We're in! We finally made it, Labour Weekend 2008

We did it - we're living in our new house, and loving it! On Friday October 24, we finally, actually, left Christchurch for good and moved lock, stock and barrel into 589 Woodbury Road. Having brought the cats down to the local cattery on the previous Wednesday, we returned to Christchurch for the final push. House was full of packing crates and cartons, chaos everywhere, but between us and the movers, we got the house cleared and the show on the road by lunchtime on Friday. Left the cleaners doing the final once-over, then simply drove away, and by that time, neither of us had a problem saying goodbye to Trafalgar Street. We were ready.

Again, beautiful weather helped the process, and as the long day wore on, and we all congregated at various times in Woodbury, we reversed the process and dumped all our worldlies in the Woodbury house. No flooring down (apart from bathrooms), but all appliances in place, plenty of hot water, and enough room to swing all 3 cats, if only we could have them here now. Slept at Beauly that night (total exhaustion doesn't cover it, we'd been running on adrenalin and euphoria), but the next day, made a solid start in unpacking what we could and have been installed ever since. Kind of camping, but bed, showers and functioning kitchen helped.

And now, it's Thursday and we've been living here properly since Saturday. In that time the place has been crawling with builders, plumbers, electricians, tilers, and, occasionally, carpet layers, as everyone gets involved to get this place signed, sealed and delivered. All that's really left is the floor coverings (tomorrow, and again next week), and some plumbing bits and pieces. Living in plaster and concrete dust is a bit messy (I don't know why I cleaned the rugs or sofas - pointless) but that will soon be sorted.

The really good news is that the place is brilliant - we absolutely adore it and spend hours just looking out the kitchen windows at the 2 new sets of lamb triplets grazing next door, and the running of the young deer in the paddock in front of us. Views to die for. And we have a temporary office set-up, so lucky Keith has been able to do some serious work since Tuesday. A few technical hitches to begin with, and data outlets to double-check, but minor teething problems and now very much OK.

As are we - everything is lovely in the garden, or at least, it will be once we get hold of someone to clear, scrape, level and dump heaps of topsoil in the paddock we will one day call a lawn. And next week, I can get my cats back and then the house really will be a home.

October and the joinery begin together

And so it's October, finally - and as September ticked over into the new month, the kitchen started to actually look like a kitchen as the joiners and builders began the big installation. It's been all go in Woodbury for the past few weeks - Keith's been busy with the garage/workshop and has made amazing progress, with the help of wonderful neighbour Paul. The kitchen is underway, the kitchen appliances have been trucked out of Christchurch (after nearly 2 years in a warehouse), we've finalised the flooring and have made tentative bookings for getting laid. Sorry about that. Getting it laid.

And tomorrow, the 4th, is auction day for selling our Christchurch house. In spite of the dreadful property market, and worrying international financial situation, we're optimistic about a respectable sale and will be able to confirm all sorts of tentative arrangements and booking next week, once we have a settlement date. Exciting - every day brings new decisions, new information and an amendment to plan x, y and z.

The cats have been to the vet for their shots, so they're ready for a week in the country cattery; the movers have quoted and been accepted; and I've realised we don't have any spare bedroom furniture, apart from a bed. I'm planning to poke around the sales and the second-hand shops for the odd bargain, but don't hold your breath - there's a front garden to plant first.