10 things I love about 'the north'

Yes, despite what people have been telling me, I'm still convinced Nottingham really is in 'the north'. My reasons: the M1 signs say 'to the north' and the weather man tells me it's 3 degrees colder here. Brrrrrr. 

Despite being out of my lovely, warm, south-east comfort zone, there are a few things I'm loving about the recent but scary relocation:

1. I have begun my training to be a vicars wife. Eek! First lesson - everyone at church suddenly wants to find out all about you (basically I'm practicing my happy chatty game face ;) and interesting stories to tell old ladies!)

2. After a 3 year gap we're living close to Emma & Jammy again, yey.

3. I've (almost) survived my first MS relapse without Jimmy here 24/7, maybe I'm stronger than I thought! Still have a slightly numb/dead hand, which is making this typing pretty slow but I've almost recovered. 

4. Its exciting that me & jimmy are already having conversations about curacy placements. It's a bit crazy to think that in 9 months time we'll know where we're going for the next chapter. But very exciting. 

5. We're living in a beautiful old Victorian house, even if it is pretty cold! 

6. It's great to be living so close to town, even if we're 25 minutes walk to college it's only 5 minutes to shops/supermarkets (not that we have any money!) and 5/10 minutes to a variety of churches which is nice. 

7. I've discovered a cute independent veg shop. After a year of getting weekly veg boxes delivered to the door I was sad we couldn't afford this anymore but I've found an old fashioned greengrocer for half the price within walking distance which is very exciting. 

8. It really is cheaper to live in the north. I've been very surprised by the amount of bargain/outlet/discount stores here, even ones I've never heard of. Awesome news for our teeny student budget. 

9. The other spouses & ordinands seem lovely & are very keen to help when I'm unwell which is nice. 

10. I have quickly & easily managed to get appointments with a new MS nurse and neurologist, even if I had to do the referral myself! I <3 the NHS. Now just praying they agree the pills my old neurologist recommended...