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....

We're on our way!

We can hardly believe it, but we are headed to England tomorrow, August 28th. There have been huge delays in getting the visa -- mostly caused by our main visa competitors -- any college student wanting to study abroad in the UK! There has been a huge backlog at the British consulate and so many errors it's not even funny. Now, we need only figure out if we can sit together on the plane and if we'll have furniture in our rental house. It will probably take us a week or so to get phones and internet access, so do check back in a bit. We expect it to be quite chilly compared to here -- most days this month have been a high in the low 70s. School starts on 8 September for the children, so we will have a good week or so to get acclimated. Happy school year all!

Picture of the House

Though the lease is not signed yet, this is what it looks like. Three levels, sort of like the Baltimore house, except the living space is in the middle row (first floor, which is our "second floor" - the first being their "ground floor").

Watching the Mail

Still no departure date --- VISA applications are now in the hands of the British Consulate. If I get the visas, I should write a separate blog on how to get the visa. I think this is the first rite of passage in our cultural exchange, yes? Robert LOVED getting fingerprinted - said it was like a finger massage and wants to come back again. We think the house is settled and the schools are set up. In the meantime, check out these awesome pictures of the town we are bound for:
http://www.lewes.co.uk/Gallery.aspx

Visas in the post 9-11 world

Progress FINALLY on the Visa front!!!! It turns out that there is a "system glitch" that causes one to be charged over three times the proper amount for a UK Visa, and since I have a Fulbright, it is "gratis" anyway, but still we have to pay a huge fee in advance and get it credited. I am so glad everything is automated today and we've cut out so much human contact so we can be "efficient." There is an interesting possibility on a house too....perhaps more news tomorrow. We found a letting agent that is not afraid of Americans. Stay tuned...

Not There Yet, But Trying.....

So far, our efforts to start my Fulbright have been terribly frustrating! Who knew rental property would fly off the market in HOURS!!!!! And now, no live person will talk to us about a Visa to stay in the UK for more than six months. Hoping to rent a place soon.....check back soon!