Creating a new life..........

in the British Countryside!

.......hopefully involving buckets full of blooms!

I'm moving on best I can and loving it so far, as I said on my page, it feels so right. I've been back in the UK for just 11 days, near enough anyway and I am already much happier. I feel like my whole body is on a comedown from a major traumatic experience. It's been a lot!

It's really good to be home.

My nervous system is indeed gently settling but again, 'best it can' in an airbnb environment. The owners clearly lead busy lives with comings and goings from quite early in the morning, so so far no lie in's. It's not ideal for the dogs and therefore us, but we are making the best of it.

I honestly did not know that this barn was directly opposite the owners front door, I should have. We've got 19 nights left here, it is what it is and can only hope we don't have to hire another temporary abode. I'm so ready to get going on this next chapter.

Anyway, I mostly don't think about France anymore unless contacted by those still working there, agents or my good friend who's caretaking the house until sold. Isn't that telling? It is good not to miss anything 'French life' and it does make me wonder? Do we keep pulling away from where we were always meant to be, which is right here?

Maybe!

Of course we can't escape real life and the need for work and a permanent home. I say 'permanent' loosely, as we were always supposed to end up in Canada, but with the time taken to set his new job up, it will most almost certainly not be this year. I would be reluctant to go now anyway as we do need a period of recuperation and repair. Not only that, I think I would keep a small place on in the Uk just in cases. Lessons learnt. Do not put all thoose precious eggs in one basket!

This morning was our first really slow morning and I'm glad of it. My husband is in a constant rush no matter what and I am not, not anymore. I do relish the odd quiet, relaxed morning now more than ever, especially not having contractors back and forth all day. My friend does call him in doors the RSM and it really makes me laugh but yes, I'm always on parade time!

The owner of this airbnb is clearly having work done in her house and had I known I'd have chosen somewhere else, because I did not need another Piccadilly circus straight after the renovation and everything else Landivy tried to throw at us. Also the comings and goings understandably keep setting the dogs off! We are not here on holiday, no but it's unfair on us really. It really irritates me how people don't 'honestly' advertise their businesses. Also, is a place really dog friendly without any green space for them to run off steam?

So we are on tenterhooks waiting for a green light to go on the house we saw yesterday, not sure if we need to keep looking? The application is in but apparently we need to be interviewed? They are not very forthcoming with when that may be? Not hugely helpful in our situation. Coming from France puts us on the back foot renting wise, as it's all done on credit referencing. It's all fun and games and very expensive, possibly brutal. Yes, brutal. We are very much at the mercy of the agents. Wish us luck.

Airbnb's really aren't a long term solution, especially at peak summer rates and just general living wise. I was just saying to philip that we need to wash some clothes and put some food in the tiny weeny fridge. Another bug bear of mine, is owners advertising long stays but not providing the facilities to go with. No full sized fridge freezer or washing machine!

Other than that, we are comfortable enough and the mattress is one of the best we've slept on! I've spent a fortune over the years and never managed to achieve this level of comfort. I asked the owner and she said It's just a natural Ikea firm sprung mattress apparently and I'm sold!

Ordering!

We've brought the basics with us to get us in a rental and then the fun begins, I hope! The house we are looking at needs cosmetics and decorating, so we can do that and I rather would. It just has to have the right feel.

One thing I do know is that my Dad needs us around at the moment and will benefit from us being nearer since mum passed. He's really struggling poor bean, needs extra attention, lots of hugs and encouragement.

I've escaped France and it feels good! One very fractured misadventure in France is over, well it will be when the house is sold, until then........we try to forget at least the last 2 years!

You don't get Channel 4 covering that now do you?

D x