hand on the tree trunk, “Yeah, yes of course I am.  Are you about done?”

Jim growled, “You weren’t holding onto the trunk were you?”

“Yes I was, am.”

“Leave it to you to pick the tree with the double trunk!  Okay, pull gently on the tree and give me more room to saw,” Jim told Ross.  Ross started pulling on the tree, and Jim went back to sawing the last little bit.  Finally the tree gave way causing Ross to fall down with the tree on top of him.  Jim was still lying on the snow covered ground cracking up at the sight!  It didn’t take long before other tree hunters were smiling at the scene as well.  Jim finally got up and pulled the tree off Ross.  Jim handed Ross a hand to get up, “You okay Ross?”  Ross started laughing at himself while he brushed the pine needles off his clothes.  Jim put his hands on Ross’s cheeks and gave him a kiss.   “We did it!” Ross cheered.   “That we did mate.”  He was enjoying how excited Ross was at their first Christmas tree experience.  The first of many experiences for the couple.  “Alright, let’s drag this sucker back to the barn and pay for it.  Man, I’m getting too old for this shit,” Jim was moaning.  Ross chuffed, “Well I’ll just have to give you a massage when we get home!” 

******************************

Ross and Jim made it home with their tree and were untying it from the roof of the Jeep, and Jim was asking Ross where he thought they should put the tree.  “Well, where do you normally put it?”

“Usually in front of the window so I don’t have to move too much furniture, but we can put it anywhere you want.  Just don’t have me move it 50 times.  My mom used to do that to my dad every year, and he always got pissed off at her.”

Ross was looking at the house and the front window, “The window is fine with me.  I can carry it into the house if you want to grab the tree stand.”

“Sounds like a plan Stan,” Jim said, quoting a song.

“Huh?”

“Never mind, it’s from an old song.  Let’s get inside.”

*****************************

Ross held the tree in the tree stand while Jim laid on the floor and tightened up the bolts going  into the tree trunk from the tree stand.  Jim noticed that he was laying on the ground again, “Hey there’s something wrong here.  First I laid on the snowy ground to cut the tree, and now I’m laying on the floor tightening up the bolts into the tree trunk while you hold the tree again.”

Ross let out his big laugh that lit up his whole face, “Well, I think you just have more experience doing this than I do.”

Jim finally stood up, “Really?  Did you not cut the tree down in the Poldark mansion?”

“No.  It was an artificial tree and the servants put the tree up and had it ready for us to decorate.  Pretty sad now that I look back on it,” Ross was remembering his family’s holidays.

“That does sound pretty sad.  Okay, I’ll go find some scissors so we can cut the binding and let the branches fall down.  This is one of my favourite parts, actually,” Jim went to the kitchen to find his scissors while Ross was left standing looking at the tree thinking back on all of his past Christmases.  They were always fun until Claude Anthony died, and then everything changed.

“Hey, you alright?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, I’m fine.  Cut away!” Ross said.

Jim started cutting through the binding and then pulled it off so the tree could unfold dramatically.  

Ross took it all in, “Hey that is pretty cool!”

Jim nodded his head, “See, I told you!”  Jim wrapped his arms around Ross’s waist and nuzzled into his neck, “I’m so glad that you’re finally here, babe.”

Ross wrapped Jim up in his arms and softly said, “I am too.”

During one of their phone conversations prior to Ross’s arrival, Ross had asked if they could use coloured lights instead of white lights because that’s the colour his mother always insisted on using.  Of course Jim said yes.  He rarely could tell Ross no, especially when it came to things like this.  He wanted Ross’s first Christmas with him to be special and one to replace the sad Christmas memories that were in the back of his mind.  

The blonde and brunette had decided on stringing popcorn for the tree’s garland, so Jim had popped a huge amount of popcorn for them to string.  That endeavour had taken a lot longer than what either one of them had imagined.  The popcorn fight that they had didn’t help matters. Not to mention how much the lovers had eaten.  

Ross was excited to see the lights and the popcorn garland on the tree.  “We could leave it just like that and it would be perfect!”

 “Yeah, we could do that I guess, but didn’t you say that you brought some ornaments with you?  And I have some that we can put on.” 

Ross’s eyes got wide, “Oh yeah, I forgot!  I’ll go find them.”  He ran upstairs to find the ornaments that were still in his luggage, while Jim pulled his box of ornaments out.

Ross ran back in the room, “I can’t get over how good the tree smells!  Sooo, I just have a few ornaments.  I took the ones that I made when I was younger, and the ones that Claude Anthony made, and then just a few sentimental ones.  Do you think they look stupid?”

Jim’s eyebrows furrowed, “No, no not at all!  They’re beautiful.  I love the handmade ones that you and your brother made.  Do you think your mom will realise that you took them?”

Ross just shook his head, “I doubt it, she just uses pretty ornaments now.  I know it’s silly but I couldn’t part with these, and it makes me feel good to have something of Claude Anthony’s here.”  Ross’s voice got quiet and a little sad in remembering his brother.  

