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I have spent 5 hours this morning just filling in paperwork, scanning, emailing, faxing and all to do with cats, things at home, baggage, shipping ....
Who knew emigrating could be so hard and I've still got to deal with banks, letting agents, mortgage company, freeholder, phone company, electric company, blah blah blah..... as well as developing my business.................................
I am cream-crackered as we say in these parts and I need CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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One of the things I am transporting is a 65kg, full size digital piano. I got quotes from 3 companies to transport it to Cairo by air freight. The quotes ranged from £279 - £303 (excluding insurance).
I have accepted the most expensive quote, from Allfreight International, because Donna from the company phoned me within minutes of me pressing the 'send' button for the online quote, to find out exactly what my requirements were, spoke to her colleagues and came back to me, and their quote INCLUDES making up a special box to transport the piano! (Which I have partially dismantled so its reasonably flat). The other 2 companies could have done that but didn't and I would have then had to pay out for some kind of packaging material.
Anyway, thought I'd let other peeps know for future reference, and I will let you know how they actually perform!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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This is the trash heap which my flat is at the moment - things pulled out all over the place for decorating, packing, deciding... 3 weeks to sort this pig sty out
Wasn't too bad yesterday and the day before, got loads done - friend came round to help Saturday so we managed to keep it quite tidy while we were working, and got a handywoman in yesterday to do various handyperson jobs involving wood, saws, drills and other bits, but doing it on my own is SO depressing coz I don't have the energy to keep it tidy while I'm working.
Still - out of chaos shall emerge order or some such Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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I'm knackered. I just finished packing up my piano after several hours of hauling it about. It weighs 65kg - its at times like this I can see the value of a physics degree the amount of levers and 'frictionless slopes' I've had to construct tonight out of a random selection of bits of wood and old metal shelves is amazing. I had to wrap it in sheets, newspaper and bubble wrap because the freight co are going to construct the shipping box for me. I hope their driver doesn't have a blue fit tomorrow!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Oldbag: I'm knackered. I just finished packing up my piano after several hours of hauling it about. It weighs 65kg - its at times like this I can see the value of a physics degree
LOL I thought you were going to say you could see the value of having a man
I think the story of this piano is going to be a great ES saga.
Good luck with the rest of your packing.
Posts: 3809 | From: Paradise | Registered: Mar 2003
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Thanks - I've booked the letting agent to come round next Wednesday to assess the rent I might get which means I HAVE to have the place looking relatively decent by then - so that's a bit motivating Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Oldbag: I have spent 5 hours this morning just filling in paperwork, scanning, emailing, faxing and all to do with cats, things at home, baggage, shipping ....
Who knew emigrating could be so hard and I've still got to deal with banks, letting agents, mortgage company, freeholder, phone company, electric company, blah blah blah..... as well as developing my business.................................
I am cream-crackered as we say in these parts and I need CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muhahahaa I did it all 2 years ago so I know your stress..it's a lot isn't it!!?? The most difficult thing is doing everything to stop or end at the same time....I was selling my car like mad at the last minute, it was all a headache. Once you get on the plane you will breathe a sigh of relief! Posts: 13440 | Registered: Feb 2006
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Yeah cheers the piano has left the building - the piano has left the building..................... Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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LOL ty for this... InshaAllah I'm soon to follow so its nice to get an idea for what im up against. Biggest problem I forsee.... hmmm I really dunno. I dont expect to be taking much, three bags at most... im not really planning to ship much just what I can carry with me, and my kiddo. I guess that will be the hardest part, lol the four year old.
Posts: 120 | Registered: Sep 2006
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OMG I thought my daughters bedroom was bad enough LOL - by the way you have great taste - same fridge/freezer as me LOL. Hope you have done more packing and you are able to put the hoover on without the entire contents of your flat disappearing up it. Good Luck
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LOL its looking a lot better today - losing the piano and the record collection (which you can't actually see in the vid because they are hidden in the junk) freed up a load of space so we could actual start manouevring stuff around to finish the decorating.. nearly done Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Was just informed by the freight co that the piano including packing is 108kg No wonder it was so tough to move about!!!
