Houses etc

As our week in Denver is nearly at an end, we have sorted most of the things that we needed to. It's been emotional, stressful and crazy but very productive week. We have found a house that we love. It's in an older neighbourhood which is about 20mins from nics work. The house is perfect for us, it has so many plus sides and we can see ourselves being super happy there. Some of the best bits, is that it is close to parks and trails. We have a trail at the far end of the cul de sac which leads to the local park. The park has a play park, lots of space. Picnic areas and an outdoor swimming pool makes it a great spot. The trails also lead off around cherry creek state park and on and on from there so we have tons of walking options. We also are close to multiple dog parks and off leash areas which is a great benefit. On top of this we have a pretty big garden which I think the dogs are gonna go crazy for.

Also, not only have we found ethan a school but he has spent an entire test day with them and he loved it, he came back beaming and begging to go there- it's over the road from nics work so it works location wise too. We just have to wait to hear back if he is accepted there now.

Jobs ticked off and we headed off tonight to the Buckhorn exchange. It's Denvers oldest steakhouse and is steeped in history, 100 year old tables and interesting food such as elk and buffalo. It was quite an experience and, as ever, the American warmth and hospitality made it a lovely goodbye.

So tomorrow, much to Ethans disappointment, we fly back to England. Then the hard work of organisation, visas, cancellations, selling etc begins. fingers crossed it's smooth sailing from here!

Above the clouds...

What a day we had yesterday. We spent the day driving through the mountains and stopping off at various locations.

Well, what can I say, the mountains were so amazingly beautiful. We drove up and up through the clouds going from rain to sunshine as we went higher and higher, We drove past old gold mines (which looked exactly as they do at amusement parks) and saw gorgeous lodges on the hills. We drove up to Winter Park stopping off at Berthoud pass. Berthoud pass at over 3,450ft high (2 miles) was still covered in snow and it made Ethan's day. I just stood and looked out at the beautiful views. The green of the trees shooting up through the White snow was really something inspiring and I can't believe we will be living just over an hour away from all this.

We spent nearly the whole day on the road ending up at grand lake which really is lovely and grand. They have these great picnic tables with bbqs next to them so you can sit and braai by the lake. The farms that you drive through have well cared for horses wandering around grazing and the stereotypical red barns sitting proudly in the middle of the farms.

We headed back to the hotel

tired but smiling, what great opportunities this country can offer.

As always there are things that we will struggle with. The highways are huge! Nics commute and Ethans school run will be somewhat different to my little drive through brimpton. The schools are much less formal, as are people in general. I have to fight my Britishness sometimes and accept that's just how things are.

However the few things I struggle with are totally irrelevant really. The roads, I will get used to and the formality is just a personal preference which I was aware would be different over here.

Tonight we are heading to a BBQ joint called Jabbos... Nic says to prepare myself for the 'hick'ness of it but the food is meant to be fantastic!

Body clock malfunctions

It was a long journey to Denver. We arrived Sunday evening tired and emotional, as we drove from the airport on a rainy evening, Ethan slept in the back and Nic tried to stay awake. Suddenly I felt quite tearful at the realisation of the enormity of what we are doing. Ok, so the fact we had been awake for 21 hours didn't help but still.. Big deal right?

We finally hit the hay but I slept fitfully and woke early not feeling at all rested. We popped into the shopping centre where Nics work is located and me and Ethan wandered around the shops finally discovering The Corner Bakery where we shared a yummy slice of cake. The rest of the day we spent  driving around some of the local area and grabbing a few essentials from Safeway (expensive) and target (better). Finally an early night yawn...

The next day I woke up at 2.30am and couldn't get back to sleep aargh! The fact that Denver is 7hrs behind the UK royally screwed my body clock. Not only that, but the day ahead of us was to be the busiest of all. 3 schools to view and tour and 6 houses... We basically ran non stop bar a quick lunch at a noodle bar. I had a salad which was stupidly big and I managed all of 1/4 of it! It was however a very productive day, I don't want to release details yet and tempt fate but we 'might' have found our places eek! Dinner skipped as we were all too sleepy to be hungry we crashed out after a Starbucks each :)

Today I slept through until 6am who hoo! Feel so much better. We had our usual breakfast in the hotel 'conceirge lounge' which is basically only for guests on the top floor (not as fancy as it sounds) but the lounge is fabulous. Yummy breakfasts with just the nicest staff, they are called Sheri and Jan, they chat to us every morning and make the most enormous fuss of Ethan. This morning Nic has had to go to the office so Ethan and myself have been swimming in the hotel pool, sat in the jacuzzi and now are in the hotels Starbucks!

