Seeing as I’m going to be based in Croydon from September, I have decided to move once again! Yes, I know I’ve only lived with Aprile in Hornchurch for 3 months so far, but I have the opportunity to live in Croydon, as a mate of mine, Stephen Dering, has just bought a flat in the Croydon area, which will be perfect for work.

I’ve certainly been around since I moved to London in June 2003! I started off in South Wimbledon with my uncle Howard, and then moved into the one-bedroom flat in Muswell Hill four months later in November 2003. And as you all know, I moved to Aprile’s home in Hornchurch in April 2005!

Hopefully, living in Croydon will make access to Paddington much quicker.

What’s happened to me? I’ve turned from cat-wary to cat-lover in the space of a month or so.

Since I moved to Aprile’s, I’ve become rather attached to Thomas, the resident cat. He’s a lovely lad, 17 years of age, and very docile and calm. He’s housebound, although he does like a stroll around the garden from time to time. As we speak, he is lying on my bed dozing. Cats sure have an easy life, don’t they?

Anyway, after much blahing and toing and froing via my mobile phone, I’ve managed to get a picture of Thomas on here. Inne schweet?!

After 18 months of living in a 1-bedroom flat in Muswell Hill, North London, this weekend I am moving to a 3-bedroomed house in Hornchurch, Essex. I’m going to lodge with Aprile Harman initially for 6 months. It’s going to have huge financial rewards for me because I’m getting a pay rise at work, and I will have a cheaper rent which includes bills apart from council tax. This is making it possible for me to buy a house in South Wales in Rachel and take on the extra responsibility of a mortgage, so I’d like to say a big thank you to Aprile!

Why did I decide to leave the flat in Muswell Hill? Well, it’s not only for fiscal reasons; my landlady informed me before Christmas that she wanted to give up her flat for a larger flat, and would inform me with 6-8 weeks notice to vacate the premises. I wasn’t having any of that, because I don’t like uncertainty, so I found somewhere else and instead of waiting for her to tell me to bugger off, I’ve told her to stick it where the sun don’t shine! ;o) Ok, I didn’t actually say that to her, but the sentiment was there.

The advantage of living in Hornchurch means that I’m in RAD country. It’s half an hour on the bus to Romford which will be handy as much of my colleagues’ social lives are based in Romford, and also my good friends Andy and Sumita live about half an hour away by car. So that’ll be nice.

Aprile doesn’t know yet, but I’m planning a little housewarming gathering in the next few weeks!