Regal Readjustments

Now that we have begun to get settled in our new home and move past any major changes, little differences have begun to stick out.  For example, in England everything just feels a bit fancier.  A few examples:

Not regular mail, but royal mail is delivered by the postman

 

 

The toilet paper that was pre-stocked in our flat.  Not only is it lovely to look at, but a post-sneeze nose clearing reveled that it also appears to be scented.  Pina colada, maybe?

Our neighbors, who reside with us in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  For those who might not immediately recognize this building, it is Kensington Palace.  We initially assumed it was just some historical palace not used since the 1700s, but we were wrong.  Residents include Wills, Kate, Harry and Prince George, who will obviously want to be friends with Dillon once he figures out we are right across the way.

Getting the Gang Back Together

That's right- our final family member has arrived! After a few weeks of hanging out with his best bud Ted, Zambezi took his first plane ride over the pond to join us here in London.  Happy reunions all around...

Luckily, Zambezi seems to have settled into his new lifestyle quite quickly.  He loves the weather, long walks in the park, and meeting all of the proper English hounds.  If only we could figure out how to get him to drag the stroller up our four flights of stairs, he would be a candidate for the Texpatriate of the Month award.

House Hunters International

Things are going jolly well over here in London town as our tenure in our temporary housing unit at the Point West apartments comes to an end.  It is not fair to completely bash the dreary high rise condo (pictured at right) as its hulking ugliness actually serves as an effective point of reference when navigating our new city as it is by far the most unsightly building for miles around. 

Upon arrival in London, we went on a multi-day adventure to secure new accommodations  during which we were frequently reminded of the show House Hunters International.  More than once, we felt as though our house hunt was more than a bit surreal, if not exactly TV-worthy. We looked, for example, at a building that Princess Diana used to live in (pre-princess, when she was "just a Lady"), considered a neighborhood in which Simon Cowell and Sir Richard Branson reside, and viewed a unit from which you can see Wills and Kate's backyard.  Before you begin wondering whether Jared has been promoted about 50 times over to afford to live in such locations, I should note that while here, we will be receiving a housing allowance that will offset the we slight difference in the real estate market between Houston and London.

 

After viewing almost 20 different properties, we finally settled on a lovely unit at 56 Kensington Court, just blocks from Kensington Gardens/ Hyde Park, which will be perfect for when our furry roommate arrives in a few weeks.  The flat is centrally located, convenient for Jared's commute, and offers an authentically claustrophobic Euro-style "lift" to assist you in your arrival to the 4th floor unit. 

 

Our furniture is schedule to arrive on Tuesday and, much to my delight, we have a crane booked to lift the furniture up to the 4th floor and through the window.

 

With our new accommodations secured and the moving date set, the only thing keeping me up at night is how our furniture is going to fit...

Overcoming Dining Drama

Navigating the social protocols of a new city can be challenging. Add one occasionally impatient 5 month old with two parents' desire to experience all the city has to offer and it gets really interesting. Luckily, our newest Texpatriate has inherited a strong social streak and a charming Cheshire grin that has made adapting to our new reality, and enjoying lunch, a bit easier. 

Accidental Tourism

When relying on public transportation to get around, a derailment or line cancellation can put a damper on well-thought-out plans.  Luckily, in London, even an unexpected detour can lead to interesting sights.