Leaving Sydney

We are now moved and getting settled in Newcastle.

Saturday was the big day. I hired a 3 tonne truck and drove down to Sydney. Not the most comfortable drive but I made it. With a bit of guidance from Brad, I managed to reverse the van in to the back of the flat in Sydney. It was Brad's last day at work so we went straight out to meet some friends for leaving drinks and dinner.

About 5am I heard a radio sound and voices from the lane below the bedroom window. I thought that sounds like Police and they were talking with a women about the Europcar van. A bit of a worry but I was too lazy to get up and check. At 6am we got up and started to move. All went well until we tried to get the bookcase down the stairs. It is an Ikea flat pack which we didn't bother disassembling. But it didn't fit on and we got stuck half way down the stairs! he he after much pushing we got it back up into the flat and decided to drop it over the balcony. I stood below and caught a 6 foot case. Not a scratch! So we got loaded up and then Brad found a note on the front of the truck advising that I had driven into my neighbours car, the police had been called and to call the number to sort it out. Her car had been damaged but she just presumed it was the van. I had been no where near her car and eventually she accepted that it was nothing to do with me (the van was already covered in dents and scratches so that didn't help) Oh well.....

It was a stinking hot day. Over 30 degrees so it wasn't nice to be carrying all the belongings. I remembered very quickly why I used a removal company on my last move. Never again. We arrived in Newcastle about 4pm, got keys etc and proceeded to move in. The flat is on the top floor of a converted warehouse and thankfully there is a lift. After 2 hours we were in.

The flat is fantastic, 2 bedrooms (one on a mezzanine level) 2 bathrooms, modern kitchen with s/s benches, large lounge and dining area although no balcony. It is south facing (so no sun) but at least it will be cool in the summer. We have a problem though in that we don't have enough furniture - easily solved though and we have ordered a new suite and bed :)