We've landed!!!!

Well we flew out to Toronto from Manchester on the 1st September. The flight seemed really quick. Just under 7 hours. Isaac was pretty good too. Slept for the first 2 hours and then was awake for the rest and apart from the turbulence when he had to put his belt on, his was pretty happy on the flight and well behaved.

Stayed in Toronto for the first night, then we had a train to catch the next day - 2nd september to Windsor, but had a few hours to spare, so went to Shopsys for a huge breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, potato, toast and pancakes with syrup. Then we took a walk up to the Eaton centre.

The train journey to Windsor was a little more hard work. Isaac wouldn't sit still and spent the majority of it, driving the other passengers insane by shouting at the top of his voice. Managed to get him to nod off for the last hour or so of the journey.

We didn't get to Windsor till late so was booked into the Comfort Inn for that night. Popped into the Golden Griddle for a quick bite to eat and then went to bed as we were shattered.

The next morning we met up with the realtor, who drove us over to the house we are renting where we met our landlord and his father in law. House is lovely, so spacious and although it is an old house, it has all been renovated, so nice and new. Gorgeous swimming pool out the back a well.

It is now nearly 2 weeks since we have been here and we are slowly furnishing the house. So far have a cooker, dishwasher, washer and dryer, huge sectional leather sofa, two tv's, a dining set and a inflatable bed (which is starting to become uncomfortable). We did order a huge ice maker refridgerator, but when it was delivered we was shocked to find it didnt fit in the space, we measure from the back of the wall to the unit and as the wall wasnt completely straight it meant the fridge was too big. Luckily Gav spotted a dent in the front, so they took it back and we are getting a slightly smaller one (but more expensive grrrrrrrr) tomorrow.

Our landlord visited the other night with his wife, brought a few gifts (toys) for Isaac and a wall clock and Tim Hortons coffee and donuts for us. I thought that was rather sweet. Certainly wouldnt get anything like that back in the UK.

Gav has gone off to look at cars today as the lease on our rental car is nearly at an end, so need to sort out something quick. We also need to sort out my Visa as they spelt my surname name wrong. Once we have that sorted we will pop across the border into the US to get our bedroom stuff and other bits from Ikea.

Will leave you for today with some pics of the house etc.

Pics here

Time flying!

Well time is really flying by now, less than three weeks to go and we have so much to sort out! Good news is that we think we have someone to rent out our house here in the UK and we also have somewhere sorted out to rent in Canada!

Omg less than 6 weeks to go!!!

I can't believe how quick the time has gone. We have less than six weeks to go until we head to the big Maple Leaf on September the 1st.

Doing another bootfair this weekend, see what we can get rid of there, have listed a few items on ebay and slowly sorting through cupboards etc. Shelves are already starting to look bare (which I add is a good thing)

Flights and hotels are booked, just need to sort out train tickets and obviously various other things when we arrive at our destination.

We have decided to ship nothing but a few personal belongings, so everything in this house has to go. We are thinking about posting a flyer through peoples doors with what furniture we are selling and then having an open day for people to come and have a look. We figured we might get rid of a few items that way.

We have also pretty much accepted we are not going to sell this house at the moment, so we are renting it out for the time being. Hopefully it gets rented out pretty quick and then we will try and sell it again in a years time.

Fingers crossed anyway!!!

Got it!

The final piece of the jigsaw has slotted into place - the temporary work permit visa has been granted..... we ARE going to Canada!

Watch this space!

2004 a car Odyssey

Not really something one aspires to.... minivan (people carrier) ownership, but thinking of getting one once we get to Canada - practical for buying the inevitable items that we'll need for a new home and handy for visitors....

My favourite option so far is a 2004 Honda Odyssey - Japanese reliability (hopefully), built in Canada - so not to upset the locals.... Only worry is the 3.5L V6 is likely to have a bit of a drink problem!

Viewings!

Had a rash of viewings on the house yesterday - a woman came initially with her mum, then came back later with her husband, in between had another viewing!

Fingers crossed things are picking up....

Meanwhile, still waiting for the visa, will be four weeks on Tuesday since it was sent off..... Difficult to plan things without knowing 100% that it is going to come through in time for September when we plan to head over.

Time for an update...

Well, it's been just over a month since the last update.... truth is, there's not much to say. House is still for sale, we've had one viewing, which didn't turn into an offer. We're now thinking that we'll rent it out until the market picks up.

Application for the work permit went off three weeks ago, so fingers crossed that will come through okay soon and we can start to book flights etc. Watch this space!