Jim walked over to Ross.  “Hey, I’m so sorry about your brother.  I can’t imagine losing my sister.  We don’t talk everyday but it would kill me if I lost her.  She can be your sister now.  She’ll fall in love with you when you two meet.  And my niece will squeal at how good looking you are!”  

Ross raised an eyebrow and smiled, “She will? Even with this scar on my face?”

Jim’s eyes crinkled with a smile, “Oh hell yeah, she’ll be fawning all over you! And stop worrying about that scar on your face!  I don’t even notice it anymore!”

Ross squinted his eyes, “Really? You don’t?  It still bothers me when I look in the mirror.”

Jim put his hands on Ross’s face, “I wouldn’t lie to you.  Now, let’s finish decorating this tree.  I’m going to turn on White Christmas!”  Ross smiled and went back to decorating.  

**************************

All of the decorations were on the tree.  Jim had red and gold round ornaments that they used to fill in where they didn’t have other personal ornaments to fill in.  Jim spoke up, “Do you want to put the angel on top?” He handed Ross the angel that he has used ever since he’s had his own Christmas trees.

Ross gasped, “Look at her!  She’s so pretty!”  He looked at Jim and smiled and then he reached to the top and put her on the top branch that stuck up.  Ross barely had to reach up on his tiptoes to reach the top.  “There, now it’s finished.”  Ross looked at Jim with tears in his eyes, and pulled him in close, “Thank you so much!  This day has been wonderful! For the first time in my life, I feel loved, and I have hope for the future, and it’s all because of you, Jim.”

Jim swallowed hard, “It’s because of both of us, Ross.  We are going to have a wonderful life together.  Thank you for making this move.  I know that you don’t get along with your parents, but I know that it was still a huge move and a big sacrifice, especially when it comes to your career.  And I just want you to know how much I appreciate that you did that for me, and for us.  Let’s go to bed.  We can clean up this mess tomorrow.”

Ross smiled, “Sounds good.”  He took Jim’s hand and led him upstairs.

*************************  

Chapter 2

The next few days before Christmas, Jim had to work, so Ross was home alone puttering around the house.  They had both agreed that he could wait until after the holidays before he seriously started looking for a job, although he had been working on his resume to ‘Americanize’ it.  While Jim was at work he had put up more Christmas decorations and had purchased greenery to decorate the archways in the house and added the extra popcorn and lights to the greenery.  He even put lights up outside on the trees and bushes!

Now he was going through some of his boxes to try to organise his things and figure out a place for everything when he received a phone call from Verity.

“Verity!  Oh my gosh how are you!!!”

“I’m good, but missing your face.”

“Oh Verity I haven’t been gone that long, but I do miss you too.  How’s Andrew?”

“He’s doing well.  I think that visit with Aunt Agatha really boosted his confidence.  Father has even asked about him if you can believe that.  How’s Jim?  Has he had enough of you yet?”

Ross laughed, “No he hasn’t thank you very much.  He’s wonderful.  He’s at work right now, so I’ve been bumming around the house unloading some of the boxes and trying to find a place for things.  It’s a bigger space than what he had in London, but it doesn’t have a lot of storage, so I guess I’m going to have to be creative and figure some things out.”

“I love your pictures of your holiday decorations, especially the ornaments you stole from your parents house.”

Ross rolled his eyes, “Grace hasn’t used those ornaments in years, she probably hasn’t even noticed that they’re gone.  She didn’t appreciate them anymore, and I do.  So, fuck her.  I don’t really care if she figures out that I have them.  Just don’t show her any pictures of them.”  They both laughed at that remark.

“Did you put them on face page?”

“No, actually, I cancelled my account. I’m starting out my life here a little more private.  If I do start a new page it will probably be under a different name, so I’ll let you know if I do that.”

“Well be sure that you do let me know.  So is Christmas going to be just the two of you?  Snuggled up in each other’s laps?”

“No, we are making the trip to Ohio to spend Christmas with Jim’s mom and sister.  I’m kind of nervous about it.  I’ve never met anybody’s family before.”

“Oh you’ll be fine, just be yourself.  Look, I’ve got to go, but call me when you get back from Ohio and let me know how it goes, yeah?”

“Of course I will.  You and Andrew have a great holiday!  Love you Verity.”

“Love you Ross.  Take care.”

Ross hung up with Verity and let out a big sigh and took a look around him.  Now after talking with Verity he felt kind of lonely.  “Stop feeling sorry for yourself Ross, you’ve got a wonderful life here, and it will keep getting better,” he was telling himself.  “Come on, get back to work on these boxes.”  

By the time Jim got home from work he had made his way through half of the boxes and had started on some kind of supper for Jim.  Jim yelled when he came through the door, “Honey, I’m hooome.”  He walked into the kitchen and found Ross cooking, “Look at you, all domesticated and cooking and everything.”  Jim leaned up to give Ross a kiss.  “So what’s for supper?”  Jim was getting turned on by seeing Ross cooking and let his hand rest on Ross’s ass.

