Dear Florence,

All the books are packed up and so is most of the kitchenware. We are moving to Summer Hill in two days and I can hardly believe it. I have never lived so many train stations away from the cbd before. I know it isn't far by Sydney standards but it will be a big change for me. Or maybe I won't even notice. Can't wait to find out either way!

I am looking forward to sharing all my discoveries with you about our new home. For now, life is somewhat chaotic. I will make a final visit to our local Saturday markets this morning but there is no point in buying flowers or anything much that I would do normally, because it will all need to be packed up and moved.

I have noticed more clearly with this move than previous ones how much comfort I derive from hoarding food like a squirrel hoards nuts for Winter. I feel in control of life when I have pre-cooked bolognese and soup in the freezer. Popping a few extra things into the shopping basket to stock up the cupboards is something I have had to stop myself from doing for a few weeks and it's been tough. I think I like the sense of being amongst abundance.

Yesterday I picked up the keys for the new place and did a quick local shop of some non-perishable food. Yes, I did buy Earl Grey tea from France and Tick Tock biscuits because I haven't seen them for years which probably wasn't strictly necessary but I got useful stuff too! I promise! I'm a bit in love with the new local supermarket which is an IGA. I've been getting so sick of Woolies flooding the shelves with their own brands at the expense of all those local (and not so local) companies. Two weeks ago they stopped stocking the rice pasta we like which was just irritating. I hate that feeling that everything is just converging to a bland, uniform averageness of blah.

Having all my cookbooks packed up is more discombobulating than I thought. They represent such a source of nourishment and I didn't realise how much I would miss having that on hand when I needed it. Sometimes just looking at the shelf makes me feel better, without even opening any of the books. Just knowing all the love and thoughtfulness and care that is represented in those books is enough to make me feel lightened. I had a pretty tough week at work so was looking for a bit of serenity more urgently (paradox?) than I normally would. Anyway, I am glad I have found this out about myself. And I am so excited about the moment when I can unpack those books and place them in their new home.

So much to get done today so I'd better go and do it!

Love from Girlbooker