--Sir Vivian Fuchs
There were tears: mostly Donna�s. Handing over the keys and walking out of there was so hard. But after the initial wrench, the pain soon subsided. We know that this is a positive move, and that we would have moved house anyway, so we were woken on Saturday morning by our common sense, feeling good.
The weekend was a tonic. A very funny Saturday night courtesy of JJ, Nerissa & Lisa, in which I laughed pretty much all night � but I can�t now remember what at. Then a Sunday with our niece and nephew at the Blue Planet Aquarium.
So tonight we descend on Shirley and Mike. May God help them and reward them for their loyal, but foolhardy hospitality.
Christian being rubbish at injections update: Just had Yellow Fever vaccine and didn�t faint or vomit. Yay!
Friday 27th September, Christian writes:
I know that it is not right to have such feelings for what is only bricks and mortar. But we are both sad today.
The Solicitors have received the money, so we will hand over the keys at 6 o�clock.
Goodbye then to our Paradise; our home for the past 5 years, in which we have shared too many happy times to recount. This is harder than I had expected.
I neglected to mention that in the early hours of Tuesday, Michelle gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The presence of this perfect little one has caused much broodiness within our circle. Congratulations to Michelle & Paddy, and welcome to Molly May.
Thursday 26th September, Christian writes:
More trouble between India and Pakistan: the terrorist attacks in Gandhinagar are now being blamed on Pakistan. We shall be vigilant in checking the news, but tensions are always high between the two neighbours � I don�t think that our plans will need to change. The FCO advise visitors to avoid Kashmir and the Pakistan border � so avoid we will.
We met with our Solicitor yesterday, and it looks like the house sale is going according to plan. So long as we have the money through on Friday, we can hand over the keys. Gulp.
Tuesday 24th September, Christian writes:
I know that this is not normal, but I really like Airline food. So I just got very excited about Airlinemeals.net. At least I am not alone.
I should add that this unusual affection was not an influencing factor upon our decision to travel.
Monday 23rd September 2002, Christian writes:
It is satisfying to know that all of our collected worldly goods fit into two vans. It provides a feeling of an uncluttered, Spartan lifestyle. However, as our families will bear testament, once the goods are unloaded from the van, it is a different matter. They sprawl and fill any available space � and we are eternally grateful to those who have agreed to house some of our possessions while we travel.
The actual moving process was the usual palaver. First, on Saturday morning, a team of Me, Donna, Paddy, Ian and Sean loaded the piano into the van, and Donna and I delivered it to my friend�s house in the Wirral. Pianos are obstinate beasts, and I would advise young would-be musicians to consider a more portable instrument.
Returning to our Paradise, we began to cram the van with as much furniture as we could. Amusingly, as Donna and I struggled with another bookshelf, a shell-suited scally scoundrel swaggered past us casually remarking upon the enormity of our task: �Looks like yez�ll �ave a bit a trouble geddin� dah in dehr�. I replied that this was indeed the case, and added that he could help us if he wished. Strangely, the young scallywag did wish, and he spent the next hour helping us fill the van, and strap things to the roof rack. I offered our scally angel a reward of beer, but it transpired that he was only 14, and we both agreed that it might be inappropriate, so he left us, with only our thanks as a reward. The van filled, we trundled over to Irlam, and filled both Donna�s Mam�s and Donna�s Grandad�s with its contents.
Sunday morning, and Donna wakes with a start: �What are we doing? I don�t want to move�. But it is too late for all this. I remind my love that it will be worth it, and that we will find another place when we return. In fact, her worries began because she awoke with the thought �I will miss this bed�: a valid concern. I too will miss our bed more than any other possession. For both of us, sleeping is a favourite pastime. We snacked on a bacon breakfast, and began to pack the van. This time we delivered to Wigan, where my Mum was ready and waiting to lend extra muscle. With the 2 flights of stairs at our paradise, and the 2 flights at my mother�s, I think that I have very easily climbed the equivalent height of the Glyders this weekend.
