Got a call in the afternoon from a woman who was calling for some foreign guys who wanted to view the car. Sorted that for Sunday morning as that was the only day they could come, but meant we couldn't leave on Saturday night which I'd thought about doing to give us more time at the other end to unload. But if it was worth it to get some cash and get rid of the car!
Got the van Saturday morning, again had a panic over whether it would be big enough when I saw it considering the piles of stuff in the flat. Finished last bit of packing and Tim came round about 1pm and the marathon began. Em ran off about 3 to go see her mum and her friend for a cuppa, so we were left to it. Tim left around 6 and Em and I finished off loading the van with a bit of help from her ma and Giles. Said goodbyes to Em's folks and then off to see Ness and a few her friends who were down in Bournemouth for the weekend. Met up in Cuccinis for some good Italian, lots of catching up and stories of travels before going to Label for a couple of drinks then back to ours for a nightcap. Not much in the way of home comforts back at the flat, but I think the plastic beakers added a touch of class to a potentially embarrassing situation! More goodbyes, and then went to bed and realised we'd packed all the bedding, so found a blanket covering a mirror which hadn't been put in the van and wrapped ourselves up in that on the sofa bed.
Waited around on Sunday till 11am for the guys to come look at my car but no one showed. Was most pissed off. Don't know why people don't have the decency to call to let you know if they can't make it, especially after I made it clear I was being put out to see them at that time. After a bit of a rant, threw the last few bits in the van. Got Em in the cab and piled computer, hand luggage, vacuum cleaner and house plants on top of her and then set off for Ham Lane.
Saw Ann et al and had a cuppa before Ann called the hospital to see if we could go and see aunt. They said we could go early which was cool, so Ann, Chris, Em and I went to Russell's Hall to see her. I've never seen a hospital so expansive before - apparently funded by PFI, and has given the area a cracking healthcare centre, but at the expense of losing a lot of the smaller and more local hospitals. I realised the problem this causes when we left and saw the queues to get in for visiting ... they stretched a good half mile in all directions, on all roads into the site. Aunt seemed really good considering what I'd heard, and she knew it was me and Em, and we had a good chat for an hour or so. Was good to see her and hopefully it won't be the last time, but the docs have said it may not be long until her cancer gets the better of her. Fingers crossed we'll see her when we get back.
Left Ham Lane a lot later than intended, but for good reasons and off to Lancs. Got there at a little before 7pm, and Ash turned up about 10 mins later. Pondered the pros and cons of unpacking before or after tea. Decided on after, and met Ash at Nan's at quarter to 9. Thankfully dad suggested putting the majority of the stuff in the garage which I was happy to do, and this meant it only took about an hour to unpack the entire van. Em did the relay into the house with all the bits we didn't want left outside in the cold and then threw a few bits into the van to take back to the parents. Said a quick hello to Nan and then back home.
Off to Southport on Monday to take the van back after ringing to see if they'd bring us back to Burscough. Got there and they'd changed their mind so got a lift to the station. Em got supremely cold waiting for the 12:15 train which strangely suddenly became the 12:38, so went to M&S to keep warm, do a bit of shopping and go to the cafe for some lunch. Got a call from Mum saying Nan had got a bed in the hospital and she'd see us later when she got back from taking her. Got home late afternoon and took the dog out, and when we got back had another call from Mum, this time saying they were still waiting for the ambulance to take them. They eventually got there at 5:15 so went with Ash that evening to see her and say our goodbyes. Hope they actually do something for her this time and don't just keep her in for a week and then send her home!! Can tell Nan really doesn't like the idea of us jetting off. Was sad to say goodbye, and also to say goodbye to Ash when we got dropped off.
Had to try and get up early on Tuesday to say bye to Dad before he went to work, then grabbed our stuff, burnt a couple of CDs of data from the pc we'd left, and then said bye to Mum and headed off to catch the train. 7 hours later we were back in Bournemouth and ready for the last couple of days before getting the taxi to Heathrow! We now have all our possessions in one room!!
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