Hi there!

I've been gone a bit longer than planned, so sorry for going quiet. I'm just getting settled back in after spending time back in the US visiting family and friends.

It was so nice to be close to people I usually only get to speak to over video. I haven't experienced homesickness much this year, but there will always be a part of my heart that lives in America.

American Things That Don't Exist in the UK

Any time I go back to the US, my friends ask me what food I've missed and what I'll be taking back in my suitcase when I return to the UK. This list has shrunk over time, but there are still a few things I haven't been able to buy or duplicate.

The three things I cannot find any substitute for are:

• Dill pickles - gherkins are always a tiny bit sweet, like a bread and butter pickle. It's just not the same.
• Sourdough bread - UK versions just taste like white bread. You can't find that tang that's common in US sourdough.
• Cheez-its - they have a version of these here now, but they taste different. There may have been several boxes of these in my return suitcase.

I've learned to make a lot of cali-mex food myself and firmly believe you can't move to the UK from the southwest without developing your salsa making skills. With that said, my heart gave a happy skip walking into my old favorite taqueria.

Sharp Words on UK Immigration

Some really unwelcome UK news came out while I was in the US. Immigration laws have been trending more restrictive over the last couple of years. However, I was not prepared to hear the typically immigrant-friendly Labour party now in power come out with rhetoric demonizing immigration to the UK across the board.

The government has put out a white paper (read it here) which is not a law, but sets out plans for proposed regulations that may come into effect. Of note, the plan intends to make it harder to qualify for work-based visas and potentially change existing student and graduate visa rules.

There is also a plan to double the amount of time it takes to get permanent residency from 5 years to 10 years.

I'm incredibly disappointed by this news and hope that at least some of it falls off after parliamentary discussion. However, this kind of plan coming from the central-liberal party does not bode well for those still hoping to move here. I'll keep you updated as things progress.

Summer Festivals

Ok, we can't end on a down note like that. Luckily, summer in the UK is one of the most beautiful times to be here and we are nudging towards that time.

One of my favorite summer highlights are the many festivals that pop up in the UK. Learn all about my favorite summer festival in my family guide to Latitude Festival.

See you next week!

Victoria

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