Early

It was early in the morning of the 26th. The lorry was coming that day and we had some last minute business to finish off. Once the lorry arrived, it was soon filled with the stuff that was going. And before long, it drove off. Carrying the stuff to a new life.

It was even earlier in the morning of the 27th. It was the day that I would follow the stuff to a new life. 

I don't remember too much of those last two/three days in the Netherlands. Yes, I spent one day at my friends' house making silly things. Yes, they were early mornings. But I think part of me worked on auto-pilot. 

I had forgotten about the snow though

I do remember quite well those first few days in Norway though. The tension, the bad nights, the loneliness, the newness. I knew nothing and nobody, I hardly understood anybody (although they understood me just fine). It was hard! 

Over time (read a few weeks) I got used to things. I got to know people. Having my sister come over for Christmas was great (in fact, she is coming again this year) and very helpful. 

Today it has been five years since moving to Norway. What will the future hold?

The Move

There goes my stuff

Four years ago to the day I started my first day in Norway after having arrived on the 27th. I was nervous, I was tired, the adrenaline was throwing its weight around (it stopped after about three weeks if I remember correctly), I didn't understand a soul and I only knew one person and not even in real life!

I am not nervous about living here anymore. I know what to do and where to go. I sleep well at night. The adrenaline has calmed down. I understand most people and I made friends. And I got a cat, which is probably the most important. She came into my life as the last of my Dutch cats made her way to beyond, so perfect timing!

Four years ago I was on the threshold of a new life. Yes, I (still) have my doubts of whether or not I made the right decision and probably will have for many more years to come, like all other emigrants. But, in general? 

Yes. I made the right decision!! Here's to the next year.

Some photos

The view from my bedroom window

I promised some photos, so here they are!

Most of it is cleared now. Still some things remaining though

My poopy couch looking great!

My kitchen

And again...

My alarm clock went off at 6am Tuesday morning. Never heard it though, since I had only been asleep for four hours: I had had to work late the night before. By 6.30am though, I was up. Shower, packing, more packing. At 9.30am one of my colleagues arrived with her pizza-car (a small van) to start loading everything up. The most important of course being my bed. 

Another colleague arrived and us three women worked hard. We moved my bed and a lot of boxes. After depositing them at the house, we went and got the couch I had bought. The photo doesn't do it justice though, because I am actually quite pleased with it. It's comfy, it's large, it's still in good nick. Even if it is a poopy colour. 

After we deposited the couch at the house, I was to stay in and wait for the washing machine (didn't want to miss it twice) and they were going to get my stove. They also got lunch! Which was much needed. Later that afternoon we drove to Åkra to get some of the larger stuff and the smaller stuff I had not needed yet. I had to leave the biggest wardrobes behind, but we got a good load again. 

We drove back, unloaded and then loaded again in Haugesund. However, we didn't drive to the new place immediately. First there was to be a bit of respite for me, if not for the other two: rowing training! The weather was glorious, the sun came out, it was warm, not a lot of wind. And I had forgotten my camera of course!

Well, the last bit was dropped off at home and then I was able to 'slappe av' or relax in good English. But if I wanted to sleep in my bed, I would need to make it first, since it was still in pieces. It didn't take me a long time, even with the wild screw. 

To say I slept soundly last night is an overstatement. As a matter of fact, it was hard for me to get to sleep. The stress of moving certainly had a part in it, but mostly I think I was just too tired. And my body just couldn't relax enough. Even after the nice warm shower I had had. Tonight will be better I think.

As you may have noticed, there are only old photos here, I will post some new ones as soon as possible. 

Boxes

Remember those? Soon they will all be in one place again:
HOME!

After work today, the first thing I had to do was rowing training. Well, the others rowed and I steered and learnt about starboard and board (not quite sure I got it though). After that one of my colleagues asked about when the helpers were expected to show up on Tuesday: moving day. And before I knew it, I was home and grabbing boxes and other stuff and stuffing them in her car. Yes, I was already moving!

