We are moving in to our new house on Friday. Then on Monday the dogs and the cat will be collected from the kennels and we will be complete! Had a bit of a wrinkle when the agent told my wife that the vendors had removed some fitted kitchen equipment but this proved not to be the case (stupid agent!)

My daughter has found herself a part-time job locally as a kennel-maid, working about twenty hours a week. She is loving it.

We need a couple of new mattresses so ended up in IKEA last weekend. I know it is a marvellous store but it is just so crowded...glad to leave (without said mattresses as they are not standard English sizes)

Found a car insurer that didn't mind that I had no UK no-claims bonus so that is sorted too.

Looking forward to a visit to London next Saturday to see some football, and hopefully find the wonderful pie and mash with eels (not jellied on this occasion!) and "liquor".

Next update will be around the six-month mark unless something really dramatic happens in the meantime.

It sounds like everything is falling into place, so you now you can relax and enjoy the English spring, even if that does bring gale force winds and driving rain. My OH is in the UK at the moment and has been giving me daily updates on the extraordinary weather since he arrived last week - so much for the drought!

It would be good if you could tear yourself away from it all in a few months time to tell us how you're getting on once it has all become routine.

All the best.

Aw wonderful to hear all is going well!! I agree about Ikea, so overwhelming and oh so crowded!! Did have a very cheap English breakfast there though!

So pleased for you and yours... I'm just looking to move my family home...
Out of interest, which was the insurance company that didn't mind no no-claims?
Thanks

It was esure (broker). They have their own website, but I found them on the go compare comparison site. Got my buildings and contents insurance from churchill.

Good luck.