Family farewells

Last night was our chance to say goodbye to our families. We had a lovely evening at Pinocchio's restaurant in Bournemouth. The whole family got together for the first time in ages and everyone had a really good time. Lots of holidays to Canada were planned for 2009 and Jake and Jasmine had a whale of a time with the cameras taking shots of everyone.

An evening of goodbyes

Last night was our leaving party in Swindon. It was a chance for us to say farewell and to thank all our friends for being so fantastic. Since we moved to Swindon 15 years ago, we've met so many wonderful people and there's no doubt that one of the hardest things about emigrating is leaving them behind.
A good night was had by all and there were very few tears - which was our main aim! It was a chance to celebrate friendship and have some fun. We sincerely hope that just because we are moving a few thousand miles away, we will carry these friendships with us and keep them alive in the years ahead. So many have promised to visit us - we can only hope that they keep their promises! We would love our friends to see the beauty of Canada through our eyes, and hopefully understand what has made us decide to make it our new home.

Last day at work

Well, it's the end of an era. After nearly 13 years at Brook Field Primary School, I've finally left! I never really thought the day would come.
I've been so tired over the last few weeks, not helped by rampant insomnia as my brain ticks over with my 'to do' list. I've been longing to finish, just so I can focus on the move....however...when it came down to it, it was one of the hardest days of my life.
I went through every emotion possible yesterday, and used up a whole pack of tissues! However, I didn't cry quite as much as I thought and was quite proud of myself for not becoming a jibbering wreck!
Now, I'm still looking around for work to do. I've never been in a situation where I've not had school stuff to do and it's really weird. I keep looking at my school bag, only to realise that there are no books in it to mark, or planning to sort out, or assessments to do. Weird...but nice weird!
In spite of emotions running high, it felt really good to have so many lovely messages of support and know that I will be missed, and that I have made a difference to some young peoples lives. You put in so much to a teaching career - your heart and soul, your time, dedication, everything - it's a good feeling to know that some of it is appreciated and valued.
However, now it's time for ME! I'm really looking forward to some family time, a chance to say yes when Jake or Jaz want me to do something with them, like play cards or make stuff, instead of my usual answer of 'in a minute, Mummy's busy with this', or 'maybe tomorrow, I've got to do this work for school first'. That's a good feeling!

We move out

On 2nd and 3rd of September. We moved out of Exmoor Close after nine happy years there. It felt very unsettling and was quite an emotional experience for both of us.

Luckily the children went to Neil's parents for the few days leading up to the move, and the moving days. I think this was best as Jasmine is finding the whole emigration idea a little traumatic at the moment.

Robinson's did a fabulous job: Jim, Steve and Aaron were packing demons and attacked each room like bubble wrapping machines! Their motto was - if it doesn't move, pack it up! - we had a few close shaves with unexpected things going missing as they cut a swathe round the house. Our documents got swept up and buried in a box but luckily we were on the ball and rescued them in the nick of time!

We both felt very weird as we watched the lorry drive off on Wednesday afternoon with all our worldly goods aboard. We know we won't see them again for at least 12 weeks. The house suddenly felt very empty and ....not like our home!

I went off to work the following day knowing that I wouldn't return again. The final few belongings we have left are going with us to our rented house, before we sell them on or dispose of them in time to fly off on November 5th. I couldn't bear to return that evening to say goodbye. I would get too upset. When we bought Exmoor Close back in 1999 I remember thinking that I would be there forever and it was our dream home. Funny how a few years changes your feelings and horizons. I have loved it though. It is a beautiful house and we will always have some fond memories of it. I hope the new owners -Craig and Kelly - are as happy there as we have been.

It's all getting really real!

We are entering the final weeks of our impending move to Okotoks now. Just 10 weeks to go! EEK! We've spent much of our summer break clearing, sorting, chucking out, carbooting, e-baying etc.
The loft is now clear (that was a BIG job!) and we are getting there with the other rooms. We've booked our one-way flights for 5th November and have sorted out accommodation for the first few weeks of our stay. We've been in touch with banks and mortgage advisors in Calgary and it's suddenly all feeling like it's really going to happen...we are moving across the world for a new life!
I've just realised the significance of the date. 5th November is the date that we posted our visa application to CHC back in 2005, so 3 years to the day we will be flying out embarking on our Canadian adventure!

We're off to London tomorrow to the CHC (Canadian High Commission) to pick up our passports which should have our shiny new Permanent Resident Visas stamped inside! We're making a day of it and taking the kids to see the sights. We've only recently realised that we've never taken the kids to London, so we thought we'd make the most of it before we go.

I go back to work next week. It's odd trying to motivate myself for just 7 weeks before I leave. Everyone keeps talking about a leaving party. I'll have to get organised with that I suppose. I'm not sure how I feel about it to be honest. Part of me would prefer to slip away quietly without any fuss. I'm an emotional wreck at these sorts of events usually - God knows how I'll be when it's actually MY leaving do!