So contracts are exchanged, completion date (and move out/in date) is 30th March, 10 days to go. Getting scary!

The cathartic effect of decluttering and dumping goes on. We’ve opted for the ‘full pack’ from the removers, which I suppose in theory could mean you leave everything as it is, and they do it all. However we are packing a lot ourselves, which makes sense since we can get rid of rubbish at the same time. Then there are all the things to come off the walls, those that have been rawl-plugged in anyway. Luckily it’s not like married quarters where you have to make good any holes in walls. Clean and tidy is good enough. It actually doesn’t feel real yet, I doubt it will until the removal men arrive and start loading.

Along with the physical stuff to move there’s also the ethereal stuff: like electy, gas, phone, broadband (essential these days), water, rates and so on. And it’s the address changing! Everything from store loyalty cards to the cars V5s (registration document), TV licencing, banks, pensions the list is endless. Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything. The service you get from the various services varies a great deal as well. Most web sites want to sell you stuff, including all the main players; BT, npower, Virgin (don’t get me talking about them), South East Water, again the list is endless. Of course I may have forgotten some of the correspondents I need to change, so I’ve gone for the Royal Mail redirection service. It cost £40 for six months but it diverts all mail to your new address and let’s people know your new address. I’ve had experience of this because no 2 daughter diverted her mail and it seemed to work well. We’re in the last week or so now and it’s getting difficult to decide what to pack and what to leave for the removal men. On which subject I’ve had a bit of discussion about the removal process. One person I spoke to did all themselves with adult boys help and saved a packet, another thought the cost was excessive (he is a bit tight!), and many other people said whatever you do don’t try to do it yourself. A relation moved 80 miles away, hired a Luton van, and it took him an 16 hour day and six return journey between the two houses, which also didn’t do him any good to his joints and general health. Personally I’m going for a local firm with a full pack. It’s going to cost but I don’t care, I value my health above all else. In any case we can easily pay for it out of the proceeds.

The last week is going to be fraught, but I want to it to go quickly so we can into the new house and get going. There’s lots to do; the garden needs a major makeover but luckily the house is in pretty good nick. Then of course there’s the ‘where the f*** do we put everything?’ syndrome. We may be downsizing from a 4 bed to a four bed, but we are losing a room which although not used much did provide extra space to put stuff. I’m sure it’ll work out. More updates later.