“Well, I’m still not used to this stove, and directions not in the metric system, soooo we’re having bacon and eggs for supper!  This is the second batch of bacon that I’ve cooked after burning the first batch, not to mention the burnt toast in the bin, but I’m trying.  Hopefully I won’t burn the eggs.  But if you keep rubbing my ass like that, I can’t guarantee that I won’t burn them.”

Jim chuckled at Ross, “Awwww baby, do you want me to cook the eggs?”  He squeezed Ross’s ass some more.

Ross turned around and put his hand on the bulge in Jim’s jeans causing him to moan, “No, just stop doing shit like that for just a few minutes until I have this done,” Ross leaned down and thrusted his tongue into Jim’s mouth for a hard kiss.  He pulled back and moaned, “Now please go sit your beautiful ass down!”

Jim raised his hands up, “Alright I will! Jazsus, don’t get your knickers in a twist!”

Ross finished the eggs and plated the food and sat down, “So honey, how was your day?” Ross was smirking now.

“It was good.  I got a lot of good shots at the Capitol building, then later at an inner city school for a story that a co-worker is working on.  And how was your day, great love of mine?”

Ross took a couple of bites of his eggs, “Verity called. We talked for a while.”

Jim’s eyebrows raised, “Oh how is she doing?”

“She’s doing well.  She and Andrew are doing goodl.  So um, about this trip to Ohio…”

“What about it?”

Ross put his fork down, “I’m kind of, nervous about it.  Your mum seems very nice, it’s just..”

“I don’t understand, I thought you were all for going to mom’s for Christmas?  Is it too much too soon?” Jim was a little concerned now.

Ross was starting to get fidgety, “It’s just that I’ve never met anyone’s family before, and I don’t want to intrude on your family traditions, and, and, I …”  Ross sighed and started scratching at his beard and face.

Jim rolled his eyes, “Is it the sex part?”

Ross was so surprised by what Jim said he nearly spit out his food, “What are you talking about?  What sex part?”

“Well not that we’d be having sex, but sleeping in the same room.  I thought maybe that’s what worrying you,” Jim said.

Ross pushed his chair back, “Christ Jim!  I wasn’t before, but I am now!  What are you talking about sleeping together?  We can’t sleep together under your mother’s roof?”

Jim started laughing, “Why not?  We’re grown adults, mom won’t mind.  Is that what you’re stressed about?”

Ross’s eyes grew wider, “Bloody hell Jim! I’m not sleeping in the same bed as you in your mother’s home!”

“Well, then I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep on the couch. My mom turned Pat’s old bedroom into her craft room.   Look, Ross, it will be fine.  If you want to sleep on the couch that’s fine, but please come with me.  I promise it will be low key.  You have to get to know them at some point.  It might as well be now because I don’t know when I’ll be going back again.  Please?”  Jim was trying not to beg, but he was really wanting Ross to come home with him to meet his family.

“What about the drive?  I won’t be able to help you drive yet,” secretly Ross couldn’t stand the thought of a seven hour drive but he would do it for Jim.

Jim wrapped his arms around Ross’s waist, “I’ve driven it by myself lots of times, so I’m not worried about it,” he stuck out his lower lip like he was pouting.

Ross smiled, “Alright, but there’s something about me that you don’t know.”

“Oh fuck please don’t tell me that you’re really straight!”

Ross gave one of those laughs where his whole face is glowing, “No, I can assure you that I’m gay.”  Then Ross’s face became serious again, “No, my problem is that I get car sick, so I’m not really sure that I can ride in a car for seven hours straight, mate.”

Jim started laughing and then stopped when he realised that Ross was serious, “Oh man, you are serious aren’t you?”

Ross shook his head yes.

“Oh man.  Well, isn’t there medicine for that?  I know there is.  I don’t remember what it’s called but I know it’s out there… and people wear those dots behind their ears.  You could get some of those!”  Jim was trying to think of anything that would make this trip happen for Ross.  

Ross was still shaking his head, “Yeah, I’ve used those bloody dots before, but they’re prescription and I don’t have a doctor yet to prescribe them for me.  Do you have a doctor that would write me a script?”

Jim was thinking about his doctor, “Well yeah I do, but I haven’t seen him in forever.  I could call the office and see if I could get you in.  Don’t worry mate, we’ll make this happen.  And if we have to stop a couple of times that’s no big deal.”

***************************

Ross was having his first experience with the American healthcare system.  Jim did have a primary physician, but unfortunately, it was the holidays and he didn’t have openings for a new patient even if he was a referral from an established patient.  So, he tried an urgent care and waited for four hours to see a physician’s assistant who luckily had the same problem that Ross did with car sickness and was willing to write him a prescription for medication to help with nausea. 

The car was packed with their bags and the Christmas gifts for the family, the snacks and drinks were in the car, the roads were clear from snow, and Ross had a pillow and had taken his nausea medication.  

