A shorter entry today but one which highlights one of the aspects of this relocation. It seems amazing how much 'stuff' a family acquires over time. Clearly keeping unnecessary items on an international relocation is an expensive business. The lorry to move to Spain is going to be about £500 plus the ferry crossing which will take the one Luton van to over £1000. It is vital that what we take fits inside one Luton van and therefore the grand family sell off has begun. If I'm honest the thoughts surrounding the need to minimalise our belongings were already there because the attic and shed have over the years filled with items we can't bear to part with but quite honestly will never need or use again in our lives. Consequently when we arrived back home from the London interviews that resulted in the job posting in Alzira three weeks ago we immediately started thinking about how to downscale.

This weekend the downscaling involved a number of items being listed in the classified section of our local newspaper. I'm pleased to say that I have a firm offer on our conservatory furniture (which is now not in the conservatory but scattered around the house) and also have the first set of grubby notes in my hand having parted with some camping equipment. Thirty pounds is financially not much of a kick in the grand scheme of international relocation but it did offload a couple of weighty items of camping equipment and put enough in my pocket to stand Sally, Emily and myself a meal out this evening at the local pub. Hence, tonight's shorter blog.

Shrugging off some of the 'must have' bling of modern life in Western Europe is both part of our necessary action towards moving but also quite a cathartic experience that signals the move towards a slightly less cluttered lifestyle. Living in Spain is intended to bring us more outdoor living, more fresh air and less consumerism and consequently less 'stuff'. We really do intend and hope that we can resist the urge to replace the clutter of modern living when we move because a simpler life is certainly a big part of the appeal of living in Spain.