Moving Day

We have 4 chairs, a table and a christmas tree set up at Yew Tree Cottage. As I type (9pm) Dylan and Jason are still attempting to put together Dylan's new bed. I have brought Sam back to our apartment to sleep, but I am sure I can hear Jason cursing Ikea and allen keys from here...

The Ikea delivery men finally turned up at 5pm, extremely unhappy as they had much trouble finding us in the dark (no surprise there) and getting their truck down our narrow lane. I had called the driver with directions, but he hadn't received the message, and was unable to contact us as we do not get mobile reception in our remote new home. So we feel very lucky to have any furniture at all, flat pack or not.

We will move all our other worldly goods into the cottage tomorrow, then set off for the bright lights of London, for a much anticipated weekend with our friends Rachel, Kieron, Olivia and Louis. We will be there for Olivia's 3rd birthday party, which I am sure Dylan will love, and Louis and Sam should enjoy each others company (and toys) as they are the same age.

Dylan, Sam and I found our real Christmas tree in the historic mill town of Belper today, along with a gorgeous hadnmade wreath for the door (holly, pine cones and jingle bells). It is already looking quite festive in our new home, and I know we will be very cosy there.

Although it has been beautifully renovated, all the quirks are now coming to light - the aga is not yet lit, and we have no idea how to do this, but it apparently heats the hot water for the kitchen and ensuite, so until we work it out we will be boiling kettles. An aga is a huge old stove/oven, which you leave on all the time (it is oil operated so very fuel efficient) and it provides heating for the home, as well as being a place to cook. I was not planning on using it really, as there is a modern oven and central heating, but it seems we will need it after all. I wonder what you do in the summer months to heat the water?

I have found a wondeful school for Dylan, Ashbourne Hilltop Infants School. It is a small community based school, only taking 3-7 year olds, and has an excellent reputation. The teachers were so welcoming, and Dylan got straight into the activities as soon as we started looking around. He joined his classmates for morning tea and playground recess (on with the coats again...) and didn't want to leave! He will start next week, just for an afternoon each day until school breaks up on Wednesday, then it will be 5 days a week from January 4th... he needs a uniform, so it is all very grown up.

One of the boys (Sam) who has already befriended him used to live in Australia too, and apparently there are a few other families from abroad - Canada and Germany - so I am sure we will find some "ex-pats" to hang around with.

I have also found a good nursery for Sam, just Thursday and Friday mornings to start with, beginning in January. No waiting list - how refreshing!

I will be off-line for a while from tomorrow, as broadband will take up to 5 days to connect in our new home... so don't worry if you don't hear from me, but please do keep emailing, I love to hear from you.