Feeling a Little Stuck

Well, we've been here for a week and a few days, and I'm starting to feel a little stuck in this apartment.

Last week, we started taking a shuttle bus to the base. Ethan used it everyday to go to work, and the kids and I went a few times to get my ID card (a process that took MUCH longer than it needed to) and to apply for our pound-sterling bank account. The base really has a lot to offer: there's a library, our post office, the commissary (which will be our supermarket), a work-out facility, and even a pre-school for Maddie. I hope to make it to the library and commissary at some point this week.

We've been exploring the town of Harrogate a little, as well. Our apartment is pretty close to the town center, so we've been doing a lot of walking.... in the wind and snow. The kids and I found the Harrogate Tourism Office and grabbed about every pamphlet that we could.

We also ventured out to Betty's Tea Room for lunch last Friday. It was beautiful. It felt very Eurpoean with the gorgeous display of breads in the window. The top floor has pastries, breads, chocolates, and tea that you can buy. Then, there are two levels of tea rooms. The food was delicious, and the tea was even better (and I'm not a big tea drinker).

Despite our adventures, I'm still starting to feel a little anxious to get a car. I'm anxious to get the kids into school, and to establish some sense of routine and purpose. Right now, I feel like my purpose is just to keep the kids busy, which isn't so easy to do in a small apartment.

Ethan has been looking into cars on-line. We're hoping to check out some used-car dealerships, but without a car to do that, we're dependent upon our sponsor and her schedule. Some people are selling cars through Ethan's work. We're interested in a Honda CR-V that someone is selling, but it won't be available until the 19th or so. It would be nice to have something before that.

Hopefully the weather will be nicer this week, so the kids and I can continue exploring. And hopefully, we'll find a car, pass our drivers tests, get insurance, etc. before too long.