Settling into Euroa......

We woke on Thursday morning and it was time to pop the last things into boxes and wait for the removalists to arrive. Once there the three young fellows set about dismantling beds and couches and load them and the many boxes into the van. This took almost all day and finally around 4.30pm we had our last look from the balcony, said goodbye to our lovely apartment and hit the road to begin the next phase of our life.

We picked the van up from the storage yard for the last time, it too has a home now, and made our way along the freeways heading for Euroa.  We decided that we would stay the night at the Balmattum Rest stop rather than the caravan park for the one night and stopped for dinner at Avenel Roadhouse on the way.  

After breakfast we made our way back to Euroa for coffee before driving 'home' for the first time.  The container with our furniture had been dropped at the front last night and now we had just had to wait for the guys to return to unload.  They arrived late afternoon and set to work unloading and by 8.00pm we all sat down with a well deserved beer/wine and it was over.  Now just the unpacking to do.  But first dinner.

We locked up and headed around to Seven Creeks Hotel hoping they would feed us which they did with a lovely pie and mash dinner.  Back at home I made the bed and that was all for tonight!  It had been a huge day and tomorrow we had a mountain of boxes to face so an early night was what we needed.  

Waking the next morning we enjoyed the quiet with no trams or traffic.  It seems even Euroa's cockatoos had gone quiet as well.  After breakfast we set to work tackling the bathroom, laundry and kitchen boxes where I was surprised that everything fitted with room to spare.  Sunday morning saw us up and tackling our bedroom, spare room and Bill's office.  

During the afternoon a car pulled into our drive and we were just about to go out and tell them their friends had moved when we saw it was Astrid and Hans.  They had decided to take a drive and dropped in to see how we were going. Lovely to see them and nice to be able to stop for a rest and have a coffee with them.  So, happy with the title of our first visitors, they went on their way an hour or so later.

We continued to unpack for another hour and had just called it quits when we heard the gate and down the drive came our neighbours Wilma and Gordon.  It was lovely to meet them and we look forward to getting to know them better as time goes on.

The next morning we had a break from unpacking as we needed to drive over to Shepparton for a shopping spree.  We needed some basic tools for Bill, a fridge, an outdoor setting and a couple of bookcases as ours had been built in and left with the apartment.  We found some tools and an outdoor setting but had no luck with the rest.  Back in Euroa we found the fridge and with free delivery cheaper than all the rest.  Why didn't we start here first?

The next day we drove back to Shepparton to try some more furniture shops and finally found what we wanted.  We ordered our pieces and now have our fingers crossed they will arrive in the promised six weeks.  

The next week Cheryl and Shane came to stay and help Bill to demolish the old carport.  This needed to come down as it was too low to fit the van under.  While the boys played 'Whelan the wrecker' Cheryl helped me unpack a few boxes in the dining room.  We enjoyed another nice meal at Seven Creeks hotel on the first night and I cooked a yummy Tray Baked Chicken the next night.  It was great to see them and we really appreciate their help.  Now for a quote for a new very tall carport.

We spent a quiet Easter at home this year continuing to unpack and sort out things.  Bill hung the pictures and just like that it looked like home straight away.  We had another surprise visitor during the weekend with a quick visit from Judy to say welcome to Euroa.  It was lovely to meet her and we look forward to meeting Geoff when he's over his cold.

More surprise visitors over the next few weeks were some of our favourite birds.  Bill was doing some work on the front garden when he looked up and saw four beautiful Gang Gang Cockatoos in the tree across the road.  They were happily munching on the seed pods and didn't mind us at all.  Over the next three weeks we saw them often and always know where they are by their unique call.  It really sounds like a quietly creaking gate.  Much quieter than their raucous white cousins.

During the following week we had quotes for the carport and a plumber to add a new toilet in the bathroom along with some other plumbing renovations.  Also an electrician and a tree lopper.  The carport is ordered, the electrical work done, the plumber due to start later this week and the trees to be lopped in a day or two.   And another trip or two to Bunnings in Shepparton where Bill just about knows every staff member.

And so now we have been here for one month.  Euroa has charmed us from the beginning with everyone we have met saying 'Welcome to Euroa' making us feel very happy with our decision to make this lovely little village our home.

Until next time........