We started the day with breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Most mornings we have breakfast in our room because we have a mini fridge. Then we took the kids to a place called Jump. It is an indoor play area with some inflatables, slides, mazes, etc. They love it!
Afterwards we went to the house to meet with the landlady and sign the lease. WooHoo! We have a place to live, now to pay the deposit and 1st months rent so we can get the keys.
Off to base to fill-out paperwork to get reimbursed for all the travel, hotels, food, etc.
Once we get back to the hotel we try to initiate the wire transfer for the deposit and rent, but it turned into a nightmare process. The online banking says we have to call the bank, a call to the bank phone tree informs us we have to process the request online. Don't you love the run-around. Finally we get a person after several attempts through the phone tree and have wire transfers added to our online profile. I start the process, add data for the landlady and get an error that the account number is in an invalid format. We call the landlady and confirm we have the correct account number. At this point we have been working on this wire transfer for at least 40 minutes. Still getting the error, so I try the online chat since trying to get a real person on the phone tree is awful. After 15 minutes chatting with the guy, he tells me that I have to call because he can't help me. Ugh! Back on the phone, through the tree to a person, but wrong department, so they transfer me. They have me clear the cookies and I re-enter all the information again, but I still get the error. The representative asks to verify account data and informs me we can't use the standard UK account number for an international wire we need an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) in order to continue. Remember we still have American accounts because we can't get a UK account without a lease. Meanwhile it is now 6:40pm here, so all of the banks are now closed. We will have to try again tomorrow or Monday. Seriously that was 2 hours of our lives we will never get back and we accomplished nothing.
The kids are starving, so we head downstairs for dinner. 3 bites into his Mac and Cheese and Lil Ron is off to the loo because he is getting sick. Poor kid, not sure what keeps upsetting his stomach. So him and I go back to the room while Annette and Ron finish dinner.
It wasn't a very exciting day, but we did get some things accomplished despite the wire transfer fiasco.
September 01, 2016
August 29, 2016
Day 17 (7/14/16)
Woke with a migraine. I have been getting them quite frequently. I think it is a combination of tension/stress and weather. So Ron and the kids went to breakfast downstairs while I rested some more.
Then we headed to Tavistock, which is about 10 miles away, for a public market.
We ate lunch in the market. I had a ham, brie, and cranberry sauce sandwich. The ham and brie were warmed, it was delicious! We walked the market and checked out all the vendors and their goods. I bought a pair of wool slippers.
I have been wishing I had my slippers in the hotel in the evening, so I decided to get some. It is funny what things you truly miss when you don't have your stuff.
After walking the market we went to walk around the town. It has a very old world feel, much like the Barbican.
Right down to the delivery truck off loading half cows and full pigs to the butcher shop.
The kids were intrigued by that and insisted we walk down to the truck and look. There were lots of great shops and boutiques to visit.
We came back to town and went to the base to get my access card. The kids ran around the football (soccer) field to burn some energy. We picked up some pizza on the way back to the hotel. It was awful!! Their version of sausage was sliced hot dogs. ICK! Even without that, it was bad. We will not go back there.
Then we headed to Tavistock, which is about 10 miles away, for a public market.
 |
| View from the front of the public market |
 |
| Ahhh, comfy slippers! |
After walking the market we went to walk around the town. It has a very old world feel, much like the Barbican.
 |
| View of some of Tavistock |
 |
| Butcher Delivery |
We came back to town and went to the base to get my access card. The kids ran around the football (soccer) field to burn some energy. We picked up some pizza on the way back to the hotel. It was awful!! Their version of sausage was sliced hot dogs. ICK! Even without that, it was bad. We will not go back there.
August 28, 2016
Day 16 (7/13/16)
Oreston Academy called and they don't have room for our kids. We are totally bummed because we have heard good things about the school and it is super close to our house. So, we went to the Local Authority (equivalent to the district office) and applied for other schools. The prospect isn't good as all the schools in the area by our house are at capacity (because they are highly rated schools). So we will wait and see. I did learn that the Year 2 is equivalent to 1st grade and Year 6 is equal to 5th grade, so the kids will be at similar levels to where they were in the states.
We had lunch at Bar Burritos in the Barbican. It is similar to Chipotle where you get to build your own burrito. I must admit we were skeptical given our experience with how differently food is prepared here, but we were pleasantly surprised. It was very similar to the burritos we get back home and we will definitely return. (I'll try the margaritas next time JoLynn.)
We took the kids to a playground and let them burn off some energy. To our surprise we ran into a coastie wife we had met during our 1st week here.....not what you expect when you have been some place for less than a month, especially a bigger city like this.
