settling in

Many hours of flights, meals, and movies later we arrived in Gatwick.

One night in London and then off to Peterborough for my interview, turned out to be more a chat with the Managing Director and then the finance director, after 20 mins they went away and then came back on offered me the job. They quoted a pay rate then 10 minutes later came back and said sorry they got it wrong, but it was in my favour and it went up £3000.

I will be training accounting staff in schools on using the finance accounting software. I dont start for 2 weeks which is great as I get to settle into the flat.

I will be doing a bit of travelling to the schools and have yet to sort that out, driving or trains, taxis etc all charged back to the client so I guess I will make a choice depending on where each one is).

Train then to York and for those who were worried our car was still in the hotel carpark where we left it, I know silly really to just leave it and hope. It was covered in leaves and even had spider webs so if any one looked too closely I am sure they would think it abandoned.

We were a bit nervous as we approached the car park....

then over to Leeds and a night in a Travelodge, next day collected the keys to the flat, still like it then off to collect a rental van and off we drove to Bath. Arrived at 7pm and

many thanks to Steve and Debbie who helped load it. Really didnt look like it would fit and it was packed tight, no more buying anything ever.

Then off to the Bear for dinner and Erica came to join us so we got to hear about the safari, sounded fabulous. Then a sleep at Erica's and then up into the van , a stop for lillies for Buddies funeral ( he died the night we were there I know that he was due to live one year and managed 2 1/2 but still sad )

Back to Leeds and carrying 53 items/boxes etc up the lift and into the flat, not sure it will all fit.

Days later still unpacking, a trip to Ikea for essentials like plate stacker.. turns out there are very few cupboards as the ones under the bench are a fridge a freezer a washing machine and a dishwasher... so where do the pots go? I have set up a pantry and pot store on the bookshelf in the spare room.

Just getting settled and P left for Italy to do his first ever solo guiding trip ( 30 veterans ave age

65, oldest 83, and no one else to be camp mother, so he has to make sure everyone happy)

I have been pottering about getting things sorted and unpacked and exploring the area.

P has been doing a recce of the bits of battle field he has never visited and now has to talk about. He starts for real tomorrow with the first guests arriving at 11.20 and the last at 8.40 and at two different airports in Rome, so he will be going back and forward to Cassino and airports and one lot have to wait 5 hours at the airport for the next lot to arrive. Frantic and confusing it will be and then lots of sitting about.

Still it has been sunny her and even more so there but the trees here have changed colour and are dropping their leaves so winter will soon be upon us.