Jim looked at Ross, “You ready Freddie?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.  Wake me up when we get there!” Ross said

“Will do,” Jim replied.

*************************

Four hours later Jim was pulled off at a rest stop to let Ross get out of the car to throw up. He had managed to sleep for the first four hours but then he woke up with the urge to throw up.  Luckily Jim was able to pull over just in time.  Jim looked at his watch and the maps app on his phone to figure out home much longer he had to drive before arriving at his mother’s.  He’d made the trip countless times, but he thought he would just double check for the sake of double checking.   They were about half way through the trip, with about another four hours to go.  Ross made his way back to the car wiping his mouth with a kleenex.  He opened the door and got in the car.

Jim looked at him, and noticed that Ross was pale and a little clammy, “You alright?”

Ross shook his head, “Yeah, I just took another one of those pills for nausea so hopefully that will do the trick for the rest of the trip.  How much longer do we have to go?”

Jim tilted his head feeling bad for his partner, “About four more hours.  Will you be okay for the rest of the trip?”

“Yes, let’s just get back on the road,” Ross said quietly.

“Okay, Ohio here we come!”  Jim normally played the radio on these road trips, but Ross asked to leave it off so that he could try to sleep, so no radio.

Jim finally pulled into his mom’s driveway after six more hours and three more stops.  He turned the engine off and let out a big sigh and unbuckled his seatbelt.  Ross was sound asleep.  He felt sorry that Ross had such a miserable time.  He gave his boyfriend a light shove on his shoulder, “Babe? We’re here.”  No response.  “Ross, love, time to wake up… we’re at my mom’s.  Come on Ross, wake up!” 

“Hmmm, wha?  Where are we?”

Jim smiled, “Ross, we’re at my mom’s, time to wake up.”

Ross looked around, “Oh shit I missed the drive into town didn’t I?  Damnit!”  

“It’s okay Ross, we can drive around to look at the town later..” Jim and Ross jumped at the sound of someone pounding on the driver’s door window.  There was a woman with her hair wrapped up in a towel like a turban, screaming at Jim!

Ross’s eyes were wide, “Who the fuck is that?”

Jim rolled his eyes, “That would be my mother.”  Jim raised his hands to try to calm his mother down.

“Come on sugar, come on, get out of the car so I can hug you!  Is that Ross?”  Jim’s mom was so excited, she couldn’t contain herself.

Jim finally opened his door so his mother would quit screaming, “Mom calm the fuck down, you’re scaring Ross!”  Jim wrapped his arms around his mom in hopes of calming her down.  She wasn’t normally quite this nuts when he came home, so it must have been the thought that Jim brought Ross home to meet her.    

Ross deemed it safe to open his door and stepped out of the car with a careful smile on his face.  He walked around the car to meet Jim’s mum, still feeling a bit queasy.  He was starting to get a kick out of the scene playing out in front of him between Jim and his mum.  

Jim finally freed himself from his mother’s hug, “Mom calm down now, okay?  I want you to meet Ross.  Ross, this is my mom April.  Mom, this is my partner, Ross.”

Ross held out his hand to shake April’s hand, “Hello Mrs. Hawkins, it’s lovely to meet you…”

April grabbed Ross in a hug, “Oh we don’t waste time shaking hands in this family!”  Ross wasn’t able to return the hug yet because she was squeezing so hard.  Jim noticed the shocked look on Ross’s face and was trying not to laugh.  Ross finally reciprocated the hug and backed away from this excited woman with her hair still wrapped in a towel.  

April pulled back, her hands still had a firm grip on Ross’s arms.  “Oh my goodness let me get a good look at this beautiful man!”  She raised her hands to touch Ross’s cheeks, “My son done found himself a beeutiful doctor!!!  How exciting is that!”

Jim intervened before Ross hitchhiked his way to the nearest airport, “Mother!  Please calm down and stop holding Ross’s face!”  Jim looked at Ross’s face to see his reaction, but by this time, Ross was smiling with his whole face which was a good sign to Jim.  “Ross, I’m sorry, she’s not usually this crazed.”

Ross laughed, “It’s fine, I don’t mind.  It’s wonderful to meet you April, I’ve heard a lot about you from Jim.”

“Aww you’re so sweet.  Let’s all go inside before we catch a cold.  Jimmy, you get all of the bags while I show Ross the way.  Are you hungry Ross?”  She wrapped her arm around Ross’s while they walked into the house.

“Oh no, I couldn’t eat a thing.  My stomach is still upset from the trip.  But I would take a cup of tea if you have some,” Ross was laying on the charm now.

“Oh my Ross, I love your accent!  So very posh!” April replied.  Ross’s face had another shocked look on it.

Jim’s face cringed when she heard his mom call Ross posh.  She didn’t realise that could be taken as an insult.

*********************************

Jim and Ross were sitting at the kitchen table having some tea.  After April’s introduction to Ross, Jim was now the one feeling nauseous.  “Mom, are you going to take that towel off your head?”

