One week to go

There is now almost exactly (to the hour) one week before we leave the UK for China. The country seem to be taken over by riots and economic chaos, so maybe now is the right time to leave.

Since my last post we have had a nice few weeks planning, packing and saying goodbye to the people we care about. John broke up from school a few weeks ago and it has been great to spend some time together. I think we are both really itching to get there though and find out all about it.

Goodbyes

There are now 35 days before we leave and we have started the process of saying goodbye to people.

We had a barbecue on Saturday to say goodbye to our friends. Our little house and garden were packed, but luckily it didn’t rain (unusual for Macclesfield). I don’t know what we would have done if the weather was bad. It was a lovely day and I felt really touched that so many people came to say goodbye to us.

 

On Monday Mum and I travelled down to Brighton to stay with my sister. On Tuesday we went on to Waterlooville to meet my Nan, Cousin, Aunts and Uncle for lunch. My Uncle and Aunt have just finished teaching in Singapore and will shortly be moving to the UAE to teach. It was interesting to hear their perspective and get some advice (I will make sure I put my flight socks on before getting on the plane!)

I finished work two weeks ago. My colleagues were all lovely and made a fuss of me , but I still don’t think it has sunk in that I have really left. I feel more like I am on my holidays. I don’t have any work lined up in Wuxi, so who knows what I will end up doing when we get there. It is all very exciting though.

Alan says we must go and so we go.

 

Our house in the middle of our street

Our house has been posted on the estate agent website!

Birthday

Today is my birthday and exactly 2 months and 7 days before we move to China. So, J and I decided to spend the day doing some of our favourite English things.

We woke up nice and early this morning and drove to Castleton in the Peak District. From the centre of the village we did a lovely 6.5 mile walk up to Mam Tor and along the ridge. The sun (mostly) shone, the birds sang and the sheep ignored us. After our walk we stopped at the Nags Head in the village for sausage and mash and a pint of real ale. Bliss.

I am really going to miss England. On the other hand, I am so excited to be going to China so I can find out what my favourite things to do in Wuxi are.