Julie, the kids and Julie’s Mum arrived back from Calgary on Wednesday. I was at work and have no leave left Rob (Julie’s Mum’s Partner) drove to Gatwick to pick them up. I left work on the dot of 5:00pm so I could get home and see them after 11 days apart. Big hugs from everyone, it was great to see them again. Julie even said the house was tidy. “Did we have some viewing the house today?” No I tidied up because you were coming back!

The trip went well. The kids liked Calgary and Liam (12) said he would be happy to move there. He’s been quite cautious so far which is a good thing, but he was impressed by how much there was to do. Our little girl just enjoyed being fussed over by her Canadian aunty and would be happy wherever her family are. The in laws did another great job looking after everyone.

They went to Boo at the Zoo, up the tower (the kids terrified Grandma by jumping on the glass floor and pretending to fall to their deaths!), Banff, Drumheller, ice skating (indoors), and indoor climbing wall. They also looked around houses mainly in Okotoks. I thought we had ruled it out, as it’s quite far from Calgary and my commute would be quite long. However Julie feels she would settle there more easily and it’s much more picturesque, you can see the mountains. I saw they have some houses with there own landing strip and a hanger instead of a garage (or as well probably). All that for $2.5M! Bargain! So I’m researching travel time between Okotoks and Calgary now and online house shopping.

I’m doing all this before I actually get a definite written and dated job offer. There are delays from the employer. I’m told these are just HR admin things and they are still very keen but I want to see the paperwork. Also I need an offer to apply for a Temp Work Permit, won’t that be fun!

Our house price reduction has stimulated some interest and we have had a few viewers but no new offers. On Saturday we have what sounds like the perfect buyer. They want a place near the school on our doorstep, they are chain free and there are no houses nearer than ours. If we don’t tick all the boxes with this one I don’t think we ever will. The house hunting season is coming to an end pretty much so this may be our last chance this year and we may have to look at renting the house out for a while.

Still have fingers crossed like mad, but at least we are all together again.

SM