Category Archives: England

Monday at a Snails Pace

I headed down to the store this morning on the high street and had to keep stepping over snails.I honestly lost count at how many I had to walk around as to not hear a crunching sound from under my boot. Since I always have a camera on me I took the time to bend down and snap a few photos of them. Sometimes like the snail it can feel like we are waiting forever for something to happen. Like the ten years it took me to finally get back to living in Europe. However time is all about context and it can go past us quicker than a blink of the eye. I honestly still cannot believe it is the last couple days of April before we are in May of 2013. It does not seem that long ago that it was Christmas and we had just moved into our new place in Bath, England. My youngest will be turning six years old in May and I can hardly belive that much time has gone past. So how come when life seems to moving so fast, can it seem like it also moves so slow? For me I am just trying to make sure I make the most of every day and that I devote my time and energy on those I love and those who mean the purpose of life.Make sure you tell the ones you love how you feel today. Though it might feel like ‘just another monday’ its another precious day of life that will pass by fast.

“A man builds a house in England with the expectation of living in it and leaving it to his children We shed our houses in America as easily as a snail does his shell.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
xxBonnie Rose
*phone photography by Bonnie Rose Photography © 2013 All Rights Reserved | www.bonnie-rose.co.uk

Weekend Edition: 27/28 of April ’13

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This weekend my husband and I decided to take the family into town where we live in Bath, England. The weather looked like it might become fowl, but with only a few minutes of rainfall we enjoyed both some sun and some cloudy chill skies. There are stil many shops that we have not been into so we ventured into some new places on Saturday.

For those of you who do not know, my husband loves to shop. When I met him in University he was happy to buy shirts for a quarter at the local thrift store bin of work shirts. However somewhere between being married to me and then having to wear a uniform with the USAF he found a love for good quality clothes. When you are married to your best friend AND he loves to shop for himself it is a win-win in my book. Now I just have to get him to start buying me clothes 😉

I also finally got an eye exam this week and new glasses. My most current frames broke in January and I have been wearing a very old perspiration sine then. I cannot explain to a person with 20/20 vision how amazing it is to finally be able to see. I can also now stop wearing my prescription sunglasses inside the house which means I will also have to stop singing ‘I wear my sunglasses at night…’

Today has been relatively chill with us staying at home, planning a birthday party for my youngest, and watching the Arsenal game this afternoon. We did miss out on our country walk this week, having opted to go into town instead. This was due to practical matters as well as my eldest is currently without the right shoes for mud. His boots have a gap in the heel and on our last walk he is foot got covered and soaked in muddy water. However his replacement wellies are due next week so we can venture out in the countryside on the weekend.

Here is a little overview of what I have shared on Instagram this week and weekend:

Photography by Bonnie Rose via her Instagram. Follow @the_bonnierose

Q: How was your weekend?
xx
Bonnie Rose

Doing the Laundry – UK vs. USA

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One day I got dressed up, did my hair, put on my make up, and got in the tub. Only to turn the shower on to capture my weekly self portrait. To wear wet clothes in the shower is an odd experience to say the least. While this was a fun artistic endeavor, my experience with dealing with wet clothes is a weekly occurrence.

Let me introduce you to this Expat’s guide to Doing the Laundry in the UK vs the USA.

VOCABULARY LESSON:

UK vs. USA

Washing powder = Detergent
Clothes peg = Clothes pin
Linen basket = Hamper

I came to the realisation in writing this post that there are pros and cons to how you do laundry in both countries. I have heard the complaints of US expats in England and UK expats in America. I have also done my own laundry in both countries. Here is my personal experience and take on the laundry situation and differences.

1. Size & Location. Just as America has oversized cars and food portions they also have the largest washing and drying machines. Though today they have some more streamlined versions (or ones that stack nicely on top of each other) they are still very large. If we are talking about a standard american sized home there is usually a designated space for these monstrous large laundry machines. That could mean the basement or in its own designated room. I have experienced having mine also in the kitchen, but tucked away in its own closet behind doors. In England I have most often found them only in the kitchen. However in our current home our machine (Singular. More on that soon) is on the opposite wall of our stove, in the back hallway next to our refrigerator. In our last flat our machine was in the kitchen, tucked away under the counter top, and very small. Though we have never had the luxury of a dishwasher in England they are quite small too. My expat friend has one in her kitchen and the size lends itself to look like a child’s kitchen toy.

