D Day

The workshop is packed to bursting with a whole lot of last minute stuff, the shipping container full and sealed up, the dog happily ensconced with Andrew and Alice (although he did have 1 night AWOL), and we have finally made it to our last day in NZ, despite all the dramas and mishaps of the past 2 weeks. Over the last few days we had begun to wonder why on earth we were doing this, as the lists, endless organising, dramas and farewells were just seeming like too much. But I can finally say we're ready now!

Packing Problems

Am I my fathers daughter or my brothers sister! Taking beds apart can be tricky. Especially if you put the bolts in the wrong way round and can't get the spanner or socket in. And hack sawing is hard work. But that's where an angle grinder comes in handy. Was starting to worry I would need to call for assistance. Not too sure if angle grinders are meant for indoor use with all those flying sparks, but Zac - I did use goggles (safety first) and the scorched smell should be well gone before Heather gets home.

Counting Down ...

Not long now
- I have only 7 days at work remaining
- 23 sleeps until we get on the plane
- 3 family visits to make - Christchurch, Motuoapa and the Beach House (for a gathering of Zac &     cousins celebrating their 30ths)
and 3 more weeks of saving ...

Pre-Trip Nerves

March - Two years of planning and now only 8 weeks to go
Things are getting a tad tense at home. We oscillate between a child-like feeling of excitement as if it were christmas eve - as we anticipate all the places we are about to see and the adventures we will have - and then the worries about securing a job in the UK and ensuring the ranch back home gets rented kick in. 

Life is pretty hectic. 
Plans to catch up with all the family and making sure we get to see as much of the mokos as we possibly can has us jaunting all over the country as well as across the tasman 

• Trying to finish off work projects has made the office feel extra busy
• Planning for packing and storage
• And the crazy idea that we just might book that long awaited kitchen makeover to happen on our arrival home at the end of December has us needing to confirm details and select bench tops now in the hope that the items stay in stock

But the movers are booked, the flights over to Frankfurt are paid for, and the camper sorted for the first 6 weeks of mediterranean travel is in place, and the fridge displays the project plan that ties up all our activities leading up to our departure date.