That time of year again!

Yesterday was the annual work Christmas lunch held at the Guildhall. It was fun, we didn't have to go back to work afterwards, and it was great to see the inside of the Guildhall once more. We all turned up early so we headed downstairs into the amphitheatre. I had been meaning to see it, so you can imagine I was very excited to see it all. And with my new camera to play with as well. The display is very well done. The drains are on show under glass which I love, as well as lines were placed to show where drains etc were under our feet.

As for the lunch, it was great. Nice food, great company. And we didn't have to go back to work afterwards!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildhall,_London Info on the Guildhall
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/leisure_heritage/libraries_archives_museums_galleries/guildhall_art_gallery/ampitheatre.htm The Roman Amphitheatre

Tonight we had Christmas drinks in the bar next door to work. It was also my last day as a duty manager. My boss thanked me in front of everyone, and raised a toast to me. :-D Another person will start the job in January. I am sad to give it up. I have really enjoyed the role. But hey, that's life. I will keep my eye out for jobs in the new year, and I will try to create projects to do within the museum itself. We shall see!





Scott and I are off to Northern Ireland today (it's past midnight so it's today!). I am really looking forward to it. It should be a nice, relaxing holiday. 8 days of knitting and relaxation.

I hope everyone reading this has a lovely Christmas and New Year!

xxx
Alex

Our flat - an update

We have been pointing out to our landlord (a real estate agency) that the paint has been peeling off the walls in our hallway and other places since we moved in more than 18 months ago now. It was only after I sat in the hallway next to the peeling paint while on the phone to my parents that I realised it was worse than I thought. At first I thought it may be rising damp, but I had no idea what that might look like. I have never seen it before, so I googled it to see what it looked like.

I emailed the photos below to the landlord so they could actually see what I was talking about (even though the people who do the inspections said they were going to talk to them about it!!)

They took action then, and sent out a damp specialist to take a look. His opinion was that it probably wasn't rising damp but rather it could be a leaking pipe under the floor (concrete, we are on the ground floor) that is making the damage look like damp. The upshot of it is, to fix the problem completely they would have to give us our notice to move out. So the plan is to get us to run dehumidifiers to dry the place out. The once the walls are completely dry, painters will come in to strip back the peeling paint, and repaint the walls. They will also strip the mouldy wallpaper off the bathroom walls. Who knows how long it will last. But we will get a freshly painted flat. AND they won't put the rent up when we renew the lease next year. I have no idea how inconvenient it will be for us when they are in the flat (the agent reckons they will be in for 2 days, but I doubt that!!).

Have a look at the walls yourselves...