April gasped and raised her hands to the towel, “Oh shit! Jimmy, why didn’t you tell me it was still on!”

“I tried, but you wouldn’t stop talking long enough for me to tell you!” Jim was now laughing at his mom.

“Ross, please excuse me while I go wash my hair.  Make yourself at home, and I’ll be back before you know it!”  Ross watched her rush out of the room.

Jim let out a huge sigh, “Oh my god Ross, I am so sorry about that whole scene outside.  She’s not normally that crazy when I come home.  I don’t know what’s gotten into her!”

Ross waved his hand at Jim, “Don’t worry about it Jimmy!”  Ross was chuckling at Jim over his mother calling him Jimmy,  “It must be my ‘posh’ accent!”  He started laughing at the expression on Jim’s face.  “She’s certainly full of energy.  Are you sure she’s your mom and not your sister?”

“Oh Christ I’m sorry about the whole posh thing.  She has no idea that it could be considered an insult.”

Ross just shook his head, “Stop!  It’s fine!  Really!  At least your mom means well, and isn’t afraid to show her love for you.  But I have to ask, what’s with the towel on her head?”

Jim started laughing, “She colours her own hair.  She must have had a towel around it to catch the dye from dripping.  But don’t ask me what colour it will be.  It could be orange under that towel!”  He got up and went to the fridge and pulled out two beers and handed one to Ross, “She means well.  She really does.  And she works really hard at the bar.  My sister keeps after her to retire, but I think if she ever did, she would die from boredom.  Let’s go sit down in the living room and relax.”  

They both stretched out while sitting on the couch.  Ross noticed how tired Jim was, “Hey I’m sorry for all of the times you had to pull over.  Those pills don’t seem to last very long.”

“Hey don’t worry about it.  Do you think the dots behind your ears would work better?” Jim asked.

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve always used before.  I should’ve pushed harder for that doctor to prescribe those for me.”

Jim looked at him, “What I don’t understand is, how did you handle it in the army? Or when you’re on the tube?

“The tube never bothers me.  I don’t know if it’s because of the speed or what.  And in the army, I very seldom had to travel for a long time in a jeep or truck, and if I did, I used those dots.  I wasn’t the only one, there were a few other soldiers that had to use them also.”  Ross patted the couch with his hand, “So is this the couch that I’m crashing on tonight?”

“What?  You’re not sleeping on the couch!” April walked in on them talking and scared them both.

“Mom, you scared the shit out of us!  Ross wants to sleep on the couch.  I told him he doesn’t have to but that’s what he wants to do,” he noticed her hair colour was back to the honey blonde that she had when he was growing up, “I like your hair colour, it looks nice on you.”

“Oh thanks sugar.  I just needed to touch it up a bit, not that I have any grey hair,” April confidently replied.

Jim smiled, “Oh of course not, I didn’t think you did.”  He took a large drink of his beer to keep from laughing.

April gave her son the side eye, “Now Ross, I will hear none of you sleeping on the couch.  It doesn’t bother me in the least if you and Jim sleep in the same bed.  And feel free to have sex because the walls in this house are pretty thick.”  Ross choked on his beer with her statement.

Jim rolled his eyes, “Mom, I know you mean well, but tone it down a bit.  Ross grew up in a very conservative house.  I don’t think they even talked about sex.”  Ross was still trying to recover from choking on his beer.

April looked at Ross and tilted her head, “Oh is that right Ross?”

“Um yes, I’m afraid so.  Sex was never discussed and I was never allowed to have someone spend the night, male or female,” Ross quietly added.

“Oh, are you bisexual Ross?” April asked.

Jim let out a sigh, “No mom, Ross is gay.  But his parents have just never accepted his sexuality.  They didn’t even contact him when he was injured in the war,” Jim thought maybe it would be better if he explained a few things to his mom instead of making Ross re-live everything.

April got up to sit next to Ross, “Oh that’s horrible Ross, I’m so very sorry.  I don’t understand how parents can do that to their children.  But don’t you never mind.  I want you to sleep in the same bed as Jimmy, and be comfortable with it.  Think of yourself as my son too.  I might be a little ditzy at times, or a little loud, but from now on, you’re one of mine sugar,” April leaned in to give Ross a hug, and started to rub his back to soothe him.  

Ross was a little taken aback by April’s hug, but hugged her back. Ross cleared his voice, “Thank you April, I appreciate that.”

Jim had a tear in his eye witnessing the scene between his mom and the love of his life, “Well, I guess that means that I’ll be taking all of the luggage upstairs then.  Nobody’s sleeping on the couch.”

Ross pulled back from April and wiped his eyes, “I’ll help you take the bags up, Jimmy.”  Jim gave Ross a dirty look for calling him Jimmy!

“Right.  I have some potato soup simmering that we can have for supper and some good crusty bread and cheese,” said April

Jim stopped in his tracks, “Ohhhh mom I love your potato soup!  You really need to teach me how to make it.  You’ll love it Ross, it’s so good.”