So there now: all is gone from our home, except the two of us, and a suitcase of clothes. We sleep on an inflatable bed, and sit on garden furniture until Friday, which will be our last day. We did take some photos of our move, so I shall endeavour to stick them on the site later. Many thanks to all who have helped, especially My Mum and Dad, Donna�s Mum and Dad, R. Ste, R. Al, Ken, Denise, Ian, Paddy, Sean, and the scally teen in a shell suit that taught me a little about judging by appearances.
Donna also writes:
Our lovely house so bereft of furniture; still laughter permeates the walls and ceilings. We at least have a decent dancefloor back.
Yesterday I reluntantly allowed Christian to dismantle the bed, initially I refused to leave it until he threatened to strap me to the roofrack still in it.
It's a strange feeling, I woke in the night exclaiming 'What's that doing in here?' whilst apparently still asleep. I'm a little disorientated at sleeping somewhere different, I suppose it's something that will become second nature as we jet off 4 weeks today.
Tuesday 17th September 2002, Christian writes:
Let us suppose for a moment that God exists and has a direct line to each of us, albeit in a rubbish, vague, Hollywood sort of a way. I know it�s an unpleasant supposition, but bear with me on this.
One of the Omniscient�s subjects (let�s call him Chris) decides that he should postpone the production of children until he has travelled the world � a longstanding ambition of his. Now our leap of imagination comes into play. The Deity then bombards hapless Chris with baby news. It seems that every female Chris knows is With Child. Is Chris to gather that this splenetic interventionist God is giving him a sign? Or perhaps He is testing the metal of our mortal, in a Job-type way?
Then again, perhaps it is just that our hero has turned thirty, and that this is what happens, with or without His hand. Nature is the only greater being, and people are becoming pregnant through their own biological instinct, and their good luck.
All of which is a roundabout way of saying congratulations to Aleceia and Daryl, who have just their baby; to Julia and Rod who are now expecting; to Michelle and Paddy who are due any time now; and now to a new friend�s pregnancy, which must remain secret for now.
I am overjoyed that so many little people will be with us soon. I am also a little sad that I am not a member of this club, but I know that what I am doing is right. There will be plenty time for babies when we return. And if God wants to sulk about it: Fuck Him.
Sunday 15th September 2002. Donna Writes:
Time really is ticking away � 5 weeks tomorrow and we�re off! I can�t believe how quickly it�s coming. This time next week we�ll have no furniture left in the house and will almost be homeless.
Last night was our �goodbye to the house� meal; we cooked for 10 people and had an excellent night. All the Liverpool lot with Jooles and Rod were in attendance.
Rod and Jooles announced their new addition due out in March, which went down a storm � congratulations to them! We�ve nicknamed Jooles� bump �Baby David� and it keeps demanding chocolate and cheeseburgers. (Rod- it�ll be a long 7 months but it�ll be worth it).
My Mum and Dad have entered the computer age and bought a PC to keep in contact with us as we travel. They�ve been fantastic and I�m proud to have them.
Mum sent her first e-mail with the help of my 5 year-old Nephew. Who ever said an old dog can�t learn new tricks?! (Sorry Mum!)
Wednesday 11th September, Christian writes:
Good luck and sweet joy to Aaron, who leaves for Panama today. May the force be with you.
Tuesday 10th September, Christian writes:
Don't go to see Signs. See my review on the Guardian site. Yes I know I spelt unbelievably wrong, unbelievably.
OK. Now we get down to the nitty-gritty.
At the weekend, we went over to Manchester to see R. Lads (R. Al & R. Ste), who were about to have a birthday (coincidentally on the same day). So anyway, as I think I mentioned before, the In-Laws and R. Ste are planning to come over to New Zealand while we are there. Allen is super-organised about their trip, which is great, because it helps with our planning, but it has also served to worry me about our own disorganisation.
