If you scroll down the page, you can see what our garden was like at the height of the summer...and this is what it looks like after the tree surgeon got going with the chainsaw. It allows so much more light in.
Last Friday, Dr J flew in just past midnight and P went to pick him up. I had been out with my colleagues earlier in the evening, so stayed home to sleep off the excess consumption of alcohol! After a hearty breakfast the following morning, Dr J went to central Blundon to look for property and found a great little one-bedroom apartment in a fab part of town, but more about that later.
As predicted in my last blog, we had a bit of an Indian Summer and on Sunday, it was blazing hot so we drove down to Brighton to show Dr J a little bit of Brrrringland. We walked all along the promenade and ate oysters, freshly made donuts and fish and chips. We also ran into these amazing Great Danes. The blue (that is what those grey coats are called) Dane is just a year old and already 168lbs. In comparison, Georgia Rose is 8lbs. Isn't nature amazing?
During the few days after that, Dr J did all the necessary things like opening a bank account, getting a mobile, finding his way around his new college, etc. Finally on Wednesday, he was ready to move into his own place so we drove round to his new pad for a nosey. It's in a gated development and is similar to my apartment on the Small Island: stylish and in a great location. There is even a balcony just like I used to have and reminded me of those lovely mornings when I sat out and enjoy my coffee. It's very central but on a quiet street, so the best of both worlds. I must admit that both P and I were extremely envious. We love our little surburban house and the peaceful area where we live...but there is nothing like having a pied a terre in the middle of a vibrant and exciting city!
Afterwards, we went for a drink with Dr J to his local pub (great buzzy place with lots of character) and he looked like the cat that got the cream. I think he is going to have an amazing year here and we are really happy for him. I must admit it was a bit sad when he left our house. We didn't know him very well before he came so this was a great opportunity to make a new friend.
We've also managed to make a few new purchases for the house. I got a very early wedding anniversary present from P in the shape of a vintage leather Finnegan's hat box and I bought myself an ornate framed picture of antique botanical prints. I just love them:
The guest room also has a new addition with this pine chest. It probably came from a big old house as it has "Down Stairs 1862" painted on the front. How cool that it is dated!
Our little coffee corner also has had a makeover with a vintage Tate & Lyle sugar crate, now turned into a shelf for my gardening books and magazines.
Work has been extremely busy as well so I can't wait for our two-week break over Christmas. Before that though, P and I have our four-year anniversary (is it diamond?!!) and his birthday to celebrate. We have quite a few lunches and dinners planned with friends over the next two months so lots of lovely days to look forward to!
In the mean time everyone, keep well and be happy!
