Monday & Tuesday

Monday

Early start this morning to be ready for the removal people who arrived at 9.00. Jon and I had moved the old sofa into the garage and the coffee table so the living room was clear. I put my car into the street so that I could get out if I needed to go anywhere.

The driver did an extremely good job reversing his lorry into the drive as there is not a lot of room between the gate posts for a huge truck.

They started to unload and it soon became clear that I was not going to get any unpacking done while they were here as they needed to know where to put boxes. It would have been useful to unpack as they could take the boxes and paper away with them.

I left to take Heather to the station as she, along with many other people in Cambridge, had been given the day off as many of the streets were closed for the leg of the Tour de France. Heather got the train in to see it. She caught a train to Ely later and met up with the girls and James and Jason and they had a picnic lunch by the river before coming back here.

The removal men did a quick job unloading everything but it is frightening to see how much we have. I hadn't realised just how big the house in NZ was. Our furniture looks very big here whereas it looked quite lost in Hairini. Not a lot we can do about it.

A friend came round to bring us some new grandparents cards which was nice.

I made lunch and then we started the job of unpacking. Jon was delighted with his bbq arriving all in one piece and no scratches.

Jane and Jason arrived with Riley and Jason went to help Jon in the garden and I unpacked while Jane fed Riley who is now doing really well and feeding much better. He is looking pink now instead of yellow.

I can't say I got to far with unpacking as I find I have nowhere to put things. We need to think of a solution. I have lots of boxes, bubble wrap and white packing paper, they used so much of it. I will have to try and advertise and see if I can get someone who needs them to take them or we will have to pay someone.

Jon went off to get the parts he needed to adapt the gas fitting on the bbq and to buy gas. Heather and I went to buy bbq food.

Kirsty was there when we got home and James arrived shortly after. The kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off with the benches all full of kitchen stuff without a home!

Unfortunately, it started to rain so Jon quickly assembled the umbrella and James and him cooked the food outside and he was very happy.

We had a lovely meal and Riley behaved very well and Jane was able to enjoy her dinner with us and not have to get up and feed him.

They all left and I was left with a very untidy kitchen to sort out!

WEATHER
Sunny and warm 23 degrees

Tuesday

I had a little lie in this morning as no early deliveries or builders!

After breakfast I got stuck into unpacking boxes and trying to find space for things which is proving very difficult.

The guys from the charity shop came at 11.00 to pick up the sofas and chairs. They managed to fit in a few other things, too. We now have some space in the garage. We have three boxes of household things which Jon and I will take down to the shop. I wish I had been more ruthless in NZ!

And that was it for the rest of the day - unpacking. We have decided to sell the king size bed we brought back as the base won't fit up the stairs. We will buy just a double as it is only the spare room and will fit better. I

I did manage to empty a lot of the boxes and it was nice seeing all my things again but I have no idea where we are going to hang all the pictures or put all the photos. Only when you see them all together do you realise how many you have. We will need to buy shelves for the garage and store the big things like my food processor and halogen oven and food mixer. In fact I think the garage will become part of the house as a storage space and my car won't be in it this winter.

I have had two enquiries about the boxes and just waiting for someone to get back to me. I had to flatten them all as I just don't have the space to put them.

Jon spent all day working in the office writing a report so I was left to it. So much to do and I haven't started upstairs yet. They packed a box of linen with the dogs beds and toys so it was a bit smelly and I have had to wash it all.

We had dinner and I unpacked more boxes until the football started and then watched the match.

Jon had a call from NZ just as it started and by the time he had finished Germany had scored five goals and he thought I was joking! It was a good game, I like lots of goals, but I did feel for Brazil. Never mind it's only a game.

Off to Ely to see if we can get Jon's hearing aids sorted tomorrow and then pop in to see Jane on the way back.

I so look forward to being able to sit down and read a book, watch TV or do my knitting but I can't see it happening for a long time yet!

WEATHER
Overcast with some sunny spells and showers in the afternoon. 19 degrees