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Post by onlyMark on Dec 4, 2019 8:27:38 GMT
........ you pack your bags and move on. Unless that is you have no desire to, and that is ok as well. But for me/us every few years needs the exploration of pastures new. Both because of desire and employment requirements. That time is coming soon. I cannot imagine myself sitting in my living room thinking, well, this is it then for the rest of my life. I cannot criticise anyone who does and there are certainly advantages that I don't have when doing so. Problems with banks, housing, transport, food and the basics have to be learnt and coped with anew. A feeling of being unsettled and eventually just waiting to leave all add to the uncertainty and feeling of being temporary and at times I do succumb to the feeling up "can't be bothered to go through all of it again". Doesn't last long though.
I found years ago the perfect companion though who shares my feelings and thrives on the changes, as I do. I'm sure we wouldn't have lasted long if we were of the opposite viewpoints. I am lucky. I also constantly remind her she is lucky to have me as well though when I've done something irritating to her, it doesn't go down too well. In less than two weeks we shall fly back to Europe for Christmas and the New Year. We'll return to Zambia in the middle of January. But, at the end of February we shall leave again. Me permanently (in reference to living here), Mrs M temporarily and she will return several times until the end of June when her contract comes to an end. We do have the opportunity to extend it somewhat, but neither of us are inclined to do so. I will be based in Europe for the foreseeable future with Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia and who knows where else playing major parts. I do have a idea where we will be next and when, but I'm keeping my cards close to my chest for now so as not to jinx it as it has not been finalised. There are procedures and policies that have to be followed and as with any large organisation, the time it takes to get something done can go into the months very easily, especially when there is no rush to do that thing. You'll find it is unlikely your reporter from Zambia will be filing any more reports from the area, as he awaits new distractions.
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Post by lugg on Dec 4, 2019 10:33:09 GMT
Good luck with your plans. Hope it all comes together. Good news for us though as well - new reports from new places to see in the future, although your tales from your African travels will be missed of course.
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 4, 2019 11:25:21 GMT
Are you selling up in Spain then?
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Post by htmb on Dec 4, 2019 12:22:22 GMT
Sounds like an exciting time for you and Mrs. M, with many new possibilities.
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Post by onlyMark on Dec 4, 2019 12:28:04 GMT
Thanks Lugg.
Mick, as gypsy like as we are, we will always keep the house in Spain to act as a focus for family to visit and for us to have some form of a "root". That's really was what it was bought for in the first place. I appreciate how mentally it can be a base for use, but I have little emotional attachment to it. It serves a function and that is it for me, as beautiful as it is and in the location it is. She is a lot more family orientated than I am and I'd be quite happy travelling round to see them all rather than they all coming to see and stay with me.
I did shock Mrs M some time ago when we were idly discussing what we would do if we divorced, I hasten to add it wasn't serious, it was just an discussion we had in the swimming pool one day. I shocked her by saying she could either buy me out or we sell it and split the money. She couldn't believe that I'd want to get rid of it. The problem is as I get older I wish for less and less "accoutrements" and commitments and would be very happy having a couple of bags and living in rented accommodation - until I didn't want to and then I'd pack my bags and go somewhere else.
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Post by bjd on Dec 4, 2019 13:15:44 GMT
I'm sure you will make the most of wherever you are going next and I look forward to seeing your explorations.
Do you get any input about where Mrs M is sent? Do you get to say yes or no? Does she get a choice of "easy" posts after several "hardship" ones?
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 4, 2019 13:29:09 GMT
Well, I am always happy to open a new destination board on Anyport, so get with it, Mark.
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 4, 2019 15:01:23 GMT
So we might yet meet Mark!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Dec 4, 2019 15:55:53 GMT
Good luck meduck. We're the opposite of you and the lovely Mrs M...moved around a bit when we were first married but we've been in this house since 1984!
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Post by onlyMark on Dec 4, 2019 16:31:40 GMT
bjd, there is a certain amount of flexibility and we have skirted on the hardship ones as they categorise with dealing with Egypt, Jordan, Syria (but never got chance to go at the time though I have been many times before), Lebanon, northern Iraq and Zimbabwe. Mrs M is well thought of but as has happened, our first and second choices have been taken up at times by others who may have been in somewhere like Pakistan and/or Afghanistan. I can't argue with them getting a cushier number for a while. There is no detriment to us saying no to a place, as we have done, and it is easy to do as you just don't apply for it. Twice a year a notice comes out as to where will be available in the next year or so. We obviously have to wait to near the end of her contract to apply and it can be that not long after we have moved, somewhere we did want comes up and we can't move. But that's how it goes.
K2, we'll have to see what it may be and I'll see if there is a board for it or not.
Huckle, I third that.
Mick, I'm trying hard for October but so much is in the air at the moment.
