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.