Change is in the air.....

The change in the weather here today has lead me to think of home.
Not the place I rest my head every night or the place I've enjoyed living in for the last few years but home...that place miles away...well 12,000 miles away to be exact.
The change in the weather is perfectly timed for our next trip.
Yes, I know I haven't even finished the New Zealand posts yet (which I promise I will) but this trip has been planned for some time now.
I just haven't got around to telling you about it yet.
Don't worry I'm giving you some time to get used to the idea because we don't depart for another month or so....beside I need time to get used to the idea myself.

And so...where are we heading next? Have you guessed yet?
I hope you're sitting down because we're off home!
To the UK!!!

Yes, finally after 24 years of travelling we've decided to call it a day and settle back in 'Blighty'.

There have been other destinations and possibilities discussed but we've decided to head home.

I have to admit I've so many mixed feelings over this next move.
Move number 12 can you believe!

Remember all of those packing boxes not so long ago....with move number 11 well they came back last week and in fact they even multiplied!

We've considered every factor to reach this big decision and had umpteen nights of being awake from 2am so it's not one that we have taken lightly...that's for sure.

 There are so many things that I'll miss but the world is a much smaller place with the internet and I have every intention of keeping up close and personal with all my Aussie connections.

One thing I won't be able to send back though is the light!
I now realise that the light in the Southern Hemisphere is totally different than that of the Northern Hemisphere...you'd think a world traveller would know that sort of thing but I hadn't realised just how different it can be and what a huge impact it can have on you.
I think one of the first purchases once I land might be to buy one of those bright light therapy lamps recommended by doctors as the first line treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Just in case....
I've always remained positive on this blog and that's the way I plan to carry on...no matter what it takes!

At least with this move I know exactly what I'm returning to and that sits very comfortably.

We'll also have our daughter close to hand for the first time in years which will be perfect...I'll just have to remember the novelty might wear off if I'm a nuisance.

We also have every member of both sides of our family all living within a 10 mile radius of each other...although we'll have a few hours distance between us. 

I'm looking forward to moving back into the house that I loved and had difficulty leaving in the first place.
I never really got to know it...if any floorboards creak, wood burners and open fires plus getting familiar with cooking on the Aga again. I have wonderful memories of the 11ft Christmas tree that we brought into the hallway...and the bonfire night celebrations in the old ruined cobble stone barn which we call 'the folly'. Country Life here we come.....

Can you believe that this is my studio!

I feel rather sad looking at this photo, but it will be fine as I get to completely design a new one.
How exciting is that? Will you help me?
If you have any ideas and good tips then please just pop a comment below.

I only borrowed this one...it's been brilliant but it'll be fantastic to organise my own.

Here's someone who doesn't seem to be bothered by all the weird happenings going on...in fact I think she's loved having so many people coming just to see her!

One of the packers was so taken with her that I had to check where she was when he was about to leave because I felt sure he might have had her tucked away somewhere.

Oh yes...I should say 'YES OF COURSE SHE'S COMING WITH US'!!!!
How could we possibly leave her behind?

In fact she's been for her rabies jab today and amazingly enough seems to have forgiven me.

As you can see she wasn't much help with the early organising...it was all so very tiresome!   

But as they say....there's no rest for the wicked and let me tell you I must be extremely bad because it was an exhausting week.

That's one reason why my posts and visiting has been very sporadic of late to say the least.

Oh yes and the fact that my laptop died!!!

This was our 40ft container waiting for our worldly goods to be loaded...it seemed so huge but then we do have a lot of stuff and I did fret that we'd have to make the terrible decision as to what would fit in or what would have to be left behind.

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo.........

And here it is...with everything in!

Phewph!

I can't praise the guys who worked on the packing enough...but maybe I should wait until we open up all the packages at the other end.  No seriously they worked like Trojans.

Two of the team were a father and son who had such a brilliant working relationship. The father had some incredible tales to tell and mentioned he'd been doing this kind of job since he was 13 years old. 

So now we have a minimalistic look about the place, with just a few rental essentials for our remaining weeks. It feels like we are on holiday again.
It's such fun to start to cook and go to get a favourite pan or utensil to then realise...doh...of course it's not there. Oh what fun I'm having having to improvise constantly!!!! :(

I hope you'll join me on this new adventure because there's going to be lots to talk about and certainly lots to photograph. I'd love to have your company along the way :D

That's one of the things I'm looking forward to...showing you all the wildlife and visitors that I remember that used to call into our garden...I wonder if the pheasants, deer, badgers and buzzards still come to visit us?Not to mention the foxes and rabbits. I think there will be lots of fun and games plus challenges ahead as I want to create a veggie garden, plus I may even venture to own my own chooks!
Who knows....the possibilities are endless!

