Happy Birthday

Today it is DD's 4th birthday, she awoke early, more jet lag than excitement I think, and we did presents and cards. There were a couple missing because the packers managed to hoover them up before I could rescue them for our luggage. I really cannot believe she is 4 already, I wish she'd stop growing. I wish they'd both stop growing, or at least slow down.

First thing we visited the house again and met our maid, her name is Jantee (sp?) but also likes to be called Mary, so that's easier for the kids. First impressions were good, she was helpful, flexible, adored the children and also comes very highly recommended. I think we'll get on fine. She began by setting off to buy all the cleaning stuff we'll need and then started cleaning through the house top to bottom. Actually I Love Her!

We then took DD to visit her new school, teacher and classmates who all sang Happy Birthday to her when we arrived. I cried. After just a moment of hesitation she got straight in there and joined in the cutting, pasting and colouring activity, albeit quietly and watchfully. She loved it and was so pleased with herself she wanted to stay for lunch and when I collected her she was walking around holding hands with two other girls who were obviously caring for her - such empathy at just 4! We're going back tomorrow morning so she can join in the music session and then she'll start properly on Monday and everyday at 8.30 sharp. That's going to kill me. At home she started at 9am, we lived 30 yards away from school and we were always last there, except perhaps for 2 days a term when a minor miracle would happen. Here, we have an early start, a 30 minute drive, hellish and I mean hellish traffic to contend with. I'm going to need alot more miracles...I think their name may be Mary!

Finally, a birthday dinner with chocolate cake at the hotel 20 yards across the road, round the corner and over the pothole(s) rounded off our day. DS is fast asleep and DD is bouncing off the walls...it's midnight and I'm jet-lagged too. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Now I AM Muttering from Madras

We made it without mis-hap. The children were great all the way and we touched down just after midnight. We recovered all our 15 items of luggage successfully, met the drivers who brought us straight to the 'serviced' apartment (very nice, very clean, very spacious - especially after our accommodation of the last few weeks) and all had a good nights kip.

Breakfast was served to us at 10am, the Wilson's new motto of We're Not Ready was again very apt, we couldn't find some stuff we wanted in those 15 bags and neither of us could remember where we'd packed it. So we were late.

After that we went and visit our house (via our local shop for some essential supplies, diet coke, tonic water, loo roll) which we hope to move into on 3rd October. The house looked great and DD was very excited and is already planning where she's going to hide when we play hide n seek. The pool which was supposed to be ready a week ago is at least another week off and the lanscaping of the garden will be another 3 weeks at least...apparently rain has hampered work and, if it's been as bad as the storm and torrential rain of this afternoon I can beleive that.

Then, we went and paid for all the household appliances we've ordered, DH treated himself to a flat screen TV while we waited in the car, apparently ours is very out of date, but really he's been looking for a good excuse for a long time.

Then, his other new toy was delivered...THE car. So how many men does it take to deliver a car in India? Answer: 4! All identically dressed right down to their shoes, ties and belts and they also gave 'Sir' a bouquet of flowers...FOR HIM, while I hovered obviously invisible in the backgroud. Hmmm.

Then, the kids got a new toy each....so what do you think I got? Diddlysquat that's what...just a bad case of frizz hair was my treat today, oh yes and before DH says it...a new cooker, washing machine, fridge and freezer - what a lucky girl I am!

After a very late lunch, we headed back to the apartment where DS ran riot and terrorised the caretaker/housekeeper/maid, whatever he actually is, (his English minimal, my Tamil non-existent) and DD discovered the cartoon channel and Tom & Jerry. She's feeling a little better now and managed a bowl of pasta this afternoon so I'm feeling happier she's now had something to eat.

So, we cracked open the tonic water this evening and treated ourselves to a well deserved duty free G&T, only one problem...the apartment 'House Rules' information sheet states strictly no alcohol...I wonder what'll happen if we're caught?!!

Last Day & Night in Blighty

Firstly, thanks to all those who left me messages today which weren't returned, it's been a busy day. Sorry!

My vision of sitting serenley in Starbucks enjoying Frappucinos with friends all day was blown out of the water. From here on in the Wilson family motto is going to be 'We're Not Ready'.

Lots of last minute washing, packing, clearing out of house...how can that be? We've been doing it for months now, how much C * A * can one family accumulate?

And, we couldn't leave the UK without one last dash to A&E. DD who is hardly ever ill was very under the weather today and when her temperature hit 41C this evening I couldn't ignore it and thought it best to get her checked over before we fly. So we were given a 10pm appointment at the hospital but had no transport, thankfully her knight in shining armour, Dave, dashed us down there. She'll be fine, very sore throat, swollen glands - the flight will be fun tomorrow! I'll be buying a vat of Medised once through security at the airport.

OK, it's late, we have to be up extremely early...middle of the night early.

So long, farewell XXX....next post from India

Equilibrium Restored

There's nothing like a good evening spent with your best friend to restore your sense of humour, sanity and regain perspective on everything.

I dashed down the M5 yesterday to visit her in Devon and dashed back again today. The English countryside looked green, lush and gorgeous bathing in early autumnal sunlight and even the traffic was kind...the kids slept most of the way there and most of the way back and I listened to Radio 2

Blood pressure feeling normal :-)

So, iin the end there was only one more sleep in Pokey Cottage and tonight we're into the hotel...I've now just got to somehow cage the kids and de-clutter Pokey Cottage of all our rubbish and lost toys.

Life In Limbo

Once upon a time there was a little girl who wished and dreamt of living in a little olde worlde 'character' cottage, roses around the door preferred, picket fence optional...

insert sound of needle scratching across record

Not anymore! That was in my life BC. Those lovely little character cottages are fine for 1 or 2 people but not for a family. No, no, no!

For the last 10 days we have been staying in an old cottage in our town which is a holiday let. It’s VERY small…and quite chintzy and there are more ornaments than you can shake a stick at. No room to swing a cat let alone a child and DS is literally like a bull in a china shop with nowhere to run, and, seeing as that’s what he is mostly enjoying doing at the moment he is a tad frustrated. So am I.

There is no phone, hardly any mobile signal and no internet connection. It is very very close to the Park and Castle but the wet weather was even worse last week so it’s been a bit errrr claustrophobic and dark shall we say. On the bright side...Only two more sleeps until we move into our next accommodation.

Meanwhile, I return almost daily to stand in our house to use phone, internet and let DS run his socks off. Dinner out at my sisters tonight, thank you, thank you, thank you.

292 Items of Sea Freight Later...

Our belongings have begun their journey to Chennai. After 4 days of packing and box filling our 40 cubic foot of air shipment and an awful lot of sea freight are on their way. Air will take 4+ weeks and sea 6-8 weeks. It left our house on Friday, so not sure when we'll see any of it again. Fingers crossed it'll be there in time for Christmas!

There was not alot of blood, but alot of sweat and many tears. The movers were great and extremely efficient at hoovering up all they could find...a few things that were meant to be staying behind disappeared into boxes before I could rescue them but nothing was left behind.

I just wish the removal guys were going to be at the other end to unpack all those boxes because I don't think I'll know where to start!

Cardboard Take 2...

It got worse, much worse...but hopefully we're getting there on the packing and shipping. Better had, because as of 3pm tomorrow rain or shine, boxes or no boxes, husband here or not... I'm OUT OF HERE and on my way to a girly weekend in the Cotswolds, because I think I deserve it and because all my friends are just THE BEST to have arranged this for me...see you tomorrow girls xx