Testing -

Apparently I can have Blogger send a notification to an email list when we publish a new posting...trying it out now :).

Let us know if you'd want to be on a list (if we can figure it out)

Waiting to be wired

Wow - two weeks since the last posting, really sorry about that. I'm not following the core tenet of starting a new blog - you must post regularly, or no one will come back :(. Will try to be better - and I'm convinced that once we get internet at home, it'll be a bit easier.

So - what's new over here? Lots, I think, since the last post.

We're generally settling into all aspects of life in London - getting our flat more and more comfortable every day; finding our places at work; starting to have "normal" days instead of constantly running errands; going out with friends; and best of all - starting to plan fun things like trips and activities in London!!

Got a TV this last week...which was a huge developement (only in terms of impact - not in terms of the TV's actual size ;-)). Phone is coming on Tuesday....will get the number up on the sidebar soon.

Also the plan is to still get broadband soon....but I'm very frustrated with all of the ISV's over here right now, so we'll see. For some stupid reason, all of the modems that the ISV's provide are USB based only (no Cat 5 connection) - so, all of the wireless routers that I was looking at won't be compatible with the modems. Pretty dumb.

We went to Brighton on the English channel for Valentines day - which was a lot of fun. Sort of an impromptu trip (since our plans to see the Lion King fell through), and it worked out really well. Took the trainout on Saturday morning - happened to find a reasonable B&B right downtown - and just wondered around town for the wekend. Even managed to snag a table at a fairly nice italian restaurant without reservations :). (Was a pretty good meal - unfortunately they put a *ton* of hot pepper in Penny's dish....but she made it through ok :)).

Ok, well - I had better wrap this post up for now. It's almost time to go home!!! Think we're going to have a relaxing weekend around London - rent a movie tonight, and go out to Greenwich park tomorrow (and stand on the Prime Meridian!!).

We'll keep you posted ;) - we're starting to plan trips and everything....Chamonix in March, Scotland at some point soon, Isle of Wight in April....pretty exciting :).

Also - I know we owe everyone pictures....we'll try to get that sorted soon. AND - I'll try to get Penny to post on here soon :).

Ok, gotta run - best wishes for all our family & friends in the PNW & Oz.

Flat acquired, furniture built - almost have a home ;)

Apologies for the delay since the last posting - hopefully we'll get some internet action in our flat soon, which will dramatically increase the amount of time we can devote to this sort of thing :).

Which leads me to my first point...we have a flat!! We'll get some pictures going around at some point - but for now, it's a one bedroom open kitchen, "garden level" (half underground), flat with a private entrance to a private patio area :)! The patio will be great in the warmer months....already planning a cinquo de mayo party....so if you're in the 'hood you should come by :).

I'll get out address up on the sidebar soon if anyone needs it.

So - we signed the contract and got keys last friday, spent the whole weekend between Ikea and other stores trying to furnish it - and a good portion of the start of the week building Ikea furnature :).

We had a bit of a hassle with our estate agent...who's basically a weasle...but we should be sorted at this point (basically, the place wasn't clean...and it took them a full week to get around to having cleaners come in). So we should be settling in a bit more this weekend....really making the place our home.

I'll try not to rant too much - but the flat letting system in the UK is a nightmare!! We both longed for the relative simplicity of the system in the US and Oz. Basically, you have to work through agents, haggle for price...pay enourmous sums for contract drafting and approval....basically get hosed completely....and even then the agent might not ever call you back....or you might not get the place. Really sucks. If you ever move to the UK - talk to us about our experience & we'll give you some pointers :).

On the downside - Penny had her cell phone stolen right out of her hand on Wed night. Really sucks...someone just came up behind her and ripped it out of her hand. The whole thing is stupid really, because Vodaphone can completely deactivate the phone and sim card as soon as we reported it. So this kid may have had 20 minutes of time on a pre-paid cell phone....which was switched off for most of that time (I called several times).

But back on the positive side - it is now officially the weekend :). And we're very much looking forward to a relaxing one. Going out with friends for Indian tomorrow night in a neighborhood that's supposed to be awesome for curry...we'll let you know :). We also need to start planning our first trips!

Ok - 5pm - time to sign off and go to the pub. Hope all is well back in Oz & the US!!Talk to you soon!