Well, well, well, it’s been a long time coming! Today, I donned my glad rags and went to my job. Even though it was the first official day, it didn’t really feel like it, because I’ve been going to the office, on and off, for the past three weeks to do the handover. But today, it was official.
Luckily, I can catch the bus from the closer bus stop at the right time in the morning. After walking on the road, past the flower field, I walk down the little path to the right of the cows, along a stream and then through some houses. Takes about 12 minutes. Then it’s about 20 minutes on the bus and a 30-second walk to the office.
Got my work face on as I walk to the bus … our little house in the background
A grey day …
The path past the cows
My direct colleagues total four. The group is small, but good fun, and it’s a very relaxed environment. We work in an old house, and share the first floor with another climate change organisation. On the ground floor there’s another. I think I’m going to be very happy there, once I get my head around all the scientific words!
I haven’t ridden the Töffli much since I had the chest infection and I don’t think I’ll end up riding it to work much. Maybe a few times while the weather’s still ok, but definitely not in winter. So there’ll be at least 25 minutes of exercise each day walking to and from the bus. I know I said I wouldn’t count walking to the bus as part of fitfor15in15!! Fingers crossed, I get into a good routine again which includes some morning exercise. Still getting used to getting out of bed so early! Ahahaha 🙂
At the flower field, taken on the walk home. Recently, I bought a butternut pumpkin from here and made a great soup. Love the little weird ones, but they’re not for eating, just decoration
A good-looking weed
My Buddy … the Holly (groan!), next to our house, with the garage in the background
So, that was the good news …
And now for the bad news …
The property is pretty much sold. Liliane told us a few days ago. Our time in the Stöckli ends about April next year, if not earlier. Rene and Liliane have sold to a group of tradespeople, who are all friends, and they’ll do the renovations and upgrades themselves – there’s a builder, a roofer, a tiler, someone who does the floors and so on. It’s a dream community and they’ve scored themselves a great deal. I just wish we’d had the money to buy it all, so we could continue on in our blissful little house, surrounded by our blissful forest and grass and fields and cows and and and …
We’ll try to find another place in this area, but I think we’ll have trouble trying to compete with what we’ve had! I’ve been here nearly four years, and Leo for about 13. He’s not a happy camper. I’m happy for Rene and Liliane, but it’s hard not to be a bit sad too!
Wishing you a wonderful day.
fitfor15in15 ... and further 
Sounds like you had a great time in Barcelona – I agree with you that it is a great city. Pleased you are feeling positive vibes with the new job. Very sad on the sale – doesn’t matter that you knew it was coming I guess there was always the possibility that the new owners would have let you rent on – sounds like that it not going to happen. Very pleased Mum and I are coming over before you have to leave. It really is a beautiful spot – but guess you never know what might pop up. Certainly a good long lead time.
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Oh boo hoo. I have sent out a wish for you and Leo to be living somewhere good for you when you have to leave your beautiful little home. It is good for Renee and Lillian that they can make their next move somewhere that will suit what they need right now. I bet they are happy-sad too.
Great stuff on your job! That is another big shift and it sounds great. Do you have to speak German all day or is it multi-lingual? What a stupid question for Switzerland. 😉 I should just say: which languages are spoken at work? Whatever the answer, you’ll be working new muscles while you settle in. Sending you lots of love and hugs and giggles.
xxxxx
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Boo hoo alright! But it’s ok, we’re slowly getting used to the idea of leaving. Slowly … very slowly … The job is all in English, believe it or not! There are German speakers in the office, but we all talk in English. Occasionally, we’ll speak a little bit of German with the people from other organisations within the building, but overall our little group speaks mainly English with one another, as our website is international. Must make sure I don’t forget too much German! Thanks for your love and hugs and giggles. They are always welcome! xx
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Just a hello and catching up as you head off for the “real world”!! Good luck…
Sorry to hear you have to leave your Stöckli and fingers crossed you find something equally pretty! Hope to put some content on my blog again soon ;o
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Thank you, swissrose. It’s amazing how quickly everything is changing – and I don’t just mean the seasons! My first week in the ‘real world’ has been great and I can’t wait to write my next post with some photos. Look forward to reading more about your happenings soon too!
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