Challenge 1: Mastering the washing machine

Our building has a laundry (and drying space, which is awesome) but it seems that not all washing machines are equal.

The washküche has a machine that makes my old fancy one in the UK look like something a caveman would sneer at! And of course it doesn't help that the instructions are in German.  Still, never one to shy away from a challenge,  I've spent this evening trying to master it. I'm not sure I'm there yet, I need to have another go tomorrow but for now I have 2 loads of washing drying in the attic space.

I am determined that this will not beat me... sneaky washing machine, I'm watching you.

We're still alive!

We are still alive! We've been slowly working our way through all the admin involved in moving abroad and we should have the internet next week. I'm drafting the journey at the moment so will have that up soon :)

Bye for now x

V-6: The stress of packing is starting to get to me

I haven't moved for nearly 9 years. I am rapidly remembering why that is - I hate packing. At the moment our house feels like a junk shop, full of stuff on every available surface and boxes. Many boxes.

To be fair, we are making fairly good progress - we tackled the shed yesterday, which was full of junk and cleared that out, discovery that the chests of drawers in the shed were actually is good condition (I had feared that the shed would have destroyed them) and therefore can be added to the car boot bounty to sell.

We're down to a couple of plates and mugs for use in the kitchen, as I've packed all the crockery that is coming with us. I've decided that all the cutlery and utensils will be placed (read emptied) into a box of their own, so that will be an easy last minute job.

Most of the office/sewing room has been done, all of the living room has been packed bar a few things still being used (and that I missed!), and the bedroom is only filled with the clothes and stuff that we are still wearing.

I have today and Thursday to complete these epic tasks, to allow time over the weekend to clean and prep the house for handing back. Curtains need to be washed, holes need to be filled and painted etc. And then comes the car boot sale on Sunday morning - an early start will hopefully make us a load of money and get rid of the dregs of furniture we haven't been able to sell through Gumtree or various noticeboards.

Right, I better get back to the packing - if you know anyone in the South West area of the UK who wants a gas cooker let me know right?

V-9: Getting rid of stuff

Currently in the midst of selling all our stuff - we've shifted the bedroom furniture, 3 bookcases, a desk and the dishwasher, but still have a cooker, washing machine, fridge/freezer, some more shelves, a coffee table and another desk to go.

We're also steadily building the pile for the car boot sale we're going to next weekend. The house is slowly becoming full of boxes!!

I have worked my way through most of my to do list, but I keep thinking of things that I need to do, which means the list doesn't seem to be getting any shorter!