|
|
 |
Ipswich Retrospective
We've been in our Ipswich flat for two months now, and it doesn't seem like it: the time has flown! Andrew's got three weeks of his contract left, and Kate has five. We're going to celebrate by taking a trip to Prague. Then it'll be back to move towns and get new jobs.
When Catrin visited last weekend, Ipswich put on the best weather for months, and we went on a cruise of the Orwell River. It flows past our flat, but opens out to a much larger river and makes its way to the sea. We almost missed the departure of the cruise boat, and had to sit downstairs. This wasn't too bad, but the audio commentary was! However, it didn't detract from the sight of a pretty river and getting up close and personal with the container ships at Felixstowe docks (England's largest port which is located at the mouth of the river).
Yesterday, while heading to the Ipswich farmer's market for our weekly fruit and vegies, we had a pleasant surprise. We discovered that a decrepit building we often go past was actually a disguised 17th century inn being restored by a local family. We got to wander through the gorgeously restored rooms and check out the skeltons they found in the floor and walls! It happened to be a free open-day for many other private buildings in town, and we saw the insides of some other places, including the mechanics-institute library and a gatehouse which formed part of Ipswich town's wall. All very interesting, and a fluke that we were in town this weekend. It's a reminder of how much history is hidden away here.
All up, it's been a big learning experience. Many things are different from Australia, of course. Which things has been the surprise.
One notable difference is the shops. The supermarkets have several levels of quality in their own-brand products, the top of which is really good. The Waterstones bookstore gives away a free book of extracts of the season's bestsellers and publishes its own magazine. The department stores have a great range of clothes in really interesting styles and colours, although the current trend for lace shawls is a little bit beyond us. And everyone sells Australian wine. Everyone seems to drink it too. ;)
The newspapers are numerous and varied. Something for every political leaning, and preferred news-to-entertainment ratio. Page Three Girls are still widely published, and what would be considered tasteless elsewhere is widely available (another example: today we found "Mr Brain's 4 Pork Faggots" in the freezer section of Sainsbury's). Street names here are also fascinating, as well as Great Whip St, Ipswich has a Silent St, The Buttermarket, The Cornhill and various other fascinating names!
Then there's the little things, carpet in the bathrooms, showers without shower sceens (this is a bad combination!) and the rarity of toilet roll holders. No late night shopping (well we are in the countryside), mountains of red tape and beaurocracy, great curries and no sushi for miles around. And we might be on the otherside of the world but it seems you can't escape Neighbours and Home and Away!
You can't go around just comparing everything with home, so it ends up blending into the background very quickly. But, now and then, differences stick out. It's part of the fun living here and we're looking forward finding many more in the coming months!
- 12 September 2004
|
|
 |
Still smiling.. |
|
Updated 27 September 2004
© Copyright K&A Scott
|
|
|
