Well, well, well. Siamo arrivati.

The last week has seen stress levels rise to never before seen heights in our household. From initially organised packing into last minute chaotic 'chuck it in any old box' packing and a moving day of 3 trucks arriving at different times, with only 1 of the 3 drivers speaking English and a lot of prioritising what was to be taken and what was to be left behind to a complete farce of an operation by Well Pharmacy. We have experienced highs and lows of moving house.

Thursday: the movers. 

We used Shiply.com to get a range of quotes for the move and I quickly settled for the respondent entitled 'European Courier', they had excellent feedback and reviews, quick responses to my queries and a competitive price (neither cheapest nor most expensive). I happily booked 2 vans and paid the deposit (this changed to 3 vans as my early estimates were greatly under-sized and under-weighed). 

Moving day finally arrived (Thursday 22nd) and having been informed the previous day that they would be with me between 9 and 11, I arrived at the house at 06:30 for finally packing and tidying activities. At 10:05, I received an email to inform me that actually, they wouldn't arrive until between 2 and 3. Balls and Buggery. My help (brother-in-law and father) arrived about 5 minutes after this email to help load the vans. Alas, I had to break the bad news, followed by the good news that actually, one of the vans (a Mercedes Sprinter) was only 30 minutes away and we could load 1.2tonnes of boxes onto it. Hooray. 

The driver told us he could stay awake for 48 hours without problem and anticipated, with no customs issues, that he'd arrive Saturday morning (image above of his truck loaded to weight limit). Excellent. A few hours and much traffic later, the arrival of the next truck (and thereafter truck 3). Both larger and ready for the furniture. The barrier here, no English was spoken by the drivers and no Romanian was spoken by my crack-team. So we bumbled our way through loading the vans and, relatively quickly we ran out of space and I was left rapidly prioritising what to take and what to leave (farewell my oak bench and outdoor dining table). 

With a signature and some random customs forms, we sent them on their way and finishing sorting out the house. Hazaah.

Friday: The flight

Friday morning I rushed around sorting out the final bits and pieces, sold the van and had a hurried lunch and an emotional farewell to my family and embarked upon our relatively uncomfortable taxi to Heathrow airport. The kids were well behaved, Lucia had a nap and we arrived without any issues or concerns. We approached check-in and let them know we were still awaiting our test results from the Pharmacy, they asked us to wait until they came through....tick tock, tick tock. I phoned Well Pharmacy, who were polite but unhelpful as they informed us that their pre-departure tests take 48 hours after the lab receives them to get a result...we took our tests 48 hours before our flights and they were collected Thursday morning at 09:30am, delivered to the lab on Friday morning (flight day) at 10am (don't know what they were doing in between). I asked how they can (miss) sell a pre-departure test so impressively they said it wasn't miss-sold and that their website has changed as they have changed test suppliers (which can apparently get a result the same day as it is received). We argued, Sabi got angry and emotional but in the end, we were out of time. We had missed our flight. 

Cue a late evening in the airport trying to organise ourselves while our kids were (thankfully) being amazingly well behaved. We booked ourselves new tests at the airport for the following day (£70), found accommodation for the night (£100) and booked new flights for the next evening (£900). We then went on an adventure from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5 via the delightful (and free) Heathrow Express where we were greeted with London Airport cabbies who charged us £25 for a 4minute journey to a Covid-ripe maskless and social-distance-less hotel. Hooray. 

A fun night in the hotel where we all slept (mostly) to awake to the free breakfast (and stolen lunch), a cheaper taxi straight back to Terminal 2 for our rapid antigen tests and then back on the train to Terminal 5 to have lunch and play in the fountain (See photo). Then back on the train to Terminal 2 for check-in and boarding and finally, flying, landing and arriving home at 1am, a day later than planned and £1,000 worse off than planned. But arrived, safe, sound and ready for adventures. 

I would like to add a massive amazing thank you to staff at Heathrow Airport who were relentlessly helpful, kind and friendly throughout our stressful couple of days. allowing us access to 'non-trolley' areas with our trolley to aid moving car seats around with us, helping us organise our tests and generally being kind and friendly to our kids, who were determined to make friends with every single one of them. 

If you need to travel abroad and need to get a test. DO NOT USE Well Pharmacy. They are a bunch of thieving crooks. Also, you can book yourself in for a rapid antigen test at most airports if you arrive early enough without any real worries. 

We all miss Lobo, who is staying with my parents in Swansea until he is collected next week and brought to us. I have no new pictures of him, and it makes me sad.