I'm trying not to think about the actual transporting of Mufftypup but at least she won't have to go into quarantine like last time. I couldn't bare to do that again. If you want to see what happened on Muffy's mission from the Middle East click here.
I also worry about how she will get on with the UK weather! I think she may well be an Aga magnet.
But I might have to fight her for that position....remember I don't like to be in temperatures below 16 degrees! She does have jumpers and coats already so that'll help, but I know she likes the heat more than the cold so I'm sure they'll be some antics ahead.

But I hopefully will be able to dispel some of the terrible myths about the UK weather...I've already asked that the thermostat be turned up in readiness for our arrival.

I have lots planned that I'd love to share with you...cooking, baking, gardening, setting up of the new studio, house and garden projects, plus all the historical tours and revisiting of so many fantastic places. We also will be exploring more of Europe now that we've been over this side of the world for so long.
So it won't be all about the weather ~ promise!
Although I suppose it'll be featured in there I'm sure...I'm just thinking what Muffy might think about snow! I can almost hear her now..."we are NOT amused'! ^..^

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Just an additional thought.....

I'm aware that there are many people that are dealing with lots of changes occurring at the moment.

Friends have had family dynamics altered which have completely pulled the rug from under them...others have health issues that are making them adapt to their new limitations and restrictions...but there's also good changes that can occur. Some people hate change of any sort...and I must admit even though I've had many changes to deal with and coped, I do find it difficult initially to embrace them.
But I've been lucky that so far they always seem to work out for the good.
The important thing is how we cope with these changes.

Some changes might well feel horrendous and difficult to cope with at the time, but then who knows what lies ahead...the changes may actually be a blessing in disguise...I truly hope so.

I'll get back to our New Zealand posts soon and I've also been to a French Cooking and Language course which I want to tell you about.

Catch you again soon I hope...in the meantime have a great week...

I'm off to make the most of my last few months here...whoohoo!

Keep smiling and pass it on...someone may need it today



House Move 11 (Part 11)

Wow....I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but we're in....the new house that is. I can't believe I didn't get to tell you that I was actually on my way and here we are nearly a week later. Sorry I never warned you, but things went a little crazy. I'm just noting the title of this blog, which highlights the 11th house and this particular blog is Part 11. This must be a good omen for the new house because 11 is one of our lucky numbers!

I haven't got a lot of time tonight, so I'll just let you see some images of the new place, until I can get back to you.

This photo below was taken on our first night - what a spectacular sky. I think they'll be many more in this new place.

And look what I've got....can't wait to see what comes up and to restock the patch.

I'm a little nervous trying out our new oven for the first time tonight....wish me luck

Why its the first time tonight by the way, is because I have wonderful friends, who came baring gifts of beautifully cooked meals to keep us going - how special is that!

The rosemary by the way was from the herb patch.....

House Move 11 (Part 9)

Its been a cold wet day here today, but then it is the winter solstice after all, so I suppose that can be expected. So guess what I did today....yeah....packing again!

I must be getting there soon.....surely. I've de-cluttered for every move, so why is there still so much stuff?

The trouble is we're at a delicate stage of the process....what are we going to need up to the last minute and what can be packed away? I've gone to get two things so far and realised they're already away. Grrr....very frustrating!

I'm begining to think I wouldn't be bothered if I didn't see some of these possessions ever again.

This photo below only shows one half of the room. Around the corner are yet more boxes.

I am just so looking forward to doing something else.....other than organising this move.

For instance, I've got a great recipe for another chocolate cake I am keen to try.

I only found out about these handy storage bags a few years ago from my sister. I just hadn't come across them before, but I think they're fantastic!

All the quilts (doona's) shrink so much, its incredible and great for storage.

Whilst preparing to return to Melbourne after spending the Christmas holidays in the UK, my sister witnessed me trying to launch my body across the cases, in the hope my holiday excess weight would help to close them. No such luck.

I must have been a good girl because Santa had been very good to me, but then my cases are always bursting at the seams. Its just something I can't do.....travel light!

My husband will testify to that fact.