We checked out another strip mall which had a home improvement store similar to Lowe's. Once we move into our new home we have to get a lawn mower, lamps, desk, and possibly an entertainment center. So, we are scoping out stores and prices.
We had lunch at Bar Burritos in the Barbican. It is similar to Chipotle where you get to build your own burrito. I must admit we were skeptical given our experience with how differently food is prepared here, but we were pleasantly surprised. It was very similar to the burritos we get back home and we will definitely return. (I'll try the margaritas next time JoLynn.)
We took the kids to a playground and let them burn off some energy. To our surprise we ran into a coastie wife we had met during our 1st week here.....not what you expect when you have been some place for less than a month, especially a bigger city like this.
We checked out another strip mall which had a home improvement store similar to Lowe's. Once we move into our new home we have to get a lawn mower, lamps, desk, and possibly an entertainment center. So, we are scoping out stores and prices.
August 27, 2016
Day 14 & 15 (7/11 & 7/12/16)
Day 14
Went to the school (Oreston Community Academy) closest to our new home and applied for admission.* They are saying the kids will start as Year 2 and Year 6 which worries me since in the states they should be in 1st and 5th grade. The system works differently here and there isn't the flexibility we have back home for placing kids in different grades. So, I am hoping it all works out and they don't end up in classes that are above their level.
*Just because this school is closest to our home doesn't mean we will get in. There is no requirement to place children close to your home. If the schools near you are full, the kids could be assigned to a school on the other side of town. There is also the possibility that they could be assigned to 2 different schools depending on the availability at the schools.
After that Ron had to go to work. So, that left me to drive. Yikes!! I managed to get us to Drake Circus (shopping mall) after I got lost trying to find a pharmacy. Lucky for me there is a pharmacy at the mall. And I got us home without incident. Yay me!!
Day 15
We checked out a local home & garden store. Then had lunch at Bella Italia, which was really good Italian food. Afterwards we let the kids play some games at an arcade, although it is much more expensive here. At first you don't realize the cost different, but once you convert it back to dollars you see it. Currently it is $1.30 for £1.00. Most of the games were over £1.00 to play, so we didn't stay long.
The management company that performs the reference checks for our landlady called and said we cleared all the checks. So, now it is just a matter of signing the lease and paying the deposit. One step closer to having a house.
Went to the school (Oreston Community Academy) closest to our new home and applied for admission.* They are saying the kids will start as Year 2 and Year 6 which worries me since in the states they should be in 1st and 5th grade. The system works differently here and there isn't the flexibility we have back home for placing kids in different grades. So, I am hoping it all works out and they don't end up in classes that are above their level.
*Just because this school is closest to our home doesn't mean we will get in. There is no requirement to place children close to your home. If the schools near you are full, the kids could be assigned to a school on the other side of town. There is also the possibility that they could be assigned to 2 different schools depending on the availability at the schools.
After that Ron had to go to work. So, that left me to drive. Yikes!! I managed to get us to Drake Circus (shopping mall) after I got lost trying to find a pharmacy. Lucky for me there is a pharmacy at the mall. And I got us home without incident. Yay me!!
Day 15
We checked out a local home & garden store. Then had lunch at Bella Italia, which was really good Italian food. Afterwards we let the kids play some games at an arcade, although it is much more expensive here. At first you don't realize the cost different, but once you convert it back to dollars you see it. Currently it is $1.30 for £1.00. Most of the games were over £1.00 to play, so we didn't stay long.
The management company that performs the reference checks for our landlady called and said we cleared all the checks. So, now it is just a matter of signing the lease and paying the deposit. One step closer to having a house.
August 20, 2016
Day 13 (7/10/16)
Today we decided to visit Stonehenge. It is about 2 hours from Plymouth. On the way we stopped at Route 5 American Bar & Grill. I am finding humor in the Brits attempts to replicate American dishes. The kids and I ordered pancakes. I am not sure how they were prepared, but part of them were rock hard and the part that wasn't required a knife to cut.
Stonehenge was awesome. Make sure that if you visit, you include the audio tour. The audio is informative, but not too verbose, it even kept Lil Ron's attention.
From the entrance, you have the choice to visit the exhibit hall or head to the main attraction. The kids were excited to see Stonehenge, so we headed there first. You can either take the bus or walk through the countryside up to it. Since we weren't sure how much walking we would do once we got to the stones we opted for the bus ride. There are markers in the ground which indicate which option to select on the audio tour. Once the basic audio is done at each marker there are options for additional information if you so desire. I liked that if a particular topic wasn't of high interest to you, you didn't have to listen to it in order to get the information you desired.
