Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2010-07-12 05:26:49 - Graham Ellis
Over the weekend, Chris and Delene moved - from Calne to Melksham, from a shorter term home to one where they hope to settle down for many years, and from one which was just a house to one which has some very specific features and prospects that can make it truly their home.
With a short move, and a limited amount to bring over, it was "white van" time rather than a full removal company job - and I spent Saturday (between checking out guests, changing a room, and checking new arrivals in) driving said van. Pictured here - Chris. I do enjoy - for a change - driving a vehicle that really needs driving!
Their new place is a bungalow - set amongst bungalows and overlooking a green; here's the view from their front window. They've got a big back garden too, a shop within 100 yards, and it's very much a community that they're moving in to - the sort of place where they'll know the neighbors rather than a dormitory area.
On Friday, it was a shell with walls and services. The flooring folks were waiting outside as Chris and Delene arrived with the keys. And within a couple of hours, we could start shifting - an empty canvas into which to pour and construct a new life.
Over the weekend, the house has gone from empty shell to box store impersonation, and back towards that happy middle ground as critical first items are unpacked and set up, and the start is made on a new life in Melksham. I won't post any intermediate pictures, but I do hope to be able to come back and add an "after" to the "before" picture that's above.
Being about five minutes walk from our place, we expect to be seeing a lot more of Delene than we have; a little more of Chris too (as he works with us, we see him quite a bit anyway), and of course our grandchild when she arrives. But at the same time, I hope that the "seeing" will be a chance to practically help too (that they won't feel they have to be tidying because grandparents are coming!), and that Lisa and I will be sensitive enough to give them plenty of space and not overstep our welcome. Actually, I feel happy that they can gently nudge me if I'm headed that way.
Delene and Chris, welcome to Melksham. I hope you'll enjoy it here and find the town as good and appropriate for you as we find it.
With a short move, and a limited amount to bring over, it was "white van" time rather than a full removal company job - and I spent Saturday (between checking out guests, changing a room, and checking new arrivals in) driving said van. Pictured here - Chris. I do enjoy - for a change - driving a vehicle that really needs driving!
Their new place is a bungalow - set amongst bungalows and overlooking a green; here's the view from their front window. They've got a big back garden too, a shop within 100 yards, and it's very much a community that they're moving in to - the sort of place where they'll know the neighbors rather than a dormitory area.
On Friday, it was a shell with walls and services. The flooring folks were waiting outside as Chris and Delene arrived with the keys. And within a couple of hours, we could start shifting - an empty canvas into which to pour and construct a new life.