Anyway, after much giggling, she nipped into a cupboard and produced some of these bags. After a quick whoosh of the hoover, they miraculously shrunk considerably in size and vwahhlla...case perfectly closed!

Wish I could do that to my waist size! But it is winter after all and I have to have my chocolate treat daily to keep me motivated. That's my excuse anyway... 

Maybe its the extra winter layers that's making me feel squidgable? Roll on spring......

House Move 11 (Part 8) The deed is done....

You can all rest easy now....I've gone and done it!

If you've been following this moving blog then you'll probably guess what I'm talking about. I finally took my daughters clothes to the charity shop. I just grabbed the bag on my way out to the car and drove straight to the charity shop, without too much thinking. It helped by having so many things on my mind and having four ports of call on the one journey.

I know it was a good job done and someone will love those little cute designer dresses, but I still feel their loss. It didn't help when the kind assistant swooped on my bag and before I could escape she was holding them up on their tiny hangers....it was touch and go for a while and I actually had a fleeting thought that I might have to buy them back again!

There's one thing that isn't going to the charity shop and that's 'Bobby Bear'.

 He was my daughter's first teddy bear and he's certainly a well travelled bear. He's been everywhere we've been. I'm not sure exactly why we have him in our possession, but maybe its when I mentioned to my daughter that perhaps it was time for her to keep him safe....my other half threw a little tizzy fit!

So he remains with us....for now anyway.

I've been busy for the last few hours in my bathroom cabinets and quite frankly I stink....quite literally. As I've come across perfumes, I couldn't resist squirting, even though I know by their colour its not going to be good, I still do it! I also couldn't resist applying creams and potions, which probably will result in me having an allergy rash by this evening.
What is it that prevents me just throwing these things straight into the bin? I always have to have a little battle with myself. Mascara's and makeup which could be a decade old....well maybe I exaggerate but they're getting on and I certainly don't need them. They end up in the bin but only after a fight. I even used the varnish remover and had a few drops of essential oils (thankfully they were within the expiry date). I think I may need some fresh air, because I feel they're all lying heavy on my stomach. Even Muffin is staying well clear of me too.....;-(

House Move 11 (Part 7) Help....?

Oh I'm in such a dilemma today...but then I've been here on numerous occasions. I have a real predicament.
It's not the volcanic ash coming from Chile, which is causing havoc with Australian flights, or climate change issues, although they are prevalent. It's that I have some of my daughters baby clothes and I just can't seem to pass them on. I know its time to shed them after all she's a beautiful, healthy, intelligent, grown woman, but I've moved these little treasures across many continents, keeping them safe in storage for 20+ years.

You may wonder why I've photographed a black bin bag....? Well, the little treasures are held within.

  I've shown my daughter the dresses, thinking she might want me to keep them, but she's ready to let go...its just me that has the difficulty. I know that she wouldn't want keep them herself and she's given me permission to throw or give them away. I just can't seem to do it.....I've tried - really....
I've moved the bag numerous times, thinking they're heading into the car, to drop off at the charity shop for less unfortunate families, but it never makes it into the boot!
Is it just a mother thing I wonder?  But when I think back, I managed to give my sons clothes away when overseas. This was easier to do, because they went to very new young mum with a baby boy, who needed a helping hand.

Does anyone have any idea how I can do this with the least trauma? I'd love to hear from you....  

This is the butchers paper used for wrapping our household items....  I just couldn't resist the white crisp paper - it just needed something on it, and I suppose I needed a distraction for a few minutes.  

If I had time, I'd be tempted to get out my pencils and paints.

Why do I have so much crockery??? :-0

House Move 11 (Part 6) It starts....

Today is the day... finally I've made a start. I'm determined to be organised, calm, and in total control over this house move... Hmm....yeah, then I have a sleepless night and realise its out of my control.  Especially during the paranoia hours. Between the hours of 2.30am to 5am, seem to be the worst.

But then its incredible how calm I become once the sun rises.

I have great faith in the removal company, which by the way has four generations of expertise behind them and come highly recommended. So I think they'll keep me on track.

It's like staring into the abyss...

But then once you start on a theme...ie a dinner service its full steam ahead and the space fills

I thought colour coding the boxes with a brief description on the tape might help everyone involved. Especially me...that way I'd know what goes where, or hopefully!

