Catching up on Tuesday and today
japra | Apr 24, 2008 | Comments 11
The flowering trees are so very pretty. Anyone know what kind this is?I forgot to tell you that my driving lesson went well the other day. I was a little stressed out at the beginning because I haven’t driven since February. Anyway, Andy, my instructor, had me drive around for about 40 minutes on a variety of roads. I started feeling more confident at the end. We drove his little Mini–fun! I have another exciting lesson next Thursday in which we will practice maneuvers–backing around a corner, emergency stops, and other fun driving skills that I’ll need to demonstrate during my test. Andy estimates I will need 5-6 lessons. At £26 pounds per hour. Try not to do the conversion, folks.
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Speaking of prices, I just found out that our fairly modest rental house, on an extremely modest lot, in what I think is a fairly modest little town is probably worth more than half a million pounds. There is a house for sale just down the road. It is probably about 1,800 square feet with one family bath only, no cloakroom (half-bath for my American friends), no en suite (master bath), few updates, no conservatory, blah garden–£500,000. Yes, $1,000,000! I think that gets you a small, two-bedroom flat in London. Unbelievable.
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Other news?
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The plumber is here to replace the radiator in our foyer.
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I think I have a strawberry plant in my garden.
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I am reading Garlic and Sapphires.
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I am still working on the logo and identity package for a project back home.
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Mr. DJ got back late last night.
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I’m making pizza in my new pizza oven tomorrow.
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We had blue skies for a few hours this morning.
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It’s raining now.
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But the birds continue to sing.
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Why aren’t there window screens in England?
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The flies and the wasps like to fly in.
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Then Trudy goes crazy trying to catch them.
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It is funny.
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But I worry about her actually catching a wasp.
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That’s all for today!
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Well, it’s Thursday now and my WP and I have postponed our 10 miler because of the RAIN. I should be ironing, but nevermind.
I wish that I could tell you the name of that beautiful tree. I always just say “apple” or “cherry” and hope for the best.
Yes, house prices in the UK are unbelievable. Prices for anything, really, astound. I constantly marvel that people with average-range salaries can afford to live here. And what about that debate on taxing (that new 10% thing) those people who are making, literally, diddly-squat.
I don’t have room for even one smallish new appliance, but tell me how you like that pizza maker!
Bee–Wow, 10 miles! I’m impressed. When is your marathon?
I’ll let you know about the pizza oven. Roxi has a friend coming over tomorrow and even though it is probably bad luck to try it for the first time while we have company, we’re making pizza.
I agree with you on the housing prices, the wages, the taxes. Really unbelievable.
I guess when you live on an island, the price of real estate sort of makes sense. Sort of. That’s crazy!
Laurie–Sometimes it just makes my head spin. Someone once told Mr. DJ you know you’ve settled in when you stop converting to dollars. For the most part, we’ve there, but every now and again something gives us a jolt.
Your photo is beautiful! Unfortuneately, I have no idea what kind of tree it is.
Those prices are shocking and I thought it was crazy in Connecticut! When I was a young teen I was determined that I would move to the UK and settle down there as an adult. Then I moved there at 16 and I realized how good we had it in this country. I loved it there, but I love it here more. I remember how expensive every little thing was. Then when I heard about a tax on television sets, I knew I would be a forever American from then on! :-)
By the way, I didn’t know there weren’t screens in England. How odd.
Alyson–It is interesting to hear your side of your overseas adventure. I wonder how Roxi will feel about living here when she is older, what she will remember fondly or not so fondly?
All of our windows casement or transom, so I guess that is why no screens. Still, it seems like at some point someone would have said, “Hey, I’ve got an idea, let’s use sash windows!”
Hey, Plane! It’s mulitude here (aka Audrey). I’m obsessed with the lack of sreens here and finally after about a decade of bugs in my house, comissioned a set of screen doors for my kitchen which has resulted in peace and a bug-free house. Of course, they are a total mystery to my British guests who look confused when they have to open them but, whatever!
Sometimes when I’m mad at my husband I cruise the real estate section in the New York Times and the Baltimore Sun to see what my house value here would buy me there. It’s hours of entertainment.
Hi Multitude–Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Ok, I am glad to know I am not the only one bug obsessed!
And truth be told, I still cruise the Texas real estate site… you know, just in case.
Yep shocking, however many places in the US have expensive housing too especially around Chicago, NYC, San Fransisco, and LA.
A friend of mine in Bristol, which I would compare to my city in some ways pays over 3000 pounds/month on their mortgage! They do have 3 WCs, 1 shower, a bath and an amazing kitchen.
If you want to see how much your neighbors bought their houses for you can look at http://www.192.com
Susan–Great link! Thanks :-)