No regrets

We've successfully moved out of the 3400sf house and huge garden, both of which we enjoyed very much for almost 10 years. So much so that everyone who was in the pool on when we would next move lost their chance at a big money win (50 cents?). We used to move every 5 or 6 years but we did love this house so we stayed and stayed: this was our longest sojourn by far.
But that's over and we are feeling good about it.

the packers arrived two days before we moved

and the piles got bigger

clean as a whistle

this house is 85 feet long!

A couple of observations:

• Don't wait too long to downsize 'cuz it's hard work.
• Don't be too attached to your possessions because they won't mean anything to anyone else (we knew this).
• Don't ever expect to get any money for things that are supposed to be valuable - they aren't (we knew this too).
• You can get rid of almost anything on your local version of Used Victoria or Craigslist and if it's free people will fight over your junk.
• Hire people to do your packing
• Hire people to do your your cleaning and your final gardening. Apparently, here at least, it isn't that common anymore for houses to be left clean. Ugh. Our buyers gave us a good chunk of change for our house so why wouldn't we present it to them clean? Sure, it cost almost $800 to get the work done but it should be just one of the costs of moving and it meant I was free to get on with all the other minutiae. Note to gardeners: I paid $400 for 3 days of weeding and trimming and it was money very well spent. Apparently our buyers arrived to take possession, with their cleaning supplies, expecting to have to go to work. They were "blown away" by the condition of the house and that is as it should be in my world.
• Don't get stuck thinking that your house and possessions define who you are or hold your memories. You are going to die anyway and your kids/heirs will thank you for getting rid of your 'stuff'. They are too busy living their own lives to clean up after yours.

Now we are staying with my cousin Barbara whilst busying ourselves getting the townhouse ready. The days are long and physical but we are getting there. Our furniture and boxes are in storage until Wednesday by which time we hope to have settled the dust enough to get things into the right rooms. No, we won't be sleeping there on Wednesday night!

Barbara passed on a delightful quote from Joan Collins: "I never miss anything that doesn't miss me back". 

walking off into the sunset