Well done the packers

Sitting in the kitchen surrounded by boxes as the relocation team pack everything in the house into boxes and onto a lorry. It is definitely happening now - no going back. The team of three are from Germany (2) and Poland - the Polish chap doesn't speak too much english and the german guys are learning new words - today it was kettle. Their work rate is impressive and it seems that (despite the flat tyre yesterday) they will be finished today.

The Packers are coming

Tomorrow the relocation team arrive to start the process of shifting all our worldly goods out to Switzerland. So today, having arrived back from the reunion, has been the last minute packing of HiFi bits and a lot more. The place is a mess!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles - (3) Quality of Journey

This is the parameter that, for me, is most important - providing the cost/time differences aren't too excessive. I always find travelling by plane tiring, no matter how long the trip and Luton - Basel is only 1hr 20mins flight time. The issue is the waiting around, the delays, the baggage carosel etc and I don't enjoy it - not forgetting the cramped leg room. Car travel allows a certain amount of freedom, the opportunity to visit different places en route - especially when travelling across 4 countries. However, it's tiring and you have to travel along the motorways to make the journey possible in a day so you don't get to see much of the beauty of any of the countries you pass through. So we come to the train option and, in my humble opinion, it is the most pleasant form of travel. Firstly you arrive a mere 30 minutes before Eurostar departure and the security etc is much less aggravating than at an airport. The trains to Paris are (normally) on time and you can walk at your own leisure on a train. You then can spend a little time getting lunch in Paris before walking a whole 5 minutes to the Gare de L'est for the Corail service to Basel. 5 hours on a train is probably the limit but it is not unpleasant and you get to see the vast array of the French countryside through Alsace. With the new TGV service starting soon, this will become a wonderful way to travel to Switzerland.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (2) - Cost

I gave you the rundown on the relative speed of each mode of transport so here is the difference in terms of cost. Again the flight option can be very good - if you get an early deal with Easyjet and you fly out midweek. You can do it for around £30-40 return but, on average, it's probably around £50-60. Driving is expensive but the costs come down per person if you manage it with a full carload. Take the ferry instead of the tunnel to save cost and drive through Belgium & Luxembourg to cut toll costs. The trip I took was probably around £175 return. Finally the train, with advance booking the Eurostar to Paris is around £60 rtn and similarly for the trip from Paris to Basel. This will be a bit more expensive once the TGV route kicks in.

Wonderful Wanderwegs

The sun is out, it's a Sunday and we get to explore the wonderful network of "wanderwegs" near our apartment in Kaiseraugst. They are a combination of footpath/bridleways that we know in the UK and so they while primarily for walkers they also other many opportunities for cycling. Today we walked South up into the hilly woods near us before descending steeply and taking a leisurely stroll along the river back to Kaiseraugst. A quick look at the local map and terrain shows that I doubt we will get anywhere near completing all of the potential walks here let alone across the whole of Switzerland.

Crap Day Crap Place

I didn't think it would all be easy over here but the temporary apartment has lost its glitter and on a grey day in Kaiseraugst I suddenly have no idea why I'm here. There are far too many things that need to be completed in the UK before we finally move over at the end of the month and it's proving virtually impossible to get some of the simple things done over here. If I wasn't feeling tired, lonely and bored all of this would prove surmountable but I feel crap and everything is a pain today.....

Planes, Trains OR Automobiles - (1) Speed

I completed the set of travel options from Letchworth to Basel today with a train journey via Paris. Unsurprisingly the quickest route is still the direct flight option (especially when leaving via Luton, a mere 20 minutes from home in the UK), taking around five and a half hours door to door. Of course, where there is Easyjet (or any airline really) there are potentially delays but these seem to affect Stansted flights more. Driving took a whopping 14 hours with minimal stops and using the ferry to Dunkerque rather than the expoensive Eurotunnel to Calais. Finally the train journey entered in at just under 10 hours travel time but this will be down to nearer 8 hours when the new TGV EST line is opened from Paris to Strasbourg in June 2007. So no surprises in the quickest route but there are other factors to take into account.......

It's getting busy...

So today was a busy one - topics included:

• Tax rebate form filling and pension forecasts (for NI contributions)
• Arranging letting agency viewing
• Cancelling TV Licence
• Cancelling UK Mobile phone contract (30 day period)
• Arranging boiler service & Landlord Safety certificate (for letting)
• Cancelled Gym membership (end of month)

Bathroom is finished..

Today the redecoration of the bathroom was completed. It's funny how you live in a place for several years and, at various times, you think it would be a good idea to decorate a certain room BUT never get round to it. Then, when you have a deadline (i.e. letting the house) you finish it in a couple of weeks. Th emain problem was a broken hinge on the double glazing and together with our neighbour, Dean, that was done relatively easily, thanks to Handlestore! (for hinge & window handles)! See photo for "just prior to finishing" look.