I awoke Monday morning with a feeling of pre-exam nerves: that caffeine-heartskip feeling that you�ve not done enough revision.
I know that the deal with backpacking is that you don�t book everything ahead, but there are certain parts of our travels where we will need that security. So, resolved by this decision, Donna and I begin slowly to choose our paths, and where we will stay.
We put out tentacles for Hotels in Delhi, and I have sent a few emails requesting details and bookings. We�re also trying to book some train tickets in India in advance. The plan is to go from Delhi to Rishikesh, to Rajasthan, and then on to Varanasi (if we have time).
So this will be the plan. We�re getting there by doing a bit each evening. So, tonight, we carry on with India. Tomorrow, we�ll start to look at Hong Kong.
Manageable bite-sized chunks. Which, come to think of it, is how teachers used to advise we revise. Thank Christ in Heaven the time for exams has now passed me by.
More useful things we have bought:
Iodine drops
Chlorine tablets
Travel cutlery
A trendy t-shirt (because we will be travelling and mixing with the young people)
Good soap
Thursday 5th September 2002, Christian writes:
I�m very proud, and a little jealous of how clever all my friends are. All at once, things seem to be happening.
First, Mark begins writing articles for Crime Time. This has been long overdue: He is probably the cleverest man I have known, and is certainly the most talented writer. It is only a matter of time before his novels appear on bookshelves. He has promised me that if I ever do write a book, he will contribute a kind comment for the blurb (regardless of my abilities).
Aaron has already received sufficient praise for his blog, but did I mention his sculptures? Soaring, lilting arcs that look at once organic and otherworldly. As Donna has pointed out on more than one previous occasion: He is, indeed, a bastard.
And now JJ. A friend that I do not see enough: it appears that all the time I have not seen him recently, he has spent locked in a room, honing his journalistic abilities. The dark horse. Dripfed is a good-looking zine, and JJ�s (John Ossoway) writing is sharp and elegant.
I know for a fact that other friends, too, have created beautiful and clever things beyond my capabilities, and I apologise for not mentioning more (especially Simon T. � I couldn�t find any links to your keynote books). But this reverence is beginning to make me nauseous, so I must stop.
Wednesday 4th September 2002, Donna writes:
What a mad few days - being back in work offers no time to ponder our exciting trip. As Christian rightly points out I was indeed in Preston yesterday on an SEN Focus Group Meeting. The group meets a couple of times a term and this one was particularly useful; not only in acedemic terms but in confirmation of what we are doing is so entirely right. There were stories of death and people diagnosed with cancer - each person I spoke to seem to echo the sentiments 'You just don't know what's round the corner - do whatever you want to, now'
I have my rucksack but haven't tried all my gear in it yet, I packed then halved it. I can only take 45-50 litres of 'stuff' with me. It's quite refreshing when I think of all the clothes I've got and actually don't need - I shall learn a lot about myself and my occasional obsession with material goods.
Oh and I got lots of extra money this month in backpay - enought to pay for my ticket and our insurance - job done!
Tuesday 3rd September 2002, Christian writes:
Donna is in Preston today.
Monday 2nd September 2002, Christian writes:
Armed with good intention, and paper and pen, Donna and I mounted the trusty Vespa to visit our public library. I love libraries anyway, and Childwall library was a real treat: a good stock, and more staff than visitors. We headed for the travel section, and loaded my arms with Lonely Planet/Rough Guides to all the places we are to visit. Retiring to a desk, we began consumption of the 8000 pages before us. It took us to around our 6th page to realise that this was rather too much information to take in. After about half an hour of study, we were still no clearer what we were to see, or where we were to stay. The only note scribbled by Donna: �In India, do not use left hand. This is reserved for ablutions.�
We had arrived expecting an afflatus. We left, defeated, with a small number of the more recent guides under my arm. Further homework will be necessary.
Following the announcement in the Chester College Alumni magazine, there has been a renewed interest in my novel. So I�ve included some more information here for those interested.