We stayed in bed dozing until just after 9am, this morning. The mornings are getting lighter, but somehow our eyes dont want to open with that same light. We are a bit pooped, methinx.
I wonder if one of the reasons could be that we were up late last night booking airline and car rental tickets? Shouldn't do that, as I made a mistake and had to ask for help from the vendor, which they very kindly fixed for me overnight. phew!
We have a return ticket to Florida already, so these plans were about when to leave Florida to either return to our new home in France, OR, come home to France via NZ. I know that's a large VIA, but timing is everything, as is the careful use of our retirement dollars.
We had anticipated being in NZ for my mother's 90th birthday and youngest son's 27th, end of September and cleaning out our NZ storage unit then, but that is the most expensive route for us. Also, with a parent turning 90, and Waz's dad turning 96 in April, we think sooner is better for these folks:)
With all this in mind, and ease of management, and having to return half way around the world to Florida, we figgered we may as well keep going westward and south to our other 'home', NZ. From there it is an easy two flight hop back to France via San Francisco. Done! We booked our tickets last night, and found ourselves a rental car in NZ for 10% off, which gives us one day free, basically. We will take any freebees, thank you!
I had researched those Round-the-world airfares, thinking that might be the way to do this, but in fact even with travel insurance costing around U$300 for the two of us, we are saving about US$1k by doing it my way. I hear a song coming on? lol
I had postponed making new silver reflective screens for the boat, before leaving Florida, beginning of January, because we would be back there before the sun got too hot and heated the inside of the boat. That is now my primary task when we get 'home' to the boat, beginning of April. That and waxing...endless waxing her hull. I like this task. I'm outside in the fresh (well, its relative...this is a city!) being physical and the results are fabulous. How much better can it be?...oh! and you are on the water:) Will we miss being on the water? You betcha! However, to live overlooking water is a more expensive option than overlooking vines that change color with the seasons, anywhere. While our bucket list included purchasing property from which you could see water...we aren't fussy...lake, Etang, river, canal, ocean...there are compromises always. Finding the RIGHT house for us, in this instance meant it wasn't overlooking water. I guess we can get out that above-ground swimming pool that is folded up, in the basement, and fill her up? We may just do that this coming summer, if the temperatures go beyond about 35C. The previous owner poured a concrete slab in the garden to place the pool on, which is good for us.
Picture us in our pool, overlooking grape vines in full leaf and fruit, wine glass in hand.....nice idea!
So, getting back to the plans: Last night we booked the JAX to NZ to France portion. This will happen in May. We havent given ourselves much time in either Jax or NZ, unfortunately. Just long enough to attend to details of our lives that need tidying, as we move our lives to France, and shipping the 'stuff', of course. Spending time with our elders is also a priority, and our siblings, cousins and children (not necessarily in that order) and friends too. The top priority will be emptying the storage locker, which is the equivalent of a 20ft shipping container, repacking and labelling ALL boxes, re-wrapping (after 5 yrs in storage) certain items, donating some to charity (we wont have time to sell them on the internet or in person) and satisfying the shipping company with all documentation for importing into France.
Electrical goods: Yes...hmm.....Our American electrical goods (110 volt) will have to have a transformer to operate them in France. I remember, when I first moved back to NZ from Hawaii, plugging in my son's ice-cream maker (yes, to make ice-cream, lol) and it went POOF!..well, BANG first!...Duh! He got a new appliance...which reminds me...I need to give that back to him!....And the NZ appliances (230Volt) will only need new plugs, as the French system uses the same.
How like the USA to be different to the rest of the world. They dont do Metric either. Bah!
Fortunately we have the bulk of our appliances in NZ, but my US sewing machine, which has a transformer for NZ, will again have to come with it's kiwi transformer, for me to use it. I foresee draperies on my sewing list. The ones in the French house are in need of replacing...not to our taste! Having new double pane windows might mean we can do away with some of the draperies? Great dust collectors, they are!
I think I have said before, that my greatest concern is that our very expensive black leather sofas are now green. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they aren't....they were loosely draped with cotton blankets for air circulation....but not sure how much air circulates in a stuffed full storage unit?
Well, it is going on 11am. This seems to be the 'Magic' hour for us, when we gather ourselves, after the normal morning routine, and head out the door. Today is Sunday, so nothing will be open (except Sunday lunch at restaurants), and we dont want to do that...Oh! I know...the English pub in Verteillac will be open...7 days a week!!...I see a Grand Crème in our future! I had thought to go to Aubeterre...we did attempt to get there one other time, and ended up in Barbezieux, lol. Such are our meanderings:)
Following that incident, we hear mention of Aubeterre at every turn. Surely it is time to go there? Check back for photos later on. We may just get there today. It is raining again, but what the heck. At least it is light and bright along with the drizzle.
Ciao for now, mes amies. A bientot.
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