We are moving to South Africa!

We have some very exciting news....WE ARE MOVING TO CAPE TOWN!!!!  It has all happened quite quickly to be honest and I have been putting off sharing the news in case it all goes wrong but it all seems to be falling into place and I wanted to tell you all.  We had started the process of applying for visas with a immigration consultant when Mani was offered a job.  It was ideal.  He has to start on the 1st May (or before if possible) which is a lot sooner that we thought we would go but we think it is better for all of this to happen quickly rather than it be a drawn out process.  So all being well we will leave the UK mid-April.

We have moments of panic when we wonder if this is still the right thing for us and our family.  We have had many a sleepless night and I am sure there will be more to come.  But we figure that a) this is an adventure, life is short and lets have fun b) we are going to a place where we are familiar with, we have a car, accomodation and a job to go to c) we have family and friends there who will support us and be there for us d) hell, if it really doesn't work out then we come back.

We are going to live in Cape Town for at least two years before considering point d.  We have to give ourselves time to settle in but we have such a positive and happy feeling about all of this.  We cannot wait!!  It is such a exhilarating feeling to make your dreams happen.  And while it is so daunting at times, it is just the best feeling to get on and take action.

Saying that - we know the next few months are going to be very hard too.  Saying goodbye to our life here is not going to be easy.  We love our house, our family & friends, our routine and it is so easy to stay in the familiar.  A few things that are going to especially be difficult is saying goodbye to Mani's family, my family who live here, rehoming our cats, saying goodbye to all the WONDERFUL people at Jack's nursery and of course my awesome friends who I love dearly.

I know there are a few of you out there who do not agree with our decision and we respect that, but all we ask is for support and positive comments.  We take on board everyone's opinions but we have made our decision and in the end it is indeed our decision to make.

At the moment I am busy organising renting out the house, sorting through TONNES of stuff which we seem to have accumulated these past 8 years, drawing up a huge spreadsheet with to do lists, schedules, shipping quotes and things to sell and seeing all of our friends and family to say farewell in between!

It still seems quite surreal that in 3 months time we will be in Cape Town.   So we are going to enjoy the time we have left here and look forward to the adventure that awaits us.

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