Week 6 and 7

It felt just like Christmas this week when we finally got the internet hooked up in our flat.  We felt so isolated from everyone during that time of no communication.  We should be able to regularly post blogs for all of you to know what we are up to in England. 



Bedroom    You can see that the footboard is
used to hand the clothes on for drying..

We moved into our new flat on March 1st.  Since then we have been trying to get it clean and to have repairs made on it.  All the repairs have not been completed, but headway is being made.  It is very small, but nice and in a nice neighborhood, and small as it is, we are comfortable calling it home.



Bathroom    Extra towel is on floor to catch
water that drips from the shower



Reception room (front room) of our flat







 

Kitchen

Two weeks ago, we had a real treat when we were able to share time with Donna and Marv (Paul's sister and brother-in-law). They spent the week in London with their son who was here on business.  We were able to take 1 and 1/2 days off and visit some sights in London with them.   We went to the Hyde Park chapel.


Hyde Paark Chapel








 We took a bus tour of downtown London. Saw lots of things.....Westminister Abbey,  Houses of Parliament, The Royal Albert Hall,











changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace,and much more

Buckingham Palace

 On one afternoon we all visited the Tower of London.  That was so interesting.  We saw where Henry VIII beheaded his wives.  We saw the torture chamber and some of the torture aparatuses.  We observed the mote around the castle and got to see the Crown Jewels.  Very interesting.

Tower of London

 

 

 London Bridge at the Tower of London

We visited Harrods Dept Store again with  them. The children's section is so much fun.

 

                                                                                                 Made out of Legos

  

We found the best fish and chips at an out of the way little restaurant and shared a meal there with Donna and family.

It has been very very cold here.  They tell us it is the coldest  March they can remember.  Way up north the news is that snow is higher than cars.  However, here in London the snow falls but is gone nearly before it hits the ground.

We have a short beautiful walk to work each day.  We get to visit with some pretty foul friends on our way.
 

We got some exciting news from our supervisor this week.  In May there is camera trainging that takes place in Germany.  That means that we will be flying to Germany for this training and then taking a few extra days to tour after the training is over.

We both spoke in our Ward today.  It is an hour or more bus trip each Sunday to our Ward.  We left early today to make sure we got there on time.  Our church starts at 10:00 and we left at 8:10.  We did arrive 1/2 hour early but you never know about  the buses schedules,at least we were not late.  Best news of all is that Annie got her bus pass which means that we can travel by bus or underground nearly anywhere we need to go at no cost. 

Life is busy but good.  We love the Lord and are happy to serve in his vineyard.  We are also very excited to hear of all the good things happening with our families back in America.  Way to go Raquel -- we know that you were blessed in your appendectomy!

Grandma and Grandpa Smart