19.6.12

Storing the excess



Hard to believe that just a month ago we were starting the very painful process of moving out of the cottage. We had a very kind offer of storage space at a friend's small holding, so the first thing to do was to sort out what was going away for a while. Letter press stuff mostly, and various bits of furniture, some of which has not seen the light of day since we moved here.



Just over a year ago, Debs and Neil enabled me to hold my book launch and charity cupcake party at their house, just before moving on to their own new place and fresh beginnings. Now they rolled up with a large van to help us with our move. What splendid friends to have!




The outhouse seemed to have accumulated an awful lot of things...





But my poor old 'joanna' has been languishing in the cobwebby dark for ten years. Another few months won't hurt her.




Andy was van-packer extraodinaire -





 - and at last we had a quick tea break in our poor neglected back garden.





Then it was a cross county drive to the new small holding.




I was shivering with exhaustion by this point, but a pot of tea helped, while Andy made friends with 'the boys'.




Then we were taken on a  grand tour - to see the chickens -



Peek at the broody hen -



Admire the 'harbour' of neat raised beds.


                              


Watch the clownish ducklings - now teenagers, but still holding their baby down in places.




Andy fed the naughty goats;



'Look at me!'




'No, look at ME!'

 


'Let's break out (again) - hurrah!'

 


The sheep were amazingly tame, all part of the plan to have a 'petting farm' in the future.





So I could get up closer than usual to take my snaps.

 



The sows were magnificent - both splendidly pregnant and after feeding, demanding strokes and massages.






Which left both ladies blissed out. Porcine Paradise.

 

By now, it was twilight and we headed back to the farm.



Andy and Neil unloaded the groaning van, while I flopped about with a beer and admired Deb's new loom.


After we'd devoured home made cottage pie, it was time for us to leave this -  




- and return to this.




There was more to come - and I still can't believe we actually did it.




*Updated from library PC - still no internet access - roll on July 4th!


16 comments:

Frances said...

What splendid photos, what splendid friends!

Let's also give a toast to libraries.

Thank you, Gretel, for the interim report. I am so looking forward to seeing your new place.

xo

Anonymous said...

Well done, all! A sterling effort!

Soozcat said...

So excited for you! And yes, all too well aware of how exhausted moving leaves everyone.

It's like they say... "Friends help you move. True friends help you move the bodies." ;)

Jee said...

The thought of moving makes me
feel tired - we must have done it at least a dozen times,mainly iin the last 15yrs. Lovely to have good friends to help - with beautiful animal too. Hope the next stage goes well.

Gemma Mortlock said...

Well done gretel! Cant wait to see your new abode,i'll have to find out your new address once you've settled so i can still send you an xmas card :) xxxx

Deborah Flint said...

A great write up, Gretel, even if you missed out commenting on just HOW much packing was involved... though how you could do justice to the gargantuan task on 'paper' I am not sure! And it is true - Andy is the master of van packers :-D

Fantastic photos, and happy memories.
Hope the next stage comes into being without hiccups and in due course.

Much love xx

Country Rabbit said...

good luck with it all- and your new start ;0) funny what you find when you move...the lost, the found become the new loved things ;0)x

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Hello Gretel......I hate moving!!!!! I don't envy you at all, but I know that when it is all done you will breath a huge sigh of relief.

I look forward to many new posts from your new home.

Thanks for the great animal photos...lovely place indeed and how wonderful to have such good friends.

janet xox

tlchang said...

Glad you're still alive and out there! Such an undertaking - all that moving.

Best wishes with all the goings-on. Hope you get landed and settled sooner rather than later.

xxxx

BumbleVee said...

lost my comment because my damn computer is acting up and won't stay connected....arrghhh! I was saying what a ton of stuff you have to move and how much work is must be .... sending hugs and energy for you both....

Acornmoon said...

What a mammoth task!

I love expression on the pigs face, such a contented smile.

Take heart, you will get things straight one day. x

BaggieAggie said...

Fabulous location - I'm green with envy! Though not envious of the move itself - next time we do it, the removers will be employed to do the packing and unpacking too!

By the way, after receiving it myself, I've just passed The Versatile Blogger award to you - if you'd like to accept it, simply check out the rules here: http://baggieaggie.blogspot.co.uk/

Rosie. x

Gaz said...

Its always amazing how much 'stuff' we pack into our homes, its only when boxing up to move we realise how much we hack hidden here and there.

We last moved 7 years ago and im sure we have boxes in the loft we havent unpacked yet, maybe one day!

Good luck with the rest of the move.

Cathy Holtom said...

It all looks exciting, can't wait to see more when you have your internet access. Best wishes for your new home!

Vintage Jane said...

Hope you are all unapcked and settled now. My very best wishes to you both in your new home. M x

Moon and Hare said...

Oh, yes, moving is such a painful, exhausting business. But all those lovely animals must make up for it a bit!