The fake wall in my bedroom is no more: only one box left. The fake wall in my living room is no more either: I just have to fill the empty boxes that are under my bed (which I had planned on doing tonight by the way). She had also gotten her old dining room table and that table, along with all those boxes are now in my new home. I still need a few things, but it will be okay to start with. 

The neighbours from across the road
(the sheep I mean, not Peppermaggot)

I will be moving on Tuesday and have a day off for that, paid as well. I will be off on Wednesday (according to my rota) and Thursday (Ascension) and Saturday and Sunday (both according to my rota). So, plenty of time to sort and unpack and order and do everything needed to get my home okay. I may be off-line for a few days, but don't worry: plenty of photos and stories coming up.

To move or not to move...

Not my view right now
There are too many trees anyway

I live in a small one bedroom apartment. It's quiet here, I have a little bit of a view and even though the rent is apparently quite high, I knew that coming in and am not too bothered by it. Besides, included in the rent (of 6500 kroner) is electricity, which can easily run up to a 1000 kroner a month, water, tv and internet. So yes, it may be on the expensive side, but I don't have to bother with anything. 

I think it's a woodpecker

Of course, one bedroom is not really enough. For my books and dvd's alone I would need a second room. Oh, and for guests of course. But they are not a permanent feature. Another of course is that I would love to have my big red monster here. Yes, Linette would be very welcome too, but it's Wuppie who has always been my favourite. For crying out loud: I cried out loud for him when I had to let Pepperfly take him to the best home he could dream of! Probably even better than my own... Anyway....

Wuppie and Linette would have a field day with this view!

I had an offer for a two bedroomed place. Where I could have cats as well. There was a garden and all! Right next to a huge concrete car park and a rather busy road! The price of the apartment was lower than what I pay now (only 6000), but only water was included. So, in the end I decided to stay put and keep on the search for another place. One that does have a green garden next to more green gardens! After all, I don't want Wuppie and Linette to be run over by a car the minute they move to Norway!

Not my day

After the joy I felt yesterday on receiving my social security number in the mail, I feel very deflated now. When I went to the police two weeks ago about my driver's note, I wasn't yet as used to Norwegian as I am now and it was pretty hard for me to understand everything. So, when they told me I needed a social security number, I understood. And about the doctor's certificate, I got that too. I knew I had to fill out the application form as well and that was all I understood. 

So, I walked to the police station this morning to hand in my paperwork and was told that something was missing: proof of good behaviour! And the one I had, was two years old and wasn't acceptable, it had to be new! I felt quite down after that. But I felt I could get what they wanted and went on my way to the bank to open a bank account. Where I was told that not only did I need my social security number and some form of ID, I also needed my tax card and that hadn't arrived yet!

I walked back up the hill and got on the phone to the Netherlands. I needed to fill out an application form ànd the police here in Norway needed to fill it out as well! I printed the lot, walked down the hill, got permission to miss work in order to get that driver's note and went to the police again. I explained about the hows and whats and they filled out the form. I walked back up the hill.

I scanned everything in and emailed it to my last place of residence (where I had to apply). I then walked back down the hill to get at least a bit of training in. After going along with a route where everything I thought was wrong (I thought left, he went right; I thought straight ahead, he went left etc etc), I made my way to Amanda (a mall) and finally got me some curtains. I took a bus back home and walked up the hill again. But when I opened my email, there it was: the files I had sent were too big! They have a 10mb limit and my file was 10,2!!

I am at a bit of a loss right now, but I can sort of feel where this is going: I will need to go back to the Netherlands to get my application in! I certainly hope not, because that will cost me money I would rather save. It certainly is extremely annoying and I probably will need some chocolate to get over it!

(By the way: if I do get it sent, it will then be sent on to the Ministry of Funny walks Justice, who will do a check and hopefully send me the Proof of Good Behaviour very soon. I then have to take that and go back to the police station here to apply for my driver's note. Which will take a further two days. I will be lucky if I get to drive before 2013!)

