TM: It all started with the build-up to the final week-end at Thatcham. The last service and the last sermon had to be prepared in between being invited out to say "good-bye" to so many people. Obviously it was going to be an emotional time but what we did not realise was the huge amount of work that had gone into both the party on the Saturday evening and the service on Sunday. It was a truly wonderful send-off and we really were very touched that so many people came from our former parishes to share in the celebration. For a celebration it was and the good people of Thatcham were so wonderful in the way they all rallied round and worked together to give both party and service a great feeling of joy. So a big thank you to all those who planned both occasions and worked so hard to making them so memorable.But of course there were tears too as we said our final good-byes and left a parish that has been our centre of existence for the last twelve years.
So with lovely memories of those days, we came to earth on Monday and started the awful process of packing up and moving on.
EM: Much of Monday was spent taking a last load to Joe's at Teddington, including the first two of our large suitcases. But since we were doing all the packing except china and glass we got on with packing books etc. Tuesday was made difficult by Tom suddenly needing a molar extracted. It had been bothering him for a while and became too painful. Henry stepped in to help with loading things into the car to park in a friend's Thatcham shed, since Tom was not supposed to be lifting. The bleeding continued making hm feel nauseous. However by Thursday when the removers arrived we had packed nearly 80 boxes. The men from Jamie Briggs were a great crew and by 3.30pm they drove off with 6 full containers, returning for another two the next morning.
So we are now at Teddington recovering strength for the next stage and having to make painful goodbyes to our family. Leaving our home and local friends was emotional enough. This is far harder and my floodgates of tears finally broke. But still we are hugely excited about what we will experience in South Africa.
