John Codling

Well it is five weeks today until we begin our new life in Turkey.

Tina has been busy packing up some of the stuff that our two boys (men) won't want around when they are living in our house in Dartford on their own. So the owl plates, crystal glasses etc are all packed away in boxes in the loft.

We are getting our parrot DNA tested this week. We have decided not too bring him/her with us as it would restrict us in Turkey, so we are trying to get him/her a new home in an aviary of a parrot lover. As you can't differentiate between the sexes of a Noble Macaw on looks alone, two of his chest feathers need to be plucked and then tested.

Sorting out selling our cars as well, they will be advertised soon. My beloved Alfa has to go, I was contemplating driving it to Turkey for the 6 month period but as it only does 18mpg it would cost an arm and a leg in fuel and I don't think the turkish roads would suit it's lowered stance.

Next up for me is the HMRC website for the forms to reclaim income tax we have overpaid for this tax year and sort out tax relief on my company pension. We have both done a state pension forecast and found that we have paid enough stamps so that it doesn't matter if we don't pay any more our state pension will be the same, so there are more forms to fill out for that. Forms, forms, forms................