Author:
Hi all,
well that's one fortnight gone that I am unlikely to forget.
But first off, let me assure you that Julina is not far away --- just one, maybe two, more scenarios to add in (blame this on needing things to think about whilst driving on French motorways) and the next episode will be complete. It currently sits at 6235 words, before revision and proofing, and therefore I hope to have it posted by the weekend.
We now have a house in the middle of the glorious Kent countryside and in which we have (tested and working) Broadband, Telephone and TV connections.
Okay, we had to get VERY antsy with the letting agents as, frankly, the house was handed over to us in a FILTHY state, with one of the two showers malfunctioning, a downstairs loo (toilet) that was filled with blackish stuff (they had emptied a hoover bag down there but the flush was broken so they didn't even rinse it down with a bucket or two of water) and the kitchen was just covered, on every surface and in every corner with a thin greasy layer.
The garden hasn't been looked at for over a year with foot high grasses, spiny, thorny, prickly things sticking out of all the surrounding hedges, a stagnant pond, broken glasshouse, and sagging wooden shed all situated outside of the living area.
The downstairs is now (just) habitable and the master bedroom upstairs. We have a spare bed in the second bedroom, but the other two rooms are yet to be furnished. That is because the furniture for those rooms is still here in Switzerland. My car is not a Tardis.
Next trip, May 3rd until May 20th, then back here to Switzerland for a visit from our relatives from Minnesota and Iowa, during which I shall have to drive to Italy and France, then back to the UK once those visitors have departed in June. Then I shall put the final load of stuff that will fit into the car and move permanently to the UK in July. Di will remain here in Switz until the first week in August, when I shall drive back and pick her up, once she has finally, definitively, permanently stopped work.
Then, maybe, I shall be able to relax.
All good wishes
Joolz
Comments
"My car is not a Tardis."
"My car is not a Tardis." Pity, that. It would make life so much more interesting! And you wouldn't need a house or flat... Just live in your car.
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
WOW!
Sounds like the move from hell. Not sure I would have the patience or the energy to make a move like that.
You have a busy schedule for the next few months. I'm retired and the idea of that much activity sounds daunting. Now I'm firmly ensconced in a moderate home in a small town and the hustle and bustle of the big city is more than I want to experience for more than a hour or two. Yesterday I went to town for my weekly electrolysis appointment and then stay in town for a doctors appointment. After that I went grocery shopping and stopped by the pharmacy to pick up a few things I couldn't buy elsewhere. I left home at 10 in the morning and didn't get back until half past 6 that evening. Just about wiped me out. I could never keep up the level of activity you have scheduled.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Joolz, I'm tired just reading your blog!
I was told by an Aussie friend you were busy moving west , but I think she was making a British understatement. Would a rental van be helpful in moving stuff, or are you using movers?
The trouble with rental vans
is the price for insurances if we take them international. Also means extra costs for getting across the Channel into the UK. My car is just about the biggest available that will still fit in the 'cheap' ticket bracket (Volvo XC90 Hybrid). And you can get a 'Frequent traveller' deal that means the tunnel costs a mere £44 each way (buy a book of 10 for £440)
The big furniture will be moved by professional movers in July. Meanwhile I 'commute' back and forth with the car full of stuff like boxes of books, my 1200+ CD collection, packing boxes of drinking glasses etc etc etc etc. Bedside tables, chest of drawers, smaller items like that.
1200 CDs
My CD and DVD collections are one of the things I digitized and sold. I didn't want to have to pack and unpack the weight when moving 1000 miles on retirement in a few years. Made several hundred $ and didn't lose anything.
I can confirm
...that the car is NOT small!