Thursday 12 February 2015

At long last...

It’s been a long time.

Actually, it's very long time.

I last made an entry on this little bijou blog back in June of last year.  Since that time so much has happened that I have had little or no time to even think about my blog, let alone write something in it.

This is what happened:

We returned to Melbourne to spend time with AGA’s father who was slowing dying of the cancer ravaging his body.  We went to see him in the hospital almost every day and we were able to play our part in taking care of him and his needs in those final days.  We then attended the funeral of the father of a dear friend, which took place in Country Victoria, and upon on return AGA’s own father died.  The death of a parent brings with it a lot of responsibilities and AGA and his siblings (with us spouses as support) had a very difficult couple of weeks sorting things out.

Then it seemed that one minute we were at the funeral and the next we were on a 'plane and returning to Germany. 

Once back in Kaiserswerth we had to prepare for our permanent move back to Melbourne.  There were forms to complete, the moving of our possessions to organise, the gradual withdrawal from all those things that we normally did, and all this while attending to our usual duties!

We employed a company in England to move 'us' to Australia because our German is not expert and we wanted to be certain that we would understand all that was taking place.

We had a lot to move.

When I write ‘a lot’ I really do mean it.  A 40 foot high cube shipping container – the biggest there is for domestic use – was required.  We had to prepare the inventory as well as working out what was going to go and what was not.

This photo was taken in the midst of trying to get everything in to a couple of rooms for ease of sorting out what stays and what goes with us to Melbourne.  All of this was going...

Seven chandeliers, thirty odd clocks of different shapes and sizes, chairs, cooking equipment, the croquet set, copious cushions, lamps, chairs, tables, and I-don't-know-how-many-books to name but a few: it all adds up!  And then we had to organise a storage facility for when it arrived in Melbourne.

In the midst of this we were able to travel to Stockholm for a week's holiday as well as a weekend in Paris and another in London to catch up with friends.  They provided small windows of sanity in our suddenly frenetic lifestyle.

And of course there were various hiccups along the way.

The moving day arrived and there were hold ups because the moving men were stopped at the port of Calais due to a spot strike by dock workers.

The upset and upheaval of seeing one's possessions being wrapped up and sent over the balcony (via a conveyer belt) to the van that would wind its way through the streets of the village to where the moving van was parked was somewhat distressing.

I didn't like returning home to see  this. . .


The moving men were rather young (the ‘boss’ was twenty-one) but they were extremely helpful and understanding.  We felt most confident in them but once everything was gone it all seemed rather forlorn.  
The once beautiful apartment was but an empty shell with mattresses on the floor for sleeping, some old bits of Ikea furniture that were not going with us, together with a ancient garden setting that was to serve as our table and chairs.  We felt like Romanoff princes deprived of everything after the revolution!

 Our apartment was somewhat empty after the moving men had cleared it all out.

In Germany it is the renter’s responsibility to have the apartment painted to the satisfaction of the landlord, prior to leaving.  Failure to do so will mean that the bond money one put down will not be returned.  So we had that to organise as well.  Luckily a very nice chap from the school was able to be employed to attend to it.

The apartment was not the same any more.  All of our 'stuff' was gone and the rooms echoed.  I was not even sure that Fritz, our name for the ghost that lives in the building was even bothering to visit.  I don’t think that he would have liked it.  AGA said that perhaps he had decided to go with the furniture.  If he did then he is in for a shock as he spends a few weeks on the ocean waves.

And, as I said previously, while all this was happening we had our day-to-day work to attend to.   I found the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to the school children extremely draining.  It was very hard going I can tell you.

So there we were in an empty apartment. 

No books. 

No harpsichord. 

No paintings. 

No beautiful things.

It was all somewhat depressing.

Having attended Midnight Mass at St Swidbertus for the last time, we spent Christmas Day in the apartment, and had a simple meal to celebrate; inviting our good friend Susan B to dine with us.  It was awkward with no good cooking pots and only garden furniture to sit at but we managed to create some semblance of a festive repast and Susan is always good company.

