Packing day. You wouldn't think it would take all day, but there's a Chinese puzzle aspect to fitting things into small suitcases that is as difficult as moving house. Then there are the things that are almost left behind inadvertently because they look like part of the flat itself, like the thermometer tied to the balcony rail or the suction hooks on the wall or the small wash tub in the bathroom. Plugs that come and plugs that stay. Spices that go in the boxes but a starter amount of cheese and olive oil (rebottled in a small plastic wine bottle saved from Air Canada). The almonds come but the luggage is getting heavy so the raisins stay. A hundred little decisions.
Jane and Bill drop by with a print from the photo Jane had a waiter take at Vlachos on Friday. Came out well - everyone's eyes open and mouths all shut. Lovely memory. They stop for a cuppa and it suddenly pours outside, but we're done washing and drying clothes anyway. But pull the drying rack inside to keep it dry - it's ours and stays with the boxes. Then it's back to serious packing. Tapes, CDs and dying radio boxed, so we're down to Euronews for entertainment. Not much focused on entertainment anyway.
Then Maggi in late afternoon to say her goodbyes and take custody of the mini carnation plant, which has finally decided to bloom.
Boxes safely stored on the mezzanine - rather inconveniently as the lift stops at ground and first but not mezzanine and some of the boxes are heavy, e.g. The one with three bottles of wine. Some Norwegian neighbours' boxes there already. Bed at midnight. Packing all done so we can leave in the morning.
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