Family time

Our last weekend in the UK was full of much fun, relaxation and family curry time. In the knowledge that this week, starting on Monday, was to be the most chaotic of our lives at decided to take our really easy.

Saturday was a morning of waterfall swimming and an afternoon of grandparents swimming pool swimming with the cousins, while Sunday was a massive family curry and swim day. Though swimming first, for obvious reasons.

We also had a family trip to the beach one evening for chips and adventuring. Leonardo dragged us to the top of the little hill overlooking the Mumbles Lighthouse. It was a beautiful little spot and made more so by the realisation that in 36 years, I haven't ever clambered up there before. Good job Leonardo.

Lobo has been working hard to stay out of the 🌞 although her is a bit twp and does lie in the sun at times. Here he is... In the shade.

Barriers

Do you remember that time I said we were 'barrier-less' to completing in Italy, though probably not because of the 1000 other complications that were going to arise? Haha. funny how things turn out. 

Sabi had a video call this morning with the current owner of the house we are buying in Italy. Apparently he speaks very well and looks cool with a giant beard. He also keeps bees, so he sounds like my kinda guy. Anyway, he called up to have a chat and tell us how angry he is with the estate agent for being pretty sh*tty. I mean, I have been annoyed at her for a while now, so I am glad I'm not alone in this. 

It turns out that the notary (solicitor) in Italy is linked to the estate agent and has flagged an issue that needs fixing before we can complete. Essentially, the garage, which was built in the 70's, was built 40cm longer than the original architect planning. The notary won't allow the sale to go through until either the deed is changed or the building is fixed. This probably wouldn't be a huge issue other than the fact that in August, Italy practically shuts down for holidays so nothing will happen until September. Not a huge problem, other than we'll be living with Sabi's parents for a month - which does have some benefits (including a swimming pool and opportunity for me to finish some work I need to do without distraction) and some challenges (Sabi's parents aren't dog people....Lobo is a dog, a pretty stinky annoying one at times). 

If, as we asked her to, the estate agent had started the notary off 6 months ago when we put a 10,000 euro deposit down, we wouldn't be in the position. Instead, she told us 'it'll be fine, it'll only take a couple of weeks to go through'. In hindsight, we should have forced her to start, but y'know, we are passive. So anyway. we all dislike the estate agent. But are working on ways to circumnavigate the issues with the current owner, who is willing to pay to have it all fixed and 'rent' the house to us for 1euro so we can move in during the interim. Not ideal. But maybe better than alternatives. 

So, top tip for those of you looking to relocate. Put pressure on estate agents and notary to get started early so when you are 3 days away from moving to the country, you aren't being told there is a potential 1 month or more delay to completing.

In positive news, our packing is on-going. Sabi's fabric collection exceeds 180kg, which is pretty impressive, her sewing machines are packed and business is closed until we are settled in Italy. You can still pre-order for delivery, which is being bulked together for 1 or 2 deliveries to the UK per year. visit her page at Amore Mio Clothing and Zero Waste on Facebook or Amore del Mondo on Instagram. 

Here is Lobo.

A whirlwind of a time

So, too much had been going on for me to get on and write a post over the last few days and I'll probably break it up into a couple of posts to make it less strenuous reading for you. 

First up, after the joys of being informed as the last hour that I needed a 'codice fiscali' from Italy in order to complete on our purchase, and then told it could be up to 6 weeks before I get a response, I am delighted to say it came through within a week of my application and we are now barrier-less to completing (we all know that's a joke, I predict 1000 other complications yet).

In local news, I gave officially finished work in the UK and, as of 5pm today, am unemployed. The team, where I have been based since Jan 2017, threw me a lovely leaving do at over of my favourite woodlands on Thursday (my last working day). There was a lot of chat and laughter and it was lovely to see everyone in person, especially after the last 18 months. 

I was also gifted some very thoughtful presents, including a wonderful wild food recipe book in both Italian and English, a poly tunnel growing guide (from a friend) and a beautifully hand sewn fabric Welsh love heart. 

As excited as I am to be going to Italy, I am hugely thankful to the people at the job I have been doing for the past 4.5 years. I have learnt so much from everyone and, at cliché as it sounds, developed as a person. I can't wait to take my skills and knowledge to Italy to share the woodland love with them. 

A big thank you to everyone in NPT council, Coed Lleol and Swansea council for everything. See you in Italy!

