It has been just two weeks since I moved house. I haven’t moved towns. I haven’t moved far physically BUT this house, folks…THIS flipping’ house…! It’s just wonderful!
I used to live in a flat right opposite and overlooking this fabulous fandango of a place. The elderly gentleman who lived here used to keep bees and I’d bake cakes and bread and take them over to him in exchange for honey. I could see his beautiful garden from my bedroom window and Habibi my cat was often ensconced there, happily creating small havoc.
A couple of years ago, I moved from the flat in a rush and found myself in a lovely little cul-de-sac by a park but in a house that was dark and cold and very isolating.
Very long story short, the bee man passed away and this house came on the market. Very long and torrid story very curtailed, I bought the house twice, nearly lost it the third time and finally in a wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, took over the keys on 6th July.
This house is full of light and air. The garden is literally dripping with fruit and nuts; apples, pears, plums, hazels, conkers and a welter of other marvels hidden below the blackberry encrusted brambles and bindweed! Habibi my cat comes in a couple of times a day to yell for ‘Staff!’, eat and then disdainfully leave for better vantage points in the multiple layers of garden. Mitzie is still a little confused but slowly working out that we are here now and not just on holiday.
I am happy but very, very tired. Having to learn the new environment amid myriad half unpacked boxes and odd bits of malfunctioning furniture is hard work and especially now with such limited vision. There are 26 tricky concrete steps and a couple of trip hazards I am getting the rhythm of and lots of refurb and redecorating to work out without the ability to see colours or contrast clearly which will be interesting! BUT oh my good God, it is a magical move for me! I can breathe again. I find myself unable to go to bed in case I miss something. I wander the garden trying not to trip over apples and plums thinking ‘Really…REALLY…??’
There are many people to thank – Kathy The Wise who told me about the house coming on the market in the first place and has been cheering me on all the way through, Karen who gave me courage to take a punt, Kate from Allen and Harris and the Hancock Family for saying ‘yes’, Jaine Whitfield estate agents (Nicola and Jaine!) for selling my house (twice!) and holding the line, Nathan Bownds from Impartial Finance for always being the best and kindest financial advisor to a dyscalculic loon and of course Debbie and Diana my amazing support team and their partners, Julian and David for garden and dog care! Helena for help with the garage, Alice, Rachma and Steven, Mel and Chris, Diarmid and Victoris, Praminda and Richard and Ben, Emily, Dan and Helen, Jane T, Jenny and Jennie, Ruth and John and Jackie and Johnny, aunt and uncle too!
There have been so many other people who have offered kindness and encouragement, like my Buddhist brethren from West Wiltshire and beyond who chanted with me morning after morning and drama after crisis. You know who you are!
And of course, a huge thank you to my cousins Irving, Joan, Suzie, Mark, Dougie and Ben without whom this post would not be being written at all! Yevarechecha Adonai.