This week has been all about moving preparations and transition, laying the groundwork for upcoming changes in both my personal and professional life. From a very early morning journey to France enjoying the sunrise above the clouds to meticulously cataloguing my belongings and ensuring a smooth handover at work, it’s been a week of focused activity.

Personal: Setting the Stage for the Big Move

On the personal side, my focus was on the final preparations for the move during the first half of the week, before springing into action from Friday onwards.

I departed on Friday morning at 1am to go up to London Stansted to catch the 6:50am flight to Tours. This early departure was tiring – I slept in the bus and didn’t see anything from the flight waking up just for the sunrise -, but it got me to France efficiently. I landed at 9:10am local time and picked up my car rental in the city centre of Tours before heading to Loches and Perrusson.

Upon arrival in Perrusson before lunchtime, my focus shifted to the practicalities of moving. I needed to be able to move my cars first to free some space. I bought new batteries for both my Mazda RX-8 and my Citroen 2CV. To my surprise and delight, the Mazda started immediately after four years of storage!! The 2CV, however, presented a small challenge. It didn’t start. I suspect a blockage in the carburettor’s fuel feed, possibly due to a fuel pump issue or an air bubble in the fuel filter. This will require further investigation.

After this first major and satisfying victory, I spent a significant amount of time sorting through my possessions. Carefully deciding what to take to my new home and what to leave behind. I have also created a precise inventory of my belongings. Everything in boxes, each box was numbered and a log recorded the content of each box. A tedious task yet essential for a smooth move.

Finally, I was fortunate to reconnect with good friends who generously hosted me for my entire stay, from Friday to Friday. Their hospitality made the transition much smoother. There were no electricity, no water and no gas in my house, so impossible to stay.

We moved the cars to their place on Sunday, the Mazda travelling by road, and the 2CV on a plateau pulled by a van. Smooth and easy!

Professional: Ensuring a Seamless Handover

On the professional front, my primary focus before travelling to France has been on working on a seamless handover of my current role as Engineering and Lab Manager to my successor. I’ve been working on a comprehensive synthesis document (yes, a glorified Excel table…) to provide my colleagues with all the necessary information and context to continue the work effectively.

This detailed handover is important to me, as I want to leave the team in the best possible position.

Inner: Maintaining Focus and Balance

Amidst the busyness of travel, moving preparations, and work responsibilities, I’ve also been consciously working on my personal well-being. I’ve been prioritising my morning routine, which includes meditation, breathing exercises, and journaling. This has helped me stay grounded and maintain focus throughout the week. This worked well for the first part of the week, but failed as soon as I travelled to France. Definitely some room for improvement here!

Conclusion: Ready for the Next Chapter

This week has seen final moving preparations and definitely more action. Boarding the flight on Friday morning meant things are getting serious. Focused on preparing for the next chapter. From the logistics of moving, I feel well-prepared for the actual move out from Perrusson next week.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts and experiences with similar transitions. Please feel free to share your comments below!