12 months Living in the South

Well I did it, 12 months in the South! So what did I learn? Firstly, I learned not to take your family for granted, being away makes you realised what you are missing, living close to relatives sometimes means you don't make the effort to see people, something I did myself.

Secondly, it is very easy to ignore issues that are going on in the North when you are in the South, which is slightly worrying when the majority of political decisions are made in the South. The South East is the most affluent part of the country and I have been guilty of ignoring the issues that are facing other areas of the country. This fact would push me to think a regional parliament should be high on the agenda for anybody running the country.

I have also learned that although it does rain in the South it is certainly a lot warmer than the grim North.

One difficulty of living in the South is getting used to the prices, £20 for 3 chips, 2 scampi, pie & curry sauce is as bad as paying £3.25 in the local for a beer. House prices are also a bit different going from £395 to £700 was a massive change.

Overall life in the South is fine, a lack of gravy is frustrating and confusing but the warm days in the garden more than make up for it!

Wayne Rooney Elbow Vs Wigan

If anything I feel sorry for Rooney now. He's making a lot of money but he started off (without sounding unkind) as a 'boy that done good.' He's from a rough part of Liverpool and made his way in life by being good at sport and enjoying the game. I feel he has now lost his passion, pride and has forgotten where he has come from.

He started his career at Everton training every day even with the youth team when he could playing the game he loved and quickly became a National hero...then look at him now.

The guy is hated portrayed by the press as a idiot, that messed his wife about, blamed for England's poor performance in Africa. He's a shadow of himself and looks like a fat, balding footballer.

Lets be honest he only has himself to blame.

Players like Rooney are giving the National Team a bad name and does he love Manchester United? ..No £150,000 to keep him or he was off.

As for his elbow? it looked like assault. He's better apologising publicly, telling the public he's sorting out his language and he's going to turn his career around or he is going to be ends public enemy number 1 for a long time.

Northern Boys love gravy - Essex chippy that does gravy!

One of the biggest differences between the North and South has got to be the love for Gravy. You can't find gravy anywhere! Curry sauce yes, mushy peas most places, gravy? ...not a chance.

I began my search for a chippy in Chelmsford to find a chippy that does gravy..no hope. Then one day I had help from a unsuspected source, former England Cricketer and Ex-Pat Northerner..Ronnie Irani!.

Using the medium of Twitter I contact Ronnie who eventually found me Dr Chippy in Colchester and they do gravy!! Good Times

Night Out in Chelmsford - Wildwood a must

When you see Pasta and Pizza Advertised for a non-Italian restaurant you immediately think, cheap, easy food..I'll give it a miss. But Wildwood is different.

Having a starter Camembert for 2 was a great decision, with the only argument being their not being enough bread for the large amount of cheese.












Next was the main course of Chicken & Mushroom Risotto which was excellent. Whilst my partner went for a decent sized Fiorentina Pizza. Which was also rather tasty.

You may also be surprised to learn that it cost less than £30 including a diet coke and glass of Red Wine. With 2 for 1 offers regularly available on Voucher sites Wildwood is currently number 1 in my Chelmsford Bar/Restaurants