Settling In

I cannot believe it, but we FINALLY have a home phone number, internet access, a television, and not one but TWO ATM cards that work in pounds sterling. Given the current US monetary crisis, I surely am happy about that. We have been exploring a bit. This past weekend, we went to the food and drink festival at Glynde (pronounced gl-AYE-nd). You can see this nifty manor house at www.glynde.co.uk. Then, on Sunday, we went to the races at Plumpton -- www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk. That was really something, as the kids and I had not seen steeplechase or jump racing before. In the steeplechase, half the riders were thrown, but the horses kept going! At the moment, the kids are getting used to the new school (Eleanor faster than Robert, big surprise) and involved in many activities. They have both discovered Rugby, for example, and they are checking out piano lessons now. We continue to decide about doing the laundry by the weather report, as they just don't believe in tumble dryers anywhere in this island. Now that we have regular email service, don't hesitate to contact us and know we will actually reply!

Umbrella Required for Living in Lewes

We got here and are all excited about school starting tomorrow for Eleanor and Robert. I almost know my way around town -- the other three navigate like natives already. Well, that's what happens when you take a girl from Miami with a grid laid out in the 1950s and put her in a town laid out in 1087 with no right angles. Fortunately, just about every street meets up with the "High" Street, the English name for Main Street in most towns. I was most worried about Robert's adjustment and actually he's been a trooper. Every restaurant is his favorite. He has learned to ask for chips and he will readily order fish fingers, chips and peas (with ketchup on all) everywhere. Fortunately, or unfortunately, every place will serve this dish. Eleanor played football on Saturday -- and was the only girl in her age group. Good for her! Now if we can just get it to stop raining 5-6 times a day, all would be perfect, though now that Robert has wellies, it doesn't matter that much. Next up....more about Sussex, schools and traveling across the country by train....