Help... It's time for change!!!

suki1964

I've loved reading your journey till now. Now I look forward to reading the rest. How you do acclimatise , how shopping is different, leisure time etc etc

Health to enjoy your new chapter of your life xxx

Anne_Marie_2

Am sure you will get on just tickety boo Mint. Probably will feel like a holiday for a little while, before it really hits you that this is now home. It's a great feeling, when it does finally hit you.

As for feeling the cold, you will get there, certainly by next winter, and fingers crossed, it won't be so long as this one.
Last winter, a friend and I had gone for a massage at one of the hotels, and met up with some holidaymakers who were booking in for a massage, and we got chatting. We knew they were on holiday, they had shorts on, and we were togged up in jeans, jumpers, boots and cosy jackets.
They must have thought we were mad, as we did them (in a nice way).:rotfl:

Keep us updated as to how you are getting on. If you need help or info on anything, you can always PM me, and will certainly try my best to help out. (Not with cleaning or ironing though! )

Nix143

Loved reading your diary Mint, good luck in your new life XXX

Holidayghirl

Hi Mint,

I don't post often, but do keep up to date with your diary. I'm so glad you're over there now, and hope the house sale goes through soon. Good Luck for the future in your new home.xxx

Mint1955

Thank you all for your good wishes. It's been a busy week so far and the best news is that out of the blue we exchanged at 5pm yesterday UK time so at 7pm we had a phone call here. Completion is set for Wednesday next week.

Tuesday after getting details that the tree had been taken out and everyone was happy we left it that we were once again waiting for buyers solicitors etc. The we spent time with a Russian family which was interesting and fun as their English is not good and we do not speak any russian at all. We had afternoon tea with them. Not sure if Russians have afternoon tea or if it was in our honour but the mum had made a russian Apple cake and there were biscuits etc jasmine tea and coffee. We managed two hours mainly talking about tourist spots and helping with questions they had re living in North Cyprus.

Chilli from freezer saved the day as it was getting on by the time we got in so not a lot achieved but now there is always tomorrow ;-)

Wednesday we decided to do a little cupboard sorting so that we could store the suitcases away and start putting things away properly. This would also mean we could walk around without having to keep squashing past the crates etc.

A lovely walk and a sit in the sun for an hour later reading books was great. Dinner was a dish my sister did before we left and she made it look simple. chicken with plums from hugh fernley what's his name. It turned out ok and it was while I was cooking that we got the call. So a glass of something to celebrate ;-)

Today it's supposed to be even warmer than yesterday and we have a 10k ramble planned in the afternoon which OH has been delegated as leader so we need to be organised.

So washing machine on early which then should be dry before we go and maybe I should tackle a pile of ironing or maybe a window or two this morning as they are thick with dust and sand so we are looking out through really grubby glass everywhere.

As the weather seems to have changed to spring we put some furniture outside but we need to remember to bring in cushions at night as the evenings get damp.

The exchange rate is looking up daily at the moment which is good for us changing UK pounds to Turkish lire. Now we are here we need to take a good look at the spreadsheet and check everything is working ok. We won't be rich but we will be fine with no debts or mortgage etc as all paid from house sale. OH gets his work pension in five years when my state pension kicks in. We will leave his longer if we can but it's knowing we can get it out then if we need to means we can relax and enjoy ourselves.

Sunshine is calling me to get up which also means the solar panels will start to warm the water so I don't have to put the electric immersion on for so long in the mornings and we have free hot water all day and for early showers. It does get cold quickly when the sun goes down though.

Thank you for travelling with me xxx

Mint1955

A little light housework Thursday and a 11k ramble in the afternoon high up on the ridge with fabulous views. Sundowners with friends and back home by 6. Fridge diving for dinner to use up odds and ends then hot showers and collapse lol
Back to the bank today to finalise things and a little more shopping as we have friends coming to dinner Saturday evening!!!! Why do I do this to myself eeekkkkk
But it is cheaper than eating out and we can all relax. Slow cooked Hungarian goulash with buttered carrots and rice and chocolate pots after means I can prep everything in the morning. We are returning to the russian family lunchtime tomorrow as they want to show us their photos of the places we suggested so I need to be organised in the morning.