It was cold!
 
And then it was time for the hand over.  
It felt strange to walk away from the apartment we had lived in for over seven years, knowing that we would never return to it.  We had enjoyed our time there and while we were ready to begin our new adventure, we could not help but be a little sad.

We spent the last week of our time in Germany staying at the apartment of friends who had gone to London for the hols, and had kindly said that we could stay there rather than in our own, empty apartment.  

Once again we had a proper bed to sleep in rather than sleeping on the floor.  AGA was particularly pleased because the moving men had accidentally packed his pillow and he had been using old, rolled up towels as a substitute.

On New Year’s Eve we boarded the plane at Dusseldorf airport and late on New Year’s Day, after a fairly uneventful flight, arrived in Melbourne to be greeted by my mother, sister, and niece.  It was nice to be back amongst our families once more.

Of course the arrival was followed by the inevitable bout of jetlag and I find as I get older that it takes longer to get over.  Someone told me that one should allow a day's recovery for every hour one flies but that would be twenty-one days!  I am pleased to say that that was not the case although it did take about ten before we were sleeping normally once more.  

Another shock was the weather.  We lunched with a friend on the day before we flew out and experienced a high of -2c.  Two days after arriving in Melbourne, the weather soared to 40 degrees C.  Needless to say we were rather worn out.  However since that day the temperature has sat mainly in the twenties, which has been much better – with the occasional early to mid 30s thrown in for good measure but then it is summer so one should expect it.

So there we were in Melbourne and feeling rather happy when a calamity occurred.  We had just sat down at table for lunch when a cracking sound was heard coming from the ceiling.  Next thing we knew we were busy propping the structure up as for some reason it chose that moment to come away from the building structure.  Luckily plasterers and electricians were on hand and after a week all was back to normal.

But not before some rather unwanted dramatic moments.  The following photos show the scene prior to the arrival of the workmen (with a pensive mother in the background).  The second one is in the midst of the work when it looked as though a bomb had hit the room.  The final photograph shows the room back to normal and looking as if nothing had ever happened:

And so my friends, what with one thing and another I am only now returning to the calm and tranquility of my blog.  

Here at the edge of the Yarra Valley, the garden is looking lovely:


We are experiencing the delights of summer in Melbourne:

 We bought a small barbecue until we get a brick one constructed.

And all would appear to be right with the world once more.

I do hope that you will forgive my absence (given the circumstances).  We are motoring over to the country town of Daylesford this weekend and I shall take some photos to share with you while I am there.
I also hope that you enjoyed this post!

30 comments:

  1. Hello Kirk,

    Long time no see....but here you are once more! Wonderful!

    Such a lot has happened to you both, but here you are at the start of another chapter in your lives. Well, certainly, life cannot be dull. Although, at times, we are sure that you would have wished for a rather calmer time of it all.

    Still, how exciting to be in Melbourne, surrounded by family and new friends to be made. It must have been difficult making those last goodbyes to Germany where you have been so happy. But, onwards and upwards! We have missed you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jane and Lance, thank you for your kind comments. It is indeed a case of heading for the broad, sunlit uplands! We are looking forward to exciting times.
      It is nice to be back in the world of blogs.

      Delete
  2. Welcome home :)

    Do you know in the Holmes and Rahe Scale of stress-producing events, death of a beloved spouse comes top, then divorce and then moving home in third place. Even if the move is welcomed and planned, it is almost always exhausting emotionally. If the ships are on strike, or something else outside your control, the stress level goes up even more.

    Your garden is looking lovely. I would spend the time out there :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Hels,
      Our stuff is supposed to arrive on Thursday and then begin the arduous two week stroll through customs. I now know what my parents went through when they moved to Australia all those years ago...
      The garden is indeed looking lovely - all thanks to the green thumbs of AGA.

