Two steps forwards. One step sideways.
Okay, so I went into town this morning to buy a new battery for the car and, while I was there, impressed even myself by polishing off a number of other essential tasks:
So I'm now in house-cleaning mode and wondering what to try next with the car (beyond disconnecting the battery again). I shall ponder while I polish.
- Cancelling the internet. I was going to leave it active for M until the end of the month but I have to return the router tomorrow (I could ask M to return it but it would be one more thing to worry about.
- Cancelling the mobile phone from the end of the month. No point in paying roaming charges when I can get me a nice new UK smartphone instead.
- Cancelling the landline.
- Registering a change of address with the government. They do like to keep tabs on you - what's the point of having a national database if you don't update it?
- Telling my bank that I was moving to the UK for six months. The assistant seemed very surprised and happy that I would think to do this. I, meanwhile, don't fancy having them suddenly block my access to it because they think someone in the UK is masquerading as me.
- Checking with the tax office to see if there was anything I needed to do because I'm going abroad on research leave. It turns out that I don't have to worry until next year's tax return goes in in March (which I've logged on my phone calendar).
- Acquired several illustrated story books for E - after all, you don't tend to see Icelandic storybooks in British bookshops.
- And, of course, bought a new battery. But there opens up a new problem...
So I'm now in house-cleaning mode and wondering what to try next with the car (beyond disconnecting the battery again). I shall ponder while I polish.