It’s been a while since I’ve blogged but there has been a lot going on over the last few months.

How is it the end of February already. I know it’s the shortest month but this year it’s be an oddly strange and exciting one.

After 43 years ~ me ~ 37 Ian and 21 Fred the geriatric cat we have left London. It’s been a while coming

I’d forgotten how stressful selling and moving house actually was. We were due do exchange and complete before Xmas, but that never happened. We just sat back and waited. Would it or wouldn’t it happen after the Xmas break. After a hiccup further down the chain – there were only 3 of us it eventually happened.

To be fair the last time we moved was 23 years ago and then it was only 6 doors down the road but that little move meant we changed our post code and had to change our telephone number ! At least this time it’s just the address.

How I hated having potential buyers looking at your house and the feed back. We don’t like the colours. ( excuse me but you can change the colour)~ it’s on 3 floors. Then don’t go up to the third. the gardens small ~ yes and there’s a park at the end of the road.

So we spent more time away whilst it was being viewed. But it’s been sold to a young family who live ~ 6 doors down the road !

But it makes a huge difference having a great team at the Estate Agents and a great removal company, with a particularly efficient and helpful Conveyancing lawyer.

Top tip. If you put things in the attic you don’t need them. So don’t put them there in the first place. Wise words. Which I probably will in part continue to ignore. When Ian’s father died we brought things from Scotland to our flat. They went into the attic. When we moved 6 doors down they came with us. And went into a new attic, and remained there.

The joy of it slowly being emptied. The downside is you find a box of old photos and spend more time looking at them than sorting them out.

Trust me. There’s no wonder some of them went in the attic.

These weren’t the worst.

Some of the things that went in the attic have followed us to Somerset. And have gone into a storage unit to be sorted out at a later date. I’d forgotten that we had a large Rold Harris original print. A fabulous painting of Ayres Rock. Not a cheap purchase but was removed to the attic for all the obvious reasons. It’s unlikely to ever see the light of day again.

A picnic box of my late mother and sisters piano sheet music. Music from the 194o’s for my mother ~ with my mother writing on the front page which were hers and which were her twin sisters.

A sparkly jacket from the 1982 west end show ‘The sound of music’. A memory of a dear friend who was in the show and with whom I shared a flat when I first moved to London. Sadly no longer with us. That has gone into the wardrobe ~ a bit of a Cinderella moment~ it fits it fits. Yes said Ian. . ‘One arm only ~ but some things you just can’t part with. The jacket. And the arm.

Ian has a leather jacket he bought in Kensington market when he first moved to London. He says it fits. Like me. One arm only. That too is in the wardrobe.

The last time the cellar was clear was 23 years ago ! Like the attic if it goes in there it’s likely you don’t need it. Like the boxes of jam jars. Now in the Somerset attic . Which is fine as we have two. One is totally clear. For now < only because it’s all in a storage unit.

The house had changed a lot since we moved in 23 years ago. It has been the longest I have been in one place.

But the way we used London has changed hugely. Particularly after buying the house in Spain and lockdown.

Were we sad. No. Even though I am a creature of habit and don’t really like change. But we will still be back and forth just not as much.

We will keep our dentist. Our hairdresser and we will still be back to see friends.

Out of the loft came decades of theatre programmes and handbills. One in particular reminded me of how I came to live in the street. An old theatre programme of a Nell Dunn comedy. ‘steaming’ which my next door neighbour appeared in.

I have known Cate for around 46 years. We first met when she was in Pantomime in Cardiff and we became friends. In a previous life I lived with a friend who ran ‘theatrical digs’ and Cate came to stay for the panto season. It was a hilarious few years meeting the actors staying for a week or longer.

In 1987/88 I was living in west London but ventured south of the river to take her out for her birthday.

When I dropped her home she said there are two flats for sale next door. So I looked at them, sold my flat in west London and moved in. To one of the them. We then moved 6 doors down in 2003 and were street neighbours until our move in February.

Cate is also responsible for the cottage in Pitcombe. We came to stay with her and her partner in Wookey Hole , where Cate and I would go riding. Ian tried it once and hated it ~ but o continued to ride at Mrs Masseys riding school in South London for a time. Now I would need a brewery dray horse a step ladder and Velcro.

The cottage next door was for sale but was out of our price bracket. We loved the West Country and after a hunt with many not hitting the mark and this cottage being last on the list Ian decided to buy the cottage. So Cate is responsible for where we have lived both in London and Somerset.

The move is a new chapter and one to be enjoyed. It means we can spend more time in the Somerset garden, travelling and in Spain.

Sadly we left the London garden behind. Ian wanted to bring the tree ferns. I wanted the agapanthus and canna. But it was all too difficult. The weather here too problematic for the three ferns even if double wrapped in winter. Everything was in pots and we would have needed another removal van.

