July 4th, Settling In

Today was another day filled with events and activities as we continued setting in while trying to work at the same time. Irina will be arriving on Sunday but in the meanwhile, kids are doing a good job working on their studies or playing while we are working on other things. We got our bed, linens, and dishes. I went for a run this morning along the Thames river just like I've imagined so many times.

Landlord came over in the morning to check in and explain how equipment works. Very friendly guy, on the phone and in person. However no one can figure out how to get hot water going. It makes for an interesting shower times.

In the afternoon we went to the outdoor market and picked our lunch from the multiple vendors. They have a couple of interesting things here. Tomberry - is tomato the size of large red currant. Samphire is a really neat sea plant that looks like nothing you would voluntarily try but tastes pretty salty and would make a great snack or co-play to the omelette.

Later in the evening we strolled along the river. Checked out the playground by the Boater Inn. Based on an almost exclusive occupation by the Russian-speaking families I am a) encouraged that it is not physically possible for kids to forget Russian this year even if we do nothing else, b) starting to question whether Britain actually is still inhabited by the "real Brits." Our concierge is Latvian, building super is Polish, Varerie Pastry shop downstairs is split evenly between more Poles and Lithuanians. Even the last tenants at our apartment were Russian. And now this. OK, at least the guy over at Boaters Inn looked British. Maybe he is spy... for the Russians :) We had fish and chips and hot dogs. Hmm, it's nice!!!

Tomorrow I have an interview at Educare little school for Isabella. Full time public education is available only starting from 5 so we will have to go private for Isabella here. Our cultural education consultant had suggested this school and had scheduled an interview there. I've spent a few minutes on their site today and while the mention of the mandatory nap for the entire school regardless of the age, tai chi and vegetarian lunch is somewhat alarming, at least 3 site mentions about the school's goal to convey the importance of drinking water to children brings waterboarding to mind. If anything, this does not seem to be the kind of country with water shortage, especially the ambient kind. I guess if they could convey the importance of not relying 100% on carbs to Isabella, that would be a plus. Water can be nutritious.


Note the 3 ugly ducklings

I am also going to drop off school application for Georgia at the education council tomorrow. Public or state school system attaches students to their "catchment" areas and while they are all eligible for school, the one they actually go to is chosen by the city council and lesser degree their personal circumstances. We don't have a great number of options here since we are about 1 mile away from the highly desired Latchmere and Fern Hill. And we may end up at a Christian state school - there is actually a thing like that here.

I guess there is a certain kind of balance there - one of the kids goes through some Christian indoctrination while the other goes for a ride at the vegan central. Will see what happens. Not that we mind, but we perked up listening  to a Russian mom wearing a cross pendant. She said her kid was unhappy at her affiliated school and was glad to be transferred to a regular school. Will see what happens.