This is our tiny 2-1washing machine from our flat. The size of the door is about the size of the capacity inside.
Do not be fooled by the large rectangular shape, because it is not the Tardis. It is much smaller on the inside.

2. Load Sizes. Since the machines are more compact in England then it is only simple math that the loads will be smaller too. For a girl who used to stuff her american washing machine with a very full load that is a huge size difference compared to what I can do in England. I also learned the hard way that you cannot ‘stuff’ the machine. Clothes will not get washed properly and cleaned unevenly. Not all washing machines are the same size here. In fact our machine in our last flat was the smallest I have ever used. Which takes us to the next point.

3. The ‘2 in 1′ Machine. I mentioned the very small washing machine in my last flat. It was confusing and no manuals or google searches were making it any easier. I would choose a setting for the specific load like I would in the US. The door locked, it washes, it dries and it takes hours. We could only put one towel in the machine if we wanted to not ‘waste’ the drying process. To wait so many hours just for two outfits, compared to one load was not making me very happy. Luckily we eventually figured out a trick. We would put the clothes on the ‘quick wash & dry’ which would wash the clothes and dry them. They would not be dry. So then choose a drying setting to finish up the job. However it still took much longer to dry for such a small load. When I took the clothes out they still felt damp and very, very hot. I have burned myself on metal clasps on the garments taking them out. I then put the clothes out to dry on a drying rack and in an hour or so the small load should be dry. Unless there were too many clothes or I chose not to use the drying setting. Then it could take days.

4. Hot & Cold Water Hookups. From what I can tell in America you have both hot and cold water hookups to the washing machine and in England that is not necessarily the case. More often you will only have cold water hookup, with the unused hot water valve caped off. If that is the case the the washing machine warms up the water to the desired temperature selected. In America the water is not heated by the machine but by the water supply in the building. I also wanted to add that my current washing machine actually drains the used water into the utility sink that is next to it.

This is our slightly bigger washing machine, does not dry, which drains into the utility sink.
It shares a wall with our stove.

5. Top and Front Loading Machines. While there are definitely exclusions to this rule in America, most machines are top loading. Which means you put in the laundry from the top of the machine while in England the machines are front loading. Though it can be easier for clothes to spill out on the floor when you take clothes out of a front loading machine, I favour it over top loading. Mainly because in the top loading machines in America you have what is called an agitator. It is the piece in the middle of the machine that looks like a pole. I cannot tell you how many spaghetti strap shirts and other garments I have had ruined or tanged on the agitator while living in Hawaii. To me it seems like a design flaw.

6. Wet vs. Really Wet. The clothes I would take out of my washing machine in America, to put into the dryer, were always quite wet. The clothes out of washing machines in England come out less wet and so then dry faster on the line in comparison. From research I have found it boils down to the voltage. America runs off of 110 volts and the UK runs off of 220 volts which makes the spin function better or worse depending on which you use. This is definitely one issue that unless you have used both machines in both countries, you may not fully understand the difference.

7. Dryers are a Luxury. In America I have had the luxury of having a dryer next to my washing machine. Always. Heaven forbid the dryer breaks on someone because in America it is only the ‘hippies’ who put their clothes outside to dry. While this is just a mentality believed by some in the USA, it is not a view shared by those in the UK. More often than not people will think less of you for having a tumble dryer because they really spike the utility costs in the UK. Our current home does not have a dryer so we seek other options for our clothes when they come out of the washing machine.

This is one of two drying racks that we use inside and outside to dry our clothes. It compacts when not in use.
When in use it takes up a lot of space. However this one takes up less pace than are more horizontal version.

8. Energy Efficient. It is normal for someone in America to do laundry at any hour of the day. In the UK it is more efficient and saves money to do it during a certain time of day. Electricity is cheaper from 11pm to 6am and is when most people will set their machine to work. Also in Europe washing machines display an EU Energy Label with grades for efficiency. This helps consumers in the UK to buy more efficient washing machines. Now in America they say ‘Time is money’ and it does seem to take most of my time to do any of our washing and drying. I honestly feel that people are more environmentally conscious in Europe than back in America where things like electricity can be taken for granted.

