In the nine years we'd lived in the HenHouse in London, we'd put down roots and made friends. The final Wednesday, the lovely folks I'd met with each week at Stag & Bow put on a little party. I do miss them though I've not had much time for sitting and eating cake to be honest!
My parents were brilliant as ever and helped us out the final week. As we packed and took down fittings and got rid of things we no longer needed, our living space shrank and we found ourselves eating at the picnic table in a sea of boxes. Hard going as these times are, they make lasting memories. Not quite looking my best there!
Too soon, the final day dawned. The lorries began to arrive and it was crazy hectic. I'd thought we were really organised but there is always such a lot which cannot be done until the last minute. It's striking, when I look at this picture now, I see the flats over the road, the cars and just how built up everything is. It's funny how quickly our new surroundings have become the norm.
After two full days loading five removal lorries, we threw all those last bits into any available bag or box, packed up the car and most importantly, that lovely furry friend. Come on Charlie Boy, the West Country awaits you!
I was worried I wouldn't have the energy to drive the 135 miles to our new home but it was actually quite a relief. It was the longest I'd sat still in quite some time. Breathe and relax...
We drove through the gate and over the gravel just before it turned dark. Yay! An hour or so later, the first removal lorry rolled into the drive. Hurrah! So exciting! It was really happening. We'd spent so long waiting for this moment, it was hard to believe it had finally arrived.
I think we ate pizza and of course, drank champagne, at about midnight and we fell into bed some time after 2am. Zzzzzzzz. That bed never felt so good, I can tell you.
Next day when we woke up, the view from the bedroom window in the light of day took our breath away. We'd finally made it. Hello Smiling Somerset.
Charlie soon found the eidy and was non-plussed by the whole event. It was an opportunity to milk the sympathy and demand lots of cuddles and tuna fish, as was his right of course.
So here we are, in a little hamlet in the West. We can walk to the village shops, the Munchkin can catch a bus to school and there's nobody too close: nobody parking over the drive, nobody noising about outside in the wee hours, no incessant sirens blaring past, just oodles of lovely green space and fabulous views.
Inside, it's fair to say there is a big task ahead of us. The house still resembles cardboard city in most areas. Five lorries to unpack and their contents to find new homes for is quite a lot really.
Charlie Boy seemed to be having second thoughts!
We've managed to get some areas sorted though, so we can get on and enjoy ourselves here while the rest gets sorted eventually. The view whilst taking breakfast is pretty fine.
The sitting room is one place you need to get sorted so you have somewhere comfy to flop at the end of each day, I think. At least, Charlie Boy thinks so. He's not at all keen on going outside and generally has a little triangular comfort zone between bed, sofa and food!
Of course, life cannot be about all work and no play. I might have popped into some of my favourite charity shops whilst out and about getting essentials. Couldn't resist this little lot...
Once I'd got the main rooms on their way, I could no longer stand life without some form of craftiness. It was time to commence unpacking the Den and getting sorted. It's a tiring business, this unpacking lark, I now realise that packing up was easier! My new Den is pretty much done now, I'll share that with you soon.
We've been busy attending to all those jobs you need to do when you first move in. We've quite a few chimneys here and so the sweep came to sort us out, with alarming results in the study!
Of course, we've popped out to our beloved Bridders more than a few times. As ever, it's a rich hunting ground and with a new home to kit out, I'm pretty much in my element. Couldn't resist this gorgeous thrifty mirror.
More shopping of the virtual variety has been taking place. Nothing is too far away now in this modern world of the internet, is it? Time to order bare root roses for the new garden. Got to have some roses to cut next Summer.
I cannot lie, there has been some craftiness going on already. I think I must have had almost a two month break from sewing so I am now raring to go again.
Ahhhh, West Country, we love you, you are all we hoped for and more. We may be tired and have aches in our bones we didn't know existed, but it's all getting better from here on in.
Home.
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