The Geneva Convention

So Wednesday 29 August 2007 arrived. The big day. We waved a gradual goodbye to Devon via the Virgin Cross Country service to Bristol. The sun shone a beautiful light that morning and everything looked as 'Devonyllic' (thanks Neil) as it could, as if it was giving us one last plea not to leave it behind. Ironically the sun went in as we approached Bristol.

After a smooth and quick flight, the plane swept over the Jura mountains, turned a sharp right and cruised over Lac Leman (aka Lake Geneva) into a cloudy and slightly damp Cointrin Airport. After a short but expensive cab ride we arrived at our new pad, where Rosie from Vero's new company was there to meet us. I crammed myself and our luggage into what must be the worlds oldest and smallest lift whilst Vero climbed the stairs. We entered into the flat and was told that it had just been refurbished.

That was an understatement. It is a 3rd floor one bedroom apartment situated in a 6 storey old building overlooking the Plateau de Champel, a ten minute stroll from Vero's office and fairly close to the city centre. It is a very good size with nice high ceilings and old herringbone parquet flooring.

The bedroom is about the size of our old two bedrooms put together, and the lounge diner is big enough to accommodate a giant sofa and a big glass dining table (oh and a flat screen TV).

It is beautifully decorated and equipped, particularly the kitchen which is brand new with a huge pine breakfast table which we eat at all the time. There was a nice welcome basket of mini Swiss chocolates waiting for us too.

There's all the shops we need within a 2 minute walk, including a great boulangerie-patisserie right outside the the front door of the building. We have only had some bread from there so far (which cost quite a bit!) but it was really nice. Their gateaux look amazing. As for views, there's nothing long distance only other apartment buildings however our privacy is guaranteed by two big trees outside the front and back of the apartment

Having such a nice pad to come to was a huge relief - we did not know what to expect and what we have been given is beyond our wildest expectations. We went to bed (which is huge as well by the way!) extremely thankful for our good luck. We did not sleep well though thanks to our first Alpine thunderstorm!

On Thursday we did not have a chance to settle in. Today was moving day number 2 and we rushed to the Airport after oversleeping, to collect a car and drive through horrendous wet conditions fighting with the car's heating controls to our storage facility in France. There we were to meet our removers and unload it all into storage. Luckily Mr Wotton was very easy going and did not mind waiting an extra half hour, plus he had arrived early the previous day and was able to unload everything thanks to the kindness of the storage company, who were happy to do this even though we had not been there to set up our account. Mr W simply came down Thursday to check we were happy with the delivery and then went on his very merry way to Northern Spain!

After rescuing some essentials we drove to Vero's parents in Ruy to pick up some clothes and things we had taken over in July. The weather was equally bad and by time I sat down to lunch I was about to collapse. Luckily thanks to a power nap afterwards (no doubt induced by Vero's Mum's excellent cuisine) I recovered sufficiently to take us back to Geneva, unload and drive the car back the the airport. By 8pm we were home and completely done in. Phew we made it!