Cheery, my parents moved a lot when they were first married, including some years in Kenya, but then started a family and my mother was very reluctant to move again. We did, but only locally and from one Council house to another for many years. The last place they stayed in from 1977 until popping their clogs a few years ago.
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Post by mossie on Dec 4, 2019 17:35:41 GMT
All the best Mark and your better half, I have never been so adventurous.
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Post by onlyMark on Dec 4, 2019 19:59:28 GMT
Thanks Mossie.
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Post by questa on Dec 5, 2019 0:28:50 GMT
Go for it Mark. I am envious! My plan was to retire early and travel around getting nursing or allied health jobs when needed. I had 2 years in Bali and 2 in Lombok and I still get homesick for them.
I did not plan to develop Parkinsons Disease. This has grounded me now. You never know what is in store for you so just GO and work out the finer details as they arise.
Good luck and stay safe!
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Post by mossie on Dec 5, 2019 7:56:09 GMT
Side tracking the thread, sorry Mark.
But Questa, so sorry to hear you have Parkinsons, I'm sure you will try and stay positive.
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Post by whatagain on Dec 5, 2019 9:08:35 GMT
I make no more long term plans since ages. My retirement plans include staying with my wife if she still wants me and staying close to our children. Egotistically we refused the requests from our children to go study one year abroad partly in fear that they would not return. As for houses and such I am like Mark. I like my house(s) but could sell without much emotion. My short plans for travel are the Martinique and South Africa in 2020. That is how far I plan. My wife is planning to build an annex to the unbuilt house on the ground we bought next to our house. She will have a glasshouse and something small for one child or her mother. Small as in 50 sqm2...
Good luck mark. Not so onlymark 😏 Sounds more like onlymarkandmrslark to me.
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Post by questa on Dec 5, 2019 11:41:03 GMT
Thanks Mossie. There is a thread somewhere...I'd better update it.
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Post by bjd on Dec 5, 2019 11:43:53 GMT
I don't really like to plan ahead either. I have a hard time thinking about something that might happen 10 years in the future. This year we moved away from the place we lived for 31 years. Lots of people said, "Oh that's brave of you!". No, not bravery, just deciding it was time for a change and realizing that changes are rarely made when you get really old.
When I had sort of worried about moving to a much smaller town than the cities I was used to, my husband said, "If we don't like it, we'll just move somewhere else." So far (7 months) things are working out well.
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Post by onlyMark on Dec 5, 2019 13:55:56 GMT
I remember reading somewhere that moving is the second most stressful thing in life other than the death of a close relative. Not really for me though, I can do it at the drop of a hat, mentally.
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 5, 2019 16:27:26 GMT
I have accumulated too much stuff over the years to make moving an option. I'm trying to get rid of a lot of it but not with great success. On top of that a friend of mine who lives like Mark has used my place (as well as his brother's house) for storage for the last 7 years. He won't be returning to France for another 2 years...
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Post by onlyMark on Dec 5, 2019 19:07:15 GMT
It was a great relief to me when I eventually managed to get everything I have into the house in Spain. For all too long it was scattered amongst different countries. After having a sort out and being told to chuck away a load of old clothes, I can fit more or less all my stuff, ignoring the tools I have but clothing and footwear, into a 20kg holdall.
The result of that though is that when we go to and leave a county we have a business class flight paid for, so at least 46kg can be taken and often more. Mrs M then makes be carry half her stuff there and back never mind she has the same allowance as well. Her excuse is that she needs a load of 'work clothes'. Nevertheless, she still has a couple of suitcases and boxes of things at a friend's house in Germany.
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Post by lugg on Dec 5, 2019 19:28:26 GMT
There is a thread somewhere...I'd better update it. Hope you are doing ok Questa - never know what is around the corner ... that is so true. looking forward to any up dates you post. "Oh that's brave of you!". No, not bravery, just deciding it was time for a change and realizing that changes are rarely made when you get really old. - Absolutely. Next year I really need to look at selling my house and moving on. I have hung onto our home as its been a family base for so long but now my children are grown. Not far ... because I will never leave my beloved Herefordshire but somewhere new would be good for my soul I think.
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Post by mich64 on Dec 5, 2019 22:54:28 GMT
All the best to you and Mrs. M. on her new assignment and your new home!
My husband and I, being military children, moved every 4 to 5 years. It seemed to carry on once we were married, we seemed to move every 5 years but once we found the lake house, we have stayed put. I do now find myself thinking frequently where we will go next (same town) but having difficulty knowing what to do, condo or small home? I like the idea of condo as we hope to travel as long as our health enables us to, just turn the key with less worries.
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Post by questa on Dec 5, 2019 23:16:14 GMT
I had a girl friend who moved around a lot. She had a framed pretty poster on the wall in the entrance.
