I’ve only gone and done it! In the bastardized words of Bronte, ‘Reader, I moved.’

Safe to say, if I ever mention I’m thinking of moving again in the near future, remind me not to! It’s taken 3 skips, numerous carloads to a wonderful lady who runs jumble sales for the village, many trips to the dump and countless bags for charity shops (ready for when they open again) to squash a five bedroomed, family house full of twenty five years’ worth of ‘stuff’ into a couple of removal vans and our cars. Needless to say, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Opening the door to the removal guys on the morning they came to load the contents of the house, they could see I was stressed. ‘Don’t worry, we can deal with that.’ Huge shout out to GA Lomer & Sons for their calm professional manner. I can’t recommend them enough. Nothing was too much trouble, and when my stress level reached it’s peak and I called Harry a plonker for a minor misdemeanour, I was gently reminded that ‘no shouting was allowed on removal day,’ which made me smile instead at my rashness and grounded me again.

Thrusting the vacuum cleaner, mop and bucket into the last remaining space in the footwell of the passenger side of my car, I then found a tin of paint left in the porch. Unable to squeeze it in to the boot because of the dogs, I found a tiny bit of room left in the aforesaid passenger footwell, so I carefully wrapped it in a black plastic bag and jammed the door shut tight.

I’d decided I wasn’t going to overthink leaving  Kitley Lodge for the last time, but pretend that I was just going out to the shops as usual. It wasn’t the time to be wracked with emotion. Stopping at the supermarket in Lewes to fill up with petrol, I’m glad I did because as I opened the passenger door to get my purse, I discovered the tin of paint had upended and spilt over the interior of the car, my favourite jumper and two jackets. (Remember there was a last-minute scramble to fit loose items in to the car, anything got thrust anywhere!) Unusually calm for me, I realised, if that was the worst to happen with moving, I had got away lightly. By the time we got to the new house, the removal men had delivered the beds and unloaded one truck, returning the next day with the rest of our furniture.

My new home, Bell Lodge, is wonderful!

The views are stunning,

the feeling of space is liberating

the walks by the canals are calming,

and the expanse of night sky is vast.

Already we’ve had a few unexpected visitors,

I’ve been told off ( nicely) by the local farmer (made me feel like a naughty schoolgirl), met the postman, figured out the heating system and discovered they do take away deliveries ( ok for you townies, but wonderful for us country folk and not available at K. L.) The curtains are up and it feels like home.

There’s loads for me to do with Bell Lodge. It is looking a little tired but that is the exciting bit. I can take my time and work on a few ideas I have and liven it up. A oak framed, garden room on the east side for example.

The morning sun shining through large windows will be a perfect place to read the paper at weekends while checking on what the cows in the field opposite are up to. A pizza oven next to the BBQ, could be something to enjoy on summer evenings and a sundowner in a new gazebo watching the colours of the sky fade as the twinkling lights of the night sky take over.

We have endured a lot recently, but I’m thrilled to say that at long last, life is picking up. I feel a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I am in a completely different place. Harry, Ellie and Jo have new jobs and will eventually have new places of their own to discover and to get excited about. Ellie to Cornwall ( I intend to visit often and practice my surfing), Harry to Manchester and Jo to Brighton. Making this move has been momentous, not only in the physical sense but for my own mental health. What a difference a year makes. From being in the depths of despair, I have clawed myself out of my dark hole, with the support of loved ones, to stand on the rim of expectation and hope.  It seemed an enormous mountain to climb but, by taking one step at a time, I have got there. I have achieved more than I thought I was capable of. I am excited for what my life is going to bring and I am lucky enough to have the means and ability to do so much more with it…watch this space!

Love

Teresa x