Hi all,
The flat has been deep cleaned, the suitcases have been packed (hopefully below the weight allowance), we have had our last beer at the Monkey Puzzle, we have said our last goodbyes...
Our trip to Scotland was just what we needed. A four day break visiting the highlands of Scotland and enjoying the vast vistas and beautiful landscape. Beautiful sunny day followed by heavy snowfall... it felt like being home.
In less than 48 hours, we will be in Cameroon and I must admit the butterflies are fluttering and a few tears have been flowing. We are excited about our new adventure but sorry to leave London and the great people we have met here. Please, please all stay in touch.
When we wake tomorrow, we will go for a quick breakfast, then off we are to the airport hotel. Hard to believe we are already there.
Our new life is about to begin... but we will not forget the wonderful times we have had in London.
Saturday 27 February 2010
Sunday 21 February 2010
One week to go...
Time has been crawling and racing at the same time. And all of a sudden, we only have one week left before we leave for Bamenda, Cameroon. And we are excited!
The apartment/flat is almost empty. The suitcases are packed and down to the allocated weight. A shipment has left for Canada. The cleaners come on Friday. Not much left to do.
We had a great week. Thursday was our farewell party at the Monkey Puzzle (where else would we have it?) and it was wonderful to have so many great friends show up and spend time with us. Now if I could only get Dave to upload the photos from his new camera, you would see what I mean.
Last night, we had another great farewell party, hosted by Pat Grey, a former colleague and friend from my days at fpa. Many of the fpa gang was there and that was a real treat. How come one has to be on the verge of leaving before re-connecting with special friends? We do so get caught up in our own little lives...
Tomorrow we leave for Edinburgh and 4 days in the Scottish highlands. Crossing our fingers that the tour we booked will go ahead despite the fact that is not the height of the tourist season. If not, we will figure out some way to travel around and enjoy this one part of the UK we have not seen so far. This will be our break before starting a completely new life.
By the way, we still don't have an address in Bamenda but I will make sure that I send it to everyone as soon as I do.
With all this activity, it still hits that we are leaving a place where we have been very happy. We have met some very special people here. We pray that distance will not make us lose touch, but as if often the case, will give encourage us to keep in touch.
We will miss everyone here.
The apartment/flat is almost empty. The suitcases are packed and down to the allocated weight. A shipment has left for Canada. The cleaners come on Friday. Not much left to do.
We had a great week. Thursday was our farewell party at the Monkey Puzzle (where else would we have it?) and it was wonderful to have so many great friends show up and spend time with us. Now if I could only get Dave to upload the photos from his new camera, you would see what I mean.
Last night, we had another great farewell party, hosted by Pat Grey, a former colleague and friend from my days at fpa. Many of the fpa gang was there and that was a real treat. How come one has to be on the verge of leaving before re-connecting with special friends? We do so get caught up in our own little lives...
Tomorrow we leave for Edinburgh and 4 days in the Scottish highlands. Crossing our fingers that the tour we booked will go ahead despite the fact that is not the height of the tourist season. If not, we will figure out some way to travel around and enjoy this one part of the UK we have not seen so far. This will be our break before starting a completely new life.
By the way, we still don't have an address in Bamenda but I will make sure that I send it to everyone as soon as I do.
With all this activity, it still hits that we are leaving a place where we have been very happy. We have met some very special people here. We pray that distance will not make us lose touch, but as if often the case, will give encourage us to keep in touch.
We will miss everyone here.
Sunday 7 February 2010
3 weeks today....
Hi all,
Well we are down to the wire, we think.
The last rabbies shots are done; all the medicals have been passed; (950 GBPs of medicals and shots!) our visas are on the way (we think) and we are almost packed -- ARGGGGH!
This is really tough - how does one get their whole lives down to 50lbs? It is impossible, especially when you have to deal with everything you own. The pile going back to Canada increases by the day and so is the charity box. Everytime you think you are done, you think of something else that has not been packed. And then you give the suitcase a final weighing and damn! it is over. I think it magically gains weight when we are not watching!
There is some good stuff on the horizon however. Today we booked a trip to Scotland - our last hoorah before we leave the UK. We are off to Edinburgh on the 22nd and hope that the tour to Inverness and Loch Ness goes ahead. If not, we can always revert to the excellent UK train system. We come back on the Thursday (25th), for final preparations.
Dave and I have both been in touch with our partner organizations in Bamenda. It seems they are eager for us to arrive. Not as eager as we are to get there I am sure. On the 28th, we will take a hotel near the airport as our March 1 flight leaves really early. Not to mention that we have to be out of the flat on that day.
We spend one week in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, for training. Then, we are told, there is another week of training in Bamenda before we actually start.
Well we are down to the wire, we think.
The last rabbies shots are done; all the medicals have been passed; (950 GBPs of medicals and shots!) our visas are on the way (we think) and we are almost packed -- ARGGGGH!
This is really tough - how does one get their whole lives down to 50lbs? It is impossible, especially when you have to deal with everything you own. The pile going back to Canada increases by the day and so is the charity box. Everytime you think you are done, you think of something else that has not been packed. And then you give the suitcase a final weighing and damn! it is over. I think it magically gains weight when we are not watching!
There is some good stuff on the horizon however. Today we booked a trip to Scotland - our last hoorah before we leave the UK. We are off to Edinburgh on the 22nd and hope that the tour to Inverness and Loch Ness goes ahead. If not, we can always revert to the excellent UK train system. We come back on the Thursday (25th), for final preparations.
Dave and I have both been in touch with our partner organizations in Bamenda. It seems they are eager for us to arrive. Not as eager as we are to get there I am sure. On the 28th, we will take a hotel near the airport as our March 1 flight leaves really early. Not to mention that we have to be out of the flat on that day.
We spend one week in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, for training. Then, we are told, there is another week of training in Bamenda before we actually start.
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