Where did our house go?

There can’t be much to do in an empty house on the day before completion you would think – so why was it 8.30pm before we sat down for pizza and a glass of wine?

Let’s review the situation:

I hoovered and dusted each room and wiped over the bathroom. I also accompanied Stephen’s first trip to the dumpit site before heading to Tesco to buy sandwiches for lunch and drinks for the journey tomorrow.

Stephen did a final sort out of rubbish and made two journeys to the dumpit site (and, no doubt, a tearful farewell with the men who work there with whom he has built up such a close working relationship). On the second journey he also took the keys to the estate agents – or rather, he parked outside, realised he had forgotten the keys, came back home, returned to Rawtenstall then finally handed them over for the new owners to collect tomorrow.

He also faced with challenge of packing the car ready for the journey with three suitcases, dog paraphernalia, important documents and goodness knows what else, while leaving enough room to put in dog beds, overnight necessities and Chris’ luggage – let’s hope he is travelling light – tomorrow morning. When Stephen had finished there was space for three people and two dogs to sit while just about every other possible space had something squeezed into it. Let’s hope Citroen make their Picassos with resilient back axles.

So where did the rest of the time go? The answer is taking calls and answering the door to people wishing us a safe journey and a happy future. We have been very touched by the many kind wishes and cards we have received – thank you. See you in Le Marche…