I have just finished reading Firefly Lane by kristin Hannah and I needed tissues at the end but it was a lovely book.

Happy weekend everyone xx

Mint1955

A morning of prep and a gorgeous goulash was a hit last night. We had trouble whisking egg whites for the choc pots so had to start again but I think it was because the bowl had a little cream left in it and looking on the Internet that may have been the cause.

The Russians we re visited were lovely and so grateful we helped them etc this is good as the son who is permanently living here is going to help us get to know other russian families. We have always felt they are isolated but couldn't communicate with them easily.

Friends who came for dinner have been getting on with learning Turkish and as they live in a small village they have plenty of opportunity to practise. I need to find locally someone willing to share learning Turkish or maybe a turkish speaker that wants to trade to learn english.

It's international ladies day so I have been invited to a get together this evening with ex pats and local ladies for food and a drink. I know many people already who are attending but it will be an opportunity to expand friendship circles.
Ironing needs to be looked at today and also I must check the fridge and menu plan before things get wasted. We did save enough food from last night so OH has a meal for later to heat up while I am out. And there was plenty of the choc pot mixture to freeze to have with ice cream for a quick dessert later.

More Norwegians arrived last night so we will pop and see them later to catch up on their news. As the season progresses there will be lots of comings and goings with people coming for holidays so we need to manage their expectations as we now live here we won't be eating out everyday at restaurants etc.
We will either join in with large group dinners so we see everyone at least once at least or hold BBQ or simple suppers at home.

Just remembered I made Twinks hobnobs yesterday which was so so simple and I have half the mixture frozen in blobs just ready to be defrosted and cooked when I need biscuits in a hurry.

Lazy day today xxxxxx

lucielle

Wow! Wow! Wow! Have read from start to finish. Your new life sounds A-Mazing. Please keep posting, it's great to read about another countries culture and how you are adapting to it.
L

Mint1955

Just a scanning through our journey and I have to make a note here that OH is 10 years younger than me not older as stated early on LOL, yes I am that lucky!!!

Friends mum who had the brain bleed is well on the mend and moving house to be near friend.

Friend who sold house and was given the all clear health wise to emigrate to New Zealand is STILL waiting for her visas but hopefully this week will bring change.

Update on Electric duvet ..... It is the best thing I have ever bought.

The last two days have really been great we have felt different and we keep grinning at each other ;-)

Happy days xx

Mint1955

Ladies day dinner was fun and we all were presented with a rose. Monday we went to Norwegian friends for dinner which was lovely but a late drinky night!!!
Today I met a friend for coffee and it was so lovely to drive with the car windows open. This afternoon the local Turkish lady came to the door with a plate of a macaroni dish for us then invited me to hers for a coffee after we walked with her twins around our site. We struggled a little to chat but had a laugh and eighteen month old twins help to break the ice.

I did have an embarrassing moment this week when we went to the bank to set up accounts I realised as we arrived that I was wearing my slippers!!! Luckily they are navy moccasins so I decided I might get away with it. I would have done if OH hadn't pointed them out to the bank manager!!!!!! I was mortified.

A couple who have also sold up in the UK arrived over the weekend and I picked them up to collect their new car on Monday. Great to have others in the same boat as us.

Hairdresser coming to house tomorrow so I am hoping she is as good as recommended.
We complete on the UK house tomorrow and I just need to inform eon of the meter readings and cancel the house insurance and then I think we are done.

I did look at the ironing but all I have done since is add to it lol

We had the macaroni cheese dish with a salad for dinner and Frozen leftover choc pot mix is great with ice cream.