Spaniel in the works

Just when we thought we were ahead of things, old Milly the Moo had an unfortunate incident on a walk four weeks ago, resulting in a very shocking outcome - the removal of her right eye. (The picture below of her on the sofa, is the last record we have of it, making it even more poignant).

Still, the vet says she's fit and healthy and we shouldn't put off our plans. Yesterday, the poor old thing had to return to the vet for her bloodtests. Unfortunate enough that she had already spent 5 days in their doggie hospital on heavy sedation, antibiotics, anaesthetic and all on her own without us. After her op, when we went to get her, I was prepared for the worst, but that wasn't bad enough. When an eye is removed, the eye socket, now empty, fills with blood, so the swelling from the tissue damage made her like one of the Borg. I have never heard her so vocal - she was definitely telling us how cr*p she felt, and how painful it all was. So, when I saw her last night after her blood tests, (having had another round of sedation because she's such a wriggler) she had a few words with me, not least to say "I'm fed up - what are you going to put me through next?" Maybe we'll keep the journey we have planned for her a bit hush hush for now.

Just over 2 months to go!

Jenny here: just to say that this blog will really get going once we actually depart the UK sometime in early March 2008. We will spend a couple of weeks in Thailand, lounging on shady verandahs and trying to decide where to eat next, before going on to Nimbin in Northern NSW, to start what can only be described as our 'new life'!

And so much to do!

After much umming and aahing about whether we should risk taking our slightly hyper spaniel to a tick infested area (our paddock) we decided that she is so much a part of our family that she simply has to come, and we will deal with deadly insects when and as they arise (ulp!). Now we just have to face another mountain of paperwork (the first having been my visa) and devise a strict timeline for her that everything hinges on.

Firstly we had to re-microchip her (a hideous experience involving far more doggy blood than I was expecting) because her chip from '99 would not be compatible with the Aussie Chip reader. We have now applied for an import permit from AQIS and are waiting (10 days or so) for that to be granted before applying for a place in Sydney Quarantine and arranging her "travel agent". We also want to get her the travel container well in advance of the flight so that she's familiar with it as a comfortable place to hang out in (24 hours in the hold with no-inflight entertainment, free drinks, food or pretty stewardesses to look at...)

Moving to Aus early 2008

We are moving from Lewes, East Sussex, UK to the Dar es Salaam community in Northern NSW, Australia. We bought the house nearly 4 years ago and are moving in early 2008. The house sits amongst 5 acres of beautiful gardens and forest at the foot of the Nightcap Range National Park.

Our plan is to renovate our house, develop our 5 acres of land into a productive small-holding and enjoy the abundance of wild flora and fauna surrounding us. We aim to create a sustainable home and garden with minimal impact upon the surrounding environment.

So many plans and ideas, but the first stage is to emigrate - which seems rather daunting just now!

Here's to stepping out of the rat race and getting off the grid!