9. Drying Clothes Outside. As I said more often than not people dry their clothes in a dryer in America. For those that do like line dry outside, may still use a dryer for items like bedding, towels, and undergarments. If you had to choose between a soft towel and a crunchy towel, which would you prefer? However in England line drying is a common practice. It is a luxury in its own for those who have a garden (‘yard’ for my American readers). In our last flat with the small washing machine we did not have a garden. We also were not allowed to hang any clothes from the windows or have our laundry visible clearly from the windows because it is unsightly. Now that we we have a garden I can hang my clothes outside. But lets be practical and remember that I do live in England. Where the temperature is usually cold and it rains a lot. I tried just moving my drying rack outside so the clothes could get fresh air back in January. Did not matter that there was no rain in sight, the cold air would not aid in the drying process. So after hours I brought my clothes back inside just as wet as they were before.

Wrinkled from the small washing machine I put the clothes out to dry on racks on the radiator.
Those trousers will have to be ironed later.

10. Drying Clothes Inside. In America this would imply that you use an electric dryer. Or for clothes that are more delicate or prone to wrinkling you may hang it up and let it air dry. There may be some clothes drying adapted radiators available, but usually central heating is involved in American homes. In England we have varying size radiators in every room except our kitchen and one in the hallway. We are two short since those ones do not seem to be working. However the others do a fantastic job and helping to dry our clothes. If I do my kids uniforms at night before bed I can draper them over the radiators and go to bed. In the morning their outfits are dry, usually warm and ready to wear. We have our radiators set on a timer and they go off at certain times in the 24 hour period. I know when they go on and so plan my washing accordingly. We also have these neat racks I can place on the radiator so that I dry a few more garments than I could without them. If I am trying to get a lot of clothes dry or drying bigger items like bedding and towels I have to use drying racks. It can literally take up to three days to dry these items especially if the weather is cold. Plus they take up a lot of room and you are constantly side stepping around them and hoping not to knock of laundry on the floor.

Extra tidbit from an Expat in the UK: I do spend a lot of time multi tasking and trying to remember to go back to other tasks. This includes always checking the weather in case I need to put clothes outside or take them back inside. I am constantly having to open windows, to prevent mold, and remembering to go back later to close them again. Especially if it starts raining. For my clothes on the dryer I periodically go around and flip them over like pancakes so they get dry evenly on both sides.

In Summary there are differences between doing the laundry in the UK vs in the USA. I do miss my american sized dryer so much. However I do not think I could ever have one here because I know how expensive it would be to use it and then it would just be taking up so much space with its large size. In the UK I do love being eco friendly compared to wasting resources, money, energy, etc. However I would like to figure out a better system of having all my laundry done at once. It is so easy to get backed up with laundry with waiting for it to dry. My goal is to finally figure out a systems so that I get down to manageable amounts of laundry and not IKEA bags full of loads I need to do. It can get overwhelming at times and makes me want to move back to Thailand, where I can pay to have my laundry done by someone else.

Q: Have you experienced differences in doing laundry in the UK vs USA? What about other countries? I would love to hear your feedback!

* For information regarding the use of photography by Bonnie Rose and photographic services contact bonnie[at]bonnie-rose[dot]co[dot]uk

Weekend Edition: 13/14 of April ’13

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We started this weekend off with pancakes and our country walk. There was a little debate about whether or not we would be going outside since the weather clearly was ‘rain’ and an Arsenal game would be on in a few hours. However my need to be outside in the country won over and we got the boys ready for our walk. Every week it is pretty much the same. My sons will complain or find reasons to complain for the first fifteen minutes and then they have an amazing time for the entirety of our journey. Time seems to stand still when we are outside, hours pass, and my boys just enjoy the moment. I really look forward to my weekends with my family. I had been working in a salon when we first moved to England. I loved working as a hairstylist but it includes working on the weekends. I was working Saturdays and my husband was working Sundays. Time off for ‘family time’ was seldom and is why I cherish these walks even more. There is always something new to see. Today it was the giant monochromatic cows grazing in the pastures as we walked right past. It may have rained on us. We may have been drenched by the time we got home. It was still a wonderful walk and we came home with smiles on our faces. Hope you all had a lovely weekend with the ones who matter most.

Beautiful sunny day awaited us this morning before we headed out on our walk to church.