So anyway, the freight cost is somewhat higher than they initially quoted (which was for 68kg - I allowed 3kg for packing - bit dim I know ) so further charges to be deducted from the plastic fantastic - I've given up counting now!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Right, I made a decision today about storage. I just can't sort all this crap out in the time remaining (17 days from now I shall probably be over Alexandria on the plane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) so I have got a quote for storage at a place in Bristol - its quite reasonable actually - for a 20 sq.ft x 8ft high room (about 4.5 cu. m.) its about £340 + insurance (for 6 months). So that's probably what I'm gonna do. Now I've just got to put thumbscrews on - I mean ask nicely - my sister and her hubby to do 'man with van' duty! There's actually half a chance that I could sell the stuff for the amount its going to cost to store - but I just can't sell it in the time available to me. (Anyone want a trumpet for £175? LOL!)
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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I can only pray that my husband will be able to find employment in Egypt so the organization/company will take care of the shipping of our household! What a headache it must be for you right now to organize everything, Oldbag!!! Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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Too right TL - mind u, I have known I'm moving for many many moons now so its my own stupid fault for being 'deadline-orientated' as we procrastinators like to say
All I'm saying is thank God for Flylady (flylady.net) - if I hadn't spent the past 5 or 6 years gradually decluttering (over 1000 books for example in the past 2 years!) it would all be A LOT WORSE!!!!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Ok guys, I need some help. I have before me a small collection of bottles of perfume and oils bought from 'My uncles/aunties/sisters papyrus gallery and purveyors of fine oils' emporium in downtown Cairo over 2 years ago (yes, I was that tourist...)
Cost a load and I am NOT bringing them back - the risk of spills etc etc, for a load of old oil. Please give me a kick up the ass to BIN THEM NOW..
All ass-kicks welcome!!!! Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Any thing you have not used in the last 6 months ....get rid of it.....that means every thing, perfume, clothes, oils, shoes etc.... Posts: 643 | From: Over there | Registered: Aug 2007
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Not the shoes - on account of my ginormous feet (size 10 UK, 12 US and 44 Eur!!!!) and the impossibility of buying shoes in my size that not only fit, but also don't look like a couple of coalbarges, they stay - as I have a lifetime supply.
And what about the 4 million useful computer cables? - geek heaven - guess I'll freecycle those to some deserving geek somewhere!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Ok oils and perfumes now lined up next to toilet so can make nice smells when it flushes Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Right - just booked and paid for the van for next Thursday.
Luton van with tail-lift - 2 days hire for £110.75 including VAT and insurance. Will also have to donate cash to the sister/hubby combo and pay for diesel.
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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sell on Ebay, then you can get money as well as declutter
-------------------- Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor Posts: 2791 | From: www.flatsinluxor.co.uk, Luxor, Egypt | Registered: Jan 2003
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Nice idea Akshar, but I just haven't got the time or patience for Ebay - I have a hard job just posting letters let alone parcels Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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11 days from now, I should be wending my way through customs at Cairo inshallah!
I've got 3 packing days left to decide what's coming, what's storing, what's staying in the flat for tenants and what's getting charity/freecycle/bin ned AARRGGHHHHHHHHHHH
Naturally enough, given that I was away this weekend at a conference and am so tight to time, I decided that Friday morning really was the best time to set up a new internet forum for a group I am a member of - nothing like a deadline to get the creative juices flowing I always find
My purrbabies are leaving for Heathrow Pet place on Thursday, my stuff is leaving for storage on Friday and I shall be accompanying it to get a last couple of days in with the parentals before I leave!
Then I will have 3 days next week I have to clean and paint 9 doors in my flat, gloss my skirting boards, paint the hall ceiling with special cover up now-dry damp spots from the flat upstairs, paint the windowsills, finish painting the kitchen, get an inventory done of all the stuff staying in the flat done, clean all the furniture, shampoo all the carpets, go and visit kitties in the Heathrow place so they know I haven't abandoned them, get rid of all remaining items, pack up my computer stuff to come to Egypt (laptop, sound card (ext) and a few bits), find a home for the tv and printer until I come back in Feb for a couple of weeks and can get them down to the store!