“It smells delicious if that’s what I’m smelling,” Ross said.

April got up, “It is.  I love spoiling Jim when he comes home and cook him his favourite dishes.  It’s the best way I have to make sure he comes back again and not chasing some dangerous criminals somewhere.”

“Oh maahhh.”

*******************************

Jim took Ross for a spin around town to see some of the sights and the Christmas lights.  He parked the car in the centre of town so that they could get out and walk around.  It was a clear night and the stars were bright, but that also made it colder.  Ross was already zipping his coat up and pulling his gloves on.  Jim started telling Ross about his hometown, “It’s an older town with local businesses passed down from generation to generation.  We’re set on Lake Erie, so tourists are the main source of income for the locals.  In the summer it’s boating and fishing, ferry boats going back and forth to the islands where there are more tourist attractions like wineries.  In the winter time there are snowmobile races and ice fishing.” 

Ross noticed that there was a long pile of snow down the centre of the entire length of the street.  “Hey Jim, what’s up with all of the snow in the middle of the street?”

“Oh that’s where they plow it if they’ve had a large amount of snow.  Then they dump it in trucks with a front end loader and take it somewhere the town can dump it.”

“Really? That’s interesting,” Ross said.  

Jim went to grab Ross’s hand but Ross moved it away.  Jim gave him a weird look, “It’s okay you know.  Everybody here knows that I’m gay, and they don’t care.”  He held out his hand and Ross looked at it and smiled, then took his hand.  

All of the store windows were decorated with lights and different winter scenes painted in the windows.  There were white lights hung high from one side of the street to the other, angels in lights were everywhere.  Ross’s eyes and smile kept getting bigger as they walked down the sidewalk.  He pointed to the real mini Christmas trees with coloured lights adhered to the telephone poles on both sides of the street.  Poinsettias filled large planters on the corners of the streets.  

Ross noticed a large star at the end of the street, “What is that?”

Jim saw where he was pointing, “Oh that’s the best part of the town’s decorations.  Come on, we need to drive down there and get closer.”

Jim parked at the end of the street so they could get out to give Ross a closer look.  The street dead ended into a park with a street that continued on all sides of the park.  But at the end of the street between two large poles, was a huge star that was hung near the top of the two poles.  It was bright and brilliant.  Underneath the star was a large lit sign that said ‘Merry Christmas’ and underneath that was another lit sign with a large painting of an open Bible that said ‘Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.’  

Ross’s face was completely lit up with happiness, “That is bloody brilliant!  Incredible!”

Jim smiled at Ross’s reaction, “That sign has been raised at Christmas every year for 80 years.  The only year that it wasn’t lit up was one year during  WWII.”

Ross’s eyes got wider if that was possible, “You’re kidding!  That’s absolutely incredible.  What a wonderful tradition this town has.”  Ross turned around to see main street all lit up in its glory.  Ross was the one to grab Jim’s hand this time.  “Thank you so much for bringing me here to your home town, love.”

“Is it worth the car sickness from DC?” Jim asked.

Ross’s eyebrows raised and his mouth wide with laughter, “Definitely worth the car sickness!”  He pulled Jim close to him and gave him a long kiss, “I love you James Hawkins.”  

“I love you Ross Poldark!”

[greatunironic]

title: cause in the back of my mind, i'm in the back of your car (1/5) summary: "It was overcast at Silverstone, that afternoon. It was cooler than last year, the wind from Friday had died down significantly, and the likelihood of seeing rain was slim to none. Conditions were favorable, and Steve had had good runs in practice and snagged P2 to start. Max had officially made her test debut for the team Saturday too, and Erica despite her age, had gotten to be her race engineer; Max was going to get elevated out of testing and dev within the next two years and make motorsport history, and Erica was going to be the youngest race engineer in F1 history shortly there after, mark his words."

In which Steve started racing go-karts at ten, and never looked back.

excerpt:

The first time he got behind the wheel of a go-kart, Steve was ten.

They’d always moved around a lot for his dad’s job, and at first it had just taken them all across the States: he was born in Chicago, but he’d lived in Miami, Boston, LA, Toronto, and Houston by the time the first European posting was offered. Steve had been seven, back then, and good at making friends but not at keeping them, and his mom had frowned at the idea of Prague, somewhere so totally foreign, but they went nonetheless. That only lasted six months, and then it was Paris for eight, London for fifteen, and then Milan.

That was the city his mom had liked the most, and Steve figured either his dad did too or the business was best there because they bought a house and everything after the second month, had the furniture shipped from storage in Houston, and he actually got enrolled in an international school this time instead of getting foisted off on some perky au pair that his dad probably wanted to bang and his mom turned a blind eye and rictus grin to.

The school was one populated mostly by the kids of American diplomats and other expats, and it had enough connections that Steve practically gave presentations during Sunday dinners so his dad could examine these potential friends and let him know who to continue associating with, and who to drop like a hot potato.

