Positive Packing

Surprisingly I managed to get out and meet up with friends for dinner this week. With the number of social and work cancellations ongoing, it was a nice change to actually sit down with someone other than Callum. Equally remarkable was the number of people in the bar and restaurant going about their greetings in much the same way as they had always done. No elbow bumping here. Of course, the table conversation started with Corona chat but thankfully turned to more interesting reminiscences. I have to admit though, I wasn’t that immune to the media verbals and drove rather than take the Tube. My excuse was being able to hand over a load of dog crates to Mark, one more declutter done.

Speaking of decluttering, we’ve made great in roads in packing. I have to admit I was extremely relieved when I saw the last lot of books taped away and who knew we had so many CD’s? The annexe looks like a warehouse right now. I have tried to be brutal about what gets boxed and what gets chucked but it isn’t easy when you find an old album in cassette form that you remember dancing to with your hubby. Thankfully we still have an audio system which includes a cassette player as well as a record player which will be wrapped safely along with its music. The removal company might need to bring their super-sized lorry for this lot. At least I’m less attached to most of the furniture, the daily ‘pick up’ anything that’s left outside the front gate seems to be working well.

The box thing has had a weird effect on the dogs. Simi is definitely uncomfortable about the whole thing but that might just be because I’m constantly disturbing her sleep time. The smallies tend to hide, perhaps in case I accidentally pack them but Arry sees the whole thing as a chance to stick his nose in. I have managed so far to stop him from ripping up cardboard. Note on dogs; they are wonderful company when the world self-isolates but the conversation is a bit one way.

With all the daily dour news, I have had lots of conversations with friends concerned that I might not make it out. To be honest, I’m not worried. Yet. As far as I’m aware, the solicitors are carrying on as normal and apart from needing a few bits from me, no-one has raised the issue. So I’m going to just keep filling boxes and stay positive. After all, I am leaving the UK on a one way ticket. I might pack a few loo rolls in case I have to bribe border control though…..

“when a man’s best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem” (Edward Abbey. Author)