Moving to Sweden (part 1)

Wow. Ok. I don't even know where to start, have had so many new impressions and met so many interesting people over the past few weeks. So this post will just be about the move and settling in really...

I had my leaving do in York and it was excellent. Sad a few people couldn't make it but I got to see most of them anyway. As for the rest... they'll just have to come visit I guess. I will upload some photos in another post.

On the 30 August I left for Göteborg. Mike took me to the airport (thank god - those bags weren't light... and of course, I got to do the tear-filled, looking-back-from-the-security-queue goodbye you usually only see in films. Ha.) and I eventually landed in Gbg at 7pm. Now, I'm going to have to blame the bags, but I took a taxi. Bad idea, you'd think I'd have realised how much it was going to cost. Oh well - it got me here safely and quickly, and I didn't have to lug my bags on a bus, a tram, and up a massive hill. So worth it.

When I got to the flat, K (who I'm renting from) met me and we chatted a bit. Lovely woman. Look forward to seeing her again when she's back from Spain!

So... the flat. I've not finished making curtains etc. yet (I know, I know... just been so busy...) so you will get pics another day. Promise! But the flat is good, 1 small bedroom and a big living room. Good kitchen (red!!) and fairly big bathroom with washing machine. Oh, and a balcony! And since I'm on the 4th floor on top of a hill the view is pretty great.

The only problem is I'm going to have to get rid of even MORE clothes before Mike moves over, otherwise he won't fit... Boo.

So on the Friday my boxes arrived (good old Fedex! Worked like a charm! More on that another time.) and I unpacked... Phew. Good job the flat has built in wardrobes and 4 bookshelves, is all I can say...

And on the Saturday my wonderful family came down from Stockholm, bringing with them even more stuff... They were upset on the Thursday night that I'd only brought 3 books in my suitcase (there were a few more in the boxes) so they brought a few bags full from theirs. Thanks... (It's probably pertinent to note at this point that I got rid of probably 50+ books in York before I moved and there's at least another 100 there yet to be moved too...)

On Saturday we also went to Ikea. Solid 6 hours (I'm still exhausted!) and I got a bed, desk, shoe shelf and other necessities... Fabrics for curtains, pans, stuff like that.

So, here I am, 2 weeks in, sat on my (well, borrowed!) red sofa listen to Rose tint my world and the washing machine, considering what to have for dinner...

More about my first two weeks and the practicalities of the move to come...

Tomorrow...

So today is my last day in the UK. Hooray (mostly)!

My boxes have just been picked up by Fedex, fingers crossed they'll arrive in 1 piece (well, 14 pieces...) on Friday. I'm sure it'll be fine, and that the fact that Fedex were a 5th of the price of DHL isn't in fact a prophecy of what's to come.

Today I'm mostly sorting through paperwork, doing bits of housework, and packing my bags. And seeing a friend, hopefully.

Should also get some money exchanged but the rates are terrible... but more on this thrilling subject another time. Stay tuned!

Move.

So, just over a week until I move to Göteborg. Life is busy as you can imagine.

Flat is sorted, all I need to do is finish packing & organise the move, contact banks etc to let them know change of address, and say goodbye to people... to Mike (if only for a few months!).

I'll most likely be more active when I start getting busy. Ha.

Good news.

I've been accepted onto a phd. In Gothenburg, Sweden. Moving in less than 3 months.

YAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!

It is sunny

and I wrote something today. I love words. Almost all of them..

Thumbs up for Sue Ryder.

I love charity shops. Partly for the bargains (hello £5 Gudrun Sjödén dress) and partly because it's so wonderful to see that at least some people would rather give away the stuff they don't need than sell or bin it.

But most of the time it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of presentation and atmosphere. Not always, but sometimes. And it's a shame.

I had a bit of time today to wander round the charity shops in York, and went into one I don't think I've been in before, Sue Ryder on Goodramgate. Upstairs there's a 'vintage & retro' section, and it's great. Not big, but full of gems. There's a nice atmosphere, the stuff is well presented and obviously there's a bit more of a customised selection, the stuff that will appeal to a wannabe 50s housewife born in the 80s or 90s.

A quick google tells me that Sue Ryder shops have had these sections for a while - well, a few of them have -  and the one in York has done since last year sometime (I think?). Goodness knows why it's taken me so long to find it...

I did buy a couple of things, gorgeous (late 50s?) house coat with blue roses that would make Betty Draper jealous (no, it won't stay a house coat for long) and some 70s curtains (that won't stay curtains for long...). Will show you another time, promise.

Drivo.

I passed my driving test today! Only 8 years too late, heh. Quite pleased, now I just need a car...

Spring take 2.

Inside this time. Can't have too many flowers.

Spring.

It's spring now. And it's been sunny! Much better than rain. In case you weren't sure.

This is one of the best things about York. Well, about England. Spring comes really early. Everywhere is covered in daffodils! Everywhere.

Retronaut.

I found an awesome website. With lots of great stuff from times past. Photos galore!

This, for example, is very useful advice for the single gal.

From 1938.