Another hectic week has passed. We are finally installed in our villa along with the dog and cats and all our belongings. Now we just have to sort itall and put it away!!!! Knew we had a fair bit but we need another villa....
The weather has been good, the animals have been settling in very well and we have just managed to get to an internet cafe that works at any speed so thought we would update our blog. The internet and landline have been ordered and should be up and running by next week. Television will have to wait - we need to be able to communicate.
We received a lovely welcome when we arrived as our lovely neighbours were sat outside having a drink keeping an eye open for us. The animals arrived an our after us which was goo timing are appeared none the worse for their journey and pleased to see Mum and Dad again. They have already started to get adventurous and even Wellie has taken a prowl around the garden and investigated the swimming pool. The book is definitelt closed on who would be the first to fall in - it was Michael! Lost his footing when cleaning the pool. Mind you the pool is nice and clean....
Tiffy is quite getting used to her local stroll to the bins of an evening and has made good friends with the local guard dog, who is actually anybody´s for a biscuit (provided you stay your side of the fence).
Another busy day yesterday with Jim arriving with our chattels. Didn´t realise how many we had but it will give us something to do for the next few days (or should that be weeks). Will have the garage finally seured by next week too and will start painting it and installing my craft room which will give us our spare bedroom back.
Been down to Mojacar to visit the bank and check on the state of the pension. It had arrived so all that paperwork we did back home worked. Decided to have a visit to Albox before going home to sign up for the internet connection etc. and know this internet cafe works well so thought we´d pop in for a browse and update as well as a drink. Then its home to get some more unpacking done. I shall be pleased to see the end of the cardboard boxes.
Will sign off for now and hope to update again sometime next week from our own computer.
All is well this end and we feel we have been here ages and its only a week....
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Our bags are packed and we're ready to go.....
we wish. But we are nearly ready and all we have to do tomorrow is clear the kitchen - or what remains and make sure all is done. The carpets are clean, we can see through the windows, the spiders webs have been removed, the friendly neighbourhood frog has been removed from the garage and everything seems to be going well (famous last words). Tomorrow we finally head into the sunset.......
We are both unbelievably tired and looking forward to spending a little us time settling the animals into our new home. Must admit to them looking a little forlorn when they left lunchtime for their car journey to Spain but they will be well looked after and by this time tomorrow night, all being well, we should all be at our destination.
Had lovely couple of hours with the Grandkids - went to tea (our cupboard being bare) and enjoyed their bedtime routine for the last time for a while but then we will be able to spend quality time with them - not that all the time spent with all the kids and grandkids isn't quality time. We shall miss them all very much but with todays technology it will be so much easier to keep in touch and we are only a couple of hours by plane....would take longer by car if we moved to the west country or the North.
Off to make that last cuppa of the day and check all is secure for our last night as residence of Colchester - at least for the foreseeable future.
Will be posting on the blog again as soon as we can gain access to an internet connection.
We are both unbelievably tired and looking forward to spending a little us time settling the animals into our new home. Must admit to them looking a little forlorn when they left lunchtime for their car journey to Spain but they will be well looked after and by this time tomorrow night, all being well, we should all be at our destination.
Had lovely couple of hours with the Grandkids - went to tea (our cupboard being bare) and enjoyed their bedtime routine for the last time for a while but then we will be able to spend quality time with them - not that all the time spent with all the kids and grandkids isn't quality time. We shall miss them all very much but with todays technology it will be so much easier to keep in touch and we are only a couple of hours by plane....would take longer by car if we moved to the west country or the North.
Off to make that last cuppa of the day and check all is secure for our last night as residence of Colchester - at least for the foreseeable future.
Will be posting on the blog again as soon as we can gain access to an internet connection.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
a week away
We are now down to 1 week and then we will be landing in Spain for our new life. We are both feeling pretty shattered now and have only 3 more days to complete the packing. Time seems to be speeding up - I'm sure that by next week everything will just be whizzing by.
Alex seems to be settling in except for the fire bell going off at 2 in the morning. Would be OK but he's on the 14th floor and has to walk all the way down. Bit of a pain but these things are over sensitive - they can't afford not to work really. If it continues he may ask to move to a lower floor although it will mean that he loses his studio apartment.
Off to get some sleep before another day of packing. The dog is definitely suspicious and follows me everywhere. The cats go into the cattery tomorrow so that they are out of the way when all the moving starts when Sarah arrives Saturday morning.
Alex seems to be settling in except for the fire bell going off at 2 in the morning. Would be OK but he's on the 14th floor and has to walk all the way down. Bit of a pain but these things are over sensitive - they can't afford not to work really. If it continues he may ask to move to a lower floor although it will mean that he loses his studio apartment.
