Yesterday we left Sussex with fairly heavy hearts and grim feelings. Still no more rent paid, stressy feelings from being at my parents, a grey and rainy and windy day and a row between Ady and I over some insignificant part of packing up the car.
Fast forward a few hours and we’d had a nice straightforward journey to Sheffield, £600 of the rent had now been paid (they are still outstanding the rather random amount of £145), the kids were off playing with some of their best friends and we were drinking tea, then wine with Babs, Chris, Kirsty and James. The world looked a much better place 🙂
I talked to a journalist from The Scotsman who had been given my contact details by someone on Rum. He’s written a nice little article about us and has a photo of us to use too if he can get his story printed. I’m viewing the fact they have passed our details on as fairly positive with regard to our prospects of a successful application. Everything I’m reading about Rum online historically and now suggests we should tick all the boxes.
I’m feeling a bit edgy about Glastonbury, I’ve emailed and rung and left a message for Jill over the last couple of weeks but had no reply. I can’t decide whether to hassle her or take a hint which is a bit daunting. In lots of ways going to her is not the perfect next step – we would feel pretty tied at a time when we probably have a great need to be flexible for things like sorting out the house, attending an interview in Rum and generally getting everything sorted out. On the other hand I am really aware it is not sustainable to stay with Mum and Dad for much longer, we certainly couldn’t do a month or more after Christmas. I am reassured that there are at least 5 WWOOF hosts in Sussex that accept families with kids for longer term WWOOF placements and want help in Jan/Feb/March though so not too worried we’ll be homeless if it doesn’t pan out in Glastonbury.
Anyway, once safely installed at FabBabs all was well and better and Babs and I ended up staying up til nearly 5am chatting. There was that usual black hole of time between 1am and 430am where it appears to only be ten minutes since you last looked at the clock. We did have some fascinating conversations fuelled by cherry brandy and chocolates though so consider ourselves enlightened, educated and enhanced… 😉
It did mean that Babs was a bit broken this morning though, well later in the morning really, when she had to be TutorBabs and she has been on the wobbly side today 😆 We did go to Costco and start the Christmas camp shopping by picking up the turkey.
Dad has been round to our house today and spent some time with the tenants (fingers crossed remainder of rent will be forthcoming) and checked the house out a bit. He says it is not too bad and that it looks like all of our chickens are still around. I suspect the tenant who has been the one looking after them now feels some sort of sense of ownership for them and Dad said he alluded to the idea of taking them with him. Not sure how that will pan out, I know Davies and Scarlett would be upset to see them go but have been managing their expectations about them maybe not still being around anyway. It is my hope for at least a couple of them to be the beginnings of our flock on Rum though so maybe we could split them if the tenant is really attached.
Feeling much more festive now we’re in a house ringing with laughter and children playing, Christmassy songs and lots of happiness. So looking forward to seeing friends at the weekend and feeling far more positive and happy about life in general 🙂
🙂
Comment by mich — 09 December 2011 @ 9:08 pm