U is for...

part of my stuff prior to leaving

Upheaval

Well, since I couldn't think of anything else for the letter U, I thought Upheaval was a pretty good one. Especially since I went through quite a bit of upheaval during the last few weeks. Not only did I pack up a lot of stuff, I also gave a lot away and all that was left was thrown away. 

I had colleagues, friends and family come over and help, I did a lot myself and in the end a lorry came to pick everything up that I wanted to take. And if you don't know what I am talking about: I was taking it all to Norway. Yes, you read it right: I moved from the Netherlands to Norway. Actually by the time you're reading this, I have moved into a new (smaller) home and have been at work for 2 days!

I have been through a small bureaucratic mill, I have had to speak Norwegian all the time (I made it a point to start out in Norwegian, it's the best way for me to get to grips with the language, even if they all do speak fantastic English here) and I am still figuring out what to do about the furniture that couldn't come with me to my new place. 

There is still a lot of upheaval in my head as well. It still hasn't quietened down, even though I am now sleeping better than I did the first few days. What with the language, all the new people, the new surroundings and everything else, I guess that will probably linger a bit longer. But I have some great help in the area and people so far have been very nice and kind to me! 

This is the letter U for ABC Wednesday. Why not join?

New home

The bedroom. Not my bedding yet, that is still on storage!

As you may know I hadn't see my new place yet. At least, not until last night, when the former tenants had gone, my landlord was home and he showed me around. Mind you, there isn't much to show: a bathroom (very roomy by the way), a kitchen (also quite roomy), a living room (very long) and a bedroom. There are some things that will be tossed and replaced by yours truly, other things will stay in place. All in all it's not a bad place.

So, this morning I moved everything from upstairs to downstairs and I finally have views again. My bedroom had its window blocked by one of my matresses and the 'living room' didn't have any windows at all. I kept thinking it to be a great place to keep a prisoner, but that might just be a bit too morbid!

The place looks inhabitable again, although the furniture is even more of a mish-mash than I ever had back in the Netherlands and the colour scheme in the bathroom is pretty gaudy (with gold!), but it will do for now and if I can get most of my furniture in here as well, I should be doing pretty well. Apart from the furniture I need to do something about the curtains: there are none in my bedroom and the one covering the front door is just way too old-fashioned! But that will have to wait a while.

The landlord's cat. Her name is Sofie and she is very bushy.
She is also very skittish and is usually outside!

For now I am in and once I get the tv up and running (I have to ask my landlord for help here, I don't want to drop my nearly new tv), I should be quite fine and happy. I am not quite sure yet how I am going to get my other stuff out of storage, after all it's over an hour's drive away. I may get some by bus, but the furniture definitely needs another way. I'll keep you posted!

So, about Norway then...

The house I live in now.
See the snow on the roof??

As promised I am going to show you a few photos of where I live now and what I have done over the past few days. Don't expect too many photos though, there are only two, but I promise there will be more coming up in the next few days/weeks/months. 

So, what did I do from Wednesday onwards? On Wednesday morning I went down to work again where I was to meet a new colleague/union representative. He is actually the person who has found me my new place and was about to do a lot more for me. 

First of all he drove me to the police station where I needed to get my residency permit. I had to wait, since there were two sets of people ahead of me, but once I got to the desk, I soon had my residency permit. In the books I have it says that I need to renew it every five years, but I think recent law changes have resulted in me having a residency permit for life! In other words: I don't have to renew it, unless I leave the country for a period of more than 6 months. 

After I phoned up J, he came and picked me up and drove me to the tax office. It doubles up as a town register as well, so that was two things in one! I applied for my skattekort (tax card) and registered as a new inhabitant in Haugesund. We were then told that the social security number and tax card will take about three weeks. Which causes a few difficulties. I need to give my ssn to my boss for paycheck purposes and I need to give it to the bank in order to be able to open a bank account! So, I will have to wait three weeks before I can open an account. Ah well, I can still use my Dutch account.

