After a few hectic weeks I (Mike) have finished clearing out of the military. It was all a bit surreal - after 36 years doing the same job it felt a little discombobulating to be finally cutting the chord. I guess this means I now need to grow up. The Sergeants Major arranged a send off for me on the 27th of June and it was very nice. Although I must say that I have changed as I have aged. Twenty five years ago I would have basked in all the praise I received - now it just makes me a little bit uncomfortable. Anyway, on the 30th of June I signed the last of my release papers and turned in my ID card to the 'very personable' young lady at Pass Control at NDHQ. Apparently a personality is still not required to work in security...

We are now in the last stages of emptying out the house and unloading the last of our possessions. Jeff and Matti bought the Mazda for their daughter and thus we are down to one car. We have never been able to say that before! We have culled our clothing and then culled once again. I had no idea I owned so many stylish t-shirts. We turn the house over to the lawyers on the 11th of July and with that we will be officially homeless. We will head off to BC to see family (that means you Chris, Luke, Rob, Deana, and Cathy! You have been warned. 

We need to be in Toronto on the 25th of August to have our visa interviews at the Consulate of France. Louise and I will be interviewed individually to ensure that we aren't going to France to work and to verify we have enough money to live and are not criminals. Should be a marvellous time. With that Louise is looking for a place for us to hang our hat in Ottawa from the 27th of August to the 28th of September. She is checking out AirBNB and has a few leads so we should have something arranged in the next couple of days.

October will be spent in Quebec City and if everything pans out with the French Consulate, we will be in Carcassonne, France on 1 November.