Exciting times! (Relatively.)

Not only am I due to fly to Sydney in a couple of weeks' time, but I've finally booked tickets to Switzerland with a brief Singapore stopover, with Singapore Airlines. So a new country to visit, even if briefly, and then a prospective new European home, if the work is there (a strong if during the current economic climate).

While I don't presently possess outstanding academic or vocational qualifications, I at least carry the advantage of flexibility: I'm willing to (find) work in any of the 26 cantons (states), though without Italian, my prospects in Ticino probably aren't great.

Switzerland has a pretty steep cost of living (Zürich makes Sydney seem cheap!) so I've got maybe a couple of months to find a proper job. Plus, a solid work contract or stiff bundle of $$$ (should that be FFF? :) is required to smooth the residency (B-EFTA permit) application process. But at least I have the option to settle legally in Switzerland. Other "good" countries/territories aren't interested[*]. Yes, Norway is beautiful, I know, but it's not really my kind of society, even though Norwegians are generally very decent people.

[*] Sadly, the prospects of a Hannan- or Farage-led Britain are pretty scarce at the present time.