Oh dear, I've come over all faint, I better go for a lie down. I have a feeling chocolate is going to find its way into the shopping bag again before the week is out Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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oh you poor thing, so much still to do and so little time, but I am sure you will do it....well you HAVE to!!!
i wish you all the luck in the world making your deadlines and eat lots of chocolate to motivate you!! x
Posts: 1917 | From: WALES | Registered: Apr 2007
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Holy moly woman, that three days of fixing up the flat better be fueled by lots of caffeine and chocolate. Not sure how else you'll make it!!! Wish you the best with it though. Posts: 1283 | From: Cairo | Registered: Feb 2006
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PHotos dudes - how many of your precious photo albums did you bring???? Do I keep them here and scan photos in and bring gradually or what? I'm scared stiff of losing them en route but they weigh to much to bring hand. And no, I don't have the negatives!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by advocate: How about emailing them to yourself and printing them off when you get there?
Coz these are actual photos from the land that time forgot before digital so I would have to scan them all in - many many hours of work Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Could you take the pictures somewhere and pay to have them scanned and then put onto cd's? I guess it might cost a bunch for all the work, but you don't have the time and they're too heavy to take.
Alternately, just take small bunches at a time, leaving the balance in storage until you can get to them.
Posts: 1283 | From: Cairo | Registered: Feb 2006
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Oldbag, this is your last day with your precious pussy cats, I hope parting with them tomorrow wont hurt too much, you will see them again soon Posts: 1917 | From: WALES | Registered: Apr 2007
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darling OldBag is you are reading this, then you are being a bad baaaaddd girl, and not working on packing up your stuff.....so get back to it, woman !!
only a week away !!! Posts: 1103 | From: 6th of October | Registered: Jun 2007
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quote:Originally posted by jean_bean: darling OldBag is you are reading this, then you are being a bad baaaaddd girl, and not working on packing up your stuff.....so get back to it, woman !!
only a week away !!!
I didn't read it til today! I was a VERY good girl yesterday and did not put my computer on AT ALL even for 1 'just a peak at my email'.
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Hello each - well had a VERY stressful 2 days - piling all my crap into a van, my sister and her hubbie and me all driving from London to Bristol, getting stuck in a horrific traffic jam, moving my crap up to the 7th floor of a warehouse building - moving beds around the countryside, moving big beds up narrow staircases in my parents home, blah blah blah. I woke up in the middle of the night having a panic attack about the amount of stuff still to do before Wednesday night (travelling Thursday!), gave myself a good talking to - no point panicking, better sleeping The absurdity of paying out for storage for stuff that I could buy new if I needed it ----- but the problem is, you can't think straight when you're surrounded by the crap. The other problem is how could I get rid of it by Thursday if I didn't do this - no guarantee of any sales by then, and what would i do with it if it didn't sell? My family have no space to hold my stuff and all live miles away. Anyone here contemplating a major move - start getting rid of your stuff NOW!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Oldbag: Ok oils and perfumes now lined up next to toilet so can make nice smells when it flushes
Sister reclaimed the oils that had yet to be flushed away - I think I know what people are gonna be getting for Xmas!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Well people, the enormity of it all finally hit me this afternoon. I was in Asdas (Walmart) about 20 mins ago, peacefully doing my shopping and it all suddenly came home to me. Before, I haven't spent more than 2.5 weeks in Cairo in one go - so I know during my time I've done my shopping locally, in Carrefour, Hyperone, Metro, Khaer Zaman, but from the end of this week I will be doing all my shopping there, for more than 2 weeks.
Having spent several hours today making phone calls, writing letters to various places with a change of address, and visiting banks to change my address, I think I've now got 'pre-wedding nerves' is about the nearest description I can put on it - sort of excited, anticipation, its too late to go back now kind of feelings all mixed up.
I am so grateful to the people that I know in Cairo waiting to welcome me.
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by LovedOne: Could you take the pictures somewhere and pay to have them scanned and then put onto cd's? I guess it might cost a bunch for all the work, but you don't have the time and they're too heavy to take.
Alternately, just take small bunches at a time, leaving the balance in storage until you can get to them.
I decided to leave all my photoalbums at my parents house for the time being, together with my entire CD collection and do exactly what you say there - take in small bunches.
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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3 more days to go, Oldbag, ARE YOU READY???? Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
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and enjoy the chocolate!!
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) so further charges to be deducted from the plastic fantastic - I've given up counting now!
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