it is eight more to go! I thought 1600 was the next one

well, then I take it!

isn't the weather great? such a shame that there is no outside swimming pool anywhere close by

not yet

I had the feeling they were selecting more on the basis of your references and social involvements; I got accepted and I don't have a first and it is from a foreign unknown university as well.
Good luck

aren't you getting bored? you won't guess it anyway

still cold

cold, very cold (and to wet ) you have to move to a warmer area!

As you are self-funded it should be easier for you. Do you have a favorite place to go or a potential supervisor you know from somewhere or perhaps your old superviors know someone you can contact. I think it might be better to contact somebody whose field you want to work in, send him a proposal for your work and that you want to self-fund but would like to work with him, gain expertise. The other thing which might help is a good IELTS or TOEFL test as I know from my department that everybody likes taking international students especially with funding but they are worried that there English is not sufficient and they fail the university test last minute - as just happend after everything was set up.
Good luck

If it would be that easy I would not have mentioned it

Thank you shani, I am relieved now! funny enough my real name means angel in the translation and I have blond curly hair my bump does not help - angels are meant to be translucent which I am definetly not

... continued
Q3) I don't think there is anything wrong with saying: because I understand what you are doing - just phrase it differently: e.g. the job would follow on my current research I am very intrested in.
Q2) a bit tricky but why not say: the job (it is challenging, intresting, good for my career) and I like the variety of activities available.
Q1) This one I have no idea, just be honest. Perhaps you ask somebody who knows you really well what they think are your strong points, one socially, one professional e.g. I am hard working but fun pole dancer who is devoted to her career.
Sorry for the spelling and grammer, there is no coffee yet and this blocks my brain.
Good luck

the higher income in london is called a london allowance because they now you cannot live on a "normal" wage in the city or you have to pay for the commute. In my case I got the normal wage which was taxed plus this allowance; however, they listed it in the job advert as a higher wage. Might be the case with you as well.
Q4) I would be honest and say: I am afraid I was mainly concentrating on my PhD in the last six month BUT I would like to pick up pole dancing again which I was doing for 10 years previously. You demonstrate that work and sucess is more important to you than your hobbies but that you do have other intrests.

Thank you for the tip! I keep this in mind.

404, this was horrible! How shall I ever, ever enjoy my main food again? Now I am always going to think of the chopped up angels! Does that make the pink colour? Have the complete dracula visions now what can I eat with my gnoccis now???