Daily Routines

We are slowly getting the hang of how things are done in Britain, and specifically Norwich. It's amazing the little everyday things that you take for granted.

Some things are to do with living in a different climate.



Even on a fine-looking clear morning there may still be thick ice to scrape off the car before you go anywhere.

Then there is our job at the University of East Anglia.




With jobs we have held elsewhere we have been free to do anything - even go home or go shopping - at times when we weren't teaching. In this job we have to stay "at the office" between classes. Nevertheless this room is office for more than 30 teachers, but there are only 15 desks and 5 computers. They call it hotdesking, but we call it not putting true value on your teachers.



This is outside the teachers' room - no great views here - do you notice the bunnies?



We still find it funny to have them hopping about everywhere at the University.

The Secret Garden

At least we have weekends off. Last weekend we opened up a Norwich Visitor Map, to find somewhere to go and see. A place called "Plantation Garden" was recommended.

"A wonderfully restored idiosyncratic Victorian town garden including a gothic fountain, a rustic bridge, an Italianate terrace, an amazing "medieval" wall and hundreds of architectural details fashionable in the mid 19th century."

Well that might be worth seeing.

It was a little hard to find, hidden between the Catholic Cathedral and the Beeches Hotel.



It seemed to be in a bit of a hole. We had been wondering recently where all the flint-stones came from for the magnificent old buildings around town - well this is one place. Flint and lime were mined here, and then the whole thing kinda fell in I gather.



All these amazing walls and stuff were made from oddments from a brick factory.



It's a bit like when someone at a beach resort decides to cover their house with collected shells - interesting for the first few hours and then it's all just a bit much.



We found the gothic fountain, with a massive goldfish swimming around.



We had fond memories of PlaySchool and looking through the arched window.



There were so many of these bits scattered around.



If this had been China there would have been no moss growing on that knob, everyone would have been convinced it was lucky to rub it.



This sign near the garden entrance was a bit of a puzzle.



We saw one little frog - actually, I think it's a toad! - hopping around the gravel by the fountain. Actually, there were at least two, so maybe in Spring there'll be lots.

What can I say. At two pound a pop ... well there was an honour box ... maybe you can save your money now that you've seen this.