Well we are getting organised for Christmas yet again. Usually at this time of year we are packing up Jo’s things yet again as her contract terminates and we prepare to return to NZ for Christmas.

This will be the third time for us but we have been through these steps several times before.

Well this year to make it a little more interesting I am selling my house as well as trying to get Jo packed.

This last week has consisted of many late nights packing up bits in both places and then arranging storage.

Initially we were just going to put a few household items into store, but being unable to sell our motorbikes we had to upgrade the storage. So having carefully stacked boxes upon boxes, upon tents we had to unstack boxes upon boxes to move to a new location and then re-pack.

Before we moved the boxes we had to get the bikes in. My bike should be no problem getting to the storage depot, but Jo’s had a record for not wanting to start after some time of inactivity. We decided to move mine first. We removed it from the shed ready, just as the rain started. We were on a tight schedule so we couldn’t wait for it to pass. All togged up I turned the key. “Click”. I checked to ensure I hadn’t left the engine switch in the off position. And I re-tried. “Click”. My battery was completely flat. Running round the neighbours I managed to borrow some jump leads. The bike started on the second attempt. Now all I had to do was get it into storage. I pulled out of the drive and promptly stall it.

In the pouring rain we decided to change tact. Mine goes back into the shed, we remove the battery and put it on charge.

Jo’s bike starts first time and I ride it to the depot. The only problem was my glasses steaming up inside my helmet.

Manoeuvring into the lock up takes several 30 point turns but we get there in the end. My bike will have to wait.

What else did I have to do now? Thank goodness for lists, Jo has one for the tasks in her house & Michelle has her list for the jobs to be done on my house. Thank goodness for women!

Returning to my bike the next day it still refused to start, perhaps it doesn’t want to leave its private shed and share its space with a Triumph.

Well it must be taught to do as it’s told and we give it another quick, sharp shock from the jump leads. This time I manage to keep it keep it going until it too is at the storage depot. Yet again in the pouring rain I have to remove the battery and siphon the petrol out before putting it away into storage.

Nothing is a simple as it first seems. We had measured the dimensions of the storage, measured the bikes and then re-measured the storage. According to the piece of paper they should fit, so why don’t they. It’s gets to be like the hockie Kockie. In, out, in, out, you shake them all about.

Eventually we take Jo’s bike out, put mine in, turn Jo’s bike round and put it in. Well it’s nearly like the dance.

All the boxes are then stacked around and over the bikes, until they eventually disappear from sight.

Now all that is left is clear my house, tidy the garden, get the keys to the agent, finish the decoration of Jo’s house, remove all traces of us and clean and hoover. Oh and chase the agents for a completion date and time.

After any early start and late finish Sunday all is complete except the completion and oh boy do I need that holiday now. Just one more early morning tomorrow but that will be the start of a new adventure and will have to wait for our next posting.