Well, it seems ages ago since we started planning this trip - 18 months ago to be exact. Bob left his job, and it was a "What do we do now?" moment. We decided to seize the opportunity and plan a big trip to Oz. Then we just had to work out how we were going to do it. It has taken months of negotiating with solicitors and estate agents, selling, buying, finding tenants and the small matter of making sure my business went to good hands and would carry on- which it most definitely is! But finally, all the pieces of the jigsaw have come together and last Friday we moved out of our home in Chessington.

We hired a van and did all the packing ourselves - the theory being we weren't going to keep too much. Ha ha, it took a day and several trips in a Luton van, and has been followed by quite a few trips in the car since! Added to that, Kayleigh moved from Mitcham to Raynes Park the next day so more trips in the van. At the end we were exhausted. Most of the big furniture had gone the week before so we were sitting on piles of duvets and a blow-up seat, and sleeping on a mattress on the floor. The idea was that we would be looking forward to leaving an empty house, and not dreading leaving a home. However, we were still both in tears when we finally left!

We are now house-sitting in Sheen for 2 weeks, which feels very strange. The first night was stressful as we are looking after a cat which needs daily medication. The first test was to see if she would return, and the second was to give her medicine. After that, she decided to sleep in our room. All was fine until about 4am, when she decided to sleep on Bob's pillow with her tail dangling in my face. Not much sleep was had (we have since become hard and shut her out of the bedroom at night, but she still wakes us by scratching at the door!), and the noise of the planes overhead meant we didn't get back to sleep. We are right under the flightpath to Heathrow! That morning we both felt awful, and I must admit to a 'wobble' - we were homeless! We were both physically drained and emotionally exhausted, as well as tired. I have to say we didn't expect to feel that way, and it surprised us both. But, after an easy day, we regrouped and were fine.

This week we have been sorting paperwork, packing final bits and saying goodbye to friends and family. This is also taking its toll on us emotionally - each goodbye is harder than the one before as the cumulative effect builds. I keep reminding myself that it is not a final goodbye and we will be back, we just haven't bought that return ticket yet! Again, we underestimated how much it would affect us - we are so lucky to have such great family and friends and it is tough saying goodbye.

So now to the title of the blog - Where's Waltham (Wally)? At one of our farewell get togethers we were presented with a blow-up kangaroo, complete with Aussie flag and a compass. At the time we were in Great Waltham so it was suggested that he be called Waltham. The idea then came to us to take Waltham on our travels. He has already assisted with packing as you can see from the photos!

We hope you enjoy this blog - I will try not to make it too long or boring. Any comments will be filed, either appropriately or in the bin, but some interaction would be good.

Next up: We fly to Hanoi on 18th April, woohoo!