12 of 12 (v4.0) - December

Not sure this will be my most interesting 12 of 12... but I've got a lot going on right now, so sometimes just doing anything is an effort when you want to curl up in bed and forget issues!

Cliff Notes version - I rent a room in a house with 2 Polish couples. My room was converted from a lounge into a bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and now has mould on the walls. This is frutrating and upsetting, it's damaged some of my things, and I have had enough of one couple in the house, so want to move out. It sometimes all builds up to get me thoroughly in a funk and crying. I'm trying to find somewhere to move to in January, and keep myself going with that thought.

I had a slow start to my 12 of 12, while I basically flat hunted online and rang a few agents, then got going. Due to being stood up for a flat visit (after a long and awkward commute there), I felt even more down, so just chilled out last night, which is why this is a day late.

Thanks as always go to Chad for the idea. You can see the list of people joining in here, and there are lots of good ones this month - have a look and leave a comment, as people like that!

1) - Bedroom, N2, London

Looking at a flat's details. I'm looking for either studio or 1 bed flats. This one turns out to be a studio flat in the landlady's house, which is fine by me. I've set up a visit for tomorrow.

2) Bedroom, N2, London

Representative of lots of calls on my Blackberry to agents, and a few to my parents on the landline (I forgot they were away this weekend, so no answer there). Spoke to them tonight instead.

3) Bathroom, N2, London

Post-shower. Free hotel toiletries from the Hotel Maritim in Frankfurt, Germany - where I went with work in October for a workshop we were hosting. I'm trying to use up almost empty bottles and other things, so I have less to move when I sort something out!

4) Bedroom, N2, London

Slightly blurry (sorry) shot of the Weight Watchers beef goulash I microwaved for a quick lunch before rushing out. It wasn't very nice.

5) Tottenham Court Road Tube station, London

Changing from the Northern Line to the Central Line, on my way out to see a studio flat in Newbury Park.

6) Leytonstone Tube station, London

Almost every weekend, there is engineering work on the DLR, Jubilee and Central Lines (not both weekend days, and not the entire line, but at least part of them will be down for half the time). This time, it was down between Leytonstone and Fairlop, which was the section I needed. So I'm waiting here for the rail replacement bus to take me the rest of the way.

7) Newbury Park Tube station, London

Small sunset, as I'm about to cross under the road to the other side, where the studio flat is. Except I found a voicemail from the agents at 3:36pm (visit was for 4pm), saying to call them. I called 3 times, left one VM, and got nothing back. No-one showed. I was cold, pissed off and facing another bus and two Tubes to get back to my house. What a waste of time and effort. If I hadn't had a weekly Tube card (which I usually don't), this would also have cost me £5.40 for nothing. Won't be using that agent again - especially as they asked if I'd be willing to pay more to "show my interest". Er no. I show my interest by signing a contract, not agreeing to pay more rent!

8) Oxford Street, London

I stopped off at the Tottenham Court Road station while changing lines, to get photos of the lights and a Starbucks hot chocolate.

9) Oxford Street, London

Lights again, but with a bokeh shot.

10) Oxford Street, London

Normal effect photo of the traffic and lights.

11) Starbucks, Oxford Street, London

For the hot chocolate.

12) N2, London

Back in my area, walking up the High Road to my house. Two photos as I couldn't choose.

BONUS - N2, London

I've been meaning to get photos of these trees in a pub garden, which are illuminated at night. Spooky!

Thanks for playing along :-)

And now the 2009 12 of 12 recap is up here!