Well we have just had a packed weekend saying goodbye to neighbours and friends. 20 for lunch on Saturday and 15 on Sunday! Bit of a tight squeeze in the dining room but they all had a seat. We have been working hard not only getting home tidied up with many trips to the tip, and still more to come, but also doing up OH's boat which has sat in boatyard for many a year. We finished that late Thursday night just in time for the Southampton Used boat sale which started on the Friday. So at least that has been accomplished and we hope it wont take long to sell.

I am still sorting out cupboards and drawers and wondering just where on earth everything came from, and why on earth did we keep it for so long. the charity shops are doing well, and I have become an expert EBayer.

The removal company comes in on Monday/Tuesday to pack us and we have until then to get rid of some of the furniture not going and not in use down at the tip. Wednesday will be frantic getting rid of the rest and Thursday morning getting rid of our beds before completing our house sale at mid day. Then it is into hotels and staying with relatives until we leave for a two week break in France to say goodbye to other long standing friends. It will be good to chill out for two weeks before flying back into Gatwick and leaving the UK for good on the 20th October.

The purchase of our new home was finally sorted and we complete on that 26th October and just hope that our belongings will be arriving around that time too.

Have so far managed a stiff upper lip when saying goodbye but the hardest goodbyes have yet to come. First it will be my 83 year old Mum and then our 20 year old daughter. I think I had better stock up on tissues tomorrow in preparation!!!

My relatives in Canada are telling me that I sound so tired on the telephone, if they could only see the bags and wrinkles that I have developed over the last few weeks they wont recognise me when we arrive.

Well I had better hit the sack - have just resorted to two herbal sleeping pills and I just hope they work, will feel much better with a few nights good sleep, but I might have to wait a while for that.

good luck to you. hope everything goes well.

Nearly there indeed, but the last few weeks generally seem to be so hectic from what I've read here, so not looking forward to that bit (if it ever comes).
I think you are very sensible to take a 2 week break to relax and build up some strength before arriving in Canada and starting the settling in thing.
Good luck.

Rob.

thanks I am sure it will but being a natural worrier, well anything can happen!!

You always think you are so organised and then when it comes down to it you discover there are several things more you could have done before the removers arrive, and then also discover the things you ought to have done and havent!

Good luck, I think we're on first name terms with the workers at the tip and local charity shops
We're almost done here, but what a good idea to go away for a break before leaving.

Rosie

I couldn't agree more! It's difficult to imagine how many things there are to do until you actually do it. I was determined to be very organised, had loads of lists and still ended up with lots of things I should have done - the sense of panic is awful!

Jo

It seems like every time we arrive at the tip the men leap off their chairs and rush to see what is in the trailer this time. Took an old cricket bat down this afternoon (amongst other things) and after querying with husband whether or not I ought to list it on E-Bay it was grabbed and taken to the office!! It is breaking my husbands heart to throw away what he has so religiously hoarded over 35 years. We have had neighbours move away in that time and each one invited OH over to go through their garage and everything he took from their garages is going down the tip as well

Funny that - my hubby is the packrat too His (bigger) wardrobe is full of clothes we brought over simply cos he wore them when he was 21! Mine is empty. He has a garage and office full of stuff - and keeps talking about getting a bigger house - I have one bookshelf full and a couple of boxes of memorabilia squirrelled away - I want to down-size. Nuff said.