Here's Lobo, being Lobo, by a Waterfall

The Checklist

'The Checklist' sounds like it could be a film, albeit a boring film. I'd envisage Will Smith playing the lead role, staring at his checklist. But instead of a fun or exciting checklist like in the 'Bucket list', it'd just be a standard to-do list. The film would, most probably, have Will Smith standing there on his phone, looking wistfully (and bored) out of the window while listening to hold music as he tries to cancel his home insurance before moving on his big trip. Perhaps sitting at a computer trying to navigate his accounts for various utilities contracts that they make impossible to cancel simply on their website. 

In other news, we managed to tick a few more items off our own pre-departure list. I have informed the local council that we are moving out (cancelling our council tax) - tick. We have found a new home for Stella, our 2 year old cat (left) who is sadly not making the journey with us - tick. Both Sabi and I have completed 2 doses of our respective Covid vaccinations. Hooray and tick. We have even agreed a new moving date for Lobo, a couple of days early, meaning he won't need to be dogsat for quite as long without us. All fantastic and positive. 

In somewhat less positive news, our house purchase on the continent has been hitting a few snags. Several months ago, Sabi and I pushed the estate agent for information on what we were going to need (paperwork/documents etc.) in order to complete on the purchase. The agent was entirely relaxed about it all telling us not to worry and it'll all be very quick once we have the cash-monies. Turns out, she just wasn't paying attention and has this week informed us that I (Neil) need a Codice Fiscale, essentially a Tax code for Italy, which is easy enough to apply for (5 minutes online - tick), but the time to get it approved can be anything up to 6 weeks! Not a huge issue as we have Sabi's family nearby to stay with in the interim between moving and purchasing. The biggest stressors now are agreeing with the sellers to store our furniture and lives in the house prior to completion, which they may or may not be happy about. Also, we have to keep Lobo for X number of weeks at Sabi's parents who are not as....dog friendly...as we are. So that'll be interesting. 

Still lots left to do on our checklist and some days we achieve nothing (like today) others we achieve a little (I packed 1 box on Sunday). I finish work on Thursday this week (with a mini-leaving-do in the woods) and then it's t-minus 1 week until liftoff and 5 days of manic panic packing, weighing and organising. Right now, I am going to find and book a taxi to take the four of us to the airport next week to begin our wonderous adventure for reals. 

Here is Lobo, on a walk, having a good shake.

Packing is my least favourite hobby

Alright, it probably isn't a 'hobby' but I seem to spend more time thinking about, planning and subsequently ignoring my plan for packing than any other non work activities.

Today was a day off work to be organised in an unorganised manner. Our pack of 6 rolls of paper tape arrived this week so we were all set to put boxes together and fill them haphazardly with stuff we probably don't need before we move... But we might. I have already had to unpack stuff I packed as month ago, so it's going well. 

Today we boxed up 45kg of Sabi's fabric. It'd be fine if it wasn't less than half of her stockpile, tidied the garage a bit more (that's a slow burner), packed up a box of toys while the kids were distracted and then unpacked and repacked some boxes. Good times. 

Because we are moving abroad we also have to complete a customs form detailing what we are taking, so I also spent about an hour weighing every box and recording what's in each one. 

We fly 2 weeks today. I wonder if the vans will be big enough. Hope so. 

Here is Lobo. Looking majestic

Where we are now

So it has been 8 months still our journey began. We found a house in Italy that we loved, it came with land and a second property purchase option that gives us a bungalow with which we can rent out for tourists as a means of income. It is nestled in the foothills of the Italian-French Alps on the boundaries of a Nature park and within 15 minutes of the ski slopes. Only 30 minutes from Sabi's family and closer still to the forest school we have signed the kids up to, it appears fate has stepped in to make it work. 

With a house found (photo below), offer accepted and deposit paid. Everything got real. We got our house sorted and put it on the market, a part of the process I wasn't overly worried about. We had a few valuations carried out and opted with Peter Alan as our sales agent. Within 3 days of the house going live on their system, Zoopla and Right move, we had accepted an offer on the house. Bam. This is going well. 

3 months later and we, after months of toing and froing, surveys, negotiating and getting unnecessarily stressed, have exchanged contracts and set a completion date (23rd July)! 

Cue a mad rush to organise everything on the Italian side (in hindsight we should have been doing this earlier, but y'know, life). Sabi is in regular contact with her dad and Italian agent, and in turn they are contact with the notary. All is going forward, though slowly.

