Visa

My passport is back, complete with a visa for a year. The process was interesting, easier and quicker than my UK visa. Mine came back in two weeks and one day; Jules had to get a new passport so he could reapply. Seems like a small tear on the ID page is not accepted. Take two as he reapplies after getting the new passport in record time, more printing and photocopies, and a new appointment this week. It should work this time, hopefully as quickly as mine did. We  have 90 days in every 180 free travel to France and while we have days left, we need this longer solution to live there. 

The house is coming along nicely. Andrea and I had our usual long chat catching up and planning next steps. The fans for the bedrooms are hopefully being delivered today and the ceiling in the living room is in progress. The painting in the bedrooms is done and the tiles laid this week so there should be progress photos to share at the end of the week. I'm not sure if I wrote about my toothache experience in Abu Dhabi and the temporary solution which has now become an extraction after throwing a bit of cash at it with various dentists. Today's not so pleasant job. 

We're getting new neighbours here and they've been renovating for quite a few months now. Their place is looking amazing and we had the tour today. I had kitchen and wardrobe envy. The wardrobe layout is perfect so I now have pics to inspire Andrea with. Best of all they're unpacking stuff and that means bubble wrap and large strong plastic bags and bits so I'm helping them by taking some for our use. Good recycling practice. We have some boxes with more to come from them in the next week or so. Our movers arrive on Sunday 28 June and there's a bit to do before then. Moving is a great idea, until the reality hits. Stuff to clear out; stuff to keep and pack; stuff to give to charity and friends; stuff to sell; and worst of all, stuff to clean. I'm a bit fussy about the final clean so I've already started doing the things I can, procrastinating here as I do. 

Beautiful poppys on display at our local park