h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some friends of mine moved to Lowestoft four or five years ago, and I very nearly did the same thing. I wanted badly to get out of London, and I wondered if maybe I could put my sweet-making skills to use in Gt. Yarmouth. I ended up in Texas......
I must say that whenever I went visit, even during tourist season, I had a good time. The influence of London is nil, even though it's only about 100 miles away. You can't say that about the south coast.
I'd have no problem living in a place like Lowestoft - anywhere by the coast would suit me fine. I sort of hope that it doesn't become much busier and then over-developed. People still want to live in those kind of places. Where I live now (Austin) used to be that way, but then the likes of Dell and Compaq moved in, plus a whole load of dotcoms, and now everyone looks back on the days when the air here was breathable, and when it didn't take 30 minutes to drive 5 miles along Lamar from 45th Street to Oltorf, because the streets are clogged with gas guzzling SUV's driven by men in white shirts or women talking on the mobile. Hmm, I seem to have gotten off-topic a bit.

Somebody mention Texas - I'm there in three weeks!

Well I'm in Scotland in 24 hours.

Oh Texas...

.....maybe you win. Mind you I'll be in bed within 25 I reckon.

Are you gonna be anywhere near Austin Ashley? If you are, let me know if you need somewhere to stay (if you don't mind sleeping on a sofabed with a boisterous 7 month-old cat who will prolly keep you awake all night ).

I'm actually staying in Austin with some friends of mine...

Yeah? We gotta hook up sometime Are they north or south of Town Lake?

Not too sure... I'd better check that one out...

We should meet up - it'd be fun

Do you know yet what dates you're going to be here Ashley?

I leave on the 30th and will be back ont he 11th...

Ok . Give me a shout here at this forum when you get in, and we'll hook up (and could I ask a big favour of you - I'm desperate for some Ty-Phoo tea bags. If you can pack a small box of those into your luggage, I'll take you out for a slap up meal )

I'll see what I can do.....

Bit more of a London influence on Lowestoft these days, not least since there is now a direct train link to London (well kind of the train stops in either NOriwch or Ipswitch then goes straight on to London so you don't need to change trains), which unfortuantely means it is on a commuter route (though most who do commute don't do it on a daily basis; they may work from home most the time, but at least can then travel into London in a couple hours or so) Also, there are quite a few people who've retired down to Lowestoft from places like London... Not supprizing when you can buy a decent, detached house with land for less than a small terrace in London Mind, the market in Lowestoft continues to fall in terms of house prices even as the markets pick up somewhat in other parts of the country....
Still no third crossing mind
And the tradition for every shop which closes turning into a takeaway food outlet seems to continue Shortly there will only be charity shops, kebab shops and pubs left...