JollyJobe.com

I left what I thought was crummy June weather in San Francisco and arrived in rainy London last Wednesday night. After an epic catch up with sweet Caroline we got some needed shut eye. Thursday was a late start due to rain and jet lag but we ventured out to John and Caroline’s backyard, Hyde Park. We wanted to see if we could find out about the riff raff that would be moving in next door (William and Catherine) and tending this “palace’s” garden.

We discovered that John, aka 24601, and I have more in common than just our love for Caroline and spicy food. We both love Les Miserables!

We didn’t let the pouring rain stop us from enjoying the finer things that London has to offer! We ate our way through the Taste of London on Friday. Note to self: the weather forecasters here actually know something. Trust them when they call for rain. Bring something other than flip flops.

Special shout-outs to:
1. Anonymous Cameraman: for not capturing the fact that I’m wearing John’s (now ruined) sneakers
2. John: for buying the last bag of coconut cookies and for letting me ruin your sneakers

I visited with an old friend on Saturday and then I met the Jobes and their friend, Cary Patrick, for dinner at Churchill Arms, which was the busiest pub/thai restaurant I’ve ever been to.

Sunday we Strolled (the official kind of Sunday walking) with the well-heeled and wealthy in Chelsea and I snapped a quintessential pic of the handsome couple!

Caro and I wandered down to the Tower Bridage today and I took a quick trip to Islington–which is a great neighborhood! Tonight we dined on fabulous veggie burgers, gourmet side dishes, and finished it off with coconut cookies.

I will be taking my 5-month pregnant-self back to California in the morning. It stayed dry for most of today but London is sending me off with a good rain shower this evening. The forecast for the rest of the week? Sunshine. Glorious, warm sunshine. Enjoy it Jobes! You’ve got a little slice of the good life here.

You’ve been wonderful and generous hosts and I can’t wait to hear/see how this adventure continues!

Love, Sarah (roommate from Sydney, Australia 1999)

Happy Birthday John!!!

I imagine there is a drink at the pub in our future;)

In some places people bowl for dollars. Or sing for their supper. On Camden Grove Road in London you’ll have to blog for your bed. That’s right, want to stay with Caroline and John? You best have your camera and typing fingers at the ready. It’s a rite of passage. A guest requirement. The tradition starts here and now!

Don’t panic! A wee bit of blogging shan’t make you think twice about a holiday with the Jolly Jobes. Bring a mate. Bring your mum. Not to go across the pond to visit will be one of your life’s follies.

Their flat is fantastic. Picturesque in detail, ideally located among shops and parks, spacious, and incredibly comfortable. There are always pints to be drank and goodies from Whole Foods (Caroline’s home away from home away from home) to be consumed. You will feel very much at home.

Caroline looks wonderful. No belly to speak of, but I did witness her eat that whole plate of waffles (and a side of scrambled eggs).

The person who really might be eating for two is John, who despite looking trimmer than ever (thanks to the walk to the tube and his new wind-proof do), sat next to Caroline in marital solidarity and finished his whole English Breakfast.

On the very same morning (at Fiona’s – where Fiona already treats C&J like regulars) Matt and I fell in love with Piggy Pudding. What could be better than sausage (and the best sausage we’ve had in a LONG time) nestled into a crock of Yorkshire Pudding?

In addition to eating galore, we took advantage of the sunshine on Saturday with a walk through Borough Market (okay yes, there was food here too).

And a visit to Holland Park.

What’s that green bag between the lads? Cupcakes, of course! (Who goes to the park without treats?) We thought of it not as gorging, but more as exploring and supporting the local econ0my. The Cupcake Company is, after all, a stone’s throw from Caroline and John’s home . . .

Matt tried to burn some calories,

But alas, did not get much farther than John’s favorite pub.

Cheers!!

Thanks for a fabulous couple of days C&J – we had a blast!

Book your tickets future bloggers – London is calling!

As promised here are some pictures of our pad!

* Our nice little kitchen…notice the washing machine and *dryer* in the corner:) Kay–can you spot the queen?

* The hang out room. Thanks Char for the pictures for the shelves….they look great!

* I am obsessed with this window and the ceiling so wanted to make sure everyone could see it!

*Where the sleeping happens! Notice that blankie made the trip.

*We have great built in closets. My closet was not appropriate for pictures.

*Learning how to wash your face with a separate hot and cold faucet was a bit tricky.

*And most importantly where hopefully you all will stay when you come visit:) Have a great weekend!

