Bye bye Dublin... Bonjour Brussels!

Our last day in Dublin had the anticipated air of chaos to it. The movers came in Wednesday morning (11th) - a company selected by Jamie's employer (SWIFT) for their cost-effectiveness NOT their packing style. There was some quiet horror as they grabbed each item and put a piece of paper around it then piled it in - no discrimination whatsoever. Fortunately we hadn't finished the insurance assessment (SWIFT's cost), so as Dodgy Bros. Ltd prepped our goods for their tourist class travel, we sat amidst with the laptop and generously assessed the goods' value. Be almost a shame if our '300 euro' IKEA style do-it-yourself wardrobe arrives in one piece!

Our last afternoon was spent doing the Irish runaround... that is, the sometimes harsh process where your expectations of 'normal' services/practices are beaten out of you. A post office that sells any form of packaging bags or boxes? No suhree. ANYWHERE that sells any form of packaging or boxes was a challenge. But we managed that one. Fortunately. As the movers had gone it was post these items or try and take them with our already overflowing luggage.

Mission accomplished we spent the last evening as one should - drinking Guinness. Jamie's housemate Gregor (thanks!) had organised a bit of a get together at Paddy Cullen's. That went a tad longer than it should have (lights off and chairs on tables) given our early flight the next morning - but was worth it.

As our bedding had been packed, we caught a few hours sleep on couch cushions on the lounge room floor in front of the heater under Gregor's sleeping bag. With the very early start we were basically in Belgium before we woke up properly. The furnished apartment is great. Has most of the basics, and we have topped up the rest. The forest opposite is great, and will be an experience walking the dogs in with all the bunnies and squirrels about.