A challenging state of affairs

It’s official. The house is now empty. Carol and Bob have moved down the road. They’re not happy about it mind you. They loved this sad, little neglected cottage too. But she’s now officially ours, asbestos, bad ventilation, lead paint and all!

When we pulled up, big storm clouds glared down at us. The house looked defiant against the ominous nasty black sky. A row of old rose bushes threw gorgeous hot pinks, reds and yellows into the strange light. I felt frightened, and slightly excited. But only slightly. What the fuck have we done?

My in-laws, who now live down the road, strode in with me as Leo is working overseas. We flung open doors, ripped down curtains that almost disintegrated in our hands, and instigated the moment of truth: what lay beneath these old carpets? Sweet relief. Immaculate floorboards. Cypress pine we think. God bless dubious taste in floor coverings.

We found newspapers from 1947. I can’t wait to read them. I’ve saved them for my Dad. He was 17 when they were published.

The kitchen is tragic (but has a great old wood fire stove). She’s a Welcome Dover – is anyone knows anything about them please come over and teach me!

In the living room we ripped off an ugly sheet of plywood that was covering the old original fire place. With a little love, she has a good chance of showing her pretty face again. We’ve asked Rob our local handyman to do her makeover. He will need a lot of botox.

So, depressed yet? I am to be honest – but with a little dreaming and a lot of luck I think we will get there in the end. Just not sure exactly how.