Right of Abode

This is my Right of Abode. It is very useful. It is also $385.00.

To work in London I required a work visa. But rather than do that and deal with entry restrictions and other red tape, I decided on getting a Right of Abode. The RoA can only be obtained if you fall into a few categories. In this case, I could get one because my father is British and I was born prior to 1983. The RoA allows me to live and work in the U.K. without restriction for five years.

So it's a work visa? Nah. Much better than that. When I land at Heathrow I don't get into the visitor line: as far as the customs folks are concerned I'm a resident...even though I haven't been to the country in 14 years. But let's say teaching isn't paying the bills and I'd like to get a part-time night job at Tesco. No problem. Bank of England Visa? No problem. Library card? Sure.

The only problem was its cost. Plus I had to fill out a 7-page application and track down my long-form Ontario birth certificate as well as my father's original British birth certificate. Oh and since my passport expires next year the RoA expires with it.

Well, still, I get to stand in the resident line.

Belsize Park

I will be living in an area of London known as Belsize Park. I only know two things about it. The first is that it inspired the title of a surrealistically-pleasurable Englebert Humperdink song. The second is that Google Images suggests Rolling Stones lead guitarist Ron Wood has, at one time or another, walked around the area. This leads me to the following conclusions:

a) Ron Wood lives in Belsize Park.
b) I will meet Ron Wood.
c) He will be equal parts bemused and fascinated at my life story/appreciation of his guitar work.
d) He will invite me to his house and, somewhat sheepishly, say he doesn't really have much to BBQ with, but we could probably put a few things together and get some people over.
e) Ron's BBQ will be a great success. The sketchy neighbor two doors down will show up after sniffing faux-casually around the sidewalk and turn out to be a decent guy.

Introduction

London. Substitute teaching.

These terms are not well received in the teaching world when put together. It's a bit like saying "contract oil worker" and "Nigerian delta". Sure the money is great, but for a reason. If you have a co-worker who's mentioned anything about this you should practice how to raise one eyebrow in a gesture that says both "Really?" and, subtly, "You idiot."

London has a reputation for being a hard place for subs. The kids talk back. They don't listen. They're tough. So why am I doing it? And why am I writing about it?

I write. Fiction and non-fiction. This blog -- my first -- provides a way to keep up with the craft. I might update it often, I might not. It might become an obsession or an annoyance. I might write about the children and the teaching, or I might concentrate on the unusual aspects of London life. We'll see.

I need money. There are few teaching positions in Ottawa and there aren't enough teachers in England. Recruiting agencies formed to seek out teachers from other countries and bring them over. I've signed up with one of these agencies. The money is good and I can start subbing full-time within days of arrival.

So let's see what happens.