Who is Farhan Lalji?

The last two weeks have been chaotic.  And for some – namely the Mrs – that’s probably an understatement.

After putting our flat on the market in June, getting an offer we accepted in July/beginning of August, and waiting what seemed a lifetime for a report from the council and the mortgage lender on our flat, we finally had everything ready to exchange the flat and complete the sale.  And then the buyer told us she wanted us out in four days or we were going to lose the sale.  With our stuff mostly in boxes we decided to do the impossible, and move out of the home we have stayed in for five years in four days!

Luck has been on our side, we found a short term flat – although we’re paying through the nose for 10 days in a very nice flat.  And just yesterday, we signed an 11 month lease on a flat in West Hampstead.

For the past 7 years I’ve secretly – okay not so secretly – pined to live in the Swiss cottage, Finchley Road, West Hampstead area of London.  It’s a really nice neighborhood, where a number of our friends are living.  We’re “roll out of bed and into the tube station” close to the transport links, and there’s a bunch of nice restaurants and pubs in the area.

After spending 7 years south of the river split between an ex-council property with kids banging on doors and running away (or doing worse) and in a basement studio with dodgy plumbing, I’m ecstatic to be in a neighborhood with families and sane people.  Not to mention to have a toilet that won’t catch fire – don’t ask!

I’m hoping the family and friends who’ve visited the old place will come again, its 2 bedrooms so you’ll have your space still.  And the family and friends who haven’t visited yet the door’s open. We’re home.