london flat

photo credit: colchu

Robert and I drafted up a list of notes to help us shop for flats to rent in London.

1. pet friendly
2. location - close to transit and in a nice area
3. budget - £2000 or less

Things to consider:

• 2 bedrooms
• outdoor space - garden or patio or balcony
• has character
• cottage or mews house
• in flat washer
• dishwasher (would be nice, but honestly have only experienced one in the past 2 years)
• no shared or communal space
• light - bright space / sun
• air - good windows and air flow
• 2 bath - small master en-suite
• lightly or un-furnished
• wood floors preferred
• clean

Areas:

• district line - putney, fulham, wimbledon
• highbury & islington
• richmond
• clapham junction

... and then there is Cleo ...

Beginning in 2002, the UK launched a scheme where pet owners could avoid a 6 month quarantine for cats and dogs. We did a bit of research and found a vet at Cats Only that has gone through the process before. This hopefully will make it a lot smoother for us.

The company that her original microchip is from is no longer in business and does not meet ISO standards for microchips. So Cleo has her first appointment at the Vet tomorrow to have a new microchip embedded. Afterwards, Cleo will need a rabies shot and a blood test a few weeks later to make sure that she has the required amount of the rabies vaccine in her blood. She wil then be required to complete a Veterinary Certificate which is a document that shows her microchip number, the rabies vaccine and blood test information and confirms that she has met all of the requirements to travel. It's not over yet. 24 to 48 hours prior to the date we leave, she has to go back to the Vet for a tick and tape worm treatment. Poor kitty!

Currently, the only airline that allows cats to travel in the cabin with the owner is Air Canada and you must fly into the Heathrow airport. There has been some discussion amongst people about a possible human rights tribunal put forth by people who are allergic to cats. They feel that their human rights have been violated by allowing cats in the cabin. This is still up for discussion. Fingers crossed that our little 'muk muk' can travel in the cabin with us.

here we go ...

illustration credit: Blanca Gomez

Although we have no official date set, our big move is planned for February 2011. Yup. Scary and exciting... scary and exciting.. scary and exciting...

As part of our Ancestry Visa application, we needed to obtain copies of marriage certificates from Robert's grandparents (Father's side), parents and for the both of us. Of course, when we got married six years ago, we noticed an error on our marriage license and never did anything about it. My birth date that was printed on the certificate had the wrong year. Oops! So, we figured that before we got denied somewhere along the process, to get it fixed. Apparently, if it is their error (which it was), they will issue you a new one at no cost. Score!

In addition to the marriage license, we also had to apply for copies of the birth certificates for Robert's grandfather, father and himself. Holy paperwork Batman! Now having all that sorted out, we wait to file our Visa application in October which is three months from our departure date.

The ball has started rolling ....