February 4, 2008 – All Sorted

I’ve signed on the dotted line (18 dotted lines, actually) and officially have a flat of my very own.

It’s amazing the things one does not consider or assume about life abroad.  It is the little odds and ends that pop up that make day-to-day life endlessly exciting.  This weekend I learned about something called a TV License.  This is £100.00/year fee so that I am allowed to watch Ladette to Lady, endless series staring Gordon Ramsay, and sundry programmes on the five non-digital stations available from the BBC, ITV and Sky.  If I hadn’t asked about this little bit of ephemera that appeared in the lease, I would have been able to access those channels, but the government would then be allowed to access about £1,000 quid in fines for doing so.  I don’t think “But I’m an American” would have been a very good defense.  I am glad that I now ask questions about anything that I’m not certain about (and in some cases double checking that the way I take a meaning is how it should be taken).  I am in no position to assume – especially when instead of making a pack animal out of you and me - assumptions could put me in a debters’ prison (not sure if these still exist – but following the above rule – I’m not willing to rule them out).

 But back to the most the biggest development of the weekend, my new flat.  This is not the flat I previously mentioned, which is all for the best.  That was a lovely place, but the landlords decided they only wanted to let it out furnished, and as all my worldy possessions are nearing their port of call, that would not have been an option.

 The gods of hearth, home and short commute have smiled upon me, and I give them all due praise.  My new home is in Fulham, a very pretty area with lots of shops and restaurants and pubs in the South West of London above the Thames.  My street is a picturesque row of quaint, two-story Victorian terrace houses.  The view from my kitchen is the American’s postcard view of an English countryside, lush red rose bushes and peaked cottage roofs – heaven.  As soon as I’m up and running with my own computer, I’ll upload photos – as requested I already have one of my door for Miss Kate.

 Before I dash – some quick notes:

• I still think it’s so very, very odd, that most of the flats come furnished – but many come without refrigerators; I will have to let this go, but it’s the only thing I’ve found that is so very much the opposite of life in the US. 
• I believe – but need to confirm my measurements – that my queen sized bed might actually be a king here, and I’m not sure what I’ll do for new bedding, as there seems to be little need for extra-deep pockets on the the fitted sheets here.  The only ones I’ve seen so far were at Harrods.  This could pose a problem.