I've had nearly a week to recover from the move to Banbury last week. I'd spent the week and weekend before packing my things into small boxes and moving all items onto the ground floor of the house in Frieth in order to make it easy on the day. I even managed my book shelf, shelving and desk (the only large pieces of furniture I own) down the stairs without breaking my back.

On Monday, I took annual leave and picked up the van I'd reserved from 1Car1 car hire (£49, around $90) in Oxford around 9:30am. I left my car in the nearby park & ride lot which I thought would be safe enough. After driving back to Frieth I took about two and a half hours to load the van. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get it all in one trip, but it fit ... but only after careful arranging (and unpacking and repacking). The weather wasn't too hot and only lightly rained for about five minutes so that was bonus.

Once I was on the road I tried to reach CM who had offered to meet me in Banbury to run interference on the Gran. Unfortunately that didn't work out and instead I got to Banbury about 3:30 and parked the van about 20 feet down the road from the house. Gran was very inquisitive but after having a good look around I banished her to the sitting room and got on with the unloading. That took about five hours all told, with a short break to the corner market for something to drink. 70 or more trips up two flights of stairs just about did me in, and by the end of the evening I was just shoving things into the ground floor front room. Gran kept trying to offer me tea or something to eat but I had none of it. It was cool and breezy but thankfully not showery. In the end I locked up, had a quick shower and collapsed into bed.

Tuesday morning I was up early to return the van after filling it up with diesel (£22, around $38). No mishaps and my car was fine and I was only slightly late to work.

Since then, I've spent the first hour after work each evening downstairs being debriefed by the Gran, and trying to make a meal for myself while utilising the fewest dishes. Since I've no internet access or TV on the top floor, I had several early nights (before 9) with a good book instead.

The commute to and from Oxford has been a bit wild. Schools started up again last week which means more traffic on the roads, and we've had a week of wet windy weather (including gales and flooding for the past 3 or 4). There are several backroads I can take and I'm still exploring but on average the commute is about 55-65 minutes. Once it took an hour and twenty minutes.

I still have a few odds and ends in Frieth, and will be paying half rent and bills there until Nov 22 when the lease is up. I've asked Royal Mail to forward my post though (and they've accepted £25 as a fee to do so).
3:33:00 PM