      Delete
  3. Hi Kirk, Nice to see you back! Wow, what a lot you have been through! And what a great write-up and photos of the move. I admire you for being so patient and organized. Moving is so hard. And, I can't really imagine moving so far. No opportunity to take a little bit at a time to avoid packing up. I enjoyed all the photos and you are definitely celebrating the completion in the right way with steaks on the grill. Love it! Thanks for sharing this neat post. John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear John,
      I was surprised to find how disagreeable I found moving to be when everything had been put in boxes. I didn't like it at all! Now I can't wait for them to arrive. It will be like a second Christmas!
      I do like having a Barbecue. Being able to be outside in our own garden again has been so nice after ten years away that we have been eating outside a lot!
      Bye for now,
      Kirk

      Delete
  4. Hello Kirk and AGA, Deepest sympathy for your recent losses, and for the various episodes of turmoil in your lives. I can imagine that suddenly leaving Europe like that would be quite wrenching, with too little time to relinquish the experience slowly, and to say proper good-byes. We know that you have many happy memories in your recent home, because you have shared so many of them with us.

    I am sure that re-acclimating yourselves to life in Australia will provide many adventures, and I look forward to reading about them here.
    --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jim,
      Thank you for your kind comments. It was a sad time but it was good that we were able to be there, to take our part in looking after him. I remember when my own father died, how important that was that we were there, helping to attend to his daily needs. The act of being able to care for a parent at the end of their life does seem to give a sense of closure when the time comes.

      We have big plans now that we are in Melbourne. And hopefully they are all going to come to fruition!

      Bye for now,

      Kirk

      Delete
  5. Dear Kirk,

    Welcome back to the blogosphere, and congratulations on getting through all that has transpired in the meantime. It sounds like quite an ordeal, but I'm sure that you and AGA moved through it all with aplomb and grace.

    Your new living room and garden looks lovely, and now I look forward to learning more about Australia and Melbourne! It's a whole new adventure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mark,
      Thank you four your kind comments. It was indeed an ordeal however all is calm and pleasant now. And long may it remain so because, as you say, we are just beginning our new adventure!

      Bye for now,

      Kirk

      Delete
  6. Lovely catching up, Kirk! I've been wondering about you and AGA. WOW, so much happened!! I'm so sorry for your loss. Enjoy your family and this new chapter. Take care, and welcome back to blogland. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Loi,
      Thank you for your kind comments. It is good to be back. I am looking forward to seeing what all my blog friends have been up to during my absence and sharing what we have in store for ourselves.
      Bye for now,
      Kirk

      Delete
  7. Dear Kirk - Welcome back. I hoped that you would reappear again once you had finally arrived and settled down in Australia. The past nine months sound to have been very stressful for you both, but I am pleased you are now feeling that all is right with the world once more.
    Have a good weekend in Daylesford. There is a Daylesford here in the Cotswolds too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Rosemary,
      We have stayed near Daylesford in the Cotswolds and I remember walking there from Oddington one crisp Christmas Day. They have that farm produce centre there. Have you been there? Daylesford in Victoria is a tourist 'mecca'.
      I must say that I am glad that the 'transition' of over and that we are now safely ensconced back in our home once more!
      Bye forn ow,
      Kirk

      Delete
  8. Oh my gosh! How dramatic. I can't imagine how it would feel to have my ceiling cave in. Anyway, such a lot has happened to you and AGA since we last heard from you. Firstly my condolences on the death of his father. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
    Secondly, how marvelous to have you back in the southern hemisphere, and back in the blogosphere. It has been too long. We look forward to hearing more of your exploits once you have settled in (we know what an upheaval an antipodean move can be). David and Peter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear David and Peter,
      Thank you for your kind comments. It has been a trying time what with one thing and another and I don't ever fancy going through the moving process again unless I have an army of servants to deal with it!
      Once we are properly installed and our things have arrived it will be full steam ahead!
      Bye for now,
      Kirk

