Induction

I've spent this week at meetings and receptions designed to welcome students to Newcastle: The Toon, The University, The Faculty and The School and special extras for international students. EVERYBODY from Newcastle has been unbelievably welcoming and helpful; it's made settling in here so much easier.
I've finally got my Sim card (only took a week and a half) and a bank account (pity it doesn't come ready stocked) and I've found markets and supermarkets. There's an international students' cafe crawl tomorrow at lunchtime. (Yes, it is better for the mature student, both in content and time.) And I've located a couple of mid-week sessions that I'm going to try next week.
I auditioned for the uni orchestra, which was fun. I had to first locate the uni library to find some sheet music as I have none with me, work out the online catelogue system, find the scores, and work out the photocopy system. Oh yeah, then I had to practise it!
Today I even worked out how to borrow books. I got so excited that I borrowed 8 books! I'd met with my tutpr on Wednesday, and talked through a couple of ideas for a thesis, so I thought I'd get started on some background reading. Apparently, international students go into a bit of a slump after a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd best get into the work now!
I'm living in a house really close to the uni. The walk from my room to the music building takes 10 minutes. So far there are 9 students living here. We are all post grad students, and are from all around the world. I think some of these people are really going to be long term friends.
When I work out how to get photos off my new phone I'll put up a picture of my house. I live right at the top, which is great now, but wasn't so good for getting my bags in!
Thanks for all the posts and emails; it's fantastic to hear from everyone.

Made it!

I survived the flights and am getting over the jetlag.
I arrived in London on Monday and, after a mornig of meetings to get orientated/ set up accounts, I had lunch in Hyde Park with Georgie. We watched the squirrels and shivered in the summer sun, but had a great time catching up.

Farewell Concert

Thanks to those who came to my farewell concert. Once, again I had such a great time playing with Tony, and various past students and Fiddle Club members. Thanks also to Mum, Dad, Judy, John, Joan, Bridget, Paula, John, Eric and Bob for their help with catering, and to David for the great photos.