First days in the UK

Well, we have all arrived safely in the UK. Quite a process really. We dropped Colorado off to the transportation company the day before and it was quite emotional saying goodbye and knowing we wouldn't see her again until we all reached the UK. The pet transporter told us to keep an eye on the right side of the plane when we were ready to board the following day, and we did get to spot Colorado's kennel with her ears ticking up being loaded onto the plane.

All went well with immigration and customs, and we were able to pick her up a few hours after we arrived in Heathrow. She was a bit wound up but has since settled in well to life in the UK and already knows the way to the local beach ....

With regards to the teaching jobs - we accepted the positions in Shanghai which should start in February,and so now we are busy (again!) getting all the documents and paperwork together to apply for our visas. There is quite a bit to do, so we are working on it an hour or so at a time. We brought every piece of paper we thought we might possible need from the States with us, as we didn't want to delay everything by missing that one vital thing. So far so good. But have to get it all done in a couple of weeks as we are off again ....

We started looking into our European vacation yesterday trying to find something exciting and a last minute good deal. Today we hit payday! Found a very helpful travel agent and booked a last minute Mediterranean cruise for only 25% of its normal cost! Quite a deal apparently. Offi in two weeks. So we have that sorted now - it seemed a bit more exciting that just going to one place! So we will be starting in Italy (Genoa) - where we have time before and after the cruise, and then Naples (Italy), Messina (Sicily), Rhodes (Greece), Lemesos (Cyprus), Marmaris (Turkey), Santorini (Greece), Olympia (Greece) and back to Italy. So no Malta for now ....

We're also off to the biggest Bonfire Night celebration in Essex tomorrow so that Evan can enjoy a truly British celebration (aka Guy Fawkes Night) with a torch parade, huge bonfire, music/bands and fireworks! Should be fun.

So all in all a busy few days but everything is going well.