When I moved from the Netherlands to Norway, I had about 15 cubic meters of stuff to take with me. Which translates to about 530 cubic feet. In other words: a lot! Mind you, I took a few hefty pieces of furniture with me (some of which have since found their way to the eternal furniture showroom in the sky). And books. And DVD's. Knick-knacks, thingummies, whatyamacallits and other assorted stuff.
Now is the time to re-pack. And after finishing the DVD's (why does it have to be capitalised??), today's turn was for the books. When moving here, I used cardboard boxes. They tend to bulge. Split. Break. But, I had found a solution: plastic crates.
I used those plastic crates to keep my yarns in, but they were the perfect size for books, because they wouldn't become too heavy! In they went. Children's books, favourite authors, a bit of literature. Also my M*A*S*H cookbook, my knit the Dutch royal family and maps. So many maps. But even after filling thirty of those crates, I still hadn't come across my London A-Z!
Up to the attic I went once more and there it was: hidden under some empty boxes. The box containing not only my London A-Z, but also maps of Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and several other places.
Thirty of those small crates equal about 1 cubic meter (about 35 cubic feet), so number 31 made me start the next one. Of course I also have the larger crates and there it is about 16 crates to the cubic meter. So far, I have one cubic meter there as well, and about one more to fill before starting on my cardboard boxes. And then there is the stuff that can't be boxed, like furniture and such.
 |
| Is there anything sadder than empty book cases? |
Now I need to get myself a reliable mover. Anyone got any ideas??
PS: You may have missed my previous post about my new digs, due to a slight hiccup with posting, making it a draft again and then posting again. Why not scroll down and check it out?
Hari OM
ReplyDelete"DVD's (why does it have to be capitalised??)"... acronyms are always capitalised - to show that they are shorthand for long-form words. In this case, Digital Video Disc. Those acronyms which have become the default words (ie folk have forgotten what they mean) tend to get uncapitalised and enter into dictionaries. It drives and English purist such as myself to distraction!
Meanwhile, let me just say that I used a handful of those plastic crates as an alternative to card boxes when I transferred continents... they did not fare well. Forklift damage at the TNT Edinburgh depot, I was given to understand. Seek a mover who picks and delivers, without disinterested and careless third-party. A bit more costly, but more secure - and insurable. I tried to be more helpful, but only get search results for removals TO Norway as the bally computer knows I don't live there... YAM xx
There should not be forklifts involved at all. It will all be loaded/unloaded by yours truly plus several others. They should survive that. If not, I will have a lot of glass splinters and a lot of useless paper.
DeleteI got one quote so far and they quoted the same price as I paid from the Netherlands to Norway. Mind you, they came with a full lorry, this should be van with man! Mind you, for 20 cubic meters, that is not too bad really.
...ah yes, the difference being that you can indeed load a van and more or less be with it all the way on a ferry... mine had to come by container ship. Two boxes went missing entirely and then the damage to the others... yeeech... Yxx
DeleteMoving is not fun but you're certainly doing a great job of packing!
ReplyDeleteI apologise for not keeping up with your posts and therefore your news of moving. Congratulations on your new job. Will you be driving bus routes or tourist trips? Best of luck with your move. At least this time you will be close to family so not completely on your own.
ReplyDeleteI will be driving one bus route (Belfast-Glasgow) and everything else will be tourist trips.
DeleteI am looking forward to living closer to my sister, but I could do without all the fuss of moving!!
So it's all happening very soon.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move. We recently had to get everything out of Oma's house before we sold it. Little things do add up to a ton of stuff over time!
ReplyDeleteDon't they just! I keep thinking I have done one part and then I find something else! It's never ending!!
DeleteOh, you just gave me a flashback sweat thinking of all the work of moving. Looks like you are on top of this move.
ReplyDeleteI am on top so far, I just need a moving company to shift the lot!
Delete