"Home is where I lay my hat,......and a few particular men"
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Post by onlyMark on Jan 30, 2020 18:55:00 GMT
One week (just over) until I remove myself from the big African sky and at the moment, the rains. Originally planned for the end of February, it seems it never rains but it pours - you may have read recently of my brother who needs immediate attention - well all three kids, who have been ticking along nicely, all of a sudden require the wisdom and presence of an adult to move on. I can do the presence thing but the wisdom bit may be not what they want to hear. It's as though they've all been whatsapping each other and come up with a plan to put a spanner in the works all at the same time. Such are the joys of offspring.
Originally I was to fly to Frankfurt and had a ticket to do so on the 28th Feb. - which is the same date Mrs M was to visit also (she will keep coming back until the summer though) and for the first time for many years, we'd be on the same plane at the same time. Not to be so. She keeps the same flight but I disappear on the 9th - to Madrid. I'm scrambling to sell our car here and sort out a lot of different things that need to be done when one leaves a country after a few years, like closing bank accounts etc. Fortunately I started all this early anyway and a man has today transferred money for the car, we'll see if it comes but there are a number of things that it is not fair for Mrs M to have to sort out as well as having a full time job.
Changing the flight has made a complication in that I went to the airline office in Lusaka to see if it could be changed and what the penalties were. The ticket was originally obtained through a travel agency that Mrs M's company has to use. As it is my "flight out" at the end of a time in country, the company pay, so they buy it from the agency. The airline told me $100 for the change of date and the new destination. I told Mrs M. She instructed the agency. They came back and said it would be equivalent to near on 500 Euros. We confirmed with them again the details and yes, near on 500 Euros and gave us a breakdown of what they said it would cost - which was a jumble of figures and codes neither of us understood. I was obviously very annoyed and Mrs M had to stop me from going to the agency.
She talked to them a couple of times and they said maybe it could be cheaper, they'll have to get back to us. Two days later and another couple of phone calls led to no movement on this at all. So me and Mrs M (Mrs M and I to be posh) went today to the airline office (walking distance as it happens from her office) and got thoroughly soaked in a thunderstorm. I knew I should have took the car. Dripped on their carpet and saw the same person as I had seen before. She confirmed it was $100. No other charges. But - the agency had to change it, we couldn't.
Note - do not tell Mrs M she can't do something, especially as she is the big boss in the country for the company, there is nobody above her and what she says, goes. But, she was nice. She persuaded the airline woman to just change the flight and we'd contact the agency to sort it out. Gawd help the agency tomorrow when she gets back to her office - especially as it isn't the only agency in the city and Mrs M has the power to decide on which agency the company uses. I'd like to be a fly on the phone line. So it was changed for the $100.
I will arrive in Madrid, pick up a rental car (18 days basic rental for Euro 14. Yep for the whole time, not per day. But I will get stung and expect to be, for fuel and insurance policies. No matter, it works out with full everything to be no more that 13 Euro a day anyway) - then hot foot it to Granada and stay in an AirBnB and instigate a policy of 'tough love' with my brother. Not that tough though, I do have a sensitive side and it isn't all his doing. The latest news on him is that the Social Services leviathan is beginning to wake up and take note of him. As mentioned, he does have his own apartment and has decided to go back there, but because he stupidly didn't have a written contract with the tenant, it was all done word of mouth, quite often in Spain, the tenant is refusing to move out or accept a notice period. The word is the Social Services will put their weight behind getting this resolved. We'll see what it is all like when I get there.
At the end of February I will be back in Germany to assist with the children's problems as that is when they start in effect. Mrs M will be back and forth until the summer then maybe a sabbatical for a couple of months and back to work in our new country which is......... breaking up....... no signal..... searching..... searching..... beep.. beep... beeeep.
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Post by bjd on Jan 30, 2020 19:07:15 GMT
Good luck. Time will just fly by when you have that much on your plate. Let's hope all will improve with your brother and that your kids will get themselves sorted as well.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 30, 2020 19:44:21 GMT
Mrs M will be back and forth until the summer then maybe a sabbatical for a couple of months and back to work in our new country which is......... breaking up....... no signal..... searching..... searching..... beep.. beep... beeeep. Aaaaarrrrrrrrrrggghhhhhhhhh!
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Post by onlyMark on Jan 30, 2020 20:05:02 GMT
new country which is......... Quite different to the one I'm in now, But until a contract is signed.......
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Post by mossie on Jan 30, 2020 20:19:16 GMT
Best of luck Mark.
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Post by onlyMark on Jan 30, 2020 20:41:23 GMT
Thanks Mossie.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 30, 2020 21:47:05 GMT
Hmmm. Okay, let me ask you this ~
Is there any anyporter who should be making up a guest room for you & Mrs.M so you can stay while looking for long-term housing?
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