Monday 6 October 2014

Swarms, Birthdays, Bristol Nights and Crossing Bridges...









Two swarms arrived. One of cluster flies that invaded the loft, the other of men that invaded the house and garden. They've left a big hole in the wall of the house above the front door. (The men, not the cluster flies.) The wall is now propped up with big metal support things. I hope it doesn't fall down in the night. It's already freezing, what with the temperature dropping and the big hole; and tomorrow the oil pipe for the central heating is going to be cut to dig out a space at the end of the garden to put a skip for all the building rubble. It's not going to be reconnected until the kitchen is done and I can't even guess when that will be. 

Thank goodness for emersion heaters, open fires and wood burners. Oh and woolly jumpers and cuddly husbands (hot chocolate too...) 

I was a bit of a shock when I saw how much of the garden had been excavated (almost tears) but A talked to me about how we can make it all good again, and I'm ok now.

Lots of socialising goes on in this neck of the woods. We made Persian food for our next door neighbours who invited us to share it in their house which was very civilised . They are lovely. The  kitchen that's also in the middle of renovation but much further along the process that ours was decorated with a big blue pumpkin and what seemed to be hundreds of votive lights (or maybe half a dozen) It looked lovely and cosy. We've been invited to the pub in the next village every friday night since we've been here but haven't been able to go so far with such a lot going on. People are always popping in for teas or coffees... and the workmen for bacon sandwiches. It's good. I like it.

We've crossed lots of bridges physical and metaphorical ones. Back to London to pick H up and take her to Bristol. She returned to us for a quick three day visit for A's birthday. We explored the town of Hereford a bit, had lunch at lovely La Madeline, had a cosy fire-lit night and I introduced H to my new favourite Swedish series. She's now addicted too.Then back over the arch  to that busy city to celebrate with hamburgers,at three brothers on the Avon with her boyfriend  and drink to his birthday,too.

Meanwhile the sun keeps shining most of the time and the birds are getting fatter...me too for that matter...

How are your days panning out? 
debx



14 comments:

  1. What a wonderful lot of photos. I am glad that we have come the the end of our final renovation in this house - it has taken us 20 years back to front and side to side. Nothing left to do now but maintenance. I think I would have cried if I had seen my garden like that. But yes it can all be fixed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wondered if it might be too many photographs but I find it hard to decide which ones to use. I'm glad that you're home is finished and I desperately hope that ours doesn't take twenty years! I don't think I could survive that long. Thanks for the encouragement about the garden.
      debx

      Delete
  2. good to see you! my you have been busy and I cannot imagine a reno while living IN the home. I hope all is settled before a big freeze. I bet you had fun with your daughter visiting, I enjoy when my kids come to visit. A treat! Glad you like the neighbors and they like you....but I knew they would!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thanks Karen, it's been so busy here. We've had lots of offers with friends to put us up or we could treat ourselves to a hotel for a while but we really need to be here on site. It seems that decisions have to be made on the spur of the moment. like with the front wall. We were just having the door measured to have a new one made when a rotten beam was discovered so all plans were changed. It was so much fun with Hannah. I'm glad that she's much closer now than when she was in London.
      debx

      Delete
  3. There always is such a mess and then when things are fixed they can be tidied; just trying to not look too closely right now. I'm sorry about your garden Debby, but your husband is right, now you can have a grand time playing in the dirt and planting the garden just the way you want!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The best bit is Tracey that apparently the soil is amazing and anything and everything will grow. At least I can have fun putting it to the test. I know the next few weeks will be full of dust and plaster but once all the big jobs are done we can fun decorating and making it homely.
      debx

      Delete
  4. Love the pictures thanks so much for sharing your part of the country....some day and some day not so terribly far away I will make my way there. The River Cottage Canteen is on my travel list as well. So lovely to see you enjoying your days. Be well, Lisa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome Lisa. Thank you. It would be good if you could.
      debx

      Delete
  5. my head is spinning with all you have going on!!! and in the midst of it all....you still have amazing food on your tables!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have cooked at some point every day that we've been here Steph but I can't take credit for the dishes in the photographs. Both were meals we ate outside. They were very good especially the goats cheese salad.
      debx

      Delete
  6. Thanks so much for sharing all those lovely photos, Debby. I feel as though I have traveled with you.
    I can only imagine how busy you are with all the renovations! Hopefully they get that hole closed in soon and you are back to being toasty warm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Emily. Fortunately we have lots of wood and the burner throws out lots of heat so it is toasty. But I will be glad when it's repaired. It was raining in yesterday but we managed to patch it up a bit. Hopefully the builder will be back this weekend.
      debx

      Delete
  7. What a lovely juxtaposition of urban and rural, modern and traditional, order and chaos! I hope that the reno is continuing well--sorry to hear about complications. And btw: I *adore* those bridge photos, especially the first one!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know is full of contrast. We are enjoying a few builder free days. It means none of the big jobs are being done at the moment but we can get on with a spot of painting and sorting out. Thanks for the nice comments about the photos...it's an amazing bridge.
      debx

      Delete