A wonderful weekend

Yesterday was a day of so many firsts, I was exhausted by the end. I saw so much wildlife and beauty that it nearly made me cry.

I went for a walk in Point Defiance park, in amongst the trees and ferns. In 5 minutes I saw a woodpecker (huge with a bright red head), a chipmunk and a dear. All less than 5 metres away. The ferns and fungi were incredible.

We also went to Alki Beach, which is like the Weston sea front of the area with Miami trees and mountains in the background. Pictures later...

We had our housewarming on Saturday evening with full English menu including Bangers and Mash. The spooky thing was, everyone turned up on time at 7pm, and everyone left by 10pm as we had written on the invite. Very odd. We know it was good though because we ended up with more booze than we started and none of it is the same!

Today Tony has the day off and we're going to Seattle on the train.

Pictures

Im having a few issues with the picture uploader! Tony did it last time. If you click on this link it should take you there.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/corker16/NewFlat?feat=directlink

Home sweet home

So here she is. The Buckingham Palace. This is the view looking up from half way down the street. We are the windows on the left just poking above the trees. Im going to upload some more pictures to see on the right.

This week has been even more perfect than we could have hoped for. The shop is going from strength to strength, beating all expected targets. The reports of the effects of an English accent on American women were all true. Tony has them falling at his feet and opening their wallets. We are thinking of opening an 0898-TALK ENGLISH line at premium rate.

I am sitting in a cafe called the Spar at the waterside. It has great coffee and free internet. We are still setting up things at home so this is it for now.

Things we have found that we love: Marlene's bulk buy dry goods, the two dollar cinema , our new blender which we got for $49 at the sale and has really sharp blades (see picture for the damage) and can mash anything you like. Now I see how the Youtibe craze started. Gooeyducks which are the most disgusting thing you have ever seen, but strangely mesmorising, Mount Rainier on a clear day, sitting by a brazier fire in a garden until midnight, walking by the waterside looking at the mountains... It's just pretty darn wonderful here :) I will return to this post mid-November to see if I still think the same!

We are thinking about you all lots and can't wait to show you around. The exchange rate is currently 1.5. Flights through Expedia are at $637 from Expedia US with a May/June arrival and departure and about the same for Oct/Nov. I know that it's cheaper from Expedia UK though.

Tony is out on a ride right now, but I'm sure he'll write soon and give you his take on it all. Lots of love xxx

Congratulations!

Just a quick note to say congratulations to my pupils who took exams last term. Well done Verity, Agnes, William and Sophie. I'm very proud of you :)

Shock Sighting - American caught READING a book!

The pasenger in this car was sighted apparently using the previously though extict human skill of 'Reading'.
This once widely used form of self development was thought to have died out with the advent of the TV in the early 13thCentury. 'Reading' was thought to have been devloped by comunists in the early stages of the Cold War as a means to spread propaganda. Fortunatley the Americans won the war(Flip YES!) and the television saved us from such mind controling devices.....Yay America!

Big Tom

Easy E (Eric) picked us up from the air port in Big Bob the F250 and yes those are real horns on the hood (bonnet).
Big Tom has about 400 brake horse power in the form of a v8 small block. I nearly cried with delight at the sound of the engine. It scares small children...

Buckingham Palace

Flat hunting in America is pretty much the same as in the UK, except that the buildings are all called different things and you have to walk twice as far between them. Tony and I now have peachy little bottoms from all the trekking up and down hills!

US Glossary:
Duplex = 2 flats stuck together or a converted house with 2 flats
Triplex = 3...
Fourplex = 4...
Apartment = flat
Condo = smart flat
Craftsman style = bungalow with a deck
Townhouse = two story house
Cute = small
updated = c.1999
Highend = Ikea
Yard = yard

So we've seen pretty much seen everything Tacoma has to offer for under $1000. And its not all pretty. Thankfully, we did manage to find a beautiful place with the most stunning view http://www.buckinghamaptstacoma.com/ We've got a 2 bed one overlooking the sound. Come stay!