Off to get some sleep before another day of packing. The dog is definitely suspicious and follows me everywhere. The cats go into the cattery tomorrow so that they are out of the way when all the moving starts when Sarah arrives Saturday morning.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
2 down, 1 to go
Back from a very tiring weekend to Portsmouth to take Alex to his halls. Bad traffic jams and several trips up 14 floors to empty the car and settle him in made worse by an uncomfortable bed in a noisy hotel and I'm ready to hit the hay. We can only hope that Alex takes to Uni life as well as the other three did and makes the most of his opportunities. I know we will miss him terribly but hope that he will now spread his wings and fly building confidence in his abilities and realising that he is indeed a very lovely young man.
Friday had been an emotional day too with a lovely presentation during a Special parents' assembly at school and I can now declare that I am officially retired. I had a lovely butterfly brooch and a travel card with some euros on to spend when we get to Spain. I was amazed at the amount and have decided that it will be used on plants for our garden which will be our first project once we have settled in. Have promised that Michael can have a lemon and an orange tree but we should be able to get several Meditteranean architectural plants. The children made a fuss of me all day and some 'old' pupils returned to meet me after school along with their Mums to wish me luck - a really lovely touch. Monday evening I meet up with the rest of the staff for an evening so we can say our goodbyes.
Tomorrow we must start the final part of our journey and clear the house, pack the rest of the stuff to be taken to Spain and clean and tidy. Need a good nights sleep first though so will be away there now...
Friday had been an emotional day too with a lovely presentation during a Special parents' assembly at school and I can now declare that I am officially retired. I had a lovely butterfly brooch and a travel card with some euros on to spend when we get to Spain. I was amazed at the amount and have decided that it will be used on plants for our garden which will be our first project once we have settled in. Have promised that Michael can have a lemon and an orange tree but we should be able to get several Meditteranean architectural plants. The children made a fuss of me all day and some 'old' pupils returned to meet me after school along with their Mums to wish me luck - a really lovely touch. Monday evening I meet up with the rest of the staff for an evening so we can say our goodbyes.
Tomorrow we must start the final part of our journey and clear the house, pack the rest of the stuff to be taken to Spain and clean and tidy. Need a good nights sleep first though so will be away there now...
Friday, 18 September 2009
One week until I retire
Just 5 more days of school and then I enter the world of retirement. Leaving do organised for a weeks time. Sorting and packing continues. Tomorrow is the 'family' bbq prior to Alex's departure to Portsmouth next weekend.
Animals have passports at the ready. Utilities have been informed of our pending departure. Know we've forgotten something - will let you know sometime what it is - that is when I find out what!
Quite a few parents have made some lovely comments to me about my leaving which has really lifted my spirits. It is nice to know that I have perhaps made a positive contribution to children's lives - after all that's what I've been doing the job for. I shall miss them but I feel that now is a good time to start the rest of my life (the pun is intended). I had thought that I would start to worry about the overall decision as the time drew near for our departure. I'm pleased to say that I am totally looking forward to it and although there may be a few regrets about moving away from family and friends we are not going to the end of the world and are no less available to them than if we went to live in the West Country or the Borders. Memories will, hopefully, accompany me in my journey and with modern technology such as this blog and the mobile phone communication will be as possible as it is from our English home.
To add to our excitement Michael has today received an email to say that he has won a competition with the local English speaking Spanish newspaper and the surprise prize awaits us when we go into Trust FM to pick up our post when we arrive in October. We have been guessing what the prize could possibly be - someone even suggested that it was probably a weeks holiday in Clacton!
Animals have passports at the ready. Utilities have been informed of our pending departure. Know we've forgotten something - will let you know sometime what it is - that is when I find out what!
Quite a few parents have made some lovely comments to me about my leaving which has really lifted my spirits. It is nice to know that I have perhaps made a positive contribution to children's lives - after all that's what I've been doing the job for. I shall miss them but I feel that now is a good time to start the rest of my life (the pun is intended). I had thought that I would start to worry about the overall decision as the time drew near for our departure. I'm pleased to say that I am totally looking forward to it and although there may be a few regrets about moving away from family and friends we are not going to the end of the world and are no less available to them than if we went to live in the West Country or the Borders. Memories will, hopefully, accompany me in my journey and with modern technology such as this blog and the mobile phone communication will be as possible as it is from our English home.
To add to our excitement Michael has today received an email to say that he has won a competition with the local English speaking Spanish newspaper and the surprise prize awaits us when we go into Trust FM to pick up our post when we arrive in October. We have been guessing what the prize could possibly be - someone even suggested that it was probably a weeks holiday in Clacton!
We have passed on invitations for people to come and visit - we are looking forward to people taking us up on this offer so that we can share the pleasure we feel when we arrive on that 600 sq.m. plot we will be calling home. We have already researched the dog walking facilities available - many happy hours walking through the surrounding campo. Let's hope that Tiffy appreciates it all.
