[thezorbster]

Hard to believe we're at this stage now. 4 weeks today the container will be here with loading in process. I feel so calm although there's still a lot to do. The goodbyes have started which is the sad part. Said goodbye to nephew & niece at the weekend who will be away on hols when we go. Didn't think they cared (cool teenagers so don't express emotions much) but were both upset which obviously upset me. We have a 'picnic in the park' this weekend to say goodbye to close friends so I know that will be hard but I just want it all over with now. Even littl'un woke up yesterday and said 'Mummy, can't we go to New Zealand today, I don't want to wait any longer' - nice to know she's keen although the promise of a trampoline and possibly riding lessons are probably making her more eager!

I'm sure my calm phase will be replaced with something more manic soon but at the moment all is well and soon we'll be ........:exit

[vixxann]

so glad to hear all the plans are going accordingly at the moment - and that you are coping well with things :nice1 I'm sure my head will be in pieces when our time comes and I have to think about the planning and organising of everything (I'm a big ones for lists - don't know if thats good or bad :o )

Enjoy your picnic (take a brolly or two:p ) and see you the following week at camp??!! :D

[Sam B]

Good luck, the goodbyes are daunting, and the most unexpected people will cry. It's so weird saying goodbye to people FOREVER, I ended up trying to avoid people or pretending I'd see them again before we left!

[speckythecky]

I know what you mean about being calm.

For a couple of weeks now I have been concerned that I am not in more of a panic (except for house cleaning). I suppose I have realised that I can't do anything else at the moment.

OH is applying for jobs like a mad thing as we would like to have work visas sorted before we go but people keep asking me about leaving do's and I just can't get enthuiastic about them.
I just want to go without any fuss.

[bartons]

Speckythecky - this "I just want to go without any fuss" sounds familiar. A big goodbye-party seems to make it much more final, and we might not be up to one.
And I've done the same thing as you, Sam, pretending to see people again before leaving when knowing full well it's the last time I'll ever see them. And with some people I'm relieved to know I never have to see them again!

[thezorbster]

Part of us wanted to just disappear without saying goodbye, but the other part thought, these are our friends and we're not going to see them again for a long time and we also ran out of time to see everyone individually.. We couldn't face an evening do - not our thing at all, we hate parties with a vengeance, but decided on the picnic as we thought we could all muck about and play hide-and-seek, footy etc and if we're occupied we won't be as sad (well, that's the theory!). Considering how the weather has been it will probably turn into a Glastonbury type mudfest but hopefully it will be fun.

Sam - why did you have to write FOREVER in caps? Now seeing that did make me sad!:wah

[Lupin]

Good luck. My final few weeks were simply awful because it was over christmas and we all got flu and the packers came between Xmas and new year.

I'll be thinking of you and hoping your last few weeks go quickly and uneventfully for you and yours :)

[speckythecky]

Considering how the weather has been it will probably turn into a Glastonbury type mudfest but hopefully it will be fun.

Thats sounds like even more fun.

The picnic idea sounds great and I may have to steal it from you when our turn comes because, like you I can't stand parties so the idea of an evening horrifies me, although my brothers and sister have suggested an indian which is OK for me but not for my parents.

[Sam B]

Zorbster - I did it in caps because I can't get the italics to work on this forum!

I hired a big old farmhouse in Devon for a long w/e and invited all my favourite friends. We all took it in turns to cook, and it was great. Because they all know me, there was no fuss, they knew I'd hate it. It was more the random people who I don't know so well, like my children's friends' mothers who I found it really weird, cause I knew I'd never see them again, and I wasn't that bothered, but one of them started crying, and I hated it...

[pinkpiggy]

Hey Sandra - not long now. I felt extremely calm all the way through the final move (despite not being able to sleep at times) it was almost as if it was surreal and not really happening. Does that make sense? We had an afternoon leaving party (in Scotland) as the majority of people had small children. It was hard saying goodbye but then we just said 'see you later'. After all, you may not see them for a long time but there is still email and the phone.

We just went out for meals with family and friends in England (mainly because they don't all get on) but this was a much nicer way of saying bye. I think everyone of us copies in different ways.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

I had loads of people badgering me for a 'formal' leaving do from work, a proper organised night out, bowling go-karting, meal, etc.

Now I don't mind that sort of a thing, it's usually fun once a few beers have been sunk, although they can be a big slow and awkward to get going, but there was not a chance I was going to organise it !

Like I said to everyone, great idea, once you have it planned let me know and I'll be there, becuase I have a shed load of things to do and organise and I'm afraid that aint anywhere near the top of my list.

Of course no-one did so whoeveer was about on my last day just joined me in the pub. We had a brilliant night although I thought I might have to leave at 7:00pm as in two hours I'd consumer more alcohol than I dare think about, but I survived until well past midnight in the end. I still have no idea how I managed it though (or lived through it for that matter).

Anyway, the point is, why burden yourself with yet more additional organising and planning. Those that matter know you're going and will make the effort to see you when it's convenient for you. Otherwise they don't really matter that much do they.

Oh, and when partying Gin and Guinness mix well, I found, but do odd things to your senses. Enjoy.

[The Hodges]

Good Luck over the next few weeks. We found it easier saying 'see you soon' instead of 'goodbye' it seemed to make it easier some how.:yes

We had a few leaving parties, which made it harder and you will always get somebody who keeps saying 'do you feel sad yet'. :mad:

Enjoy and remember you will see people again.

Clare

[StevieD]

Sandra, good luck, take it in your stride. We are sure you will soon be enjoying your trip on the plane with it all behind you wondering what all the worry was about.

Good luck

Steve

[leejenns]

good luck, we fly out 3 weeks on tuesday and know exactly how you feel

:rolleyes:

[thezorbster]

Well the UK had its day of summer this weekend and it was on Saturday. The sun actually shined for our picnic:D We had a really lovely time with old friends and I didn't even cry too much! It was just a really, really happy day of catching up with folks who mean something to us and I am so glad we did it. Everyone we really wanted to be there was, our true friends who will always be friends wherever we are in the world.

[pinkpiggy]

I'm glad everything went well and that the sun shone for you.