Would you like the see the Pudding Menu?*
japra | May 17, 2010 | Comments 21
A glimpse of Guildford, England.
We’re back from England! And luckily we took the train else we’d be stuck on the island. Lots of planes grounded because of the ash cloud. Mr. DJ was supposed to go to Switzerland today for business, but flights out of Amsterdam were cancelled this morning.
Anyway, our trip was successful–we found a house to rent. Yay! It’s a modernized Edwardian house with… a conservatory. Ahem. Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know my feelings about conservatories (too hot April-August, too cold October-March), but the owners of this house have done a nice job with this addition (heated floors, vents in the ceiling, etc). I am hoping we will enjoy our conservatory this time.
Roxi’s audition at a contemporary music school in London was successful, too. She was accepted into a full time summer voice program! She’s really excited about that.
Ok, that is all for now. I’m off to work on inventory for the removal company. Then laundry.
*This still makes me smile every time.
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.
Congratulations. It sounds like a very successful trip.
It was, Invader_Stu. We were so relieved to find a house.
Congratulations to Roxi and congratulations to you too finding somewhere to live. Hope the conservatory works out well. :)
Thanks, Akelamalu. I really hope so too. It’s really lovely and connects to the kitchen forming a sort of Great Room (not sure what they’re called in the UK, but that’s what we call them in the States).
No matter the practical difficulties, how very, very wonderfully British to have a conservatry (is that the correct pronunciation? 8-) ) Looking forward to seeing photos of the new house!
LOL, isn’t that the truth, Kathy?
Oh that’s great news about Roxi! I am anticipating all sorts of concert posts then. Is the title of this post relate dto the name of the restaraunt in the photo? Because I think I would be hesitant (at the very least) to try pigeon pudding!ha!
LucyLucia, unfortunately we didn’t get to try the Three Pigeons, but we went to a pub and to Pizza Express and were offered the pudding menu there. Pigeon puds doesn’t have a very nice ring to it, does it? ;-)
Oh my goodness – congrats to Roxi!
Good news about the house too – is it near “Town”?
I’m confused about the whole pudding thing. I take it that it isn’t the same as Jell-O Chocolate pudding mix.
Julia, our new place is about a 30-40 minute train ride from town. It sounds awful, but really it’s not bad. Once you get on the train you can read. It beats driving!
And “pudding” in the UK means dessert in general. It can also refer to savory dishes. For example, Yorkshire pudding is what we Yanks call popovers. There’s also blood pudding, black pudding… but we won’t go there.
The Jell-O pudding that we Americans know and love is referred to as custards in England.
;-)
heard about the ash cloud and wondered how you got back. good for Roxi, her summer’s all settled and glad you found a nice place.
Thanks, Christine! Roxi is really looking forward to her summer course :-)
I bet it feels good to have the house/school settled. Once Mama has a nest and the chick has hers, life can go on.
I don’t think I ever was asked it I wanted the ‘pudding menu’. I must not eat in the right places there, tho I usually DO want to see it!
So true, Maureen. It’s easier to get things ready here when I know we’ve a place to go.
I wonder if the use of the word “pudding” is a regional thing. I know some desserts in the grocery things are labeled “puds”, but to actually call desserts that? Maybe you have to be far enough from London.
Congrats on the voice program! Do you think you’ll be settling in Guildford? Sara and Donovan used to work there and they lived nearby in Godalming.
Thanks, Emm! We’re all excited about it. I’m sure it’s not the last you guys will hear of it ;-)
No, we won’t be in Guildford, but I love that town. The shopping area is so cute!
I’ve been wondering how your friends are doing since they moved back to SA. I know you must miss them.
They’re doing very well, thanks! They have finally settled back down although K really misses the cold and us!
They emailed me a video of her singing happy birthday to me!!
Wow! and Wow-wiw! The London housing seems very interesting. First, about the conservtry – am practicing how to pronounce certain terms in case I come your way while you are residing there.
I have been taking the train reglarly and getting down at the first station to spend about half a day writing. I have ditched my few drafts without editing in order to save time in meeting my writing quota for the day. Some days are better than others.
One great development is that my roommate has been very accommodating seeing me pushing to reach my goal. I explained to him recently that my goal is to determine if I can really write this book and get it published.
You must be very busy but I think you have a way of meeting deadlines. Cheers for Roxy and the man who carries the briefcase.
Warmest regards,
Amanda
Amanda, you SHOULD come! That would be awesome.
I am so excited to hear you’re still plugging away at your book. Well done, you! And that your roomie is rooting for you… even better.
Thanks for your note :-)
Dear Japra,
How thrilling this news is! And you must be simply over the moon (as they say!) for Roxi, who will be in heaven in her music school. I hesitate even to hope that you’re on my end of London (west). When is the actual move to happen, and will Roxi finish out school where you are now? How complicated it all is, to be sure. I bet you’re right up there with us: 11 moves in 20 years of marriage. Enough! But welcome to England!
Kristen, I’ll be spending time in town the summer during Roxi’s music program. Maybe we can meet for lunch or tea somewhere? And yes, we were just waiting for Roxi to finish up with school here before we moved back–so the movers come for our stuff at the end of June. Gulp!
PS We are right up with you: 18 years of marriage, 7 moves. That which does not kill us makes us stronger. ;-)