It's a jolly holiday with ..... Hot water?

The first days in England don’t actually seem that much different than being on vacation. A camping vacation. A camping vacation, where you have a glorious house deep in a forest that is lacking all modern conveniences except gas for the stove, firewood for a fire, a telephone line for emergencies and electricity for the lights (provided not too many are left on at once, because then a fuse will be blown).

Let me explain….

We have been renting this house since June 1^st. That’s right. June 1^st. I know we just moved in August 5^th, but you would think, at some point BEFORE a family of five arrived, someone, somewhere, might ascertain whether there was a source of hot water on this property. Of course, if you thought this, you would be wrong.

I have not had a hot shower since the 15^th of August.

I am not happy about this.

And, I still don't have internet at home. ARGH!!

But, I am currently more upset that we don't have hot water. Double ARGH!!!!!! It is a misery. I am washing my hair in the sink and layering up the Secret. I am going to resort to perfume (or washcloth baths soon). :( Aside from the absence of those basic comforts of the civilized world, we are doing well and the boys are loving the huge back yard. We have no electronic devices or contact with the outside world while at home, so the boys are running like boys should. They are doing surprisingly well and didn't even ask about getting to recharge their Nintendo DS's yesterday!

I am going start making bread soon, and cookies, and all other manner of baked yummies. The oven truly is a revelation. Unbelieavable. Convection ovens on one side, gas on the other. I baked chickens the other night and carbonara for our first dinner at home. Wonderful!

We've been reveling in croissants with strawberry jam and hot cocoa for breakfast every day. Daddy-007 has been building a fire in the fireplace every morning to ward off the chill, so we gather round with our coffees and cocoas and ..... talk? I had no idea that my boys could be so chatty. ;)

The kids think that jolly old England is the best thing ever.

I swear I will have photos to upload soon. I am at the library today using the internet for 45 minutes before I have to run to a preschool interview for the Animal, then back to town, then to Southampton (or Soton, as it is called for short) to buy the car that we found, Ikea for a dresser, and the electronics store to get step-down converters so we can use the electronic things we brought with us. Phew! xoxoxoxooxoxox