From what I can gather, I will have all you can see that
has windows in

Then, yesterday morning the moving lorry from the Netherlands arrived. It should have gone to a storage facility, but it was extremely hard to agree with the storage holder about the time and in the end J stepped in again and suggested a different and free place. So, instead of the storage facility close by, my stuff is now about an hour away in a former bus garage, owned by the company and not doing much. There were a couple of things I didn't leave there though: my tv and my matresses. They are now clogging up my temporary room. Hopefully I will be able to move in tomorrow and then I think my landlord has offered me the use of his van to actually collect the things I want (Christmas stuff for example, clothes, linen, a little food and several more things)

Today I finally got a phone and even though it's only a pre-paid thing, they made an incredible fuss, even wanting to see ID! Ridiculous. Jason Bourne would have been in trouble before he had left the airport!! Anyway. This afternoon I also made an appointment with a doctor. No, nothing serious, I just need a doctor's note that I can drive: he/she will check my eyes and ears, see if I am sane enough (I guess) and then hopefully give me the note. After that I need to go back to the police and get my driver's note, which is an addition to my driver's licence and allows me to drive professionally!

In a nutshell...

Uphill

Last view of the Netherlands for a while

It was early this morning: 3.30am early. But since I needed to catch the 8am flight and nowadays you need to be at the airport almost three days before flying, we wanted to be on time. After a small breakfast at the airport (I couldn't eat at home: it was 4am!), we made our way to the gate. I shed a few tears and I think my parents did too. I know it is hard for them: two daughters abroad. After saying our goodbyes I went through and of course the beeping went off again. Always the same: my bra. I had to go back, take off my shoes and cardigan and try again. But again: beep! They searched me and then decided I needed a bit more thorough search and then they took me to a little fold-out room (!), where I had to lift my shirt so they could see there wasn't anything but the bra that caused the beeping.

I made it on the way to the gate and with five minutes till boarding (it was a ten minute walk) I had to wait over half an hour before boarding, since the crew hadn't shown up yet! But they finally arrived, we boarded and about 20 minutes late we were in the air. Half full: it could have fit in a bus! We did arrive on time though, so that was good.

The coastal bus

From Stavanger airport I made it to Stavanger bus terminal where I then had to wait nearly two hours before the bus to Haugesund. It was worth it though: beautiful landscape, glorious weather and a great journey. Two hours later I made it to the Haugesund busstation. And there I found out it wasn't only the busterminal for travellers, it was also the busterminal for drivers and buses! In other words: I don't have far to go to work: 900 meters or little over half a mile.

View from the ferry

As I was at the busstation anyway, I thought I would meet my new boss. No point in going back and forth all the time. I met several of the people working at the office, but don't ask me to recite their names, I think I can only come up with one. My excuse: tiredness, Norwegian pronounciation and just plain terrible remembering names in general. Always have and I try to repeat names and still come up quite short. Anyway...

After that I called the owner of the house and we agreed to meet in 25 minutes. He said it would be about 5 minutes to his home, but he didn't count the fact it was uphill most of the way, that I am in no way anywhere near in good condition and that I had about 30 kg with me! I had to rest half way up and we arrived almost simultaneously. 

My luggage

My 'home' until the weekend consists of the guest room, a guest bathroom, a small living room and I can use their kitchen. I will just consider this to be a holiday, with added work! I will be fine and this Sunday at the latest I will be in my new home. So, tonight will be my first night in Norway, starting my new life. Wish me luck!!

Empty

Another early day for us, since today was the day the move was actually going to take place. At least as far as my belongings were concerned. At 8am, me and my parents were already at work to finish off the last few little things that needed doing. By 9am two more people had joined us and at 9.10am the moving lorry arrived. 

