Retrospective 1

Moving day. Sandra was well-prepared - no one was going to take the parking spaces required by the removals wagon!

A cheerful smiley team loaded my worldly goods onto the wagon. What is it about this process that makes all one's furniture look like it should be going straight to the tip?

The two boys went quietly - Lottie was their calming influence in the surprisingly roomy crate. Millie was outraged by being confined with the boys, and had to travel in a separate carrier.

Goodbye, Bacteria Gardens. I had lived there for 29 years and 1 month.

Sandra and Lynn finished the packing, finding all sorts of things I had forgotten, and making sure the house was left clean and tidy. What lovely friends.

It was a long, long journey down the M6, with several comfort stops for the dogs. No one complained; I was so impressed by their calm and acceptance.

The Lovely Son drove for most of the way, as I was too tired to drive safely for long; the weeks of anxiety and hurried packing were taking their toll.

A bean bag on my knees was just right for a small dog, who forgot that she was usually car-sick, and slept soundly between stops.

Flossie was patient in her harness on the back seat.

At last, eight and a half hours after setting off, we arrived. Food and beds were organised for the animals, the cats remaining in the 'utility' - in reality a ramshackle lean-to at the side of the house that will be next year's exciting project -  for the night. Our beds were made up (thankfully, I had bought the new beds that had belonged to the cottage) and we fell into them.

Tomorrow the wagon would arrive, and the unloading would begin.