Still Getting Moved In...

Over the weekend we gathered the last of our belongings from the old apartment.  Marco didn't call me madame like the furniture movers did but we are ALL moved into the new place!  Now the fun begins of finding a place to put it all! 

Clothes that have not found space in a closet!

More stuff that needs to find a place to go!!

I thought we had gotten rid of a lot when we left Ohio but it looks like more stuff is going to have to go!   I did manage to get the kitchen arranged so I can store food... good thing!  I'm sure I will find a place for everything else as well.  I am enjoying this simpler way of living though.  And we LOVE the apartment!!

Oh, and don't worry.... we will have room for guests!

Stay tuned.... I will post pictures of the completed apartment soon!

Enjoy!

Day 1 of Moving In...

Oh, What a day!!  Movers arrived at 10:00 and had the truck unloaded by 11:00.  Let me back up a minute....  I left the current apartment at 8:00 and got to the new apartment at 9:30.  Bus #2 terminated early because of an accident so I had to hike to the next stop to catch bus #3... buses where not cooperating with me this morning!!  Good news... everything fit into the apartment!  It may not have a place to go but it is in!  I tackled the family room and (most important) the kitchen today.

Unpacking family room....

Still unpacking the family room....

Kitchen.... nightmare!

Not everything is in it's perenant place but we are getting close!

Getting there...  (Marco's bike is NOT staying on the balcony!)

'Dining' room and kitchen coming together  :-)

Kitchen is all tidy!  Looks can be deceveving though!!  Frying pans are in the oven... casserole dishes are in the fridge along with Tervis cups....  What didn't fit in the kitchen is tucked away in the hall closet (closet is only 1 foot deep but it works).  The only problem that I'm having at the moment is there is NO room for food!!  I may end up using the dishwasher as a cabinet....



Tomorrow, I'm taking what I can from our current apartment.  I can pretty much say that the bedrooms are over flowing so I have no idea where this stuff is going!  I have a pretty good feeling that we will be making a trip to the charity shop!  Clothes, shoes, and kitchen items....  and to think I thought I did a good job of down sizing!!

It wil be cozy but I think we will be happy!  And it may be small but nothing is too small between family and friends!

Hope you enjoy!



British 101

Well, I've been here about 2 months now and I am catching on to the British language.  I guess submersion really does work!  I can understand why non-English speaking people have so much trouble learning English.  American English and British English are quite different!

There are a few British words or sayings that most Americans are already familiar with....

• Car Boot - trunk
• Car Bonnet - hood
• Loo - bathroom
• Flat - apartment
• Lift - elevator

The English do indeed use these words but here are some new ones...

• Top Off - reload or add to - this is done on your transportation pass or your pay as you go phone card.
• Take Away - to-go or carry out - when I go to Starbuck's are order my iced tea, the Barista asks if I want it here or to take away.
• Leisure Centre (note the spelling of center) - this is like a YMCA with organized sports and classes, more than a gym
• Car Park - parking lot
• Worktop - kitchen counter
• Jumper - sweater
• Under Offer - pending or under contract
• Trolley - a devise to move something from point A to point B
• Till - a Cash register
• Lead - leash for a dog
• Torch - flashlight

Here are a few food items...

• Courgette - Zucchini
• Rocket - Arugula (salad)
• Prawns - shrimps
• Gammon - Ham steak
• Crisps - potato chips
• Chips - French fries (& Fat Chips are like steak fries)
• Veg - short for veggie

And here a few words that are helpful (G-rated of course!)

• Daft - someone that is stupid, silly, or crazy
• Cheeky - someone that is sassy or rude
• Chuck - when you throw something away
• Smart - looking cute, pretty, or beautiful
• Nicked - something that has been stolen or someone who has been caught
• Mad - someone that is crazy
• Flog - the sell something for a low price that might be dodgy
• Dodgy - suspicious
• Proper - prim, correct

That is probably enough vocab words for lesson 101.  Here are a few spelling words!

• Cheque - check (from a check book)
• Tyres - tires
• Colour - color
• Labour - labor
• Centre - center
• Neighbour - neighbor
• Neighbourhood - neighborhood
• Organised - organized

Make sure you study... you will be tested!

Hope you enjoyed!!

Pubs!

Pub is short for Public House.  Pubs were and are a major part of English life... some say they are the 'heart of England'.  Pubs are believed to date back to the Romans (no surprise there).  Pubs were a place where locals would gather to discuss local issues, gossip, meet with friends, drink ale (of course), etc.  People still gather to do the same today!

The name of the Pub comes from an event, someone famous or of importance, a battle, or some local something or other.  Signs hang on the outside of a Pub so travelers would know they could stop for a rest and/or refreshment.  Pictures were put of the signs so those who could not read would know the name of the Pub.  Some Pubs I have seen are: The Bird Cage, The Cat & Canary, The Cock Tavern, The Hare, The Royal Inn on The Park, The Crown, The Victoria, The Dolphin, Maddigan's, The Crooked Billet... to name a few.

Pubs were also, at one time, used as Inns or Bed & Breakfasts for travelers.  Most Pubs serve more than just snack bar food.  If you are looking for a typical English meal, a Pub is a great place to go.  They also have great burgers!!  On Sundays most have a Sunday Roast.  I have not tried this yet but it is on the list of things to-do.  If you do go to a Pub for a pint (they also have wine and spirits), you order from the bar and pay in advance, even for your meal.  That being said, Pubs were the first establishments to introduce a counter for serving... known today as a bar!

This is a tiny Pub near out apartment... locals pack the place!  The local dogs are even allowed in as long as they are on a leash.

This is The Prospect of Whitby which is near our new apartment in Wapping.  It claims to be the oldest Pub along the River Thames, dating back to 1520.  It was at one time called the Devil's Tavern because of the sorted pirates and thieves that frequented the place.  The original floor is still there.

This is The Captain Kidd (also near our new flat in Wapping).  Captain William Kidd was a Scottish sailor who was hung for piracy.  The Pub is located near the site where Kidd was hung.

Hope you enjoy!!