All Moved In and Ready to Go

All our travels went smoothly, despite some very long airport layovers.  We arrived at Manchester airport just in time to catch the 11:00 a.m. bus (called a "coach") the University provided for incoming students as a more convenient and less expensive ($25 per person) option to taking the train to York. (Though one Hope student ended up using the train option because his flights were delayed.) The ride to York took about 90 minutes - from the west of England going northeast past Leeds (over the moors and through the Yorkshire dales) it was a gorgeous ride (when we could keep from nodding off because of lack of sleep).

The bus dropped us off at the University and then we had a short taxi ride to our apartment. (About $10.50 - I'm still getting used to the exchange rates.  Things seem reasonable until I calculate prices in dollars.) 

Our apartment is as I remembered it - nice, but small.  Even though we each packed just one checked and one carry-on bag, it still seems that we have brought too much stuff since there isn't room to put much of anything.  As soon as we get more organized and find places to put things, we'll be OK.  (Storing dirty clothes in the washing machine never occurred to me before, but now it seems like a very logical option.)

After a little problem getting internet access in our apartment (the router box wasn't plugged in.... an obvious solution, but since it was hidden behind the love seat we didn't see the router box or that it was unplugged) we are now all set.  Did a little grocery shopping - there is a Sainsbury near our apartment and other options farther away but still in walking distance.  They are all rather small but carry everything we will need.Rather than a coffee maker, our apartment comes equipped with a hot water kettle and a French press - which works very well.

The weather is amazingly good - low 70s and sunny (with the occasional rain shower of course). Everyone tells us to take advantage of it because it won't last.

Below, our street and me in front of our home for the next three months.

          

And the rainbow after the shower (picture taken from our front step) A good sign for our first day!