      Delete
  9. Good Morning Kirk and a hearty, warm welcome back to the world of blogging. I have missed you and thought of you often.
    Your year was certainly filled with action. So sorry about the death of AGA's father. Moving, as you describe, brings out so many emotions and good-byes and finality are never easy. So happy to hear that your life is returning to some routine and tranquility and I will be looking forward to reading of your trips and drives through Australia.
    Helen xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Helen,
      Thank you for your kind thoughts. We were surprised at how tired the whole thing has made us - so it is good that at present we are living as gentlemen of leisure.
      I have missed reading everyone's blogs and catching up on what is going on. I am pleased to be back. I am particularly pleased to have left all that snow behind!
      Bye for now
      Kirk
      x

      Delete
  10. Kirk, as I was cleaning up my blog the other day, I knew not to get rid of yours, I knew you would be back! I have thought of you often, of your travels with AGA, of the impending loss, of the big move and change in your lives. I lost my dad in December, so I truly understand. I am so pleased that you are back. Your new home looks impeccably decorated, and eve so stylish. Much love, Monica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Monica,
      I am sorry to hear that you have experienced the loss of a parent as well. It is never easy, is it. Mind you, a very good friend of mine lost both of her parents in a six months interval last year and that was a very hard time for her indeed.
      But we move on and adapt. We don't ever forget but we have good and pleasant memories to think about. I hope that you are beginning to experience this too, my friend.
      It is nice to be back in our home once more and have a garden and a car! Now we can begin to set our own plans in motion.
      Bye for now,
      Kirk
      xx

      Delete
  11. Dear Kirk,

    So good to see one of your posts again. Sorry to hear about the death of your friend and Aga's father. My condolences to both of you.

    Your new living room looks spectacular. The light streaming in looks beautiful, and the space! Your furniture looks even better in there. Hope it all arrived in Melbourne safely.

    Wishing you lots of Happiness in your new home!

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words Madelief. It's been a difficult few months but now all is well and its full steam ahead!

      Kirk x

      Delete
  12. I had checked in a few times hoping you would return. I'm glad you are back in your own home but I'm going to miss your apartment. It filled the spot in my heart that will always need a little bit of Europe. I'm excited to see more of your garden. Enjoy everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In some ways I miss the old apartment although it was getting just too small for us. Now we are on our new adventure and like you have done, we are planning a move to the country.

      Delete
  13. Dear Kirk,
    I'm glad you're blogging and didn't forget my blog, thank you.
    I'm very sorry about AGA's loss, it's always no easy time for you both.
    Hope you are happy in your own home not in apartment, now you have a garden and possibility to sit outside, to nap or read or have any drink with your friends. This complicated moving will finish soon, going through customs and all your stuff will be set
    Have nice time in your quiet place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Nadezda,
      Thank you for your kind comments. We are very happy to be in our own home once more. I like that idea: sitting outside, napping, reading, or having a drink with friends. I like that a lot!
      Bye for now,
      Kirk

      Delete
  14. Oh, Kirk, so good to have you back and sharing your life with us. :) Hadn't even realized - till you left a comment at my blog - that you had returned. AND WHAT A STORY to tell. I enjoyed reading it and felt as if I were living through all your traveling and packing and moving travails and excitements with you. :) Of course you had no time to blog - completely understandable. By the way, you really do have some beautiful possessions. No wonder you wanted to take them all with you. I would have too. WELCOME BACK!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Yvette,
      Thank you for your kind comments. It's been quite a few months. I know what they mean now when they say 'its been a rollercoaster'. And its not over yet!
      It's good to be back.

      Delete
  15. Dear Kirk,
    it's great to have you back!
    You won't be wanting to contemplate another move any time soon, I'm sure!
    I hope your new house is big enough for all your wonderful things.
    Onwards and upwards and welcome home!
    Faisal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Faisal,
      Thank you, my friend, for those greetings. It's great to be back in the world of blog, and you are 100% correct - no moving for quite a while!!
      We are slowly acclimatising - our pallid European skin is delighting in the warmth of this fairly kind summer although sunburn is still an issue.
      Now we wait in anticipation for the arrival of the juggernaut and the new adventures in our lives.
      Kirk.

      Delete