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!!