Moving
I am moving, to Staines in Surrey-well-Middlesex-well-Surrey-really, on 20th February. Friends should have received my new postal address already (get in touch if you didn't). Here's a map.

This wasn't my idea. I love living in Manchester: the city, the people, the neighbours, the locality, the convenience for the Peak District, and most of all my fabulous house, perfect for myself and the kids. But my ex has new work, in Egham down in Surrey, and has moved. The last two years of co-parenting have gone tolerably well, and I feel it's very important for the children to continue it. So I'm going to (try to) let out my house, and I'm renting down there, leaving open the possibility of returning in future. Property prices, and overheads - management charges, tax, etc - being what they are, I can only afford an average-sized 3/4-bedroom semi-detached house (particulars here). As I pack up my Manchester home I am wondering how on earth I'm going to fit everything in to that smaller space.

There are clear positive sides: it's much closer to various friends, to my sister, and to Cambridge (90 minutes by car, two hours by train: close enough that commuting both ways in one day is completely plausible). My ex's new job is apparently much better, more rewarding, with better prospects. The schools are similar or better.

It's also very handy for Heathrow airport - ten minutes' drive. Anyone passing through, do stop by.