Housing, Transportation, and Funny Sayings...

Here's the quick update on the housing front. The agent said that the landlord would be willing to furnish the place, but would be firm on the price. Today, she was out of the office so the manager was handling the negotiations. He said that the landlord DIDN'T want to furnish the place, but would be willing to for £100 more a month in rent. Kelly and I have decided that we like the place enough that we're going to take it unfurnished and furnish it ourselves for (hopefully) less than £600 (which is the increase in the rent over 6 months). It will probably cost more than that, but we would have to get more stuff than what would be provided anyway.

Tonight, in an effort to start figuring out if furnishing the place ourselves would be feasible, I found the IKEA that closest to the house and took the train down there. Once I got there I took the last kind of public transportation, the tram. It's essentially a streetcar/mini tube train, that's overground.

I think after visiting IKEA and talking with the family, we'll be alright furnishing-wise. We'll just need to do something clever with the furniture just before we leave. We'll either donate it, or sell it on eBay, or maybe even sell it back to the landlord if he wants to let the place to someone else for a period of time.

Ok, here are some interesting British phrases:
"Half two" mean 2:30.
"Whilst" is a common word in signs, usually in the context "Please excuse the inconvenience, whilst we do these works," with "works" being any kind of construction or refurbishment.
"Scheme" is not some nefarious endeavor, but is just a "plan"--usually a government instituted one.
"Mind the gap" means watch out that you don't stumble getting on or off the train.

That's all for tonight. I'm waiting for a download, but I think I'll just get some sleep.

Dave