[yvonne-rutherford]

Coleraine Road London SE3

Magnificent double fronted six double bedroom semi detached Victorian family home. Offering extremely spacious accommodation throughout with plenty of charm and character. There is also the opportunity to add further value and extend (STPP). Internally this wonderful home offers in excess of 3,000 square feet of accommodation, the current owners have improved and enhanced many aspects of this superb property. Upon entering the property you are welcomed by a lovely entrance hall where you are flanked by two stunning reception rooms, both enjoy stripped wood flooring, ornate cornice and plantation shutters. There is a third reception room over looking your rear garden ideal for formal dining. The kitchen is located at the rear of the house which has access from your breakfast room and in to your conservatory. There is a handy ground floor cloak room and also access to a large cellar ideal for storage. Ascending to the first floor you will find three large double bedrooms, the primary bedroom is bay fronted, has in built wardrobes and extends an impressive 18 feet. You also have a three piece bathroom suite and utility room on this level. The top floor consists of a further three double sized bedroom and a high end, bespoke shower room. Plenty of floored and lit loft storage above. To the rear of this stunning home is an expansive landscaped garden measuring 135 feet which has plenty of mature greenery, flower beds and two storage sheds. Front garden provides off street parking for one car.

[londonremovalcompanyuk]

Exploring the Closest Removal Company near me

Moving homes can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience, especially in a city as vibrant and bustling as London. With its maze of streets, diverse neighbourhoods, and busy traffic, finding the right removal company nearby can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth transition to your new abode. As a Londoner myself, I understand the importance of convenience and reliability when it comes to such services. So, let's embark on a journey to explore the closest London removal companies near you, ensuring your relocation is as stress-free as possible.

One of the primary considerations when selecting a removal company is proximity. Londoners value efficiency, and having a removal company nearby can save valuable time and streamline the moving process. Fortunately, London is teeming with removal companies, ranging from local family-run businesses to larger-scale operations. Utilising online platforms and directories tailored to your area can help identify the closest options available.

However, proximity alone should not dictate your choice. It's essential to delve deeper into each company's offerings and reputation to ensure a seamless moving experience. Look for testimonials and reviews from past customers to gauge their satisfaction levels. Additionally, consider factors such as pricing, services offered, and insurance coverage to make an informed decision.

While researching, keep an eye out for London Removal Company that offers bespoke services tailored to your specific needs. Whether you require assistance with packing, furniture assembly, or storage solutions, opting for a company that provides comprehensive services can alleviate much of the moving day stress. Moreover, enquire about their fleet of vehicles and equipment to ensure they can accommodate your belongings safely and efficiently.

As you narrow down your options, don't hesitate to reach out to each company for a personalised quote. Many reputable removal companies offer free consultations and transparent pricing structures, allowing you to compare costs and make budget-conscious decisions. Remember to inquire about any hidden fees or additional charges to avoid surprises on moving day.

Beyond convenience and affordability, prioritise reliability and professionalism when selecting a removal company. Moving homes is a significant life event, and entrusting your belongings to a reputable company can provide peace of mind amidst the chaos. Look for accreditations and affiliations within the industry, as well as adherence to industry standards and regulations.

Furthermore, consider the level of customer service provided by each company. A friendly and responsive team can make all the difference in ensuring a positive moving experience. From your initial enquiry to the final delivery of your belongings, choose a removal company that prioritises customer satisfaction and communication.

While exploring the closest removal companies near you, don't overlook the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Opting for a company that implements eco-friendly practices, such as recycling materials and reducing carbon emissions, can align with your values and contribute to a greener future. Many removal companies now offer environmentally conscious options, so be sure to inquire about their sustainability efforts.

In conclusion, navigating the bustling streets of London requires careful planning and consideration, especially when it comes to selecting international moving company near me. By prioritising proximity, reliability, and professionalism, you can ensure a seamless transition to your new home. Remember to research each company thoroughly, request personalised quotes, and prioritise customer service and sustainability. With the right removal company by your side, you can embark on your new chapter in London with confidence and ease.

[master-john-uk]

My late grandfather's stockbroking and insurance business was one of the first companies to move into the new Hay's Galleria development when it opened in 1987, relocating from the City of London. Three of my cousins continue to run the "family" business from the same office.

I, like my father, never had any interest in joining the family firm, and by 1987 I had already established myself in the Ministry of Defence. Due to my grandfather's complicated Last Will and Testament, I owned 30% of the company at that time. Something my stockbroker cousins were not happy about. Uncle Charlie was struggling to sell the City of London office building which was built for my grandfather in the early 20th Century.

Uncle Charlie and his two sons offered me a deal. I could buy the six storey building near the Bank of England for a very discounted price, in exchange for most of my shares in the business that they were running. I jumped at the chance.

