18. Happy Christmas

Well here I am Christmas morning writing my blog at 5 am. I have been up since 4.30 am not in anticipation of father Christmas coming but suffering with my bad back.
I cant sleep as every time I move, my back twinges then I wake up and start thinking about our move.
There are just 3 days now till we leave Blighty .
Things seem to be all in place and even the weather reports show no snow for our journey which im pleased about. Just need to buy more ibuprofen  now to get me through the next week.
Any way have a good Christmas everyone and we will update again as and when we get the internet, hopefully whilst on route over.
P.S. I have stocked up on my essentials.

These should keep me going for a week or two

Take care
Mark and Julie

17. Well that WAS a week

Last week has been what you'd call a week.
Monday started with leaving drinks from work at The Pevril of the Peak pub in Manchester . It was a great night and a good turnout me and a collegue both finished on the same day and had a joint doo.
We both started nearly 28 years ago working in Longsight Manchester and for the last few years both worked together again in Stockport so we had a lot of joint friends. It was great to see some old faces and tell stories of old. Some that cant be repeated on here

Even more cake 

I cannot lie I used to work in a uniform and one of my leaving presents was a framed picture of me in what my colleagues thought my uniform would look like if I ever take up employment in Bulgaria although I sincerely hope I don't.

My imaginary Bulgarian uniform

The rest of the week has been spent sorting out the house. Rooms have started to empty, others have started to fill up with stuff we are taking . There have been numerous trips to the tip and i am now on first name terms with the ladies in the charity shop as i drop stuff in.
The Eurostar has been booked, banks contacted, council tax contacted, mobile phones, water, gas, electrics, internet provider, van insurance for Europe double checked, European breakdown double checked the list seems to go on and on

Bags waiting to go to the charity shop

When I was clearing out the shed I found some of my winter cycling gear that will come in handy 

New Bulgarian headgear fashion

Not just headgear but some handy winter gloves

To keep the digits warm

Rooms are emptying

Stuff packed waiting for the big day.

Below is Vlady the Cady loaded for another tip run 

But the best day this week was without doubt yesterday. It was one of the reasons we put our trip back a few weeks. We were leaving on the 5th December and by now we're hoping to be around Romania nearly in Bulgaria. 

But yesterday morning at 0211 hrs our gorgeous little grandaughter Isla Rose arrived weighing  a teeny tiny 4lbs 9oz. Yesterday was spent having Grandad and Grandma cuddles. I can tell you i had a tear in my eye.

Sorry no photos some things are private and i know im biased but she is a stunner you will have to take my word for it.

Life is good

Take care

Mark n Julie