I know the next photo might set off hyperventilating. I'm not too obsessed with bubble wrap, although I can't resist the odd pop - if you pardon the expression. But I know there are some out there that this amount of wrap would send them into euphoric raptures, literally!

But then look at the size of roll....its a good job I haven't got a problem....

It's no good I must get on....enough of this procrastination....times marching on!

It's the long holiday weekend here but guess what I'll be doing?

Whatever you get up to, enjoy ;-)

House Move 11 (Part 5) We've found it......

"Whoopdeedoo" sound the trumpets.....we've found our next home.....pop those corks!

It's been a stressful roller coaster ride, but I'm hoping that now we know where we're heading, we'll get some normality back into our lives. Well, as normal as 'we' can be.

It's getting late now, so this is just a quick post, but I wanted to let you know about the house.

I'm hoping now that we know what's next, we'll perhaps be able to actually sleep right through the night, instead of waking up at unearthly hours, to discuss potential properties.

 I've also just finished watching Masterchef and the first of Oprah's 3 last shows. so basically a really good day all round.

What will we do without Oprah????? :-(

House Move 11 (Part 4)

Yet more houses viewed today....but hey....(breath....breath.....) I think I may be getting near on the last viewing. Still questions and compromises to weigh up first, but I felt for the first time that I could possibly envisage myself living in the property. That's a first.

The garden is really what I would like, but I have to be careful that the house fits the bill too. I've still got a few properties on my list to view, but I've decided I'm going to make a decision by the end of this weekend!

Couldn't resist stopping off on route to take this photo. What a magnificent colour! It was so vibrant.

But maybe I won't have to decide....I've just heard that the world is supposed to end on Saturday! Eek :-(

House Move 11 (part 2)

Last weekend was a marathon to say the least.....the clocks ticking on our imminent house move, so we had to dedicate all day Saturday to viewing potential properties. But after viewing 11 homes everything became a blur. My mind was in a spin - all the kitchens, en suites, lounges, entertaining area's etc all merged into one.
My previous record for viewing in one day, was 13, but that was when we first moved to Melbourne and I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I think I've learnt my lesson since then and certainly don't want to repeat it.  Eleven viewings took timed military precision, a challenge to say the least.

Perfect houses, perfect plots, perfect locations but unfortunately not on the one property. There's always a compromise, but which is the most important? I've watched so many programmes over the years which give advice, tips and guidelines, but these all seem to disappear when your wanting to choose your next nest. Its a very emotional process.
Isn't location supposed to be the main aspect, but that doesn't help when you find a wonderful house that would be perfect, just if it were possible to uplift it to somewhere else!

I think the males of the species should leave the final nest choice to the females, but then logic can go out of the window, especially when the design is just what your looking for....the fact that its $1,000,000 over your budget doesn't really sink in. Rose coloured glasses maybe....?

Well, other than a divorce (which might well be a factor with the way some discussions go) and having a baby (which quite frankly, if that happened I'd kill him) a house move is certainly up there on the stress- oh-meter! What makes it harder is we don't particularly want to move in the first place :-(  Well not just now anyway....
Enough of this...I need to make progress, so I'm off to wrap some treasures in a box..... ho hum.....

House Move No.11

Wow what a week that was...

I'm sorry that I haven't posted lately and hopefully you've missed me ;-)

I didn't realise that I wouldn't get any time free for blogging, and before I knew it the whole week and weekend disappeared, so I couldn't give advance warning I'd be away.

The main reason for my absence was I became a headless chicken upon hearing news that the owners of the house we're renting want to move in!

http://www.clker.com/clipart 

I couldn't believe it initially, as we have never had to leave a house before we decided to, but I suppose that's one of the downsides to renting. (This is the first time we've rented and possibly the last for that reason)

But as the week progressed I've come to terms with it and looking positively forward.

Well, there's not a lot I can do other than start looking at what's available out there and packing asap....

I'm going to try and keep cool, calm and collected over this whole process, but this will be our 11th house move and I know how much effort, expense, organising, patience, understanding, not to mention how tiring it can be.

If anyone out there has useful tips or advice to help this be as painless as possible I'd love to hear from you.

I'm thinking of having t-shirts printed with 'Handle with Great Care' because I think they'll be times when I may either blow a gasket or hide under the duvet till its all over....

I'm sure there's going to be quite a few saga's throughout this process but as long as I can remain cheerful and positive plus have a bottle of gin or vodka handy, I'll get through it....

Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted ;-)