As I mentioned yesterday, Tigger has taken today off from work in order to continue moving our property back home from the store.

We got up bright and early, had breakfast and reached Safestore just after they opened at 9 am. There were other customers on site using trolleys to move loads and around but everyone was polite and considerate and we worked around one another without friction.

We chose a four-wheel trolley and took it, and ourselves, to the third floor and our lock-up.

First load
Photo by Tigger

The first consideration was in what order to move things. We preferred to start with the heaviest items because, once they were shifted, the rest would be easy. The trolley may not look very full but experience had taught us how difficult it is to transport it over uneven pavements and it’s better not to overload it.

Second load
Photo by Tigger

It may not look it but this was a very heavy load. The storage space is definitely looking emptier. So it should, after all our efforts!

When we reached home with this load, Tigger declared a rest period and I was happy to concur. After this lull, we started out again.

Third load
Photo by Tigger

The third load comprised the last of the trunks and a couple of lighter articles. I was pleasantly surprised that, with this load, we would have shifted all the trunks, as these had presented themselves in my mind as a big problem. In the event, they almost seemed to melt away! That, I must say, is thanks to Tigger’s natural organising ability.

Having reached home and taken the items indoors, we decided to call it a day. Moving the remainder tomorrow will be an easy job. The trolley, parked in front of the house, had to be returned to Safestore. I volunteered to take it as there was no need for both of us to shift an empty trolley.

Taking the trolley back

The trolley’s wheels are not very big and so catch on uneven features like misaligned paving stones, sending the shocks of collision up your arms. Still, an empty trolley is easier to move than a loaded one!

Goodbye for today-

Having parked the trolley in Safestore, I returned home, taking this backwards glance as I went.

When I reached home, I checked the time. Guess what time it was. 11 am! We had done it all, including a rest, in two hours! My pessimistic mind had expected it to take much longer. I feel relieved that it has all gone so well.

Cafe Sizzles

We decided that we deserved a treat or reward for doing the work so quickly and well. The reward was lunch at Cafe Sizzles. I was surprised to find the place almost full but it was lunchtime and by the time we had finished our own lunch, the place had become almost empty.

Costa Coffee

Although we had had tea with our lunch (at Cafe Sizzles, they bring us tea without us asking for it) we rounded off the occasion by walking down Chapel Market to Costa Coffee.

Coffee for two
Photo by Tigger

At Costa, we placed our usual order – a vanilla latte for Tigger and a black americano for me – and sat for a while, enjoying our coffee and chatting about this and that.

Tomorrow, we must finish the job of moving our property back home. So little is left that we should be able to do it with two trips or perhaps even one.

Electronic fob

Then I must hand back this small device, an electronic fob, which I have on my keyring and which opens the big shutter and the interior doors at Safestore. Handing it back will mark the end of our relationship with the company… at least, for now!