Well, I'm off to pack a few more boxes....
Monday, 14 September 2009
Time ticks by exceedingly fast
Somehow I haven't found time to write on the blog. Boxes have been packed, furniture has been disposed of. We are starting to see the tip as our second home.
The days are ticking by all too quickly now - only 9 more working days to go. The kids are having a farewell bbq this weekend then one week until Alex is off to Portsmouth.
Starting to get the pangs of anticipation now, think that tiredness is also starting to set in and it's not going to get any easier before we land in Spain - we will then be able to take our time.
The dog is also very suspicious and like velcro. She keeps an eye on me when I'm not at work just in case I slip away. She's helped pack several bags now! I'm convinced she understands what is happening - after all it's not that long since we moved here and we went through the packing process then.
We are slowly working through the remains of the food cupboard (contents that is!) Tonight we finished off with Christmas pudding, very nice too. This weekend will be the final blitz on the kitchen so that Alex has some cooking utensils to take with him to his halls, he is lucky enough to have his own kitchen there. We will pack the final few bits when Jimbo arrives to take our last load off to Spain in 3 weeks.
The days are ticking by all too quickly now - only 9 more working days to go. The kids are having a farewell bbq this weekend then one week until Alex is off to Portsmouth.
Starting to get the pangs of anticipation now, think that tiredness is also starting to set in and it's not going to get any easier before we land in Spain - we will then be able to take our time.
The dog is also very suspicious and like velcro. She keeps an eye on me when I'm not at work just in case I slip away. She's helped pack several bags now! I'm convinced she understands what is happening - after all it's not that long since we moved here and we went through the packing process then.
We are slowly working through the remains of the food cupboard (contents that is!) Tonight we finished off with Christmas pudding, very nice too. This weekend will be the final blitz on the kitchen so that Alex has some cooking utensils to take with him to his halls, he is lucky enough to have his own kitchen there. We will pack the final few bits when Jimbo arrives to take our last load off to Spain in 3 weeks.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
5 weeks and we're gone....
Well it was back to work this week after several hectic days of packing and visits from all the kids over the bank holiday weekend. Was lovely to see everyone as always but we had a couple of days of frantic work to catch on our schedule - don't want any more last minute panics than necessary.
Yes only 5 weeks from now and we will be in our villa shortly after landing in Spain (I am updating this a 3 am Friday) - all starting to feel very real now. This week we had emails from friend Lynne to say work is underway on the wrought iron fence being put up to dog proof the garden before Tiffy makes her debut and this evening we spoke to the builder doing it and our next door neighbour who confirm that progress has indeed been made and all is well. We are so lucky to have such lovely neighbours but then I suppose it is very much a venture for like minded people and much on the same wavelength. But nonetheless it is great to have such support to ease the passage and ultimate transition.
Alex took his driving theory test today and passed so that is another hurdle out of the way and he can now apply for his practical test. His instructor is hoping to be able to get him a cancellation as the tests are coming up in the middle of October at the moment and he only has 3 weeks before he's off to Uni. How quickly did he grow up? We are nearly packed for his move although his bedroom hasn't seemed to have improved much!
The last few weeks have brought back many memories as we have sifted through family paperwork and photos. It has, in all, been an enervating experience and quite cleansing -letting go - and the future feels bright. Whether I will be saying this in a few weeks time remains to be seen. Weekends are becoming booked up and dates kept aside as we start the final 3 weeks until I retire and join Michael in a busy retirement...
Yes only 5 weeks from now and we will be in our villa shortly after landing in Spain (I am updating this a 3 am Friday) - all starting to feel very real now. This week we had emails from friend Lynne to say work is underway on the wrought iron fence being put up to dog proof the garden before Tiffy makes her debut and this evening we spoke to the builder doing it and our next door neighbour who confirm that progress has indeed been made and all is well. We are so lucky to have such lovely neighbours but then I suppose it is very much a venture for like minded people and much on the same wavelength. But nonetheless it is great to have such support to ease the passage and ultimate transition.
Alex took his driving theory test today and passed so that is another hurdle out of the way and he can now apply for his practical test. His instructor is hoping to be able to get him a cancellation as the tests are coming up in the middle of October at the moment and he only has 3 weeks before he's off to Uni. How quickly did he grow up? We are nearly packed for his move although his bedroom hasn't seemed to have improved much!
The last few weeks have brought back many memories as we have sifted through family paperwork and photos. It has, in all, been an enervating experience and quite cleansing -letting go - and the future feels bright. Whether I will be saying this in a few weeks time remains to be seen. Weekends are becoming booked up and dates kept aside as we start the final 3 weeks until I retire and join Michael in a busy retirement...
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