An Update of our Progress

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

The speed is picking up as we start to plan for our move.  We have had an e-mail to say that our visas have been forwarded to the Canadian High Commission for processing so we should have them both by the end of April at the very very latest. This means we are still on target for an early May departure.  We have arranged for our property to be managed by someone whom we know (who is very experienced in managing rentals)  so we won't have to worry about it when we go.  

We have now set up, what we call ' the nerve centre' of operations in our spare room!  This is basically an enormous wall planner, a detailed check list of everything that needs to be done (which is being continually added to!) four folders of all our documentation, leaflets, lots of post-it notes and some rather brightly coloured markers!!  

One of the most drastic things that has taken place over the last week is that Sophie has started the unenviable task of going room to room to sort our all our belongings as ideally we don't want to take too much with us.  We have already made the decision not to take any furniture and will be selling that before we leave, but once you have decided a cupboard is not going with you, it is amazing how much stuff that little cupboard contains!!!!  

Initially we thought it would be similar to moving house, with the added bonus of being able to buy new furniture at the other end.  This however, as we have quickly gathered, is not going to be the case.  We have designated different bedrooms in the house to different fates for the contents within them, one for car boot, one for taking and another for storage in the UK (i.e.friends lofts!!) Things that are staying put are things that will go in our suitcases.   This way it will give us a better idea how much we actually want to take, and hopefully allow us to be realistic about what to actually take.  The house now looks like a cross between a minimalist show home and a flea market depending on which room you are in!!  

Sophie completed her SEC assessment last week and now just has to wait 5 weeks to find out how she did.  She has also had her date for her knee op and has managed to get a cancellation for the 3rd of March so should be fighting fit for the leaving party (which has now been booked for the 2nd May).

Will keep you posted with any other developments.