Across the Pond - Part 3 - Check-in and How does this work?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I called Stouts Hill while picking up a rental car at the Gatwick Airport to advise that we would not get there in time to check-in. I spoke with Margaret and she was very helpful. Giving me the location and combination for the lock box and describing where Apartment 6 was located within the main house.

Upon arrival we quickly found the lockbox and had no issues with the combination. With envelope in hand we went to enter the building to find all the doors locked for the night. I finally interrupted a couple to ask which was the way in. They told me I had to open the door with the key that was still neatly sealed in the envelope. I thought it was very nice of them not to laugh in my face.

We managed to find our unit and unloaded our gear. Opened the windows and surveyed our home for the week. We were very happy with the unit. It was not luxurious in a way that some American timeshares are but had genteel touches that completely fit the aura of the resort. The floral upholstery, dark cherry tables, sheers on the windows and bone china plates.

When we had received our welcome packet my DH had asked at what price were they going to bring in food stuff. The items were not cheap but they weren’t outrageous and at this singular moment in time we were both very happy that we had availed ourselves of this service. I don’t think anyone could have paid me to get back in that car that day.

I had ordered one each of a beef and guiness pie, a lamb and vegetable casserole and a venison dish. A bottle of Merlot and an apple pie completed our first meal. All but the wine were waiting in our half-fridge to be heated in the electric stove.

Heated in the electric stove. This is NOT supposed to be rocket science but I try for at least 15 minutes to get this unit on and preheated. I was near tears when my DH asked what the electric switch hidden in a bottom cabinet was supposed to be for. Who knew that you had to switch a circuit to turn on a stove?

They say hunger is the best seasoning.

The meal was scrumptious and at 9:30PM local time I crashed and burned. I didn’t move again until nearly dawn. So ended our first day in England.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I enjoyed reading your report, Lawren. Was this your first trip to Europe? At least you had no difficulty in speaking the language. However, most people in all European countries speak English so that makes it easy for us.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Wow, your travel day was a doozy. I'm so glad to hear your glass of merlot & yummy dinner was waiting at the end of the journey.

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures & letting me travel along. I love it so far. Can't wait to hear some more.....

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Was this your first trip to Europe? At least you had no difficulty in speaking the language.

If you every visit the West Country you might change your mind about speaking the language

However, most people in all European countries speak English so that makes it easy for us.

Many people in the major tourist may speak English, but don't expect that to be true once you move outside those areas.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Heated in the electric stove. This is NOT supposed to be rocket science but I try for at least 15 minutes to get this unit on and preheated. I was near tears when my DH asked what the electric switch hidden in a bottom cabinet was supposed to be for. Who knew that you had to switch a circuit to turn on a stove?

We stayed in Scotland in July and I was SO grateful that they had manuals for the appliances in the kitchen. I knew about the electric switches, but the oven, microwave, and washer/dryer were not intuitive for me to use.

Sue

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

I laughed when I read about the stove....reminded me of the laundry I tried to do at the cugini casa in Sicily. She pointed to the knobs, the buttons, and walked away....I pushed and twisted those until water began to run, and panicked when the water wouldn't stop running, but it eventually subsided....the timer didn't seem to synchronize with the cycles, and then I found out that the numbers didn't refer to time, but to the type of fabric and agitation you wanted to use. The machine had a drawer for the detergent, and the buttons....well I never figured that out. The second dial referred to celsius, and when I tried to get the water colder, my cousin raced in and told me that the temperature I chose would scald a baby.....she did this by miming it.

In desperation, I pulled the laundry out, and the water had turned blue from a blouse that ran....I ended up hand wringing it all, and mopping out the washer....needless to say, I never did another laundry in that house.