The garden when we moved in but after we had unearthed a cooker.

The tulips are in and are just poking through. There are 20 large pots at the front of the house ~ another year of multi coloured planting done.

Just a few of the colours. Ignore pot 12. By the time I got to pot 4 I gave up on my plan. But the pressure is on for another good show this year.

It’s not been all focused on the move. We have settled well into village life. But there again why wouldn’t we. We have had the house for 32 years. Another 40 and we may be accepted as locals. But it’s great having people pop in for coffee. Today we have grandad who’s not our grandad call in. ‘I won’t stop’ he said. Over an hour later he left. We then went to friends for coffee before we went to a farm shop. It’s great to be able to go to the markets, the farm shops , and there is a huge social life here. Jazz at the village hall. Dance class at the village hall, ~ no, we aren’t. Two villages have film screenings in the church or village halls, a great folk duo in the church with drinks and nibbles after. The acoustics for these events are great and gets people to the church who wouldn’t normally go. Like me. One of the vicars once told me I was a festival worshiper. Xmas. Easter. Harvest festival.

Lots of local Restaurants, plenty of NT properties to visit. Closer to my tulip partner in crime who has garden adventures planned for us. The first scheduled for 5 April.

It’s an easy drive to the coast for breakfast. The Hive Beach cafe is right on the beach with a cliff top walk next to it and it’s a big favourite. Just don’t stand too close to the crumbling cliffs.

A drive to Beer where the weather didn’t get any better. When our god children were young they came with their parents to spend New year with us. New Year’s Day was always a visit to Beer to blow away the cobwebs.

The weather hasn’t been great but it’s expected. But. A big but it will get better. It’s the wet country ~ with a silent S.

There hasn’t been too much walking. I have had hideous sciatica which has limited my walking. But I managed the walk to St Leonard’s church and back along the church path with its wonderful snow drops. Beats the one clump we have in the garden.

I won’t mention the fall I had leaving a funeral at the church. The vicar told us all that Biddy’s request was for the congregation to recite a particular version of the Lords Prayer.

When I fell flat on my face on the road after the funeral cutting my head, hands and probably cracking a rib ~ Ians sympathetic comment was. ‘ That’s Biddy pushing you as you didn’t say the right words.’ We laughed as I know that she would have too.

Biddy was part of a group of ladies who knew how to have fun. My vivid recollection of her was at a village hall Christmas party decades ago with two others miming on stage to 3 little maids. They were all in their 70’s then. Sadly she was the last of the surviving 3 little maids.

These appear year in year out. I don’t know where they came from. Not me as I hate planting small bulbs. I don’t have the patience. I have given up on drumstick alliums ~ I love them but too small. Give me 1,000 tulip bulbs and I’ll plant everyone. Eventually. Even the bag I found hiding in the pantry last week.

Fred has settled in. As long as you light the log burner what ever the weather he will be happy. When we left London we left behind Christine and Bruce who looked after Fred when we were away. For 20 years. But he’s very happy with his new carer ~ he should be ~ We’ve been friends for decades and she is my goddaughters mother.

There have been crispy morning walks ~ or me hobbling through the fields < along the footpath obviously. The few really frosty days.

It’s a lovely circular walk. From the house to the church. The church path to fields.

I love the garden when everything is frosted. I have only now cut things back so that the new growth can get a bit of sunlight. When we get the odd day. But things are pushing up. Slowly. A bit more sun and it will be all systems go.

There will be fewer trips along the A303, this was our last drive to London early morning. We have been up since the sale but by train. Not always reliable but an easier way than driving. The last trip with a stay at a premier Inn. It does what it says on the tin. Comfortable bed. Good breakfast. This one a decent view. Other brands are available.

So we come to the end of February. It’s also been a month of tying up the loose ends following the sale. Getting refunds has been interesting. Refunds on overpaid bills , the joys of negotiating the various notice periods, the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing ~ theirs. Not ours. But you need your wits about you. A refund on my parking permit questioned. Oh yes. We’ve missed you parking vouchers. Have another £75. But unlike the overpaid council tax which was paid back to our bank account they will send a cheque. The alarm company. Oh yes. We’ve billed for the whole month. Here’s £50, again payable by cheque which will take 15 days.

Changing addresses. Some are easy. Some are a nightmare. But we are there. Time ro relax and enjoy the changes we have made.

Next stop. Spain. Which has been on hold for 6 months ~ more gardening. Sunshine. And catching up with good friends.

I have just had a message from our friends who check the house and garden. . ‘Will check again on Monday as I am nearby. Rain forecast so garden will be able to host the next Jurassic Park film soon’ .