welsh hills again

Simplify. What a lovely word. I am not sure I will ever achieve the simpler life I longed for when we moved here.  Life is too complicated and most of those complications come from the relationships with friends and family which create the web of love and responsibility without which I wouldn't be me.  But things, what about things? I have been amusing myself with a game of what I would keep if I could have only ten things to take with me from my house.  The ten things don't have to be practical so you don't need to choose a washing machine or a table or a bed, although I suppose you could if any of these is a special version which gives you real pleasure.  They are ten things that are personal to you, that mean something to you, that represent home.  Imagine if you like that they are ten things which you would take with you as a 21st century pioneer, the things that would go into your trunk as you set off for a new life in Australia or the far West of Ame...

The tiling is just about done, only the grouting to go.  Then I can use the kitchen properly!  Then it might not look quite as empty and lovely as it does just now, so now could be the time to show it off. Here is where we started. And this is probably about as bad as it got with the cupboards out and the ceiling down. Here we have come a long way but there is still a lot to do.  The electrics are in, the new plastering is done and the slate floor is underway. The slate floor is down and grouted and Ian starts work on the framework which will make new shelving down one side of the kitchen. And in the blink of an eye (he may throw something at me when he reads this) here are the shelves, ready and raring to go. Then there was a small hiatus while we waited for the Ikea delivery.  When it came it was an exciting day.  The delivery lorry was huge and was reversed down our drive excrutiatingly slowly by the skilful dr...