6.29.2011

You would love what is going on here. Dad has started carrying a "man purse". He got tired of carrying a heavy briefcase and we always need to have papers and passports and housing documentation so it is easier for him to just put it all in my black travel bag and just go for it. We walk so much that we are very careful about what we carry and what we need. this morning we got registered with a clinic--socialized medicine. It is amazing what this government pays for--medications, examinations, tests--not that we need any but it is all covered. We also not have a Freedom Pass--which is available to all residents over 65. It means that you can travel on all buses, tubes, rail for free This is one reason that so few citizens of London have cars. The public transportation is fast and easy and you don't have to try to find parking which is very expensive. All children are either in a stroller or riding a razor scooter. In the mornings between 8 and 9 all of the children are on their way to school. All in uniforms, blazers, skirt, slacks, some shorts-knee length. the younger ones are riding on their scooters and in some cases the mothers are pulling them--especially the 3 wheel little scooters. It is really fun to see. One of the schools even have the little girls wear hats like Madeline. Burgess would love it here--he would never have to walk just ride and then be pulled.

We love and miss you. We get our internet connection on Thursday. And then I can find out about the Vonage line--then we can talk. It has been like going through withdrawal not having a phone, or tv or daily newspaper let alone not hopping in the car and just going. But we are getting a lot of walking in--especially if Dad is giving directions. He always manages to have us go the wrong way for at least 4 blocks--long blocks before I mention that we might be going the wrong way--I don't know how he ever made it home when he was a child and his mother let him ride into the mountains alone--must be that he knew down-hill was home--here everything is flat and no mountains to give you directions.

Love m