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Loving this check list Emma from CXC put together especially for our London users.

Have a quick read through before you head to the mother country. It's got some tops ideas in it, plus the security and knowledge that if you use CXC you'll have the lovely Emma looking after you every step of the way!

 http://www.moving2london.com/checklists/london-tips-checklist.html

 

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Who knows what to pack when your moving your entire life to a new country!?? I certainly didn't. It's hard enough packing for a country you do know about, let alone one you have never been too before and only seen on TV in an 80's show like East Enders or Coronation Street.

And what do you do if you are travelling all over the world before you even arrive in London? The weather, unfortunately for us who are packing is not the same anywhere!!

I had this exact problem. I was travelling to Cambodia, where is was 35 degrees, Turkey for Anzac day where is was going to be beanie,gloves and jumper weather and then London where winter was ending and some sort of warmth was suppose to be taking place.

I also had the ever burning question...what do I take my stuff in? Do I take wheelie luggage? A back pack and a day pack? a combination of both...??? So many options even on just the baggage. Well my bag question was soon answered. I was given a 55ltr backpack from my mum for my travels-I am small so was advised this was the heaviest/largest I should carry whilst backpacking for a month or so before settling in London otherwise I could end up looking like the hunchback of Notre Dame.

So I guess that's tip number one - make sure you get your backpack fitted by a professional. It will save hours of back-pain in the long run, so don't go cheap! get your mum or dad to buy you one. It's totally worth it.

In saying that however, apart from having saved my back for years to come I was going to look like a totally bum! 50ltrs is not big! I had to be really resourceful in my packing to fit most of my essentials, so non essential items like another pair of jeans, some black high heels and a handbag had NO chance of making it on my travels with me.

I thought I had better get my essentials list right, otherwise the fear of looking like a bum could turn into a fear no longer!
After asking friends who had been travelling for extend periods of time, over lots of continents, some who had lived in London and some who just thought they new - I reckoned I had it sorted.

So now after many different travels over many different continents here are a few of my must haves when packing;

Sarong! this is essential item number one, and god I used it. Sarongs are totally under appreciated. You can use them for anything and everything. Pillows on buses and trains, light blanket when the air-con in the bus gets stuck on -1 and you have 6hrs to go till your destination, towel when on some tropical beach in the Caribbean, mosquito net whilst in some cheap dodgy hostel in Cambodia..the list goes on but my advice, DO NOT leave home without one.

Travel Clock; Yup this little gadget can get you to the bus on time, no matter where you are.

Travel Towel; It's bloody amazing how small these things can get! they are really useful because they dry really quickly - So if you go for a swim and have to get on the bus to go to your next destination 10minutes later - No wet towel! Brilliant.

Black Pants; These go with everything!

Jeans; Not comfy and take up a lot of room, but you just always need a pair of jeans no matter where you go.

Thongs or flip flops (depending where you are from); These will save your feet from sooo many infestations they are an absolute must.

Layres; When going to London its all about Layers! You can check out our packing video for more on Layers in London.

Scarf and Beanie; also great to have when your ears a freezing off on some ferry ride to Croatia or the Greek Islands.

Well the list goes on, but needless to say - I fit all my essentials in, could barley lift my bag, and had a day pack on my front - full of guide books, tickets, a passport and all my valuables.

I made it to Cambodia, Turkey and London and managed to have enough clothes to look slightly different every day, be warm and cool and a tad stylish I might even say! oh ok not stylish then..but I do know when I got to London I chucked most of my travelling clothes and went shopping. After a few months of wearing the same clothes you end up hating them. It's only natural.

Good Luck.

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Got a cool email from London pass today.

Top 10 things to do in London. Could be a start to a very good list.

Here are the Top 10 Attractions that you might wish to take part in. Some of these attractions include the The Tower of London and the London Bridge Experience and The London Tombs. To make things even better, there is a voucher code available which can save you 5% off your London Pass ticket purchase.
Top 10 Attractions
Voucher Code

Top 10 Attractions

The Tower of London
The ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and pampered ravens strut the grounds. The Tower of London is one of the world's most famous fortresses and has seen service as royal palace, prison, armoury and even zoo! It is still home to the Crown Jewels and Beefeaters.

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the Throne, a stunning exhibition of the famous monarch's personal arms and armour ever shown in the UK is included in your admission to the Tower. Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill includes original artefacts never previously displayed in the UK and is included in admission until 17 January 2010.

Read more...

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So thought it was about time I addressed the London health system in a blog or two. We don't have much on the site about it - which will change soon so stay tuned, but until then here some helpful tips;

• The English health system is known as the NHS or the National Health Service. http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx

• It's a free service, not unlike Medicare in Australia.

• Once you have registered, you can go to any GP about any sickness you may have, cough, cold, broken leg, and not pay a penny.

• It's great for girls. Girls, you can visit the free sexual health clinics they have dotted around London

(http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sexual-health clinics/Pages/Definition.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx)

and get the pill for FREE! Months and months worth of it. You can also get an implonon inserted into your arm for nothing, and any other type of contraception you can think off -

• You'll have access to the hospitals, some dentists and ophthalmologists also.

Read more...