We woke up this morning to beautiful sunshine, well the promise of it on the horizon anyway. While I stirred with the sounds of the dustbin men emptying the bins into their wagon, Suky stirred with the rumblings of a 'always hungry Puggy tummy'.
The river called ... so this mornings shower was quick and perfunctory, and as soon I was dressed I was out, ready to slowly come to life with the sunshine and the beautiful colours of nature that are all around us at the moment.
This really is my favourite time of year, I seem to come alive with the cooler weather, the jumpers and pom-pom hats of colder days make me happy. The hunkering down in the evening absolutely blissful.
But for the moment we have sunshine and it brings alive everything around us, including the ducks who looked to us hopefully for bread as we climbed the steps to the riverbank, but I have none in the Van. Yes, I know ducks shouldn't eat bread, but this lot seem to thrive on what they can beg from the folk that hire the caravan parks rental Vans that line the start of our riverside walk. Indeed without the generosity of the campers four little ducklings would not have survived their first couple of months in the world. They lost their Mum when they were a few weeks old and had not been fully taught the art of looking for their own food, with at least bread to eat and the other ducks not shunning them they have survived to adulthood and are now no doubt good little foragers just in time for Winter.
We didn't walk for long, Suky is low on stamina these days and I want to keep walks small but frequent to help her build it back if she can. My little furry best friend was nine years old last week, her birthday slipping by in the midst of move planning and a busy mind. Also my legs are aching after all the up and downing of climbing onto a chair for yesterdays cleaning windows and cleaning of the upper kitchen cupboards. It was like having a two hour step class but with a step that was at least twice as high as usual, my lack of stamina started to show eventually but even if I'm not in shape the flat is at least beginning to get there.
I didn't get the curtains hung yesterday but all the windows are now sparkling clean ready for them to go up in the living room at least today.
The new white goods are in.
The guys from Curry's installed the washing machine and had it running on a short cycle to check for any potential leaks, thankfully all was good. The little fridge freezer is brilliant and exactly what I need. It will be turned on today when I get there after I left it to settle when I came away yesterday.
The kitchen cupboards and walls have all been thoroughly cleaned and I can now begin to take things from the Van to fill the cupboards up. Even though it is a small kitchen I do have a lot more cupboard space than at the Van, so hopefully all my food stash can be out and in the cupboards ready for use.
Well I should stop waffling and go and fill the car with todays load of shopping bags full of food and a few other bits and pieces. I am actually enjoying moving home with just a Fiat 500. It holds just enough to be able to fill it, empty it and put things away without there being too much to do.
Sue xx
We buy duck food from local pet store as it is better than bread but ducks seem to have survived on bread for years without any harm. As you say any food is better than none.
ReplyDeleteYou have to become inventive where there is not much storage space as I have had to be. The one thing I really miss is an airing cupboard. When we do move I hope that I can incorporate building one if there is not one there. Most of my woollens are in plastic storage boxes as are bedding and towels. In my defence I have had these plastice boxes for many years and they have come with me in every move. They at least keep things from becoming damp and stop moth attacks.
I think you have managed to declutter more than me looking at how you have been living at your van. So I need to take a leaf out of your book and let more things go.
The flat looks like a good stop gap until you find your forever home (if there is such a thing) so glad that your dog/s are allowed and that your hubby managed to get to you to help. Any news yet on the welsh house sale?
I think the majority of my clothes, bedding and towels will have to live in plastic boxes under the bed as this flat has no storage at all and I have no furniture. It will keep the room looking neat and tidy though.
DeleteThe Welsh house has not sold yet and at the moment with the complete 'firebreak', 'circuit break' or whatever they are calling it at the moment. in place no-one can enter Wales to even look at it. As most of our interested parties have been from mid or southern England this has stopped everything in it's tracks.
Those nice clean cupboards and drawers are just ready and waiting for you to fill and organize. Moving has sure helped you downsize to what you really need and want in your home. Makes me think I need to empty my cupboards and drawers for a good cleaning and sorting out. Best of luck with your move - and be careful you don't hurt yourself!
ReplyDeleteI do need to sort out some organisation for that deep corner cupboard, I can barely reach the back of the second shelf!! Yes, my 'things' have been whittled down nicely, but I do think I can part with a bit more once I have set this flat up how I like it. Luckily the charity shops are only just down the road now.
