Taking a new direction - a new blog

The new blog I started has been hanging around cyber space for a couple of months now. Waiting for some attention - pleading for some posts to be made so that it doesn't look so totally apathetic and without soul. Maybe it's time to make the move. I've changed the theme a few hundred times to make it look a little 'fuller' but it's not the theme that needs changing - it's the postings.

Life in the UK is winding down, everything is now about closing our lives here and wrapping it up. Every thought is about the differences between Norway and the UK and how it's going to affect our new life. Everything is about the return to Norway.

So here goes. If you don't find your blog on the blog role don't get offended - I just haven't got to that part yet. I'm taking everybody with me. Click on picture....

Why Norway?

It seems that our latest news has unleashed a flurry of questions (as much for hubby's email box as it has for mine). So let me put it all into perspective (quickly get that cuppa and put your feet up).

Before we came to the United Kingdom we did consider moving to Norway. However, there were a few complicating issues. At the time we had my (teenage) stepson living with us and he wanted to come with us. As some of you know Norway does not make it easy for non Norwegian children from previous marriages to enter Norway.

The whole process would have proved so lengthy and time consuming that it wasn't actually an option at the time. The United Kingdom was the best viable option for the business and for us as a family unit.

My stepson is now back in South Africa about to become SA's answer to Jamie Oliver and enjoying his independence in the sun. Our circumstances have now changed.

Quite a few people have asked "what's wrong with the UK?". There's nothing wrong with the UK but I feel :"why would I want to live in the UK when I can live in Norway?". Raise my children on a good wholesome diet of boiled potatoes and lutefisk - is there a question!

Besides the allure of 60Mb internet connection (that's how I managed to sell the idea to hubby, with much assistance of my trusted friend Monica who flew over from Norway to complete the salesjob)- we feel that Norway has more to offer our children in terms of future opportunities. Besides can you imagine their delight when we visit the real Santa in Drøbak (at least he won't swap Rudolph the rednose reindeer for Omar the camel just because of a small case of blue tongue!).

I want to return to Norway and we want to raise our children in Norway - it's as simple as that really.

In the greater scheme of things Oslo is only a 2 hour flight from London. It's like moving from Durban to Cape Town really. Cape Town and Norway have a few things in common - mountains and fresh fish!

Undoubtedly there will be some very interesting and challenging moments for hubby but I have no doubt that he will rise to the occasion (he is very reliable when it comes to that kinda stuff). In terms of business we believe that there is a whole new world out there to discover and learn from (I sense many a funny Petesweekly coming up).

So the place is Fredrikstad (my hometown - close to family and friends - if I have any friends left....)
The date is 13th July
The idea has been mulling about for some time but the final decision was made not so very long ago.

On the move again 2

Wow, what a hectic few weeks! Currently sitting on a pile of flatpacked boxes with my laptop trying to find some semblance of equanimity. The boys are using the flatpacked boxes as diving boards to dive on the sofa and our little English rose is delighting in distributing the roles of bubble wrap all over the lounge. She calls it "pop pop".

The big move will be happening on the 13th July. Hubby is very busy with work and doesn't have time to get involved so I am left to make all the decisions by myself. That's ok - I can do that. Removal company is booked and notices have been given. Essentials done!

Big farewell party for boys friends will be held at Snowtrax - boys are very excited.

Will post link for new blog shortly. Oh right - did I mention that we are moving to Norway.......

Going bananas

So have you ever done online shopping and thought that you ordered 6 bananas only to have 6 bunches of bananas delivered at your door?

No? Well I did. Anybody got banana recipes? Besides banana shake, banana milkshake, banana bread, banana cake, banana split, banana porridge......

Ok, I'm going to bed now.

Summer fun in the Fords

We have had some fabulous weather here lately and I finally have a tan to be proud of! The kids and I have been playing in the rivers and fords in the New Forest until late in the afternoon. But alas it had to end. Our little English rose has been sick for the last week now with a very high temp so we are house bound. The weather has changed to reflect her mood.

Paypal reimbursed me the money for the broken keyboard I purchased from ebay so no complaints there. I forgot to book a venue for youngest son's birthday party but he has gracefully allowed me to arrange his party in July. He reckons that the weather will be better by then anyway. How understanding is the little chap!

Exhaustion!

Last night I passed out at 9pm. Hubby tried to wake me with the promise of a back massage but apparently I threatened to rip his balls off if he didn't leave me alone. Of course I have no recollection of this whatsoever.

The cause of such total and complete exhaustion is my new friend Bissell. What a marvelous job we did cleaning the carpets! Those of you who have little boys practicing their aiming skills in the bathroom will appreciate how distressing it is when the bathrooms are carpeted. My greatest complaint about the English - their obsession with carpeting the bathrooms!

I had my first bad purchase on ebay. We bought 2 used yamaha keyboards for the boys. One works brilliantly but the other one arrived with 21 broken keys (no sound escapes them). The seller is refusing to refund the whole amount so I have registered a claim with paypal. Very disappointing as we now have one son with a keyboard whilst the other has to sit and wait for some unscrupulous seller to refund us so that we can buy another one.

Bissell and I are now off to clean all the loose carpets and mattresses. Not that I'm one of these wives who gets excited about 'house gadgets' (God help my husband if he ever buys me a kitchen appliance for Christmas or my birthday) but this machine is just amazing! One of my all time favourites.

Reply from British Home Office

We received a response from Home Office today. They informed us that they could not expedite my husband's passport as this would not be fair to all the other EEA2 applicants. So we were basically told in a ever so English way to get lost. Distressing!

Hubby is currently venting his frustration in a letter to the Home Office, copied to our local MP and our well known Home secretary (the one who's husband was caught watching porn movies on the taxpayers expense - wasn't that a laugh and a half!).

I don't have the heart to point out to my darling hubby that nobody actually cares about his passport issues. The MP's and Cabinet Ministers are so busy running for cover that they are dropping balls all over the place. Besides hubby already knows - he just needs to get rid of some steam.

Now for some decisions........