Well, that all went in a blur...
One day we were saying goodbye's - so many sad goodbye's, and the next we were on the plane...
There was a bit in the middle, of course. The bit where we turned Tom's room over to be the 'packing' room and loaded up the suitcases bit by bit... taking a bit from here and putting it in there - I never knew a man's shoes could weigh so much, still, it gave me the excuse to load another batch of 'essentials' without guilt, to compensate you understand... Also the bit that involved 'making good' our home for tenants; the painting, the glossing, the washing, scrubbing, cleaning. The fixing of roof's, the sorting of woodsheds and enormous garages, the sticking of wallpaper and removal of hooks, the endless trips to the dump, the endless evenings packing, by crikey riley that was a busy few weeks...
So, fighting with scales and heavy suitcases - and the inevitable last minute panic - we can't do it - we'll have to pay for yet MORE suitcases..., finally, in a blur of cleaning fluid & testosterone pumped muscles (even mine) we found ourselves loading the [slightly knackered] old taxi that arrived to take us to the airport. Loading that took almost half an hour (all the while engine running...so to the glorious scent of diesel...yeuuchhhh). And we were off.
Nothing, from the moment we left to the moment we arrived went wrong. Not a sausage. The journey was smooth, the porters were happy to be paid to take us to the check-in (it looked like something out of a 60's film with porters ushering the 'rich' people onto the ships, scurrying on behind with their 8 foot high trolleys, loaded to the brim with 'trunks'...).
So, check-in & flight marvellous (in fact flight less than half full so huge space everywhere) what a pleasure, Tom had a row to himself and took full advantage of the attention bestowed upon him by his adoring Canadian hosties (sorry, 'Cabin Crew'..). Immigration (albeit a bit daunting) in Calgary all straightforward - straightforward in a kind of 'don't mess with the bullet-proof jacket' kind of way - and then, all of sudden we're in! Fully fledged Canadian Permanent Residents, Landed Permanent Residents - stay as long as you like, Welcome to Canada...hurrah!!
We arrived in flurry of suitcases. Flurry. That doesn't seem a big enough adjective. The suitcases were not at all flurry-like, or flurrious, they were heavy, and cumbersome and clumsy - and there were eleven of the damn things. Full of everything from kitchen implements to photos, from Wii Fit to running gear and salt cellars, plectrum to Crayola... anything you can imagine and a million things you can't. Oh and instead of the kitchen sink we also brought our two computers. Bubble-wrapped mouses (not mice) and all. That was a big 'ole cargo and it drew a few stares....
So that was the leaving. It turned from loooooooonng drawn out sad, solemn 'what are we doing's to Hurrah! We made it! and I don't mind admitting that the moment we touched down in Kelowna, even after eleven hours travelling... the moment I saw the red LED sign saying 'Welcome to the Sunny Okanagan' I knew we were home again, because I know whether or not the sun is really shining here (and it was) everyone is so nice, so friendly, so welcoming, the sun always shines in Kelowna and you can't help but feel at home. Our home.
Check back soon for our latest post - settling in :) Our new house and our first few days of our adventure, it's been fun :)
(As soon as I find the lead to upload photos I'll add some on... could be anywhere... )
Feel free to leave comments below, we love to hear what you think of our bloggettes ♥
One day we were saying goodbye's - so many sad goodbye's, and the next we were on the plane...
There was a bit in the middle, of course. The bit where we turned Tom's room over to be the 'packing' room and loaded up the suitcases bit by bit... taking a bit from here and putting it in there - I never knew a man's shoes could weigh so much, still, it gave me the excuse to load another batch of 'essentials' without guilt, to compensate you understand... Also the bit that involved 'making good' our home for tenants; the painting, the glossing, the washing, scrubbing, cleaning. The fixing of roof's, the sorting of woodsheds and enormous garages, the sticking of wallpaper and removal of hooks, the endless trips to the dump, the endless evenings packing, by crikey riley that was a busy few weeks...
So, fighting with scales and heavy suitcases - and the inevitable last minute panic - we can't do it - we'll have to pay for yet MORE suitcases..., finally, in a blur of cleaning fluid & testosterone pumped muscles (even mine) we found ourselves loading the [slightly knackered] old taxi that arrived to take us to the airport. Loading that took almost half an hour (all the while engine running...so to the glorious scent of diesel...yeuuchhhh). And we were off.
Nothing, from the moment we left to the moment we arrived went wrong. Not a sausage. The journey was smooth, the porters were happy to be paid to take us to the check-in (it looked like something out of a 60's film with porters ushering the 'rich' people onto the ships, scurrying on behind with their 8 foot high trolleys, loaded to the brim with 'trunks'...).
So, check-in & flight marvellous (in fact flight less than half full so huge space everywhere) what a pleasure, Tom had a row to himself and took full advantage of the attention bestowed upon him by his adoring Canadian hosties (sorry, 'Cabin Crew'..). Immigration (albeit a bit daunting) in Calgary all straightforward - straightforward in a kind of 'don't mess with the bullet-proof jacket' kind of way - and then, all of sudden we're in! Fully fledged Canadian Permanent Residents, Landed Permanent Residents - stay as long as you like, Welcome to Canada...hurrah!!
We arrived in flurry of suitcases. Flurry. That doesn't seem a big enough adjective. The suitcases were not at all flurry-like, or flurrious, they were heavy, and cumbersome and clumsy - and there were eleven of the damn things. Full of everything from kitchen implements to photos, from Wii Fit to running gear and salt cellars, plectrum to Crayola... anything you can imagine and a million things you can't. Oh and instead of the kitchen sink we also brought our two computers. Bubble-wrapped mouses (not mice) and all. That was a big 'ole cargo and it drew a few stares....
So that was the leaving. It turned from loooooooonng drawn out sad, solemn 'what are we doing's to Hurrah! We made it! and I don't mind admitting that the moment we touched down in Kelowna, even after eleven hours travelling... the moment I saw the red LED sign saying 'Welcome to the Sunny Okanagan' I knew we were home again, because I know whether or not the sun is really shining here (and it was) everyone is so nice, so friendly, so welcoming, the sun always shines in Kelowna and you can't help but feel at home. Our home.
Check back soon for our latest post - settling in :) Our new house and our first few days of our adventure, it's been fun :)
(As soon as I find the lead to upload photos I'll add some on... could be anywhere... )
Feel free to leave comments below, we love to hear what you think of our bloggettes ♥
I had goose bumps reading that T.... It all sounds too good to be true and I'm just loving your blog! I feel like I'm right there with the gorgeous Galloways, living the dream! :o)
ReplyDeleteTake your time un-packing, you're home now, and you can do it bit by bit as and when you need to find the next wanted item! I bet all that lead up stress of packing feels oh so worth it now hey?!
Missing you terribly already, but so so so so happy for you! I've already been checking out the flight prices to come visit you next year, I'm thinking of having my Birthday with you guys would be kinda cool! Watch this space!
Love you all to the moon & back... keep us posted on the blog and when you're skype thingy is up and running let me know.
One Love... The O'G's (a.k.a. Sass & Mr 'C'). xxx