Reality has crept up. For months, emigrating has been exciting, distant and most importantly, theoretical. Something to talk about, plan for, even blog about.

Then, all of a sudden, reality sidles in unseen, and chomps hard into my backside.

By the time this post publishes, I’ll have twenty one more days in the UK, along with eight walking in Spain. Less than a month.

Friends are anxious to get together, wanting to wish us ‘Bon Voyage’. Last chances are mounting up; the last chance to go this shop or that restaurant.

Mags and I find ourselves tired, and tetchy. Inexorably, stress levels have crept up. We’re both developing little health niggles. Regardless of lists, the volume of tasks is overwhelming. If we can’t find anything to stress about, then we invent some.

“What if…what about…?”

We devise endless potential problems and issues, rather than deal with the reality:

We’re scared.

What if we hate it? What if we’re bored? What if we can’t stand the relentless weather?

Still – I think this stage is passing. I’m through it. If I’m with Margaret, I’ll be OK (Not sure she feels the same!)

We’re starting a new, exciting chapter – and most importantly, we’re starting it together.

I’ll take that reality.