We have a few stressful days ahead of us with paperwork and legal chores with schools and houses, but think we might sneak off for shopping this afternoon... Outlet stores bring it on!

paperwork oh joy

We have spent the week filling out paperwork. When we were done with that, we filled out some more paperwork, followed by a little bit more... paperwork! Flights, estas, visas, legal forms, flight details the list just goes on and on and both myself and Nic have extremely square eyes from hours in front of our MacBooks.

On top of that, we have been contacting plumbers, decorators, lettings agents blah blah blah and have had various people over for quotes, assessments and god only knows what else. Oh and internet shopping for schools and houses in the USA!

We have also, been very busy sorting out our trip, leaving this weekend and feel totally shattered now. We are very excited all the same and I hear that Ethan was useless at school on friday as was incredibly unfocused and distracted! Leaving on Sunday, we are flying Virgin and stopping at Atlanta so its gonna be a long ole trip with a tried and grumpy husband.. oh I mean child.. child of course ;)

Next Stop... DENVER BABY!

One step at a time...

12th May 2015

I have an admission...

I am a rusher. I spend my days in a whirlwind of rushing from one thing to the next and even though theoretically I have plenty of spare time, I tend to create myself reasons to rush.

On some level I think it makes me feel more valuable to be rushed than just to stop, breathe, and enjoy the freedom my lifestyle allows.

Recently I began reading Clare Baldings book 'walking home'...  she talks freely about really taking the time to enjoy walking, to breathe, relax and note your surroundings and it really made me pause for thought. With our departure to the States edging ever closer, I realised how much of England I miss when I rush around. This morning I walked my dogs at Greenham, I haven't been there to just walk for a long time, I have always used it as a weekly fitness run. When I run it doesn't truly allow me the time to really 'see' things let alone take in the nuances of nature. I usually spend my walks stomping along, watching my dogs, worrying about other dogs who impolitely rush at my pack, texting and thinking about what I have to do next.

Greenham in all its glory.

Today I allowed myself to take it easy, to enjoy the beauty of Greenham, the deep green of the trees, the brown and orange gorse, the wind in my hair, the scent of fresh breeze and the sun warming my face. Apologies for the hippy, return to nature talk but it was a lovely experience. Ok, so I couldn't maintain it for long and I was soon rushing off and desperately trying to remember those feelings so I could blog about them... but you get the general idea! Besides... its a tough path for a rusher to stop a lifetime of rushing ;) What is it they say in rehab? One step at a time...

Oh Me, Oh My... American Pie!

Friday 24th April 2015

Now, where do I begin?

Well the Hanekom family are just about to start a new chapter in our lives. Nic (plus Ethan, myself and the dogs) have been offered secondment to Denver, Colorado for two years! Nic has been out there, on and off for a few months and we had some idea that relocating via Nics company may be a possibility. When the chance came up for this huge life change Nic called me from the US to ask if I would consider the move. Ignoring the slight panic I felt at such a huge change, I quickly agreed that it was a wonderful opportunity. Not so much "should we go", but more how would I feel if we didn't? I think I would always look back with regret and think "what if"? So of course- we said yes!

Tuesday 12th May
The package was finally agreed on the 24th April and planning has now officially begun. The next step is a trip out to scope out schools and houses we leave this Sunday for our little recce and will be gone for the week! Thank you to my amazing friend Louisa for dog and house sitting for us. You are my hero! So 'forwards charge' to the madness...

There is a HUGE amount to sort before our full and official move. Paperwork, legalities, dogs flights, letting our own house... and the list goes on! We hope to be moving around mid July although Nic will be stationed out there much sooner so time is running away somewhat!

I am very excited but nervous and a little anxious too! Times are a changing' baby x

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