As well as posting my adventures as long haul cabin crew in the form of Suzi, (Love, Suzi x) I’m going to update you with my recent adventures. This is an excerpt of a book I’m writing about how my family and I changed our lives.

This is our story:-

After a lifetime of London living, an urban family, used to the conveniences of the city try adapting to life in the country. Where on earth do we think of moving to and how insane are we to even consider it?

I’m thinking of asking the plumber to stay. Not because he’s cute but because he has another attribute – he vacuums up any mess he’s created when he’s finished. Shallow I may be, but any tradesman that clears up will always endear himself to me. Apparently, when I aksed him he doesn’t do much vacuuming at home, so my lips are sealed as to his exact identity, in case I get him into trouble.
The glazing has been installed into the new orangery and subsequent plastering done. This has made the whole building water-tight so that we can proceed with the next stage; the installation of the under floor heating. I’ve always felt it would be such a luxury to be able to enjoy the warmth under my feet on a dark, cold winter’s morning as I padded down into the kitchen to put the kettle on. I’ve had a single, warm, water pipe zig zagging across my old kitchen floor that fed the radiator, but that became a bit difficult to stay on whilst moving between the fridge and the larder without looking as though I was playing a version of Twister. There’s not much to induce me to get up in the winter but maybe the uniform heat of under floor heating would help to ease my start to the day.

Like a large sandwich, sheets of insulation were laid across the new concrete floor in the orangery. Plastic floor panels were then cut to shape, laid on the insulation and the heating pipes carefully laid in a spiral pattern in the moulds. Once the system had been pressure tested it was then covered up with the floor screed to produce a nice level surface ready for floor tiling after a suitable drying period. The whole process didn’t take long but seemed intricate as it was manoeuvred into place.

In the original kitchen area it was a different matter. As we didn’t want to remove the existing floor slab we had to approach things another way using an overlay system. This is still a “wet system” of water filled heating pipes laid in a pattern; however, in this area gypsum based interlocking panels were laid directly onto the concrete slab. The heating pipes were then laid in channels within the panels, the floor tiles are then laid directly on top. All these neat pipes, looking like railway tracks, snaked round into the utility room where they were connected into the manifold secured to the wall.
Unfortunately, I will have to wait until next winter to enjoy the full effect of my new heating system as it can’t be switched on straight away. We have to wait a few months for the screed to dry out thoroughly or risk it cracking. Whilst I would love to luxuriate in the warmth under my feet and be able to wander randomly all over the kitchen, the resulting damage caused if we are too impatient, is a mess I fear that even my domesticated plumber wouldn’t want to tackle.

With the prospect of cold, wet weather to keep you indoors next to the fire, a bit of self motivation can sometimes be somewhat lacking at this time of the year. With the optimism of spring still too far away to grasp, I use it as a time to reflect on what I have accomplished and dream about what I hope to achieve in the coming year.

When we moved to East Sussex, I proclaimed to all who would listen that we would have the house sorted within a year. It’s good to be made to eat humble pie now and again as here we are, well past my deadline and the house is still not finished, not even remotely.

The time has not been wasted though as much preparation has taken place. This is the part that I always find frustrating but know to be so essential. Not only do we now, after a slight blip, have planning permission, but we have had time to reconsider some fundamental issues that affect just how we use our living space, realising that our initial thoughts were not the best way forward. Rather like a recipe, all the ingredients are there, it’s just a matter of establishing in which order everything should go and whether we should spoon, stir or sprinkle, before the icing goes on the top. On such a large project it is important not to make decisions under pressure as these are often the ones that you wish to change at a later [and costly] date. Equally, it’s necessary to have realistic goals so that momentum keeps pace with your expectations and you don’t become disheartened with slow progress.
We had originally thought that a wall full of cupboards would be ideal in our bedroom. Although this would have meant drinking that necessary, wake-up-cup-of-tea staring at wardrobe doors, I felt it would be the ideal solution to our lack of storage space, giving a clean lined, uncluttered area. Now, on reflection, we have returned to our original spec and moved the position of the bed to take advantage of the views of the Downs we so dearly craved. Tragically, this has cut down the potential for hanging space and may cause a reduction in my clothes department, but how many garments, shoes and accessories does one woman need? Probably best not to go there.

So with all this in mind, the new year will require me to place my own skills into the mixing bowl to drive the renovation forward; a large tablespoon of patience and organisation from years of teaching and a teaspoon of diplomacy and team work from flying the skies as a trolley dolly which should all be stirred steadily, with a brimming cup of creativity to smooth out any lumps. The exciting part is waiting to see the results.
Who knows what next year will bring and whether I will be once again be eating the words of my proclamation washed down with a little humility? I’m ready for the challenge and anything else that comes my way.

I probably won’t get to post again before Christmas and the New Year so would just like to wish you all a happy and healthy one.

Teresa x

LOVE, SUZI x – letters from a long haul stewardess. My latest book is now available from Amazon as a paperback or ebook