Ten Bells

On Friday night John and I went to a birthday party for Ashby. I didn't write about it on Friday because once we got home the "Peaches" post was about all I could manage.

We started out at a pub near where Ashby and Christine live called Ten Bells. A lot of people from school were there. Ashby and a friend from the US played guitar for a while, which was pretty awesome. My favorite were the blues songs.

I talked to various law school people until the concert was over and then wandered over to the table with John and two of his students who are both Irish and are both studying in the US next year. I think my favorite part of the night was when John interrupted the conversation I was having with one of the Irish guys who yelled at him, "Hey, we're talking about international politics here!" It made me feel smart. (Just don't ask me to remember the specifics of the conversation now.)

The party headed over to Frank's Bar, where Christine works and where we were promised cake. John and I ended up on the patio with the Irish guys where John recounted the "bloody eye" story and we heard all about one of the young men's love interests. "She isn't a wee lass, if you know what I'm sayin'. She's quite busty." (I guess grown men aren't much different from grade school boys.)

Overall it was a pretty good night during which I didn't drink too much, but may have eaten too little.

Two Swans

John and I got up early, ate breakfast at the hotel one last time, and checked out! We left our luggage at the front desk while we walked to the rental agency wearing our back packs to make us look more homeless. We had a real hobo look going today, I in my patched jeans and John with his not-shaved-since-the-move facial scruffery.

The woman we have been dealing with talked to us and said we should be able to move in tomorrow, but they are consulting with the landlord about minor things that need repairs/cleaning.

John and I moved our stuff to Ashby and Christine's flat. They were kind enough to offer to let us stay with them and store stuff as we are going through this transition.

While we were at lunch we got a call from the rental agency. The landlord does not want us to move in before the repairs are completed. So now, we are told Thursday is the earliest we can move. We are very thankful that we have a place to stay for now, especially one that is not costing us anything, but we are definitely ready to have a home.

We spent some time exploring thrift stores and tried a new pub, Ten Bells.