It was not the wisest business decision I have ever made, (but it proved to be profitable a few years later.) I had this huge building in the City which I had no idea, or long-term plan of how I was going to use it... and I now only had a negligible income from my remaining 2% shareholding in the family business. From 1988 to 1997, with the help of my newly recruited Business Advisor I managed to rent out the office space to several other businesses, which paid for the upkeep of the property and generated a small income.

In 1997, I began formulating a plan to start my own business in defense and security research and development. At that time the MoD had begun subcontracting their R&D work to private companies, and there was talk about large-scale redundancies.

Also in '97, the City office building was in desperate need of a refit and renovation, and most of my tenant businesses moved out.

In 1998, I started my own business after securing two contracts from the UK Government. I rented workshop space at my original employment base of MoD Fort Halstead, which doubled as my office initially. (I was still officially employed by the Ministry. This put a strain on my time, but also helped fund my business in the early days.)

In late 1999 refurbishment complete, my company's head office opened in the City of London. We began a rapid expansion gaining work from other UK based businesses, and seeking international clients.

The beginning of the 21st Century was an exciting time, but financially very difficult. Competing against £billion companies such as BritishAerospace was not easy. This was when having a prestigious City of London address proved to be a big advantage. (In those days, most business contracts were negotiated face-to-face.)

In 2002 my hard work paid off, and our business boomed (in more ways than one!) The City office became a very busy place. More and more administration staff required, as well as IT experts, a small electronics workshop and London-area technician's base.

Today my company occupies the top three floors of the City building, two floors are currently rented out to other businesses, the 1st and ground floors are currently under-utilised and used by the building management team, as well as providing bicycle storage, shower and changing facilities... nobody wants to sit next to a sweaty, lycra-clad cyclist all day long! I was looking at the possibility of opening the ground floor to the public with a coffee shop and, maybe a small gymnasium... but, then COVID struck... luckily before I decided to go ahead with these plans.

In January 2020, my company's R&D team and workshop relocated to Wiltshire, from Fort Halstead on the outskirts of London. (That was a sad for me, as that is where I began my career forty years earlier.) When the pandemic hit in March of that year, my company took a big financial hit when our largest ever non-military contract was cancelled.

We survived, but since then I have been looking to relocate the office and sell the City of London building. Like Uncle Charlie in 1987, I have struggled to find a potential buyer who would make me a sensible offer. Early in 2023 a property developer made a very generous offer. I am now struggling to find a suitable alternative site. I do not want to lose any of my loyal office staff... so, it needs to be secure, close to London, have ample parking and be close to a mainline railway station. I recently found an ideal building on a new industrial estate south of Gatwick Airport, but the nearest railway station is too far away.

There is a possibility of building a new office at the site we rent near Croydon where we currently keep our London-based technician's vehicles and equipment. I can drive there in just over 30 minutes and it has (fairly) good transport links. The owner of the site is not keen on the idea, but I have submitted plans to the council. If approved, I will make an offer to the current owner to buy the site. (They need to recoup their losses from the ongoing rail strikes somehow!)

[bonesandthebees]

Makes sense. Main land Europe has pretty decent connection train wise but taking a plane from say Amsterdam to Dublin would be a lot fast than having to go to Brussels or Paris to get on the Eurostar to London and then getting to Ireland from there.

I would definitely recommend taking at least one long train ride. Especially on main land Europe because there’s a lot of Thalys running between France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. You can get a train from Paris all the way to Amsterdam or Köln! Most of the time they are very calm and it’s a lot easier than getting on a plane because there’s no excessive background check. These trains also have compartments at the entrance of each cart for luggage storage. Prices do depend on when/at what time you take your train and how much in advance you book it. And cheaper tickets tend to be gone very fast. Usually it’s a chase of comparing to get the right price.

Also, most international trains tend to do an ounce t’s in all local languages + English. I once took a train to Germany and the announcements went German -> Dutch -> French -> English. That’s like 2-3 min. of talking, but at least everyone will understand.

Sorry I’m rambling, I just take a lot of trains (It’s like my main method of going to school because I don’t have a dorm). Also, I had to do like 3+ hours of train yesterday to go visit my grandma and get back, so I’m very much in travel-by-train mode.

-🌲

oh yeah I'm taking a few long train rides. I just booked my ticket for the eurostar from london to brussels a few days ago so I'm looking forward to that one. also once I'm in a country i'm planning on taking trains to get between the cities so I'm not just spending all my time in a single city. while I'm starting off in amsterdam, once I loop back around to the netherlands I'm planning on exploring other cities there so I'm thinking I might stay at a hostel in utrecht and then take day trips by train to other parts. that's my loose plan at least since I've heard good things about utrecht

since I apparently have several anons in the netherlands and/or belgium if you guys have any recs for places I should check out please send them my way!! I'm going to be traveling on my own at that point so I'm going to be looking for stuff to do!

do not apologize for the rambling I greatly appreciate it. I've heard it's pretty easy to get around the parts of europe I'll be in even as an english speaker so I'm glad I won't have to worry about missing my train stop bc I don't understand the announcement lol