Day 62 (8/28/16)

We had real bacon (known as crispy bacon or streaky bacon here in the UK), eggs, and homemade biscuits for breakfast. Biscuits are easier to make than I thought.

Then we headed to Saltram to tour the house.  It is an amazing historic home complete with art work, furniture, books, etc. When the family left it to the National Trust in the 1950's they agreed to leave it furnished. Many items in the house are over 200 years old. It is absolutely amazing. The last family member to live in the house was there until 1999.

So much detail in everything, including the ceilings.

Gorgeous chandler. Wish I could
see it in the evening lit with candles.

Love all the different stones on this table.

Ornate wallpaper in a bedroom.

Beautiful dining room ready for a feast.

Afterwards we took the kids to Jump to burn some energy, since they couldn't run around the gardens at Saltram because of the rain.

Day 60 (8/26/16) - 100 days of suitcase living

We went to a local thrift/antique shop called Mr. Scarecrow's Attic. They had a really cool globe liquor cabinet that we couldn't resist. So while we have none of our own furniture we have a place to store Ron's whiskey. (Note: Pictures taken after we received all our furniture.)

Old theatre building by Mr. Scarecrows Attic

For lunch we had fish and chips from a local shop. The portion was huge. Next time we'll order just 1 fish and chip with an extra serving of fish.
We walked around a private school for the kids. No one was at the school so we just checked out the exterior. I am waiting on an email from the school to schedule a tour.  Next was a stop at a potential gym for Ron and then on to home.
The kids were dying to take Ron to the lake to see the swans, so we walked around the lake. On the walk we found the ruins of a house. It was really cool looking around and seeing what has withstood the test of time.  Then the kids decided to try to climb a tree and dad had to show them how it was done.  Overall it was a very nice day.

Day 58 & 59 (8/24 & 8/25/16)

Day 58
After 2 days of activity Ron's ankle was bothering him, so we stayed home most of the day.  I ran a few errands and registered the kids and I for health care. It was honestly the easiest thing to sign up for here. Much easier than getting a cell phone plan or opening a bank account.  The total opposite of living in the US.  I was humored by the ethnic group options on the health form, never have I seen the category of White broken out.


Day 59
I had a doctors appointment in the morning. I am happy with the doctor I was assigned. Getting a doctor here works differently than in the US. Here there are surgeries (offices with several general physicians) and you have to live within a certain radius of the surgery to be able to be seen there. So, if there was a doctor on the other side of town that was highly recommended, I couldn't choose to be seen at that office unless I lived close enough.  There are several surgeries that cover each area, so if you don't care for one you can go to another in your area.
After my appointment we walked around The Broadway and the kids picked out art for their rooms from the British Red Cross thrift store.
In the afternoon Ron had a meeting at work. So, the kids and I headed back to Radford Lake where we met up with some friends. The kids had fun running around and playing.

Day 57 (8/23/16)

Today we headed to Glendurgan Garden, a National Trust site, which is about 2 hours away in Cornwall. If visiting the country for any length of time, purchasing a membership is totally worth it as you get free access to all their 500+ sites across the UK.

The garden was absolutely beautiful! There were plants with leaves that were as big as the kids. They had fun swings and a hedgerow maze for the kids. Annette and Ron went through the maze together and then Annette and I did it. It was fun and challenging. There is also a trail down to a little fishing village on the water. We lucked out and picked a gorgeous, sunny day for our visit.  It would be worth going again in the spring when the flowers are blooming.

The kids before entering the maze.

Heading into the fishing village.

At the water, looking for skipping rocks.

Cool caterpillar

Taking a break.

I can't believe how big the leaves were on this plant.

Not sure what type of flower this
is, but I really like it.

Day 56 (8/22/16)

Kids on the trail

Ron went golfing, so the kids and I explored in our area (I am still not comfortable driving). We walked the trail by our house to the waterfront, then to Radford Lake. We saw a swan and her cygnet (baby). We learned from some people at the lake that the male was recently killed by a dog. We also learned all swans are on loan from Her Majesty the Queen, so it is illegal to harm them. And every time someone speaks of the Queen they refer to her as "Her Majesty the Queen."

A castle-like cottage which was home to the dam keeper in the 1800's.

I was surprised how close they came to him.

There are several old decaying
boat hulls opposite the lake.

 

Days 51-55 (8/17-8/21/16)

Day 51
We had a lazy morning at home. After lunch we headed out to get cell phones, now that Ron has a debit card, which is a UK requirement to have a standard cell phone plan. For 10GB of data, a new Galaxy S7, unlimited calls and texts it is only going to cost £45.99/month. Then an additional £10/month to add my phone and share the data. I can't believe how much cheaper it is than in the states. Since we don't have any UK credit, Ron was only approved for 1 line and had to pay a deposit. Once he has made on-time payments for the next 3 months we can add my line. So, 1/2 way to getting our cells phones fully set up.

Then we headed home and got our desk delivered from IKEA. That is one bummer about the cars being so small, you have to pay for delivery for any big items....even if they come flat packed in 3 boxes and you assemble it yourself.

We ended the night watching the 2nd round of the British Fireworks Championship.

Day 52
Not much happened today. We went to the base and kicked around a football (aka soccer ball), got our mail, and started the process for our no-fee passports. The kids and I can't get our vignettes (similar to a VISA) with our regular passport, so we have to get a special no-fee passport that says we are on official government travel orders. One more hoop.

Day 53
Ron's ankle is getting better. So we walked a trail by our house to the grocery store, it is less than 1/2 mile. On the way back the kid's played at the park and then home for the evening.

Day 54
Took the kids to see BFG. It was super cute. The kid's favorite part was after everyone drank the fizzy liquid and had to 'Whiz Pop'.
We checked out another grocery store I came across earlier in the week when I got temporarily lost (missed one turn).
Then stopped by the library, got a card, and checked out books. I love that my kids get excited about the library.

Day 55
A lazy day at home in our PJs.

Day 50 (8/16/16)

Ron is laid up with his ankle. I took the opportunity to go out by myself. I walked around a shopping area near our house called The Broadway. It has a little of everything, clothing stores, pharmacy, grocery, banks, bakeries, butcher shop, etc. Then I went to the grocery store (the grocery at the The Broadway is mostly frozen foods). It was nice to look around without the kids. Grocery shopping still takes awhile because I am not familiar with the layout of the store nor the differences in products and quantity (grams vs ounces).
Upon returning home I discovered I had lost the garage door opener. Our openers are both small pocket size openers. And since the garage is detached, we can't have the visor clip-on ones. I looked around the front of the car but to no avail. So, I proceeded to put away the groceries. Then I emptied my purse, but still no luck. Back out to the car, hoping it's there, because if not, it could be anywhere...car park (aka parking lot) or in a couple of stores where I got into my purse.  Checked under the seats, then looked in the back and there it was, on the back seat. I must have set it there when I was getting items out from the previous day's beach trip.  Ooooo, crisis averted.
We ended the night watching the 1st round of the British Fireworks Championship. From our living room we can see most of the fireworks. A few of the lower ones are obscured by a tree at the neighbor's house. But we were happy that we didn't have to deal with the crowds down at The Hoe.

View from our living room during the day.

Not the best pictures, but this is the view from our balcony.