DeleteI am being careful with all my balancing on chairs, lifting etc, thank you for the reminder :-)
So glad everything is running smoothly Sue.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat, it seems to be up to now. xx
DeleteWell done with getting your move done yourself. Sounds like it is all going very smoothly for you. Our move will be on a slightly . . . larger!! . . . scale!
ReplyDeleteMy moves seem to have gotten smaller and smaller each time. I wish you lots of luck with yours, as you say it is on a much bigger scale.
DeleteThe fridge freezer you chose is ideal for the space. I said you'd have it all ship shape asap. If I move to a house it will probably kill me after living in a bungalow!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect fit isn't it, and the freezer is a bit bigger than I imagined so I'm very happy with it. I'm going to miss stairs, even after a few weeks at the Van I find the stairs tougher back in Wales. I think I'm going to be going over to Booths every day just to run up and down the stairs to the café. :-)
DeleteThat kitchen would just suit me fine. Everything close at hand.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a good 'cooks kitchen', everything within reach or just a step or two. I just need to plan out my cupboard contents to keep the flow.
DeleteI really like your kitchen blind...
ReplyDeleteSo do I, I couldn't believe how nice it was when I rolled it down to give it a wipe. It had been rolled tightly up at the top, no doubt to let as much light into the kitchen for the viewing. It's the prettiest thing in the flat.
DeleteI too love autumn, also spring, the colours of both seasons are lovely and autumn is such a cosy season. I certainly don't enjoy the summer, sweating is not attractive and is so uncomfortable and the heat makes some people show far too much of their bodies for my liking and winter can be too extreme, the thought of icy roads and pavements fills me with dread.Our nearly 11 year old spaniel is feeling like Suky , today she dug her paws in 10 minutes into the walk and turned to face home, so home we went, our little terrier was disgusted as she felt cheated.Happy home making.
ReplyDeleteHaha, we are SO similar. Spring and Autumn are just perfect for me.
DeleteYes I think Mavis feels cheated on walks when Suky needs to turn back but she's still raring to go. If we are both out with the dogs Alan carries on for a bit with Mavis while me and Suky sit on a bench or loiter slowly.
I like your kitchen as it is a good size to be convenient to work in and easily reach everything. I understand what you say about getting one car load there and put away at a time. It is not overwhelming that way because you won't have stuff all over the place at once. I bet this lovely little home will work out very well for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's working really well, four bags of stuff in the boot and the front passenger seat and footwell filled with bulkier things and then Suky on the back seat. She won't travel on the front seat for some reason, although Mavis loves to be up-front when she's with Alan.
DeleteLooking great already Sue and I love the kitchen blind:) Happy Belated Birthday to Suky, I can't believe she is 9 years old aready♥♥ Gorgeous photo of your walk xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes it's pretty isn't it. It was tightly rolled up when I viewed the flat so I had no idea it was that pretty.
DeleteTime has gone so quickly with Suky, she was my beautiful Christmas present when we lived at Jointers and had just decided on one final splurge each before we knuckled down to saving for a place of our own. She's the best little companion ever.
Things are moving right along. Amazing that Suky is 9 already. I remember her as a small puppy the day you brought her home.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I know!! She was, and of course still is, so gorgeous. It's quite sad that our furry kids are getting older, it's gone far too quickly. On the 1st January 2021 Ginger will be 11, Mavis 10 and Suky 9.
DeleteSounds like you are really enjoying this move and change in your life Sue. Flat is looking great and your sparkling clean cupboards put me to shame. I am sure you and Suky will be very happy there. Where will Mavis and Ginger live when your Welsh home is sold? Good luck with everything and I am glad things are running smoothly for you and hopefully will continue to do so. An exciting time - enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAlan and our other furry kids will come to the flat until he finds somewhere of his own. Hopefully it won't take too long as he will be a cash buyer.
DeleteI've grown to love this time of year, although it has been rather rainy and dark here today. I'm glad the move is going well and I'm looking forward to seeing your new home taking shape.
ReplyDeleteBelated Birthday wishes to Suky. X
It's been quite bright here until today, now the clouds have rolled in. Of course with the clocks going back on Saturday night we are in for long cosy evenings from now on, my favourite :-)
DeleteI love starting over with big empty rooms. We have a large house. It's taken me 12 years of collecting things, but now it's all filled. Next year, we'll be downsizing for a smaller house. Now I've got to get rid of things!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite glad our first farmhouse was the largest and we've gone down in size every time we have moved on. It's meant that things have quite organically and logically reduced in number and it's not been a huge upheaval for me this time. I would hate to have lots of stuff now.
Delete