Assumptions

After days of hearing chainsaws from next door, it was a nice quiet day. Well till they started ripping the fences down to replace them. This involved clearing a lot of Ivy and such on my side of the fence line. More distraction.

So when I got a message from a friend asking if I was free for an arena hire with Buddy, I jumped at the chance to get out of the house.

The jumps were still out from Saturday’s clinic, so I foolishly assumed that Buddy would be happy to jump them. I was wrong. Again. Came into a fence he’d jumped beautifully on Saturday, only for him to slam on the brakes! He hasn’t done that for a long time. Bit of a regroup and he was soon jumping again nicely. Very odd. But not overthinking it. Well maybe a little bit.

Got back home to find 3/4 fence up. But a rather large gap between my fence and the new one that could leads onto the railway tracks. Not ideal with Bert and the kittens.

There was also a lot of debris and trampled plants. I needed to vent so wrote a long ranty message to another friend. Pressed send and then heard more fence ripping so went to investigate. The workmen were ripping out the two fence panels that are mine. I must have looked rather shocked and perplexed at this. They explained that the new owners had ask them to replace them as the same time. And they’d cover the cost. How wonderful is that?! Another job off my rather long list of house jobs.

Of course, I instantly felt bad for assuming, venting and complaining. The workmen offered to fix the gap too. I felt like a right arse. Well I guess that happens when you assume…

Watched

It’s been rather weird being in my parents house today. I’ve spent many days here on my own. After all, we moved here when I was 4 years old. Today it felt different. Understandably.

But I was being watched. Literally. This photo of my Mum sits on top of the display cabinet. It was a professional photo she’d had taken when she was 21 and had just had her VERY long hair cut short. It’s always been favourite photo for me. Today it brought me comfort.

As did the photos around the house. She looked so vibrant and full of life. The past 5 years have been very tough. Many of you have been on the ‘Parental Rollercoaster’ with me over that time. They’ve both had more than their fair share of medical issues. I’ve seen the inside of far too many hospital wards. I used to joke with my Mum that she didn’t get a prize for ticking them all off! Or frequent NHS flyer point. She definitely wracked up a few! They both have.

Hopefully, I’ve seen the last ward for a while as my Dad was discharged and is now back home…

11 years

11 years ago I moved into my little house. I can’t quite believe it’s been that long.

I still remember the stress of moving. The endless boxes to pack and unpack (still not unpacked them all). The fear of living on my own after so many years. The excitement of all the plans I had (still haven’t finished them). The chaos of building works. The financial worries. The joys. The highs. The lows. The losses. The new additions.

I love my little house. I’ve made so many memories here. I smile every time I drive round the close and see my home. It was meant to be, that’s for sure. It’s not perfect. It needs some TLC. But it’s perfect for me. And that’s what matters…

Reuse

I spotted this sign while walking my charges today. It was clearly a marker of some sort. Whether it was a road marker or something else, I don’t know. I love the way it’s been reused in the modern house. They’ve used glass bottles too.

A little bit of history hidden in plain sight. Wonder how old it is. Must be fairly old as it’s Yarmouth rather than Great Yarmouth. Or maybe they charged by the letter…

Nomad

I’m back to my nomadic ways as I’m dog & house sitting for a good friend. New charges for me – Dotty and Bobby. Both adorable. Bobby is only 6 months old. He’s a bundle of fluffy energy for sure.

I’m getting my dog and puppy fix in one go!

Gardener

I came across some photos from when I moved into my little house last night. It seems like a long time ago now. Well it was over a decade ago. The garden looked so neat, tidy and manicure – a far cry from the lived in version now. I know I’ve let things grow a bit too much. It’s gotten quite out of hand. I love gardening. But in recent years, I haven’t had as much time or inclination to get out there and keep on top of it. I’ve prioritised other things I guess too.

The photos were a stark reminder of how bad it has gotten. The former owner is probably turning in his grave at the state of it. So this afternoon I made a start by mowing the back lawn. I’m going to try and spend a bit more time out there. I really need to weed my driveway. It’s more grass than gravel.

Having new neighbours is a bit of an incentive too. My garden won’t ever look like a Chelsea Show Garden. I’m not that good a gardener. I do prefer the more natural look. I do think it needs some more hard landscaping though so thinking about that.

I spent a fortune on my last garden. I absolutely loved it. I was gutted to see that the people who moved in had ripped it all out.

Still today it was Lawn 0 – Pip 1. Which was a better result than the football. So glad I rushed to get everything done before kick off…

Ivy

There was a strange object in the sky this morning. I wasn’t sure whether to alert the Authorities. I left my house dressed for Winter, but shed several layers by the time I got to the yard.

Buddy was far too busy eating to notice what a beautiful day it was. He’s fully embracing his sick leave, that’s for sure.

I decided to take advantage of the good weather to clear yet more Ivy from my house. I noticed it had climbed up my chimney. Fear not, I wasn’t clambering up there. I went for an alternative tactic and embraced my inner Lara Croft and ventured into the undergrowth.

The wet weather has definitely encouraged my garden to grow. In order to get to the Ivy, I had to clear lots of stinging nettles. So yes, you guessed it, I’m feeling rather prickly now. Still, it looks a lot better now it’s clearer.

Twitchy

I woke up feeling rather twitchy. Not sure why. I felt the need to be active. So I set about my house. Things have slipped recently. Understandably given all that’s been going on.

Finally got round to putting some more Buddy memory pictures up. These pictures represent two very big highlights from 2023. I’ve achieved a lot in my life so far, but competing at Hickstead is definitely in my Top 5!!

Photos like these inspire me, motivate me and remind me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. So after waking up twitchy, I finish the day feeling proud.

Roots

I was rudely awakened by the builders this morning. They’re doing my neighbour’s roof. He’s 99, so I greatly admire his optimism!

My roof could benefit for being redone too. It’s on the list. Along with many other things that need to be done around my little house. And garden. It’s never ending. But then it struck me today that I’ve lived here for a decade in October. Things are going to need to be looked at after that length of time.

It also struck me that apart from my childhood, this is the longest I’ve ever lived in one place. I’ve definitely put down roots here.

It still makes me smile when I drive round the corner of the close and see my little house. I’m not sure where a decade has gone. But I’m happy here.

Counting house

The big camp clear up began in ernest. Four loads of laundry done, several still to go. Managed to get some dry before the heavens opened. Now my conservatory looks a bit like a Chinese laundry.

It’s amazing how much stuff I get through being away. And don’t get me started on Buddy’s stuff…!

In between loads, I tried to rest. It’s been an intense few weeks and I’m feeling it a bit. Thankfully I had a lay in this morning. Only cause my alarm clock isn’t working. Looks like we had a power cut last night and now it won’t turn on. So that’s been added to the ever growing to do list.

This afternoon, my conservatory doubled up as the counting house as I bagged up the donations from yesterday’s show. Incredible generosity show at both events we’ve had collecting tins.

Tomorrow I’ll tackle more on my lists. And it’s back to the laptop for me.