Rain meant mud and puddles. Two things I just love when I am wearing my beloved pink Hunter wellies.

Raindrops falling from the limbs of a thorn encrusted branch. You really can find beauty if you look for it.

Climbing is always involved on the public footpaths. This is how you climb from one side of the gate to the other.

Very slippery mud in this area so we kept to the planks like pirates of the English land.

The cows grazing in their fashionable monochromatic trend.

We of course had to ‘moo’ and hope the cows would in turn talk with us.

The one on the left stopped grazing for a moment so I could partake in a country walk photo op.

Follow the yellow arrows and look out for the public foot path signs.

Maddox got splattered with mud when I hopped down from the gate. It looked like he cried mud.

Not sure why I feel I look grumpy, because I was anything but while we are outside. Love being outside.

I had to run to get this photo. If you have ever walked at Ryan’s normal walking pace, you know why. 😉

If it was not so wet I would have easily sat down and enjoyed the flowers.

Oh how I love Spring! April Showers bring May flowers right?

Trying to keep up with taking more photos of the two of us together this year. Ronan helped out today.

We stopped by the shop for milk and it was still raining. However they did not seem phased by the weather.

Sometimes I wish I could pause moments in time. This would be one of them.

This is how my hair looked when we got home. Long curly waves and lots of frizz. Oh and no make up. Enjoy! 😉

After church today we enjoyed homemade parsnip soup and a few pots of tea. The sun is outside but taking it easy today as we catch up with the laundry from the week. I should really post about how I do laundry in England, because it quite differs from the US. Till then, let me know how your weekend was and what you got up too!

* For information regarding the use of photography by Bonnie Rose and photographic services contact bonnie[at]bonnie-rose[dot]co[dot]uk

Weekend Walks: Solsbury Hill

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If you follow my blog you know that my husband and I love living in England.

One of our favourite things to do is go on walks on the weekend.

When the weather is really wet sometimes we hide inside.

But today it was not only warm, but the sun was out along with the blue skies.

You know the amazing view I talk about seeing from our living room window?

The beautiful hills dotted with cute white sheep?

Well we finally went to the very top of it today.

We started at our church and walked up to find it is indeed Solsbury Hill.

Just like the song.

It is beautiful and I will be sharing photos of more Batheaston landscape

and of course more sheep. There were even more lamb out today.

We had a wonderful time and made it back just in time for the

Arsenal game. Ryan made homemade chips to accompany our Carlsberg.

It has been a great day with the familia.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

With my boys, Ronan and Maddox, on top of Solsbury Hill in Batheaston.

My husband and his wellies, a must have for our country walks.

Ryan made homemade chips to eat while we watched some Football. Go Gunners!

** Bonnie Rose on Instagram – @thebonnierose

Baaaaa-ank Holiday Monday

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Today was a bank holiday here in England and so Ryan had the day off of work.

Since the boys were already off of school for Easter break,

we were able to get two days of country walking in this weekend.

Yesterday we walked for four hours and today for nearly five

as we went on a seven mile walk through the English countryside.

We saw deer both days. Today we also saw the following animals:

cows, horses, pigs, llamas, chickens, goats, birds, chickens, and fields of sheep.

I love sheep. Especially the way the dot the rolling hills behind our house.

But they are even cuter when you have to walk through

a field of them and have them ‘bah’ ing in chorus around you.

I hope you like photographs of sheep

because I took quite a lot to share with you on the blog.

Pink Wellies by Hunter, black leggings & scarf from my closet, and I raided my husband’s closet for the jumper.

The deer that we saw today running through the meadow.

Trying to get my boys to not shout, as to scare the wildlife, was proving challenging today.

Then we came across the sheep.

There were so many little lambs running about the field.

Here was one feeding from their mummy.

My babies obliged me with having their photo taken with the sheep.

There was a whole field full of sheep.

The lamb were definitely my favourite. So cute.

Maddox said he was very glad to see the sheep because it was his first time being so close to them.

We eventually found our path through the field and what could be cuter than watching your family among the sheep.

My husband with our our sons and the sheep in the background.

*photographs belong to Bonnie Rose Photography © 2013 All rights reserved. | www.bonnie-rose.co.uk
**Please contact if you want to use any photographs or for more information regarding photographic services.