Finally Here

I can't believe we've been here for a couple of weeks already. The first week we threw ourselves into the tourist world and went sightseeing. Trips down to London were inevitable as we had three birthdays in the family last week. Each child wanted to do something special, and since we had decided to pack no gifts--we made a few trips to Hamley's---a huge toy store. I'm just starting to shed the tourist skin and try to incorporate myself into being a local, although I'm afraid I stick out like a sore thumb. Learning to drive was the most heart-pounding, nerve sweating, mind-boggling thing I've learned to do in ALL MY LIFE. Our first day here, Dave had to leave us at the house to pick up a rental car. We were unsure how he would get home driving, but he was brave and set out to retrieve transportation for his family. As he arrived home with the minivan (*cough*) with his eyes glazed over, we didn't think it was necessary to ask how the driving went. He'd made it home and we didn't want to know how. Although the white knuckle days are over, we are amazed at how efficiently the British drive. We actually prefer roundabouts to normal intersections now, and are thoroughly enjoying the lack of road rage here. Everyone on the road seems so friendly and accepting. No more dirty looks as you move into their lane, no horn honking as you cut in line, just friendly waves and thank you's. It's a beautiful place to drive.