First it was time for coffee and after that we all started to load the lorry as soon as we could. And I must say, an hour later it was finished. Everything was on board and we were just enjoying a last coffee before the lorry driver would be off. Then my father yelled from upstairs: we forgot something! Turned out to be my printer that had been waiting all that time! Fortunately the lorry wasn't gone yet and we were able to get it on. It left soon after. (And then we found something else we forgot, that's life!)

On its way to Norway already!

After that it was time for me to go to the town hall to officially emigrate. I couldn't do it before, because it has to happen as late as possible. Twenty minutes later it was official. I am no longer a citizen of the Netherlands! When I returned home, two cars were full to the brim with more stuff for the skip, so me and my friend C drove down there to get rid of everything. She left soon after coming back home again, while my parents and me continued cleaning and clearing. By the time it was 2.30pm however, we had all but finished. 

So sad to see the empty house

I said goodbye to the neighbours, locked up the house and we drove to the housing association, where I had to hand over the keys. We thing the house and garden are clean enough, but it will be up to the housing association to agree with us and then give me back the deposit (with interest). I think I should be alright. 

We were back at my parents' at 4pm, all three of us tired and weary, although we all felt better after a nice shower. Tomorrow will be another early day, since tomorrow will be the day I fly to Stavanger! So exciting!!!

How to move...

My living room

It was 8am on Saturday morning when the first people arrived to help me clean, clear and carry. Which was a good thing, since even though we had done a lot on Friday and I had carried all those boxes down on Friday night, there was still an awful lot to do. My father was his pessimistic self: 'we will never make it' and I (who look a lot like my Dad in lots of respects) was more like: 'we will make it'.

Quite a bit of furniture made its way to the dump, in fact the trailer was stacked so high, I was a bit worried about police stopping them! Mostly it was furniture that was old, or decrepid or both. Plus carpet tiles, linoleum and lots more bits and bobs. By the time that was gone, the place already looked a lot emptier. Of course that didn't last, because we had to move all the furniture from upstairs to downstairs. I was still packing some boxes, I was helping with shifting things, I was getting lunch. My colleagues, friends and family in the mean time did a lot of heavy lifting and carrying. My friend Pepperfly and her husband took two wardrobes and a bed apart. My friend C carried all the heavy bookboxes down and was on my case to all the paperwork that still needed sorting.

Hard at work to make some art

In the mean time my Mum kept on cleaning, with the help of someone or other. The fridge was being collected, the washer was being stuffed in a car, as was the drier. Carpets were taken up, I nearly drowned someone (I had shouted to look out, when I emptied a hot water bottle through the window), my Mum kept cleaning and making coffee for the troops.

When I went home with C last night, I was completely pooped, even though I probably did the least amount of work! After some good pancakes and three glasses of lovely wine (it could have been vinegar, but it contained alcohol, so I was happy), both me and C hit the sack, we were both done with for the day.

Guess what this is...

Today was a bit different. Yes, I woke up early, but was able to read a book before family mayhem started. Then we spent a big part of the morning doing crafts, using small plastic thingies to make an image, then ironing over it (C's hubby) and ending up with a lovely little momento. I made a tulip and the Norwegian flag. It was a great way to spend the morning. Four of us (trying to) doing that and one watching television. And then later that afternoon, despite the storm, they took me to my parents. I will see C again tomorrow, when the mover will arrive. It's getting really close now!

Up and down

30 boxes and crates: very tiring work!

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to make me fitter, it probably is a house with stairs like I have now. Nothing against them at all, unless you have over 40 boxes upstairs that need to be downstairs! Which I had.  So, yesterday after my parents left, I watched the final episode of Masterchef Australia (and yea, Andy won!), had some breadrolls and milk and went back to work. 

In between I got phone calls from people about my washing machine and my fridge/freezer and I am happy to report: both of them have been sold and will be picked up tomorrow! More room to move about!!! But I also went up and down that staircase, carrying box after box after box. In the end over 30 boxes made it down there, some heavier than others. There are still some book boxes upstairs, but I ran out of room to put them, so that will have to wait until the fridge has been picked up.

