Well, after weeks of filling in forms, appointments with and quotes from estate agent, removals firms, gardeners, doctors, dentists, solicitors, banks etc, getting the house organised for letting - plumbers, electricians and us doing all the jobs that we should have done 5 years ago, the house is ready and we have a very nice family lined up, ready to move in. As I write, the new gardener is working his way through the wilderness outside that we've been largely ignoring since the autumn and tonight we take our cat, Clysmic, to move in with my parents. We're still filling in forms (different forms, more forms, forms for here, forms for Singapore - we never knew there were so many) and after weeks planning and organising, we're still not quite ready.
We shipped 25 boxes of personal items 2 weeks ago, mostly toys, kitchen gadgets, bedding, linen, books, CDs, more toys... unfortunately since then, due to the recent cold spell, we've realised our first mistake. Having washed all our summer duvets before packing them, David and I were finding the nights a little cold. It has transpired that a bed-making error had occurred and whilst we are now sleeping under our summer duvet here, our 9.5 tog goosedown winter one is making its way to the tropics - just what we need for those balmy nights on the equator!
We did fit in a 10 day trip to Singapore at the end of January, and I'm delighted to report that we all liked it there. First impressions, with the clean, efficient airport and a then a tree and flower lined drive into the centre are a great start. We saw 3 schools and chose one (more forms) and the children begin on 21st April. It was Adam's first choice too, although I'm not sure if it was Hannah's but then her decision was based on which school uniform she thought was prettiest. We saw some apartments, but haven't got one yet and did some sightseeing too. We met another British family who are moving there next week and have kept in touch by email so we can meet up and compare settling in notes/experiences and useful information.
Whilst there, we were taken out for a Chinese New Year Dinner by the office staff for a New Year "toss up". This means that after a lot of wishing of good prosperity to each other over the service of certain foods, it's then tossed with chopsticks. We were a little over enthusiastic as we thought it should be flung up to the ceiling, so made a big mess - oh well, I'm sure it's only the first of many cultural mistakes and, on this occasion, not a serious one.
We shipped 25 boxes of personal items 2 weeks ago, mostly toys, kitchen gadgets, bedding, linen, books, CDs, more toys... unfortunately since then, due to the recent cold spell, we've realised our first mistake. Having washed all our summer duvets before packing them, David and I were finding the nights a little cold. It has transpired that a bed-making error had occurred and whilst we are now sleeping under our summer duvet here, our 9.5 tog goosedown winter one is making its way to the tropics - just what we need for those balmy nights on the equator!
We did fit in a 10 day trip to Singapore at the end of January, and I'm delighted to report that we all liked it there. First impressions, with the clean, efficient airport and a then a tree and flower lined drive into the centre are a great start. We saw 3 schools and chose one (more forms) and the children begin on 21st April. It was Adam's first choice too, although I'm not sure if it was Hannah's but then her decision was based on which school uniform she thought was prettiest. We saw some apartments, but haven't got one yet and did some sightseeing too. We met another British family who are moving there next week and have kept in touch by email so we can meet up and compare settling in notes/experiences and useful information.
Whilst there, we were taken out for a Chinese New Year Dinner by the office staff for a New Year "toss up". This means that after a lot of wishing of good prosperity to each other over the service of certain foods, it's then tossed with chopsticks. We were a little over enthusiastic as we thought it should be flung up to the ceiling, so made a big mess - oh well, I'm sure it's only the first of many cultural mistakes and, on this occasion, not a serious one.
Well we have flights booked and leave on Wednesday 26th March. Much to Adam's delight, we're flying on the new Airbus A380 (the big double decker one) just 8 days after it begins flights between London and Singapore. We have an apartment lined up for our first month. It looks nice on the internet......more to follow after arrival.
Thanks to anyone reading this who has helped us in any way, taken in house plants, had the children over to play, passed on helpful info ....it's all very much appreciated.
5 comments:
So - what's the form?
Ha ha ha ha! Joke.
Golly, where to start? You poor overheated people you? How are your poor deprived children keeping themselves amused - with half a brick and a handful of mud?
The plane sounds terrific - does it allow wandering between decks ad lib.?
I can't believe we won't see you for such ages! Ooh - do you have a webcam? Get one, get one!
*goes off to weep into her beer*
Despite the forms, it doesn't feel quite real yet - but I'll tell you about the plane after and we'lldefinitely get a webcam.
Children? Right now they're entertaining themselves by arguing - need to go the battlezone and mediate.
I can't decide whether I am envious or not! Its going to be a great experience for everyone especially Adam and Hannah. Probably more of a worry for Rachel (bless you) and David will be so wrapped up in his work that he'll just breeze along, oblivious to the preparation and planning that poor Rachel will have to do!!
Hope to speak to you before you go. Love to all Stuart and the Family
I don't know who sets the time on this blog - perhaps its US time, but its 21:22 Friday 14th March according to my clock!
By the bye, your blog doesn't allow anonymous comments, which will certainly deter people from commenting. To change it, if you want, go to top RH corner, click Customize, then the Settings tab, and choose the 'Comments' tab. Your word verification on will stop spam.
Only two days to go!
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