I'm Back!

After only 2 short weeks of darkness, British Telecom has us up and running with a working phone and DSL internet!  Everyone loves to complain about BT, but so far (knock wood) I have nothing bad to say about them.  (I know what you're thinking : "Just wait . . . .").

To celebrate my return to the 21st century, I thought I'd take you on a little photo tour of my new neighborhood.  We're living in Surrey, near London and it is gorgeous here.  Of course I still can't find my way to Waitrose (our supermarket) without the sat/nav, but it is slowly starting to feel like home.

 Our new place.  I think it might be the smallest house in the neighborhood.

 

Apparently the British love to name their houses.  It's so charming to hear people say, "I live at Woodbury House (or Watersteps, or Christmas Cottage)"

 

The view down our street.  Perfect for bike riding.  Of course, my kids have never ridden in the street before and are completely terrified that a car is going to come along and run them over.  I wonder how long it will take them to get over that?

 So that's what it means to be on the verge!

 

Baby Jack and I like to take afternoon walks to this little patisserie.  

Warm cheese and bacon croissant anyone?

 Near the patisserie we have a little mini-market endearingly called Budgens.  There are so many Americans in the neighborhood that they have a little "Americatessen" section.  I found this rather amusing- The British seem to think Americans love Hersheys (yes!), Goldfish (yes!), Jif (yes!) and- not one but two-different kinds of marshmallow fluff (what??).  

But, hey, it's good to know it's there if I need it. 

And finally, this is Mittens.  She came by to introduce herself the day we moved in.  We're hoping she becomes our surrogate pet.  You know, the kind the kids can play with and then send home to it's real owners who have all the responsibility.   That would be just perfect.