The Italian house

I got multiple quotes for moving our valued belongings out of the country and paid the deposit (I highly recommend using Shiply.com for this as I had loads of quotes and was able to chat to them all relatively easily during the process of picking who we wanted). Then came the (almost last) major stress to date....Lobo. As a European dog, with an in date passport, I wasn't worried about the paperwork. So we went about (trying to) book our flights. 

One airline (British Airways) told us we had to use their Partner company to get him a place ticket. No problem, I went off and got a quote...£1900 for the silver package. So, plan B, AlItalia, who quoted the much more reasonable price of 75euros. We booked it up. Only to discover that Lobo is too long for the maximum sized crate allowed. 

*back to the drawing board*

Ok, so I was starting to worry and stress about this. I turned to the Expats in Italy facebook group to ask for advice and was almost immediately contacted by an Italian fella (Marco) who happened to be smuggling  transporting dogs back and forth from Italy to UK and vice versa. He told me he didn't have opportunity to take Lobo until the end of July, a full week after our flight. Cue further panic (so far, Lobo has probably caused the most stress). 

At this moment in time, we are reviewing our options for a week long dog sitter to look after him until he can be collected. While we do that, packing has started in earnest and the giving away and selling of crap we don't want has all but finished. The move is now 2.5 weeks away. Here's some fun things we have to do still...

• sort out our banks
• tell HMRC (probably)
• redirect our mail
• cancel insurance
• sell the van
• find the cat a new home (she isn't up for the move)
• shut down our utilities contracts
• cancel the milk
• cancel council tax
• organise a safe, secure and economic money transfer
• pack our belongings
• party
• Covid tests
• Covid vaccines round 2 (booked for this week).

That doesn't look as much as I thought when I started writing, but I guarantee there is something missing...17 days until moving day.

Here is Lobo, you can't tell from the photo, but he is apparently unusually long. 

Introductions

Ciao and Hello!

Welcome to our blog! The place where we'll detail all the exciting stuff around our escape from the UK and into the Italian Alps. Join us on our adventure, follow our challenges, successes and excitement as we start a new life, create new businesses, explore the country and create a sustainable life for ourselves.

Who we are

We are a family of 5: Neil and Sabi, Leonardo and Lucia and Lobo (the dog). I am sure you'll learn more about us as time goes on and I won't bother with detailed write ups now.

The main thing you need to know is: Sabi is Italian, born in the 'borough' of Piedmonte back in 1982, Leonardo was born in Piedmonte in 2016, while Neil and Lucia were both UK born (1985 and 2019). 

As luck would have it, our marriage allows me, as a UK citizen, to gain residency in Italy without any issues, with this, I can maintain my European residency and freedom of movement that would otherwise be lost to me. 

Lobo, the dog, joined us in October 2020 from Portugal, with a Spanish passport meaning that I (Neil) was the one person in our family most limited in my ability to travel abroad!

Where it began

Approximately 6-7 months into the UK Corona Virus Pandemic (October 2020), we started serious discussions about the idea of relocating to Italy. It was a subject we'd spoken about before, and even browsed houses online before, but it had never been a serious, short term plan. In October, we got serious.

Sabi, being Italian, was keen to be closer to her family again, lockdown and limited travel meant our usual annual visits were missed. While back home, although we didn't feel the effects of it, Brexit weighed heavy on our minds and the future for our kids. I was more than happy to drive forward on a new adventure, pursuing a better quality of life away from a country that appeared to be falling further and further into a state of hatred, corruption and xenophobia. 

Once we had made the decision, we properly and seriously started browsing houses, considering our budgets and potential work and school options. This is, without doubt, the best bit of the process. Excitedly browsing the Italian 'Zoopla' looking at houses that, quite frankly were way out of our budget alongside others that were affordable because they were falling down, or indeed one (a particular favourite of mine) that was a set of three ruins, set in 5 hectare of Sweet Chestnut woodlands. The cost of knocking down and rebuilding was probably a bit much, so we moved on from that option. 

While we browsed houses, we thought about the other important bits and pieces: how can we make money? where will the kids go to school? 

The second question was neatly answered by a friend of Sabi who told her about a 'forest school' in Italy that spent 80% of their time out in the woods/meadows no matter the time of year. We were immediately sold and found one relatively local to the area we were browsing houses for (it seems fate was on our side). The first question was and remains the biggest question. How can we make money? Lots of options and as it stands, we'll be exploring a range of viable business opportunities and jobs and seeing what sticks. 

It's all a bit terrifying. 

Here is Lobo.