Packing Up

It was a huge project to sort and pack two years worth of stuff. I had a "garage" sale, but only one person showed up. Also, one day I sold household goods and another day I sold toys at the church playgroup X and I attended. I also made 4 trips to the charity shop. The movers came for the rest. We had to leave a few things behind and give them to the neighbors.

We couldn't sell our car, so we left it with friends to take care-thanks so much. Selling the car was a mess. I was missing one document that we needed to sell it. After we left, I had to get another insurance policy so it could be test driven. Thanks C. You saved the day.

Curry and a Movie

A night to think of anything but moving, jobs, and so on. And a chance to say goodbye to our wonderful sitter N.

Punting at Cambridge University

After scrambling and negotiating (much to our English friends amazement when we told them we negotiated) we came up with 20 pounds and 10 euros for a punting ride. Our tour guide was great. He made the kids laugh several times with silly singing and "hitting" his head on the bridges. He even told a funny (and maybe true) story about Prince Charles bodyguard passing the tests better then himself. It was worth every penny for the ride and the history lesson. I understand the University process better then I even have. Also, it was just a lovely day out.

X Man

"I found the marshmallows, that wasn't a good hiding place." says X.

Car camping at Kelling Heath in Norfolk

We had a successful (and rather cold) first camping experience with the kids. We had a good time and kids were very happy. We cooked on a little grill for dinner and had breakfast at the restaurant to warm up. Everyone was in bed by 7:30 trying to get warm. I can't wait to take them in MN where we can have a fire and wooded campsite. It was different here in that we camped in a big row of tents in a field.

Wish I had ordered these. Yum.

National Health Service

People have asked us what nationalized health service is like. Our general impression is that in this case, you get what you pay for. Basically it is cheap (for the individual person), but they don't really do anything. You pay a nominal amount for a prescription, and can make an appointment to see a doctor for free. Unfortunately, it seems like when you see a doctor they don't do anything. We joked that if you went in with a broken leg, they would say, yes, you have a broken leg, I would stay off it for a while. It is our understanding the Doctors are allowed 7 minutes per patient. You are assigned a clinic in your area, and get one of 20 or so doctors at any given appointment. The goal is to move you home after giving birth within in hours. Access to specialists is very limited. We have all sought out a private doctor while here for treatment. Despite its problems, I will take my USA Healthcare any day. I am sure that many of my English friends would disagree. It is all about what you are use to having.

Where to next?

Wouldn't you like to know!

U.K. General Election 2010

The general election is going on now. The campaigning only lasts for a month. It was the first ever UK televised debate. The polls seem to favor the conservatives (tories), and lib dems, a close second and labor (current party in power), in last place.

All Sorts of Stuff

We visited Foxton Locks, a place where the river boaters stop. The boats must have been narrow, the locks were only 7 feet wide. It was a day to walk around outside and we took a short boat ride.





We had a great walk and playground time with friends (H family) and then they came for a bbq.




X and I spent a good bit of time cleaning out the garden and digging the biggest, bestest, ickiest worms! He loved it.

S and I spent an evening with 3 mums and daughters at the schools quiz night. It was fun, but really needed more kid questions, or we needed the girls to be a bit older. They got bored. Everyone came back here for a treat (American Rice Krispie Bars) and wine.

We attended a lovely St. George's party with the H family at their neighbors. We were invited, because they wanted that lovely American family to come along. Ha, the poor fools:) It was fun.

S lost another tooth. It was fully disappointing when the tooth fairy brought her money instead of real fairy dust, per her request, as S wants to fly. Apparently, it is against the rules to give out the dust to humans.