I had no idea how big the stones really were until I was there. The man power it took to move them 100's of miles to the site, shape them, and place them is difficult to imagine especially without modern equipment. And then to rearrange them at the site, it is unbelievable. Yes, they believe that the stones were placed one way and then rearranged several times over the years. The mystery behind the purpose of the stones is intriguing. I enjoyed hearing the differing ideas. The kids even came up with their own theories, which was great. The only thing that was disappointing is that you can't walk close to the stones. That is 2 fold, one for your safety as some of the stones are unstable due to erosion and two to prevent damage to any artifacts that might be in the ground around the stones.
The exhibit hall was great too.
They had artifacts that have been found around the area and models of the different arrangements that they believe the stones have been in based on their discoveries around the site. It was a great day and well worth the drive. I even drove us home....without incident.
Stonehenge was awesome. Make sure that if you visit, you include the audio tour. The audio is informative, but not too verbose, it even kept Lil Ron's attention.
I had no idea how big the stones really were until I was there. The man power it took to move them 100's of miles to the site, shape them, and place them is difficult to imagine especially without modern equipment. And then to rearrange them at the site, it is unbelievable. Yes, they believe that the stones were placed one way and then rearranged several times over the years. The mystery behind the purpose of the stones is intriguing. I enjoyed hearing the differing ideas. The kids even came up with their own theories, which was great. The only thing that was disappointing is that you can't walk close to the stones. That is 2 fold, one for your safety as some of the stones are unstable due to erosion and two to prevent damage to any artifacts that might be in the ground around the stones.
 |
| Looking toward the east |
 |
| Looking toward the west |
The exhibit hall was great too.
 |
| The kids in front of a virtual Stonehenge that cycled through the seasons. |
August 18, 2016
Day 12 (7/9/16)
We looked at another house this morning. It was really nice although smaller than our other 2 favorites. Then we spent a little time with a coastie wife, her baby and their dog. Lil Ron loved playing with the dog and wore the little pup out.
After that we headed back over to the house we applied to rent to meet the landlady. She liked us and agreed to let (rent) the house to us. WooHoo!! The next step will be another meeting to sign the contract. In the meantime, here are a couple of pictures from the listing.
It was a foggy day here, so we decided to take the kids to see 'The Secret Life of Pets'. We got to the theatre and learned that you chose your seat ahead of time when you purchase your tickets, rather than finding your seat upon arrival. Which is nice because you can arrive at any time knowing you have the seat you want. It was cute movie and the kids enjoyed it.
After that we headed back over to the house we applied to rent to meet the landlady. She liked us and agreed to let (rent) the house to us. WooHoo!! The next step will be another meeting to sign the contract. In the meantime, here are a couple of pictures from the listing.
 |
| Front of house |
 |
| Enrtyway |
 |
| Kitchen |
 |
| Garden (aka Backyard) |
It was a foggy day here, so we decided to take the kids to see 'The Secret Life of Pets'. We got to the theatre and learned that you chose your seat ahead of time when you purchase your tickets, rather than finding your seat upon arrival. Which is nice because you can arrive at any time knowing you have the seat you want. It was cute movie and the kids enjoyed it.
August 17, 2016
Day 11 (7/8/16)
We headed out to lunch at Wagamama, which is an Asian noodle house. It is a chain restaurant that has several locations throughout Great Britain as well as Boston and New York. It is located in a very cool historical section called the Royal William Yard.
Ron had the Pad Thai and I had the Chicken Teriyaki Donburi. I even tried the kimchee that was served on the side. The kimchee was okay, I probably wouldn't eat it again, but the Donburi was delicious. I loved all the vegetables and the flavor was awesome. I foresee a return visit to try different items from the menu.
After lunch we headed out to look at another house. The layout was different than the typical UK home in that it was a tri-level with a 1/2 bath and bedroom on the intermediate level. It had a nice size yard. It is our 2nd choice if we don't get the house we applied for yesterday.
Dinner was at JD's Grill which claims to be an American steakhouse. One thing we have learned quickly since arriving here is that lemonade is not our traditional lemonade, but rather a lemon-lime type of soda similar to Sprite. They have 'cloudy' lemonade that more closely resembles our lemonade, but it is fizzy (aka carbonated). The food was good, but definitely not as American as we had hoped.
 |
| One of several building located here. |
 |
| Chicken Teriyaki Donburi w/Kimchee side |
Dinner was at JD's Grill which claims to be an American steakhouse. One thing we have learned quickly since arriving here is that lemonade is not our traditional lemonade, but rather a lemon-lime type of soda similar to Sprite. They have 'cloudy' lemonade that more closely resembles our lemonade, but it is fizzy (aka carbonated). The food was good, but definitely not as American as we had hoped.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)