Retrospective 4

Meanwhile, back in Bacteria Salisbury Gardens, the Big Potato Competition was being held, Suzy in charge of the weighing - and you will of course remember who won? Roger sent me the photos.

So nice to see my lovely friends/former neighbours; this year, the adjoining street took part. Perhaps over the coming years, the event will grow, and become the Jesmond Vale Tatie Olympiad.....

But in the cottage, signs of home were beginning to emerge. Still many (too many!) boxes, lamps, pictures and books to unpack, and far too much furniture. Some will have to go, as I just don't have the space here, but at last, there's somewhere to sit down and have a cup of tea. Momentarily.

And now, with the Lovely Son taken to the station 23 miles away early this morning, and the rain teeming down just in time for the freecycled cardboard boxes to be taken away in the next few minutes, I'm on my own in my chaotic, over-stuffed, heap-infested cottage. At least it feels like I'm on my own; the cats and dogs are asleep, and all I can hear is the rain. Bliss....

I have nothing to do but to plod away over the coming weeks, sorting out those heaps, organising my ludicrous amount of stuff, to make it all orderly and homely. I have a wood burner to buy, and a new name plate for the cottage's front door, as well as odd jobs to get done in time for the winter.

A project or two in the planning stages; just what I like!