Getting Ready and We Arrive

On the night before, our cat Grommet was wondering what all the packing fuss was about:


I explained it to him as he listened patiently:


But it was clear that he was not happy with what I had to say:


It was an eventful journey. It took TWO trips to the airport to get all the paperwork for Grommet - thanks to Eric (Aline's brother) for driving us back and forth so much! Virgin Atlantic took good care of Grommet, and when we picked him up at the "Animal Reception Center" at Heathrow, he had eaten and rested in a kennel while his paperwork went through customs. Eventually we arrived at the flat with all our luggage. Here's Aline in front of our flat while we wait for our landlady's sister to let us in:


We found this wonderful package from Aline's boss, Daniela, waiting for us:


The flat is in a really nice residential neighborhood, with lots within 2 blocks: several restaurants, chemists shops, pubs, grocers, organic fruit & veg, newsagents, etc. The flat itself is nice, on the third floor (fourth floor in US + no lift = no need for the gym now!) This is the view out of our living room window: