And we're home :-)

Hola!  Buenas dias! No posts for the last few days as we had no internet and have been just too darned busy, but to go back a little.....

Our journey from Zaragoza to Barcelona via the toll motorway was smooth and uneventful, it's well worth the toll fee with lots of decent picnic areas and service areas to stop at.  Not far out of Zaragoza the satnav said there were 277km until the next 'action' which gives an idea of just how straightforward it is!  The only traffic we encountered was the outskirts of Barcelona on the coast as we worked our way towards the port.  We were using Transmediterranea and it was pretty easy to find their offices.  We were way too early to officially wait for the ferry but on checking in and getting our boarding passes etc we were told we could park in one of their secure areas for 12 euros which we duly did.  This is very useful if you are anxious about the security of your vehicle and contents although there is also underground parking at the port.  However the peace of mind to be the other side of a gate with a security guard was definitely worth it.

We spent a few happy hours in Barcelona and enjoyed a cheeky jug of sangria although it was very expensive at 16 euros but we felt we deserved a treat.  We didn't stray far from the port but there are lots of cafes, restaurants etc nearby and Barcelona is definitely somewhere we will return to explore some time.

Embarkation was straightforward that evening.  Although you need to have muzzles, we were not asked to put them on this time which was a relief.  The dog area is a special portakabin on the top deck and you are issued with a numbered padlock.  

In our opinion the kennels are better proportioned than the Brittany Ferry ones and there was only one other dog and a kitten using them so we had choices and put our two in together.  There is a sink and the whole area was not in the last bit smelly so we were quite impressed.  Later, a crew member came to check the lock numbers and shut the portakabin outer door although it isn't locked so you can check your pet anytime.  We headed for the sleeper lounge seats (they call them 'armchairs' we had paid for.  They are off the main area and the room is darkened.  The seats are very like long haul airline seats and recline quite well but I needed my neck pillow which is a TOP TIP as is some sort of throw/blanket (which I left in the car and regretted as it gets quite cool) and ear plugs and perhaps an eye mask depending on how good a sleeper you are.  This is because people do go in and out which is disturbing so another TOP TIP is to head for the back of this room as the doors are at the front, something I only sussed when it was far too late to bother to move.  

We had paid for classic breakfast which is better described as basic breakfast but you can buy extra bits.  And then we were off the ferry and pitchforked into very early Saturday morning Palma.  Feeling slightly surreal we made our way to Puerto Pollensa, taking the route along from Alcudia as it's our favourite view of the Port.

Since then our life has been a haze of unpacking (our things arrived all in one piece on the Monday) and organising everyday life stuff such as connecting the TV and getting the internet sorted.  Telefonica is like the UK's BT and Movistar is part of this.  We had been recommended to go to the Movistar shop in Juan XXIII where they can speak some English and also get a package to suit.  We went for the basic package of fibre optic internet which also gives you a landline and 2 mobile sims for 62 euros.  Later that day we got a call from their technical department and the very next day it was installed which was pretty impressive stuff and quicker than it would have been in UK.  

We currently have 'holidaymaker envy' as we walk past tourists lying in the sun on the beach or by a pool or eating out etc because we are doing none of those things.  But we sustain ourselves by the thought that they will soon be going home whereas we ARE home :-)  This might be a good time to indicate that whilst moving to your dream location sounds idyllic, the reality is that like any other move it is tiring, stressful and emotional.  So you really do need to be committed to doing this and at some point or another it really will register that you are living far from the rest of your family.  All we can say if you find yourself ever making the move is, keep going and then TOP TIP: make Skype or FaceTime calls the moment you have the internet as this is massively emotionally reassuring.

In other news......there was a storm of biblical proportions on Saturday where apparently 39.6 litres of rain per sq metre fell(!) which was a useful opportunity to establish that our apartment is perfectly watertight (trust me, this is worth knowing!) and we seem to be being bitten by something other than mosquitos which is a first.  We have therefore commenced battle with the unidentifiable culprits and are determined to emerge victorious.


So there we have it.  We have survived the first week or so of living in the Port. It's been wonderful but also, like any house move, tiring and stressful.  Moving to your favourite place in the world doesn't mean that all the normal stresses and strains of moving will magically not exist......but it does feel like home :-D

The journey so far

Soooo.... the journey.  After a few slightly wobbly, verge of tears moments, we left our old home at about 9.30am yesterday and headed the 38 miles to Portsmouth where it seemed no time at all until we were loaded on board the Brittany Ferry, Cap Finisterre.  As we have dogs we had to take them to the kennel area and one of us stayed with them in the car until the time came to take them, muzzled - the rules :-( - but this was only whilst they were in the public areas en route to the dog area.  Tally was completely horrified and managed to rub it off after about 1 minute so we just kept walking and hoped no-one would notice.  Usefully, when I went to the Information Desk for the briefing for travellers with dogs, I happened to mention that we had wanted a dog-friendly cabin but that none had been available.  Apparently they're like gold dust and people book them up years in advance!  So the Brittany Ferry steward asked if I'd like to be put down for any cancellation; naturally I did so, but more in hope than expectation.  More of this later....  It took two trips from the car to get the dogs + their bedding etc and then our luggage as you aren't allowed to return to the car decks once the ferry has left.

We stood on the doggy deck with some friends who are making their way over to Spain with their caravan to travel round looking for an area they would like to live in and then buy property.  They too have made the 'big decision' but it really was sheer coincidence that they were on the same ferry, a fact which we discovered only about 3 months ago.  Their son had travelled from Littlehampton, where they are from, to Portsmouth and was on the Round Tower to see them off.  They had a flag to make it easier for him to spot them and FaceTimed as we went past.  It was very weird to see us going past on Pat's phone as we stood on deck, via her son's phone over on land!  Obviously it was quite emotional for her and that set me off too.  In any event, I shared his Facebook post of this on my Facebook, so if you are a friend on FB take a look!

We struggled through the next hour or two in the wind on the dog deck and eventually decided we had to trial leaving our two fur babies for a bit, but the small dog kennels really are very long and narrow and we wanted them to be together during the day time which was pretty difficult.  Added to which some of the dogs were barking and howling and it was a bit smelly (not dirty, just dog wee smelly) and we weren't too happy at all about leaving members of our family there.  And then just as we were panicking over leaving them we were paged and by some miracle a dog friendly cabin was available.  We literally ran to get our little dogs and carried them as fast as we could to a wonderful cabin which was also an outside one which meant that Tally could do her favourite thing in the whole world - sitting on the window ledge and watching the world (or sea!) go by.  This made us a lot more relaxed about the whole trip.  The boat was well appointed with entertainments, cinema, various bars and places to eat, swimming pool and so on. 


The first part of the journey was idyllic in lovely sunshine with a wonderful sunset which I captured 

but in the evening the boat started to pitch and roll.  By 8.30pm Ian declared he didn't feel too great and fled the scene (he left nearly an entire pint so I knew he meant it!).  The night was a very long one and the Bay or Biscay lived up to it's reputation.  The boat was all over the place and whilst this didn't affect me or the dogs, Ian has a TOP TIP: bring travel sickness pills/bands etc!!  I showered in the morning wedged against the wall or ran the risk of falling.  Needless to say Ian passed on the planned breakfast.  Feeling slightly guilty I thoroughly enjoyed mine but made the most of it by taking some rolls and pastries for Ian to eat later once on terra firma.

We arrived in Bilbao under very grey skies and some rain with grey, foamy seas which rather contradicted our expectations of arriving to some Spanish sunshine!  If travelling with dogs you have to take them back to the car when called (abut 50 minutes before disembarkation) and then return to the passenger area.  Fortunately Tally and Alfie were fine to be left and we were soon reunited.  Whilst our passports were checked, with regard to the dogs we could have arrived with a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd for all that the dog passports were checked but at least it meant we got away quickly.  The satnav was a godsend and we found our way out of Bilbao very well and used the wonderful toll motorways to Zaragoza (costs about 35 euros) where we had booked at the Ibis Budget which is dog-friendly.  

If you make a similar journey we can recommend stopping off somewhere like Zaragoza to break things up, and the Ibis Budget is on the outskirts of the city with secure underground parking and basic but clean and modern rooms.  There's also a square behind the hotel with some grass to walk/toilet the dogs and parks nearby.  We took them for a walk to a cafe for beer and coffee and then left them in our room to find a great local bar that did wonderful cheap food.  As we were the only non-locals in there we took it as a good sign.  As this isn't a tourist area, locals are far less likely to speak English so it might be worth bearing this in mind if considering a similar trip (my Spanish is reasonable so we had no problems) so TOP TIP: if you don't speak basic Spanish, use a translation app on your phone or bring a phrase book!

We were so exhausted that we slept well apart from Tally and Alfie deciding to bring us some of their biscuits in the night in case we got hungry - bless!  Other than that they were angels and slept well in their beds.  Breakfast is extra but we can recommend it - lots of tea/coffee/juice + pastries, bread, cereal, yoghurts and fruit.  We paid 25 euros for breakfast, dogs and parking.  The room was 24 euros so we thought this was pretty good value :-)  I'm typing this using the hotel's free WiFi before we pack up and head off for Barcelona and the ferry across to Mallorca :-D  Hasta luego!

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Well that's it.  All our things have gone and will get to Mallorca before we do.  

To re-wind slightly.  We have found the last week or so to be exhausting literally and emotionally, tearful, happy, terrifying, exciting, stressful and amazing - take your pick.  We have each gone through all of them and sometimes all in one day!  However much you want to make a move like this and however long it has been a dream, trust us - it ain't easy.  It's weird because you'd think we'd be skipping along as happy and as carefree as can be given that we have both wanted to do this for so long.  But the reality is that it isn't quite as simple as you think it will be.  And despite our determination, motivation and excitement to make this move it has, in the run-up to our final departure, been a lot harder than we thought it would be. You kind of expect to be rushing around frantically busy but excitedly happy, and end up tearful and tired.  Go figure!  We both find ourselves waking up in the wee small hours with over-active brains and getting little sleep from then on.  This means you are tired only for it all to happen again the following night....and the next....and the next...... and.... you get the drift.  So TOP TIP: be prepared for a pretty emotional time and accept that it is normal to grieve for what you are leaving despite the excitement of what you are gaining.

On Saturday we spent the day at a wonderful family wedding which we very much enjoyed and we have had a lovely time seeing family members and friends.  This sort of event makes it all too easy to focus on what you are leaving.  Change can be very scary as we have discovered but staying static is scarier still so sometimes you have to press on despite your insides doing a passable impersonation of a washing machine!

On Sunday we took our two little dogs for our final walk on the lovely South Downs that we have been lucky enough to have on our doorstep.  It was a beautiful day and if I'm honest, I was quite emotional to think that this was our last such walk there.  I took this panoramic photo during our walk and think you will see what I mean :-D

On a practical level about moving - buy lots of boxes.  Anyone who has moved home reasonably often will know, however many boxes you think you will need - add quite a few onto that!  Our belongings seemed to multiply before our eyes, where does it all come from??! :-o  It's hard work and today it all peaked as we helped move our stuff out and into the van/trailer for the journey to Mallorca.  And it will actually get there before we do; we will next see it again in a week's time.  I certainly hope so as my clothes/accessories and much loved iPad are amongst them and Ian is feeling strange without access to his laptop.  It seems it's not just teenagers who find a removal of technology somewhat disconcerting!

This is a picture of our belongings heading off on their journey:

So, at close of play today the die is cast and our possessions are on their way.  Tomorrow I am seeing my granddaughter off on her first day at 'big school'.  And then just two small cabin baggage sized cases to pack and we are good to go on Wednesday on the first leg of our journey - next stop, Portsmouth ferry terminal. 

Recent musings on goodbyes.....

Well, where did that week go?!  Seriously, if you want life to go on fast forward then try the last few days of the run up to a huge and momentous, life-changing event!  Guess it's pretty much like the run-up to a wedding when you suddenly think of all the things you still have to do and realise that time's running out to do them!

I find that as I drive around I am saying a silent goodbye to some places.  I wondered if this was a little overly sentimental so mentioned it to Ian only to find that he has been doing the same thing!  The reality is now starting to sink in.  We have dreamed of doing something like this for so long and were then busy planning to do so.  But now the dream has pretty much finished the planning stage and we're now facing the reality.  And this is scary to be honest - in a good way - but scary!  We've both felt a bit fluttery over the last few days and have had some nights where our overactive brain wakes us up either running through things we still have to do or sort out, or by roaming around all that we are leaving behind.  So on top of everything else we're both rather more tired that usual.  This brings me to.....stress.

The sheer amount of things we have to do, over and above actually packing, is definitely stressful!  These range from notifying all the utilities all of whom have different notice periods, changing our UK mobiles to pay-as-you-go, selling stuff on eBay, making sure everything doggy related is in place, organising rug cleaning, attending the dentist for check-ups, shredding years of old paperwork and keeping only what we actually need, bank appointments, catching up with more friends, trips to the tip..... it just seems never-ending and feels like we need another 24 hours in each day.  So what with this and the relative lack of sleep, we have both had our tetchy moments!   Therefore TOP TIP: be aware that this is a stressful time and cut both yourself and your other half (and anyone else involved) some slack.  Now is not the time to be over-sensitive or precious; all involved need to dig in and pull together.  But trust us, although this is an exciting time, it's also tiring, stressful and emotional.  So at the risk of sounding like some sort of mindfulness coach, be kind - to yourself and each other 😚

Another issue is that of leaving children/grandchildren.  I have four children and one grandchild, Ian has two children and five grandchildren.  My oldest child currently lives in Canada and has lived/worked abroad on and off for some time and hasn't lived remotely nearby for any real length of time since he left for university way back.  But the other three (all girls) and my granddaughter all live in or near Worthing.  Naturally they could all scatter in due course and even if they all remained in the UK could live a long way apart.  This would still leave me with the dilemma of where to live to regularly see any of them.  So I feel that Mallorca is no different; it is further in terms of miles but actually quicker , not to mention possibly cheaper, to travel back to the UK than to drive or catch a train within the UK.  BUT the perpetual mother's guilt (mums will know exactly what I mean!) means that I somehow feel guilty for moving away rather than the other way around.  Whether or not I would feel this way if I was moving to say Wales, I have no idea!  I guess the guilt habit is hard to break.  But not doing this is not an option.  As the title of this blog states - life's too short and you never know when life will throw a curve ball.

Ian keeps his thoughts to himself a bit more, but both his children are older and well established and settled.  His son has already booked flights for himself and his wife to come out for his long birthday weekend in December and his daughter is also talking about coming to see us soon.  Ian's view is that time spent with them and the grandchildren in Mallorca will be real quality time with them staying with us and our opportunity to show them the island.

In the middle of writing this posting I stopped to take our two dogs for a walk and was in a reflective mood on all the undoubtedly wonderful people, places and things we will leave behind and felt really very sentimental.  On coming back I had a cup of tea and ate one of the fortune cookies left over from our Chinese takeaway on Saturday night.  My fortune was ........"You are heading in the right direction".🌅