Last day of school

An emotional day today, particularly for Archie and Flossie, as it was their last day at Beech House. They both dealt with it well, and received some lovely good luck cards from their friends, and one or two presents.

Saying goodbye to Sergeant

Flossie seems to have been most upset, I think it was a little easier for Archie as all his class were moving on to junior school anyway. Flossie was very sad to say goodbye to her class, who had made her a lovely card, but she was most upset to say goodbye to her best friend, Louis. He gave her a framed picture of the two of them together, which she hasn't stopped cuddling yet.

A lovely card from Flossie's class

Meanwhile, Jo and I have been carrying on with the sorting out and packing. We've made good progress, but now only have three days until the container arrives, so the pressure is on!

Tomorrow promises to be another emotional day. Toby is going on a visit to a potential new owner, and if they get on, he will be staying. I suspect there are going to be a few tears shed. Mind you, earlier in the week we weren't sure he would make it this far. Jo and a friend took him out for a walk, and he didn't get far before he sat down and refused point blank to go any further! Despite much cajoling little progress was made, so in the end I had to go and collect them in the car.

Time to say goodbye

 

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Chaos all around

Another day of sorting out and packing. The house is a scene of complete chaos, which is hopefully a sign that we are making progress! I've also spent a couple of hours sorting out various bits of paperwork for Florida, schools in Abu Dhabi, and making sure that our tax arrangements are in place before we leave. Finally we have made a decision to drop our first choice tenants for Stonestack, and go for the back up option, which seems to be the least risky option.

 

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Tuesday snippet

Another busy day of packing, the loft is empty and the garage is getting there. Hot work in the sun, but good practice for Abu Dhabi.

Following a backlash against my plan to get rid of Orinoco, he has been in the washing machine, and his future is in the balance!

 

 

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Daily update

Summary of today's developments:

• We've started packing at last! Hot work in the current weather but needs to be done.
• My visa paperwork has arrived safely in Dubai, so BDO are on with submitting my application.
• The attested paperwork for the rest of the family's visas should arrive here tomorrow, so I can then send that onto Dubai.
• We have booked our flights out (in August), and back in December.
• We've made progress with practicalities such as life insurance and getting our will updated.

Not sure if there is going to be room in the container for Orinoco!

 

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Update

POSTED ON MONDAY BECAUSE FORGOT TO POST ON FRIDAY!

Friday night is curry night, but Jo is out with Archie at a party, so whilst I'm waiting for them to get home, a quick update on this week's developments. Jo and I have been very busy during our first week of unemployment, we haven't done much packing yet, but progress has been made in the following areas:

• Renting Stonestack. We are close to agreeing a contract for someone to rent Stonestack. The developments this week have been a little surreal (cant say more than that in public I'm afraid) but hopefully we will have a tenant signed up next week. We met our mortgage provider this morning and it sounds fairly straight forward for us to convert to a buy to let mortgage, so that's another thing that should be sorted in the next week.

• Moving. We have confirmed that our container is going to be packed on 15 and 16 July, so we need to get on with packing next week.
• Toby. Toby is going on a visit to a potential new owner next Friday, and if that goes well, he won't come back. It will be a sad day, but good to have found a new home for him.
• Visa. I have finally got the documents needed for my visa application attested by the UAE Embassy in London, and they are on their way to BDO in Dubai now so the application can be submitted.

 

 

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