Welcome to 2019

It’s well and truly into 2019 and I’ve not posted my Xmas pics. We spent 4 days over Xmas at Shenandoah Nat Park in a lovely cosy cabin. We took the dogs and our good friends A&PH joined us also. The weather was good, fine, very cold but no snow. The cabin was wonderful and we enjoyed relaxing, eating, playing mahjong (chinese marjong) and doing a bit of hiking. I checked out the hot tub out back which was fabulous. I took everything with me but the kitchen sink. We cooked a lamb and chicken and enjoyed all the trimmings including a Xmas pudding and custard and I made an apple pie. It was Xmas as usual and we were fat, dumb and happy by the evening. Santa found us as always and even the dogs were given a present from A&PH. 

 

The days between Xmas and New Year were quiet for us. We saw a few movies and started the pack up process. The dogs had their 3^rdappointment to get bloodtests and more tick/flea treatment. They have one to go which is a simple paperwork filling exercise. 

We are now 3 weeks from departure and 2 weeks from removals. We thought the removal home would be easier (which it really is) but I find myself procrastinating and not enjoying the process at all. I guess nobody enjoys moving house. The challenge this time is to pack our essential ‘everythings’ into 3 suitcases each and leave the rest to go home via sea removal (3 months). So we’ve got to think of our personal documents, my chef school bits and pieces, work clothes, dog leads etc as we don’t want to buy things at home just for those few months gap. We have plenty of stuff at home in storage but not all the stuff that you need day to day. So the house is currently deconstructed with piles of stuff everywhere in preparation for the removalists. I’ve been emptying the cupboards of food and giving away things as best I can.

Well I've got two weeks to finish the removal prep and Deb is madly trying to finish up as much as she can at work. I've organised all the utility disconnections here and connections at home so it's been a double whammy of tasks. My good mate Aussie Bob is also car hunting for us so with some luck, we will have a car (which will be my little run-about) ready when get home. 

And to finish on an absolute high note, I've just got a text from my great mate who was learning to fly with me, he passed his license test today and is now a Private Pilot. We started this journey together a year ago and while I had to stop in Nov (to finish in Aust) he continued and passed today. I am so bloody relieved, happy, thrilled and proud of him for achieving this goal. He got me into flying and he's always wanted to fly so we both have had a fabulous year learning to fly. I look forward to giving him a huge hug and hopefully, we can enjoy a flight or two together before I leave. Congratulations AH !! Totally awesome achievement.

Well that's it for now. Only a short post and possibly the last before the big move. I'm sure the next few weeks will be a circuit of farewells and last minute things to see/eat/do before leaving. For me, it's about eating as many Georgetown Cupcakes and mexican food as I can. So happy new year to everyone. We are both looking forward to coming home very much and will feel much better when we're back in our house with the dogs and surrounded by boxes again. See you all soon.

And that pics below are of Macey with her Xmas present and a photo to show that some traditions will always survive. The great Mintie wrapper tearing challenge.