A Better Day

We've had quite a few busy days. Friday afternoon through Sunday evening we got to know the previously mentioned John Lewis inside and out. I think we've at least ordered everything we'll need in order to be able to actually move in to the flat: beds, coffee pot, blow dryer, and TV. We've been able to meet up with Chris's Rutger's classmate Andrew which has been great, as he leaves for his new job assignment in Australia next month.

Found out yesterday that our UK bank account is still being processed; until we get that info we can't get mobile phones, land line, internet or TV! Kyle & I were able to at least get temporary pay-as-you-go cell phones - they cost 3.95 pounds each and yes, you do get what you pay for. At least he and I can call each other, as if we aren't spending enough time together as it is! So once we move in to the flat, we'll have a period of time that we're once again cut off from the rest of the world. But we'll take the opportunity to explore Hampstead and it will be nice to get out of the hotel.

I go back to the flat tomorrow to see what's been done and have my fingers crossed. Thursday I need to be there at 7 am (!) as that is the early end of the window that our first JL furniture will be delivered. (Just occurred to me: 7 am... wonder if it's a British April Fool's joke? I mean really. 7 am??). Our shipment from the US is due to arrive Thursday also and with my luck it will all come at once, which will undoubtably put me on the outs with the porter. Who knows, tho. With luck, perhaps we'll be moved in on Friday. We have to see how everything goes.

In the meantime, I've purchased my first box of plasters - no, not an English form of birth control but rather something to cushion the blisters that have developed on my poor feet. (Band-aids!). And finally today, Kyle and I did something enjoyable and walked to the British Museum, one of the city's free offerings that is a both massive and brilliant (UK adj, UK adj) collection of amazing things, from statues from the Parthenon to Cleopatra's mummy. (A Cleopatra, not the Cleopatra. Cool mummy tho'.) So that's why today was a better day. The next few will I'm sure be a blur, but once we're through them, only better days to come!

London, Day 2

I feel like we got off of the plane 3 days ago, when it was actually just this morning. Very early this morning, granted, but still. Chris went in to the office for about 2 1/2 hours while Kyle & I slept. Chris has not so much as closed his eyes, and looks no worse for the wear. Once that man is on a mission, he is hard to stop! Kyle & I both snoozed a good 2 hours this morning and could both hit the sack again this very minute.

We met our agent at our flat in Hampstead and things there were not quite as we remembered. From the filthy bathrooms to the cigar ash on the countertops to the stained carpet, all is not well. Fortunately, our agent is a woman to be reckoned with and has already shot off an e-mail to the property manager. (Where there is cigar ash, you may have guessed, comes cigar stench. The curtains will definitely need to be cleaned.) Ugh.

Good news is, not only is there a fantastic (frequently used UK adjective - think Jaime Oliver) gym but - get this - an indoor pool! And according to the porter, both are infrequently used by the tenants. So of course although I am certain now I will use both of these facilities daily, check with me again in 6 weeks or so.

After a nice lunch at one of the oldest pubs in London, the Holly Bush (the agent says it will be our "home pub,") we went to John Lewis, a humongous (definitely an American adjective) department store, where we purchased 2 beds (mattresses & frames), 2 nightstands, 3 kitchen chairs, and a computer desk & chair. So we are well on our way to spending our furniture allowance, and will have what we need to get by if our shipment does arrive by April 1 and we can indeed move in to the flat. (Providing of course that the cleaning/maintenance issues are addressed.)

It was getting dark when we walked back to the hotel, hence the lame looking daffodils, but I wanted to show that spring has indeed sprung! Better photos to come.

Last note: Chris said that I sounded "hoity toity" in my first blog post, mentioning the "Red Carpet Club" and "business class". My point in bringing those things up is because they are so beyond the norm for us; this entire reality is completely beyond the norm!!

The First One

So..... here it is. My very first blog. Ever. But I think it's an occasion worthy of a blog. I sit in the Red Carpet Lounge at Dulles Airport sipping a vodka tonic (complimentary) and waiting to board the flight to London. Business class here we come!

So far so good. We left in a real flurry - I actually left the "to-do" notebook behind on the kitchen counter, but I guess that just means there's no more for me to do until I start a new list in the UK.

It's been an exhausting few weeks and a very emotional couple of days. But for better or for worse, there is no turning back now. As everyone has been telling me, it'll be the adventure of a lifetime. God willing and the crick don't rise...