It is now mid July and time for us to go to Scotland to view properties!  The last few weeks have been good - I was ready for this change in life and we have enjoyed a lovely family holiday in our little place in Spain.

Strange - when we are in Spain I don't really want to come back home because I love our little house there and the pace of life is slower and lovely!  The beaches help of course and the change of scenery is always refreshing. This year it was good to spend some time with Heather and David and then to have a visit from 5 of my NHS friends - was good to compare notes since they too have bought on the Costa Blanca.

This year it was good to hear - one day into the holiday - that our London house had sold and that the young couple who were interested really want it!  That is good since we have loved living in this house and have enjoyed all of Alex's childhood here in London.  It has been so convenient for working in London and I have always been fortunate to have roles within a short journey of home.

So with mixed feelings - but loads of excitement - we plan to view our reserved house in Scotland - although it is not actually built yet.  For Robert and I, a new build seems to make sense - with a 10 year guarantee and everything provided to our taste sounds easy!!  We will so what unfolds though.  The plan is that we move out here in September and after Robert's check up at Barts that month we can travel to Spain and stay there until our home is ready to occupy.

So life has certainly changed for me since leaving the NHS and taking early retirement - it is great especially to have more quality time with Robert - so for a now at least I am going to enjoy this period - other doors will open later I am sure - housework will not fully occupy me!

Alex is doing really well at University and I am free to get down to Buckingham more now if required - she is really independent as a person which is encouraging - and she enjoys having her own space - however Scotland is now on her horizon as she plans to join us when she graduates in December.

So life is re-shaping for me - I still need to work on shaping up physically too - and the rowing machine comes in handy for that.  I look forward to walking every week (if not every day) in Scotland - fresh air up there and lots of family to walk with me!