I think it was Tuesday I last blogged…. the rest of the week has gone in the usual blur really. We’ve done washing, met boats, ticked stuff off our pre-off island visit job lists. We had a mammoth creating the next three months action plan session and have been working our way through things that arose from that. I’ve emailed the council to get some wheelie bins (which we’ll actually use for compost loo rather than our rubbish and recycling), the planning and building department for advice on house build stuff, Gav and Laura on various things. I had a long chat with Vikki about house build stuff after Ady and I had a conversation where we concluded that we either have enough money to build here or we don’t and that will be the decider for us as to whether we stay here. We know we can’t do another winter in the static so will have to have a weatherproof shell of a house at least to move into by the end of this year. That means having a really tightly planned and controlled budget to stick to with a real worst case scenario contingency in place too which either will or won’t be doable with the funds we have. Vikki looked at some of the costs of our community bunkhouse for comparison which was heartening as the one area I am not confident on is the groundworks but the surveyor has looked into the bunkhouse build very closely and priced accordingly even taking into account the additional cost of labour and materials to get to Rum. I explained to Vikki that we would not stick it out here unless we are able to build this year and we agreed that would be devastating for Rum aswell as for us. We then came home and had the same conversation with the kids as I am ever conscious of throwing everything I have at this dream but being aware that we make big sacrifices and compromises to be here and it has to be worth it, which on a cold wet windy January afternoon when the condesation rolls down the walls can feel a challenge. All of the other 3 agreed they want to stay here rather than anywhere else so the fight is on to make that happen.
Ady has been doing a great job of tidying up the croft a bit as we’ve amassed various bits and pieces which were looking scruffy in heaps around the place. I think we’ve concluded we really need an outbuilding or three so putting together the claim forms to see if we can get part funding for a shed or two is next on the list.
Yesterday evening we went to Paul & Carole’s for a games night – they were using up all the Christmas party food so did a big buffet and had an open house with the wii, a roulette game and various other games and chats. They had a really good turn out – us four, Abby and James from the castle, Neil & Lesley, Ross, Fliss and Vikki. We had a great night, lots of drunken frolics and laughter, lots of putting the world to rights, competitive dance offs on the wii and just a really nice time. I had far too much to drink, told everyone I loved them, staggered home and slipped on the way up the croft hill and have nursed a killer hangover today but it was worth it for such a good night – a real tonic to what was a fairly un-party like NYE and a general lack of social gatherings now the winter is so set in. Today at the boat everyone was there post morteming and it was really nice to carry on the banter.
We had a few things arrive on the boat today, we’d bought a few bits in the Matalan sale which had come (mostly bowls and other kitchen container things which are lovely and will hopefully be in a new kitchen by next Christmas), a photo calendar we’d ordered. The rain began when we got back from the boat and pretty much carried on all day long so we had a nice afternoon indoors. I made pizzas and we watched a couple of films.
I think you are right to keep re-evaluating the cost (emotional and physical as much as financial) but desperately hoping things will fall into place for you and you can make your dreams a reality. I know all the stops will be pulled out. xxx
Comment by Barbara — 06 January 2013 @ 8:15 pm