All change

[shiraphant]

First, thank you to everyone who left messages/sent texts after my last post - I can't reply to you all individually but I really do appreciate that you all took the time to respond.
James and I managed to find a place to live - we'll be moving to a house in a small village in the Wicklow mountains not painfully far from where he works, and this is where it gets tricky: we have to move between the 9th-14th of October. We cannot afford to hire a removal company. Originally we had three people lined up to help us move, but for various reasons none of them are able to do it now, and currently it looks like James is going to have to drive from Cambridgeshire to North Wales, get the ferry across, drive from Dun Laoghaire to Wicklow, unload, then go back via shedloads of driving and ferry and do it all four times - the final time with the car and cats. Then he'd have to get to Dublin, fly to Stansted, get a cab to fetch me, and fly with me over to Dublin (I am terrified of crossing water and absolutely cannot do ferries, the plane is bad enough) and then somehow get us back to the house in Wicklow.
This is basically not feasible so what I'm saying is if anyone is willing and able to drive a van - a 7.5 ton van, I expect - from Cambridgeshire to Wicklow on any day between the 9th and 14th of October, we really, really need your help. We'd obviously pay for absolutely everything and we would thank you with love and food and money if you'd like.
Ideally we'd end up with three people to drive as well as James and then it could all be done in one day, but really, as it stands, anyone would be a massive improvement, though if there's only one person to drive apart from James it'd be a double trip and take two days what with ferry times being ridiculous.

Comments

[tomatorama.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's a long shot, I would be there in a jiffy if I could drive at all. Could I be of help in any other way, such as being another person to drag things hither and thither?
Much much love.

[tomatorama.livejournal.com]

Also I really wanted to tell you how I miss being at your house and the company of you, Anwens and Jameses, and of course the lully lully cats. I have never been so comfortable away from home in all my life and it was all to do with the company of people who think in the same way as wot I do. Oh I have a sting of tear in my eyefs! Not bad tear, just emotional. Thank you.

[redshira.livejournal.com]

That is so very sweet and I am flattered and happy that you liked being at my haus so much. Also the cats approved you most heartily. If you are ever in a position to travel to Ireland you are always welcome to come and stay and be sat on by a Lools.

[tomatorama.livejournal.com]

Oh the lovely face of lools! She does have such a face. And her enchanting littil paws.

Is there anybody nearish to Cambourne that could keep some of the stuff for you so that Jams doesn't have to make quite so many returning visits in one go, or would that be more faffle in the long run?

I am srs cat that I would help (halp) you. Even if I'm rather puny do you need any extra arms? Or I would happily accompany you from London to Dublin so that James doesn't have to go back again, but I understand/expect he is the only person who can make you feel safe.

I SQUISHT YOU *SQUISHT* AND AGAIN *SQUISHTS*

[redshira.livejournal.com]

Also I squisht you like this: *SQUISHT*

[pygar.livejournal.com]

it would be better to hire a 7.5 ton, rather than a luton 3.5 ton, and to do it in all in one trip. anyone with a car licence older than about 5 years (im not sure when the regs changed) should be able to hire up to 7.5t (class C1 on the license)

you would be better to hire a 7.5 ton from cambridge, drive that in tandem with james car, both driving to wicklow. then on the way back park james car at dublin airport, and both come back in the van. on return to cambridge both you and he get a cab or a lift to stanstead.

[redshira.livejournal.com]

See, I don't know much about terminology and people keep confusing me by using the names that were used 30-odd years ago but I meant a 7.5 ton. Or rather, I meant 3 7.5 ton vans. We have a lot of stuff. A lot. Not stuff that can be got rid of, either, I'm talking about furniture and appliances and books.
It's perfectly typical of our luck that we had three people lined up to help us and now not one of them is able to help. It's not their fault, it's just really bad luck.

[pygar.livejournal.com]

wow, loads of stuff! i would be happy to help, but unfortunately i have mislaid my passport, so wouldnt be able to get accross to ireland. sorry hon. :0(

[redshira.livejournal.com]

That's ok my lovely, I feel like I'm taking a bit of a liberty even asking if anyone can help and I don't expect anyone to be able to - it is something of a long shot. My dad was going to be able to help but a) he's buggered his knee so can't drive, and b) he has no passport. This isn't usually a problem because you don't need a passport specifically, just photo ID, but he's not got any other photo ID either what with the DVLA having his driver's licence.
It's all a bit of a bugger.

[dragonmamma.livejournal.com]

Not sure that I would be confident driving a BIG truck, but might know a man who would. Will try ringing him today for you. (He is stepson/Firekitten's stepbrother, 6ft 5 and strong. Also very willing. If crossing back from Ireland you need somewhere to stay o'night you are both/either very welcome. James knows where I live. Alternatively you could leave the cats with me for a few days if that would make life a bit easier.
Re your previoous post, there are no words, just big hugs for you both.

[redshira.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that would be great - I do feel terrible even asking for any help but this is one occasion where I couldn't avoid it! James says thank you very much for your offer, you are lovely.

[dragonmamma.livejournal.com]

Martin says he is willing and will try to find someone else for you. Give me a ring on 10282 693245 now and I can put the 2 of you in direct touch with each other to finalise arrangements. Possible that he will persuade Firekitten to run him across in next few days to assess how to tackle it and to meet you both. He yammers on a bit but is basically 1 huge heart on legs.

[redshira.livejournal.com]

You are made entirely of win, as is Martin. I'll get James to call you now, thank you so much!

[dragonmamma.livejournal.com]

sorry that phone number should read 01282 693245

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

I wish I could drive and thus be a Useful Friend. But hurray for having found a place to move to.

[redshira.livejournal.com]

We must must see you before we leave! MUST MUST.

[insert-token.livejournal.com]

Sorry lady, I'm useless at driving big van/truck thingies, but happy to chip in with cash for removal company/man with van if that helps?

[redshira.livejournal.com]

That's so lovely of you, I'm a bit overwhelmed! Thank you for offering but it would be ludicrously expensive - I mean £6000 sort of expensive - so we really do have to do this without hiring anyone as we'd need about twenty people to chip in and I would feel awful. Thank god the new landlord is ok with long tenancies because moving house when you rent is so, so much money and this'll be the third time in under two years. We do not want to do this again.

[insert-token.livejournal.com]

No worries, but please don't hesitate/feel bad if the cash would help with other stuff like car parking at Dublin airport etc. :)

[redshira.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and you know you are always welcome to come and stay if you are in a position to visit Ireland.

[adamosity.livejournal.com]

i wish i could help! but i'm a bit stuck in korea! ;p

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

Glad it looks like someone is able to help you out - moving is stressful enough without this.

[(Anonymous)]

unfortunately I will just hasve stareted new job and don't think I will be able to take the time off. I will ask around the guys here.

have you considered calling / texting people as I only saw this as mum asked me to log on and check.