Monday 28 March 2011

Life on Paper

Running away from home when you're five years old is relatively easy. I think I packed my teddy, a pair of undies and an apple, and left a note saying, "I HAT you and my SISTA". So the paperwork back then was quite straightforward.
Running away in middle age is slightly more complex, and the paperwork is the most complicated part. The following is a very conservative list of the pieces of paper we've had to deal with in the last few weeks alone:
- US Visas: a slightly unnerving process which requires an interview under top security conditions at the US Consulate, and the provision of passports, licences, financial statements and property holdings.
- Suspending Medicare and private Health Insurance and taking out overseas cover.
- Transfering ownership of three cars, including sale of one.
- Sale of share portfolio including shares acquired over the last 20 years.
- 2010 tax
- Shipping of six boxes of goods to US and insurance cover for same.
- Rental arrangements for house
- Change of house contents insurance to landlord's cover
- International driver's licences
- Advise police of absence re driver and gun licences
- Firearms transfer forms
- Change of banking arrangements to an international bank (again, interviews and ID)
- Closure of utilities, including internet and payment of final accounts
- Mail redirection and changes of address
- Tickets, travel insurance, RV rental in US

I'm sure that's not all, and it isn't quite over yet, but we have ticked off most of the above list.
Now where did I leave that teddy?

Wednesday 16 March 2011

In the Doldrums

'The Doldrums' was the name given by mariners to the Intertropical Convergence Zone, where the weather systems of the northern and southern hemispheres meet. In these tropical latitudes you could (and can) expect to encounter erratic weather - violent storms punctuated by weeks of stagnant calm. So, after weeks of violent upheaval, here we are in the Doldrums, waiting, waiting ...
The car should sell at auction within the next few days; all the final intricacies of tax, banking etc should be settled; the kids should be self-sufficient (!); and all family farewells said by Wednesday next week, after which Terry might just be confident to buy some tickets!

Thursday 10 March 2011

Homeless

Today we moved the last few things out our home and tomorrow the tenants move in. Everything we now own would easily fit into a very small room.
Thanks everyone who has helped us out over the last few weeks by buying stuff, taking it away or making good use of it in some way; feeding us as the appliances and gadgets gradually disappeared; offering a place to stay, some words of encouragement or a helpful solution to a problem. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful bunch of friends - PLEASE make sure you stay connected.
We'll be in Perth for about a week, then off to LA via Singapore.