We're moving, we're really moving

[bran]

It's been in the planning stage for as long as I can remember, but finally the packers are here today. We're going from London to Dublin.

I thought a thread about it might relieve my angst a little. This is the first move I've done with DC and it's unbelieveably more complicated, not least because everytime I put something away they take it out again.

It's off to a good start, despite the packers arriving while I was still in the shower. I was told to expect them at 9.30 but they arrived at 7.50. They had to wait ouside the door for 10 mins while we all put some clothes on. Then they waited patiently in the van until the DC were ready for DH to take them out for the day.

I was rather hoping for fit young antipodean men in short shorts like my last move, but it's probably just as well that they're not as I can concentrate properly on other stuff that needs doing.

Good luck Bran. We recently left London for Sussex so its not long ago I was in my house with the packers (mine were old cockney guys not sexy aussies sadly).

I found the packing to be the saddest bit. Once they had finished, the heart was gone from our old home and we were ready to move on to our new life.

How old are your DCs? Mine were absolutely fine with the move although I know what you mean about their assistance with the packing .

Cockneys of varying ages here. Lovely and friendly and efficient, but no legs on view. (I'm really too old to be lusting after young men anyway so it's just as well.)

DS is 6 and DD is 2.7, I think they are quite excited about it now. DS is very anxious about the ferry crossing as we went by ferry last year and were all horribly sick. It should be better this time though as we're not going in a hydrofoil but in a huge traditional ferry instead.

DH forgot something so they just popped back about 10 mins ago and the DC were wandering around going "Wow!" at all the boxes.

The packers are forging through everything with the single-minded efficiency of a plague of locusts, so I think they'll probably be all done by lunchtime. We're not taking any furniture or most of the kitchen stuff as DH will still be using this flat when he's working in London. There is a shocking amount of toys to be packed though, if we didn't have DC there'd only be about 30% of the amount to be packed.

I have just noticed that they are wearing shorts. Perhaps I am getting past it.

Good luck with it all bran. Am semi envious of your ending up in Dublin being a Dub myself. DH says no way no how though. Not with my family at the other end!!!

We are moving from Budapest to Somerset next July. Currently planning new kitchen extension in new house.

The DCs will be fine. They will adapt really quickly. Quicker than you I suspect!

Don't envy you the ferry though. We did it a couple of times but the first time was horrible. I was SO sick. And DH just wanted a cooked breakfast.

I'm actually a bit anxious about the whole moving back to the homeland thing Buda. I was out with friends on Wednesday and I said to them that I was worried because I probably won't leave Ireland again and I might just turn into my mother, grow old and die without ever doing anything interesting again. They all understood as they are also from abroad, have lived in various different countries, have young children and some were considering whether or not to move back to their home country.

Blimey, 92 boxes and other items so far. They are worrying a little about running out of numbered stickies.

They do say that moving back home can be harder than moving somewhere new. You just have to keep reminding yourself WHY you moved back I think.

And make sure you don't turn into your mother! I need to do that too.

How's it going Bran??

Boots travel calm are great for ferry crossings! I'm not sure how old the kids have to be to take them, but it's worth looking into (mine are out of the packet now sorry!!).

When do you actually go??

We're here. We caught the ferry on Sunday and it was absolutely fine, nobody was sick. It was a long day for the DC though.

The removal van arrived on Tuesday and they did a full unpack, even though I hadn't paid for one, because the van wasn't going back until the evening ferry so they had time on their hands. That was fabulous as it meant that the only boxes I had left were the ones with books in, and I'm in no hurry to unpack them as I don't have bookcases yet.

I am exhausted there's so much to do and DS is being very challenging as he likes a lot of attention and we are busy doing house stuff. He starts school tomorrow so hopefully that will occupy his mind a bit.

Buda, the sad thing is that my Mum is lovely and has a much better social life than me. DH also frequently points out that she is a better cook too. Turning into her would probably be a step up.