It never, ever rains on the sixth Tuesday of the month. I did do a contract in Stirling a few years ago, during the Summer. Never saw it get dark and no hint of rain. The only time that I got wet was in the University's swimming pool - which was also brilliant! A proper 50m pool with no shallow end. I think that Scottish Olympic hopefuls use it.
In my life-crisis fantasy dream I move to Portugal with the bikes and spend endless long summers ripping round Iberian tracks.
With my company you get pay based on location (not 100% but about that) so I get more living in UK than I would if I lived in Italy but less then if I was in Finland even if I kept doing the exact same job (I cover all Europe). For me, ideal would be to live in France/Germany in the Italy borders or just north of Spain. Something to keep in mind.
Lisbon and the surrounding area Cascais , Estoril , Sintra is where I would have a second home if I had the money .
Interesting post, will follow. In Europe, 1. Siena or Montepulciano, central base for Italy. 2. Seville, southern base for Spain 3. Sarlat la Caneda, Dordogne valley, France. 4. Blue Mountains, outside Sydney, lacks culture. 5. Palo Alto, California, lovely coastal mountain roads; far too money obsessed. Personally having lived and worked around the globe, no place beats London, for work opportunities and cultural diversity. Just wish it was warmer drier throughout year, then again when I think about the garden...
That’s where we’re going when I finally retire. Closer to Mijas Costa though. The Butibamba bar in the Cala de Mijas does the biggest and best bacon butties in the whole of Andalusia and is also a biker’s cafe on a Sunday.
It a funny think language, when I first moved here I thought the issue with the people was mine, as I didn't speak French. But the fact that not many in the region speak English kinda says something about the ideas of open-mindedness... After a good few years I was able to speak French and realised it was definitely the mentality of the region... Anyways, over 33C gets me irate! And here it easily goes beyond that...38 in the summer.. very little air movement too.
Not many people speak a foreign language in the UK in my experience either. The Dutch, Germans & Scandis speak multiple languages. No one in Italy speaks English, the Spanish only do so at the coast. After living all around the world for forty years, I now live again in England (seven years now). The weather is the weather - something to talk about rather than enjoy. But it can be a good place to live. Though I certainly wouldn't mind living in Scotland -great people- and Wales too.
Worcestershire. Beautiful country side, close to some large cities (Birmingham, Worcester, Hereford) close to lots of small towns, some good roads and close to wales where there’s some good roads too. The only problem is the people, I know because I’m one of them.
So I've lived in Bath (but as a student so not sure it counts) - beautiful city, lovely countryside nearby - lots of tourists though. Edinburgh (for a year) amazing that you can just walk into the centre - the easterly wind is memorable. Winchester - perhaps worth thinking about? Quite cultural and easy to get to London. The New Forest - nice mix of countryside and close to the sea. Roads a bit rubbish though and it is full of people from the home counties! Good luck with whatever you decide
Did you get lost trying to find it, or did you remember if again? I've been well-cut a few times and forgotten where my house is. It always turns up, though....
Re London, work ops yes plenty, but rest: weather, seasons, food, culture, quality of housing, quality of life is the worst in Europe. Much better to live in Milan or Zurich commuting to work to London but enjoy the weekends elsewhere.
