Wednesday

We all had an early start today Heather to work, Jon to a meeting and me to help Jane and Jason with the move!

At least it was a sunny day but it was very cold.

I arrived and the removal men, two Polish and one German, were already well on with loading the van.

Jason and his friend, Phil, were loading up the hire van with tools and things from the garage and the rabbits and hutches.

The three cats were going crazy in the conservatory, not happy at being locked in one room.

Riley, bless his heart, was in his pushchair in the corner supposed to be going to sleep but managed a lovely big smile when I went in, he did fall asleep despite all the noise!

I started on the kitchen packing the final things and clearing up once the washing machine was moved.

Riley woke and Jane made him a bottle of some ready milk she had bought as it was easier. No way was he going to take it and he kept spitting it out so she made him a proper bottle which he drank very well and was very happy. For the rest of the morning he was moved from his chair to the car seat to the floor while I vacuumed which he seemed to be very interested in.

Eventually, at 12.30, all the house was clear and clean but Jane had still not had the call to say the money was transferred and the new owner was due to be at the house by 1.30 as his money was through by 11.30.

We carried on with a few last minute things and at 1.20 Jane called her solicitor who then rang the bank who said it was done so she called Jane back and we were set to go. It was then a mad panic to get the cats into their boxes and leave the house. All very stressful I must say. We have never been in that situation as when we bought this house our other house had not been sold and we had a bridge loan from ICI so all pretty stress free. I can't say I enjoyed it.

We arrived at the new house to find that the carpet fitter had not cleared the fluff and bits from the carpet. To be fair he was still there doing the bathrooms so it was all a rush for him, too.

First thing out of the car was the vacuum cleaner so that I could clean the lounge ready for the furniture.

Riley sat in his chair and played on his mat and was such a good boy. The removal man, very young German sais he was a star and they all thought he was so sweet with his smiles and gurgles.

We managed to grab a ham roll that I had brought but we were so thirsty but could not get near the kettle!

The men unloaded everything and Jane put the cats in the back bedroom where they seemed to settle better.

Once the men left I vacuumed the hall stairs and landing and the main bedroom so at least the floors were looking better. The house is lovely and I am sure once they are unpacked they will love living there it is all so clean and new.

Jason's parents came over to help and unloaded the hire van so that Jason could get it back to Cambridge and then they helped unload mine and Jane's car. So much stuff!

By this time it was nearly four o'clock and I had to go as I don't like the drive home in the dark so I left. Riley had fallen asleep in his chair, such a good baby.

I popped in to buy some bread on my way back and got home just in time for a much needed cuppa that Jon was making.

After a bit of a sit down I started to unload the washing machine and dry the clothes I had put in this morning.

Jon had put the fairy lights in the tree on the patio and they look lovely. He had also bought batteries for all the Christmas toys so we are all go now!

So glad I made the dinner last night as I certainly wouldn't have felt like cooking - I must be getting old.

Heather had messaged me to say she had managed to buy the tickets for the fireworks in London on New Year's Eve so Jon booked a hotel, very expensive but not much we can do about it. We want to stay in London so that we can see the London New Year Parade on 1 January. I have never been to London for New Year so I a looking forward to it.

My back is killing me tonight, too much hard work today. I still have this horrible throat virus and my lips are so dry which is all part of it I think as Jane is the same and Jon is still coughing. Give me NZ weather any day!

Off to bed for a rest ready for more unpacking tomorrow!


WEATHER
Sunny but cold 7 degrees