In two hours time colleagues will be arriving and I hope to have all the flooring tiles out of the smallest room and outside, ready to be taken to the tip. The shed needs emptying and upstairs is still a bit of a warzone, but I am making progress and with all the other help coming, I should be fine. With the empasis on should of course!

Friday

I spent the night at my parents' place and actually went to bed early. I was pooped! I am not that used to being on my feet all day long and I felt it! Of course, going to bed early also means waking up early and this morning was no exception: I got up at 6am.

Today more packing is needed, although I am glad to say, the kitchen is nearly done. Only a few bits and bobs (otherwise known as plates and stuff) still need to be packed. Upstairs most of it is also packed already, bar a lot of smaller things. And then it just needs tidying up a lot upstairs, so we can get ready to clean the lot.

My Mum is coming with me this morning to continue to clean. My Dad will come over this afternoon and probably do a lot of the electrical stuff and removing from walls stuff. But I am hopeful that by the time it's Saturday, it will mostly be fluent clearing and cleaning. Fortunately several friends and colleagues are coming over to help, so it should make it a bit easier on the three of us.

Well, I am ready to put my shoes on and hit the road home.

The list of things to do

The list of things to do doesn't seem to be getting any shorter. In fact it seems to get longer by the day! Which is annoying to say the least. Mind you, the big things are now crossed off: I quit my job and my current home, I found a new home for me and for my cats (thanks to new and old friends), I dealt with financial and other things and basically that list is done.

The list about the house however gets longer and longer. And I have decided to make a proper list of it, because breaking it down in little pieces is better than just saying: the house needs to be empty and clean. Because that will take forever. 

Fortunately my parents will be coming over today and help me do a lot of those small niggly things. And the more small niggly things I can cross off, the bigger my smile will get. Then on Saturday, family, friends and colleagues will come over and help me get everything organised, cleaned and cleared away. 

It is getting more and more exciting every day now. Only five more nights, four of those will be spent at my parents' and one of them at my friend C's house. In other words: last night was the last time I slept in my 'old' home! Yesterday was also the last time I worked for Connexxion Tours, even though I am still officially in their employ (that doesn't stop until the end of November). I handed in my keys and other stuff that needed handing in and that was it. Nearly 14 years (3 months short) have gone by in a flash. 

However, the list and the chores first now.

Colleagues

Homeless area in Rome

One of the more pertinent questions floating around ever since I announced I was actually going to move to Norway was: 'where are you going to live?' Mind you, that was also more or less the question before it was certain I had a job: 'do you have a place to live yet?' And every time I had to say: 'no, I don't!' I knew it was going to be difficult, finding a place to live, that would not cost me an arm and a leg, but still had some room to move around in. 

Of course my current colleagues had great ideas: why don't you pack up a big box! Or sleep on the back seat of a bus! And the best one I heard today (as one of my colleagues was being serious. Really!): if you don't get a place to stay, just go to a covered parking lot, pay for a parking ticket and put down your chair, your tv and everything else you own. Hm, not sure how that would go down in Norway...

Fortunately a new colleague of mine had other ideas and contacted me a week ago to ask me whether I needed help! Well, yes, I do! And yesterday he emailed me to say he had found a place. Not too expensive, one bedroom, fully furnished. It will do. At least temporarily, until I can find a place where I can get my own stuff again.

The main thing: I will not be homeless come November 27th and I have great colleagues (both here and there)!

Last day

Originally I had quit my job starting the 26th or 27th of November, but apparently it would be harder to calculate my vacation days that way (!?) and my boss asked me whether I would mind terribly that it be moved to December 1st. And since I had about 9 days left, I didn't think it was such a bad idea. After all, I will then only be without a job for 2 days!

Of course neither of us took into account that I had a day off yesterday and another coming up next Monday so I can meet Kay in Amsterdam. Which means there are only 7,5 days left! So, now I have to work until November 21st. Mind you, if the work load stays like it is now, I should be fine with the packing and otherwise there are always people willing to help me out. 

