Friday, May 18, 2012

THE MOVING CHRONICLES IV


See Liz. See Liz smiling…

Today contracts were exchanged with our buyers. Our house is officially sold and we’ll be moving in a little over a month.

Now it’s all about contacting the utilities and insurance companies. Changing addresses on driving licenses – which will mean a photograph for me, since I haven’t got one of the newer photo licences. Letting the removal firm know what’s happening. Arranging broadband.

There is an awful lot to do. It will require a list, but one of those really satisfying ones where you can tick things off. Even as I write this, I’m thinking of new things to add to it.

And, while I’m saying a fond farewell to this garden, there is a new garden to plan. It’s small (perfect), with very little in it apart from grass (again, perfect). We’re moving in the middle of summer which gives us time to get to know our plot, put a design together prepare the ground for the shrubs and trees that will arrive, bare root, in November.

The best beloved has his heart set on fruit. Apples, plums, cherries and soft fruit. Those big red gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries.

We have a stone wall which I see covered with David Austin’s heavenly scented old English rambling roses at the back where it’s high. And maybe a clematis or two. We’re thinking of lavender along the wall at the side of the house in the front, where the wall is lower. Not sure about what to do with the tree. I can’t imagine why anyone would plant what appears to be some kind of dwarfed eucalyptus in front of a house. No blossom, no lovely autumn foliage. With only its bark to commend it, I fear it may be a tree without much of a future.

For now though, I’m only planning a celebratory dinner at our favourite Chinese restaurant.





10 comments:

Nas said...

All the best with your moving, Liz.

And fruit trees are best. That picture is of Camellia? We don't have them in our country but I had various colors in my garden when in NZ.

Liz Fielding said...

Nas, that's an old English rose. Isn't it just beautiful!

We have a dark red camelia in our present garden but it didn't do very well this year. A frost at the wrong moment and it's goodbye to the flowers.

Unknown said...

Loads of luck with the move! All the address changing is a pain but you'll be settled in before you know it and the garden plans sound lovely!

Liz Fielding said...

Thanks so much, Charlotte. And there are a lot of writers in the area, so looking forward to meeting up with them all at local RNA lunches.

Kate Hardy said...

Fabulous, Liz - so pleased it's working out! And David Austin's roses are wonderful. (I have a Brother Cadfael which my former agent sent me when my dad died - he loved roses, and he would've adored that one.)

Liz Fielding said...

Love it, Vince but missed the fact that the Mum and Dad were lovers parted in their youth and now have their own happy ending. I'd definitely include that!

Liz Fielding said...

Thanks, Pam. I looked at Brother Cadfael and it is lovely. I'm thinking I'd like apricot but I'll wait until I'm settled and I can see the colour against the wall.

Madonna LOngbottom said...

Happy moving, Liz. Hope it goes well!

Chris Stovell said...

Phew! SO pleased that you've exchanged and can start looking forwards to planning the new garden.

Diane Fordham said...

All the best Liz :-)