PS: The internet drama continues–we got pushed back for another 2 weeks:(

Do the Sunday blues have you down (or perhaps Monday if that is when you are reading this)? Well to make you feel better just be glad that your clothes are not currently drying in what we refer to as the “sauna”. They put racks in the closet with the water heater so you can dry your clothes in there….I mean really?!?!?  Can’t they just get real dryers!!

I promise pictures of the place are coming soon…we are slowly making it a home which entailed a trip to Ikea. Now that might sound like an easy thing but oh my…it required a tube, a 15 min walk to a bus, and then we gave up and got a taxi. John promises that was our last trip to Ikea! Appreciate your car this week!

Lastly, here is my honey doing what he does best….ironing;) Dry cleaning is 7 pounds an item  ($11.50) hence the ironing. Be grateful of your $1.99 dry cleaners.

Well hoping I made your day a little brighter! I figured I had been rubbing in all the fun things so would let you in on a few of the things we realize we took for granted. Matt and Susan come on Friday so I promise to have pictures of the place posted this week since it will be in pristine condition;) Have a good week.  PS: Real internet should be hooked up on Friday so we will be back on the grid…hopefully!

Oh baby is right! John just really felt that we didn’t have enough going on…moving across the world, quitting my job, him starting a job…why not throw a baby in the mix?!?!? We are excited (read that… freaking out a bit) and at times can’t  believe this is really happening! I have been feeling great which has come as a major surprise to John’s dad who skypes daily and says “still feeling good???”. I get the feeling that he can’t believe this *slightly* high maintenance girl is not being a drama queen:) We will be excited to meet the bundle of joy in December! We are moving this weekend and will have spotty internet and phone for a few weeks but promise to post from our new digs soon! Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!

* Yes now that we are having a baby in one of the most expensive cities, I have resorted to shadily taking pictures of cards in stores…I am that person:)

Man we have really lucked out with some gorgeous weather since we have been here! Saturday we decided to take the boat over to Greenwich for the day. We strolled around the farmer’s market and then found a sunny spot on the grass to have a little picnic.

John and I are trying to figure out why we don’t do this more often at home…

We made the trek up to the top to see the prime meridian but wouldn’t you know they charge $10 to get a picture standing on that….so we found these people who just happened to strike the same pose that we would have….so squint your eyes and pretend this is us:)

I decided that an ice cream was the perfect ending of the day…

* Yes Dad I have been craving this ever since you didn’t invite me to Baskin Robbins

and John decided it was a beer…what a perfect couple:)

PS: I have noticed that John appears to be assimilating to the culture rather quickly….yesterday I heard him say “I think I am just going to pop over to that store”….is it just me or is John turning into a local….we don’t pop in the US do we??

Stumbled upon these beautiful gardens in Regent’s Park and found myself sitting on a bench day dreaming…and trying to figure out my new iphone….well new to me…apparently it is the first version of the iphone but I think it is pretty darn snazzy…what a life:)

Then we went to a cooking class with John’s co-workers and of course my camera died but I did get a chance to snap a few of Chef John making fresh pasta! It was delicioso!

Planning to do some fun exploring this weekend so hopefully we can figure out how to charge my camera! Move in to the new place (which for all those who asked does have a 2nd bedroom with a pullout couch) next weekend! Matt and Susan will be our first visitors so they will test it out! Thanks everyone for all the fun comments-have a great weekend!

This weeks episode is following the adorable Jobe couple (hey I am writing this so I get to say what I want) as they wander aimlessly around London looking for a flat. They appear to be serious as they brought with them quite a few snacks to get them through it including Jolly Ranchers which is just fitting for the Jolly Jobes now isn’t it?

* Thanks Char they were lifesavers!

Will they choose flat #1 where the realtor said John could produce a rap music video?

* Not pictured a full size hot tub in the bathroom!

What about flat #2 which was a great fit for a vegetarian don’t you think?

Or fabulous flat #3?

Well I think you know the answer:) We are super excited for our new place and think it will be perfect. It is right between Notting Hill and Kensington and has a few key essentials: 4 minute walk to Whole Foods if we are feeling homesick, 5 minute walk to Ben’s Cookies (amazing cookie place) and a 7 minute walk to the tube for John. After spending 2 stressful days looking at places and driving around with 4 people in a convertible mini-cooper (why I did not take a picture of that I am not sure…I guess it was because I couldn’t move!) we are so excited to have this piece of the puzzle solved…fingers crossed…contract is still pending! Alright off to have a jolly rancher–that picture got my mouth watering:)