Reader Requests

I often get emails from readers asking for more specific advice or tips than I have already written about here. It’s been a while since I’ve added new pages to this site so I’d like to invite anyone to send me a note if they have any information requests or would like to see something on this site (more info on XYZ or more photos of ABC…).

Send me a note! editor.lfw at gmail dot com.

Still Here!

Hello old and new readers!

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted but I’ve had some new projects come up that have taken me from this site. Fear not: I am still here and doing well, making the most of this “summer” in London.

(comic by dagsson)

20°C = 68°F

It’s officially Spring in London. For the past two days, temperatures have reached close to 20°C. Compared to how it’s been the last few months, it feels really warm.

People are outside, drinking and smoking, as if they haven’t been able to do this in months! And they haven’t. This is when London is at its best.

Images above and below are the post-work crowd in Canary Wharf , London

Roaming Charges

Once you move to the UK chances are you’ll be chomping at the bit to go somewhere else in Europe, taking advantage of how close you are to so many amazing cities. Or maybe you plan to use your mobile phone to call back home. Either way, you’re going to want to prepare yourself for the potential costs associated with using your phone abroad or to call overseas.

If you’re like me, you don’t really talk on the phone much and don’t worry about getting hit with surprise roaming fees. But if you’re a normal person and use your telephone to call other normal persons, you should take a look at this post. It covers the subject of roaming fees and offers tips on how to avoid them.

Honestly, if I ever called anyone outside of the UK, or used my UK phone while abroad, this would be really helpful!

Nando’s

If you’ve been to the UK before, you’re probably familiar with Nando’s. If not, then I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive plate of spicy, grilled chicken!

Bullet points are the easiest way to express my feelings about Nando’s.

  • Nando’s is a big chain. Chances are you will live near one and you always know what you’re going to get.
  • The prices are cheap so you can come here often: for lunch, for dinner or for takeaway orders.
  • The service at various Nando’s is not consistent. The service at some Nando’s is god-awful slow and incompetent. This may turn you off from certain Nando’s locations. Just remember other locations are perfectly decent when it comes to service.
  • But many are TERRIBLE when it comes to service! Just don’t have high expectations or be surprised, is all.
  • I usually order a half chicken–hot–with chips (fat fries, very good) and corn on the cob. Or just a lot of chips, because I really like them here.
  • Other stuff is good, too, such as the salads (fresh), sweet potato mash (mmm, buttery) and the wraps.
  • Don’t be afraid of the “medium”, “hot”, or “very hot” versions of the peri-peri sauce. I prefer “hot” as too hot just ruins my tongue and I can’t enjoy anything. Try them out and see. You can always order “medium” or “mild” when you order your chicken and then top it up with hotter sauce at your table.
  • Here is a media review of the Nando’s chain which should give you more background info.

British? English? Great Britain? The UK?

Before risking using the wrong terminology in the workplace and embarrassing yourself, watch this video explaining what-is-what in this country of countries. (It’s narrated by your classic fast-talking North American so pay attention!)