I do tend to ramble on about my man hermit *flirt!* If you can put up with that, feel free to wander round at will... :)
"Take my hand I give it to you, Now you own me, all I am... You said you would never leave me, I believe you, I believe. I can feel you all around me, thickening the air I'm breathing... Holding on to what I'm feeling, Savouring this heart that's healed."
Well, I'm back home after traveling to London again, this time for the Medical I needed as part of the visa process.
The journey down on the Megabus was a bit bleugh ~ the weather was boiling and it was hot, sticky and sweaty on the 6 hour journey down south. By the time I got there all my clothes were totally stuck to me, and for once my trusty Doc Martens had let me down ~ by the time I'd got the tube from the coach station to the hostel I had blisters on the backs of both heels where they'd rubbed like mad. Not the best of starts! I had a shower (they were working this time, yayyy!) and changed into my flip flops before setting off to find Bentinck Mansions, where my medical was booked for the next morning. Very easy... only a half hour walk away, and my Google Map did me proud.
I didn't do the sightseeing bit this time ~ I think I'd done it to death after my NCLEX exam in April! Once I'd found the place okay, I just headed back to the hostel, sent a couple of emails to Shane, had a good meal in a pub over the road, and crashed out early... I was asleep by 9pm. Talk about a party pooper!
But at least it meant that I was up early ~ 5.30am ~ before the rest of the guests had had time to run the hot water away... I had another lovely hot shower and grabbed breakfast on the way back to Bentinck.
The medical itself was so easy! A very nice doctor called Eoin did my chest x~ray, took a blood sample for HIV testing, stuck a light down my ears and throat, dotted his stethoscope here and there, asked a few questions about my general health, and that was it! Remembering what Emmm had said about the 'gender check', I was a bit confused when he told me I could change out of the gown and back into my own clothes. "Don't you need to have a look...." I said, waving a hand in the general direction of my nether regions. "No, no, we only do that if we have to ~ any reason to think there might be an STD, etc etc. And if you are a man trying to pass off as a woman... well, you're doing such a grand job I'm totally convinced."
Woohoo!! I must admit to being a bit relieved about that. I know it would all have been very 'medical' and professional, but even so... I'm glad it wasn't necessary.
I was in and out of there in half an hour ~ it was the quickest £180 I've ever spent! It seems I do need a couple of vaccinations, but rather than pay another £65 to have them done there, the doc said my GP, or Occupational Health, should be able to sort that out for me ~ at no cost. Good man!
Once again I had a few hours to kill before my coach back to Liverpool was due out. I wandered back to my favourite London place for chilling ~ Trafalgar Square ~ but it was sort of closed... all the fountains switched off, and a lot of stuff lying around, covered in tarpaulin. I've no idea what was going on, but it was a bit of a disappointment. But never mind! Such is life! I couldn't complain, after everything else going so easy. So I just sat in a coffee shop near the coach station, and had a read for a few hours. As well as my continuing dalliance with Thomas Covenant, I've started a book called "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton, and I'm hooked! I won't go on about it here, just click the red bit for more details. Suffice to say, it's well worth a nosey.
The journey back was a whole lot more comfortable, as the weather had turned cool, grey and wet... proper Wimbledon weather! Again, it took about 6 hours as we left late and got stuck in the Birmingham rush hour, but I didn't mind ~ at least it was comfy!
So that's that ~ another piece of the process completed. Now I just have to wait to hear from the Embassy, before heading for London for the final time for my interview. Roll on!! Me and Shane are so ready!!
That was interesting reading and seeing for me as an ex-East Londoner. I particularly liked the short video from Oliver Twist, some of the story taking part in places that i knew as a kid. The views of London brought some memories back. What was an excusion for you was forty and more years ago everyday for me. Confession - I have never been to Liverpool, but would like to go some day.
Remembering what Emmm had said about the 'gender check', I was a bit confused when he told me I could change out of the gown and back into my own clothes. "Don't you need to have a look...." I said, waving a hand in the general direction of my nether regions. "No, no, we only do that if we have to
You just wanted to show off your new Brazilian,didn't you? lol
LOL @ Doug. Sounds like they've changed the medical practice that they use - again ! Mine was so "official". The Dr was a bag of nerves and flustered around doing everything "by the book". Your guy is right, they do a proper thorough inspection of your nether regions if they suspect you are harbouring any nasties down there or if you look like a tranny. My poor wee - apparently newly qualified - medic, contented himself with a quick flash to comply with regulations. LOL
Hi Guys!
But never mind! Such is life! I couldn't complain, after everything else going so easy. So I just sat in a coffee shop near the coach station, and had a read for a few hours. As well as my continuing dalliance with Thomas Covenant, I've started a book called 
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Remembering what Emmm had said about the 'gender check', I was a bit confused when he told me I could change out of the gown and back into my own clothes. "Don't you need to have a look...." I said, waving a hand in the general direction of my nether regions. "No, no, we only do that if we have to 