The upstairs is mostly done now anyway. My books are all packed and I am now working on those niggly things. Which basically means smaller boxes and a combination of things. Of course my desk still looks like a bomb exploded, but even there I am making progress. Besides that, every day I take two more boxes of paper to work to be recycled. 

Next week I will start on the downstairs and I fear I will need a few more boxes than the ones I already have. The amount of glassware, crockery and other assorted kitchen doodahs is quite staggering, even to me! However, I won't leave any of that behind and besides, I have already gotten rid of so much over the years: I had over 25 plates at some point! And nearly 100 mugs!!

A break

With all the stuff I own that needs packing and all the things I need to do, I tend to spend most of my free time upstairs. At least, until upstairs is finished that is, after that I will probably move downstairs and continue all the fussing there. The things on my list have now mostly been crossed off or started on, so I am making progress. So far I have contacted the IRS, the Pension office, my GP, my dentist, the insurance companies and a few more things besides. 

One thing that I do not have to worry about as much is finding a new place to live. As of the 27th of November (that is 3 weeks from now!), I will be homeless as it stands right now, but last Friday I was contacted by a new colleague of mine who offered his help. And not only his: he got all of his friends and acquaintances involved in finding me a place to live! They know the area and might find something I would never have found. 

But with all of that, I still needed a bit of a break. You can only make so many lists! So, after having collected my medical history from my GP (not a lot), went to the dentist to ask for the same, I decided to take advantage of the nice day and have a hot chocolate with whipped cream and a lovely sandwich. There is this café in the center of Emmeloord that serves wonderful sandwiches and I have had this one ever since I first went there. Fried egg, bacon, onion, tomato, lettuce served with some curry sauce on a lovely bun. 

After having enjoyed that sandwich, I went shopping. The shoes I own are perfect for nice, but with the colder weather on its way here too, they aren't good enough. So, I got myself a new pair of shoes. I got hold of the salesgirl and I told her: black, with laces (probably), leather and sturdy! Oh, and not grandma-ish!! The first pair she showed me were ick, then she showed me some suede boots (with snow: right!) and then she showed me a pair that looked nice and sturdy. I tried them on and was resigned to pay nearly 140 euros for them, after all, it's hard for me to find good shoes, when she told me they were for sale: 100 euros only!

There is still a lot to do at home, but with some Christmas music everything moves along quite nicely and I am revigorated again.

Visitors

I was up early again this morning. This seems to happen more often now: when I am off and basically have time for a lie-in, I wake up early. Very annoying, but alas. Anyway, since I was up anyway, I thought I would tackle some of the laundry that had been gathering for a few weeks now. I had just plugged in the iron when the doorbell rang: my neighbour! He had locked himself out, whether I had a spare key? Well, no, I didn't. Turns out his wife had gone to take the car to the garage and they would meet at the supermarket. But he has great difficulties walking the distance and he needs a mobility scooter. Which was inside his house!

I phoned the supermarket to get them to find my neighbouress and tell her her husband was at my place and not to wait for him! In the mean time my neighbour told me all about short wave radio (never knew it could be so... ehm... dull), until the doorbell rang again and the couple were reunited. With keys!

I managed to get some ironing done, but also needed some food before I could pop some painkillers (it's that time of the month again), when the doorbell rang again. This time however it was expected: the man from the housing association to check out everything. He was here for over an hour, measuring, checking and telling me what I needed to do in order to avoid some pretty heavy costs! If I am lucky I will get some people mobilised to get rid of all the carpets, clean the place to a shine and get everything done before I shuffle of to the airport.

Because of yesterday's Hallowe'en

This afternoon another visitor is due: my social worker 'Miss Vavoom' will be making her final visit to me. All in order for me to deal with the accident which seems a lifetime ago! This time we will most likely talk about my upcoming move most of all. And we will do some evaluating or some such. I guess...

Other than that my day will be filled with more laundry, more packing and hopefully less headache!