Relocation

Reflections on Relocation: Part 1

Reflections on Relocation: Part 1

The first of two articles, written five months to the day since we arrived in Belgium, in which J and I compare the experience of living in Britain with that of Belgium. We …

Reflections on Relocation: Part 2

Reflections on Relocation: Part 2

In this the second of two articles, written five months after our arrival in Belgium, J compares the experience of living in Britain with that of Belgium. Missed the first instalment? Read Reflections …

Totally wired for Belgium

Totally wired for Belgium

We’re both working now and an embryonic daily routine has started. Some kind of normality, albeit a new and fresh one, is creeping into our daily lives. And to function effectively in …

Relocating to Brussels: the final haul

Relocating to Brussels: the final haul

I’ve come to believe that the most important thing when relocating for work is to buy some time. Most of the important decisions could only be properly informed by our experience of …

Buying soap (and the accretion of experience)

Buying soap (and the accretion of experience)

Buying soap in Brussels on a Sunday is difficult. I hadn’t even brought my wallet but J had Visa. All we needed was an open shop or a cash machine: Almost every store big …

Maisons de maître (and other buildings)

Maisons de maître (and other buildings)

During my early wanderings around the city, I’ve been taking photos of maisons de maître, trying to capture the definitive style of these rather lovely houses. Many of the most distinctive examples can …

Early days in Brussels

Early days in Brussels

Brussels is now our new home. It’s also home to just over a million other folks and the capital of two unions, one of which is barely holding together as a nation …

Leaving the UK

Leaving the UK

The things you own end up owning you – Tyler Durden, Fight Club Competition: where did we relocate to? Win a box of chocs When you’re upping sticks, there’s something unsettling about selling off …

Elsewhere on MikePadgett.com …

The Departed

Director: Martin Scorsese United States, 2006 Scorsese has finally won a Best Director Oscar for The Departed. What a shame he didn’t win for one of his earlier and better efforts, because this one …

  • Originally published: 26 Feb 2007 in Film

Castles and vineyards

This is quite a tough route in and around the wine villages of Alsace. Not especially technical, but given the general topography there was a lot of climbing to be done. The route …

  • Originally published: 11 Nov 2009 in Walking

Children of Men

Director: Alfonso Cuarón UK/US, 2006 Cuarón is a rising star on the directorial scene and he delivers a remarkable work in Children of Men, one of the most technically accomplished films I have ever …

  • Originally published: 21 Feb 2007 in Film

Treemendous!

Of course it’s still November, but J and I could hardly wait to put up our Christmas tree. So we did, and it appeared as if by magic this weekend. I have to …

  • Originally published: 26 Nov 2006 in Editorial

Velkommen til Oslo

J and I just got back from a spur of the moment stay in Oslo, Norway. Oslo from the Akershus I managed to get a bit of footage of the trip on my trusty …

  • Originally published: 30 Aug 2005 in Europe

Who is that guy?

Photo of Mike Padgett

Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.

I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.

I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.

RSS feeds