The property department.

I'm sitting on the window ledge in our dining room as the house is rapidly being dismantled by the removers. Three huge lorries are blocking the road and are being fed all our furniture as it is emptied from the house. The dogs are taking it all in their stride - after all, this is the third time in three years for two of them. It is also showing us how like her dad, young Tess is. She is unphased by the upheaval. I feel surprisingly calm and detached from it all - I think I have blocked any emotion intentionally. This move was always going to happen - this is the end of the curacy, this is the goal post!
Not only is The Curate taking up his first incumbency but I will have the time to explore new opportunities. I am no longer working as a teacher, I have no links to the area we are going to and   (whatever I might be feeling right now) - I am not too old for a new adventure!

We are moving to a rectory which has builders working in it. In fact it has been quite a battle to get the place anywhere near the state of our other two 'church' houses. This has added immense stress to the whole process - so much so that I declared I was going to live in our own house in South Devon
( but I am here ). The third time of moving in with builders is just not funny. Does everyone have a struggle with property departments? We had such a lovely leaflet from them telling us about the department and with a picture of a lovely new vicarage with solar panels on the roof so I thought we were going to a diocese that was forward looking - and, probably, they are - we have just timed our move badly. Silly discussions about en suite bathrooms that don't exist but would possibly be added - if they are available to be used by all the other bedrooms (therefore not ensuite) . But then we find that these ensuites do not include a WC. I don't even like 'ensuites' - I'd just like a bathroom that is updated from the original one and has enough room to 'swing a cat in' ! ( That saying might confuse some of my foreign readers!) Silly, silly niggles that have caused avoidable stress if only people would realise that this is to be a home and actually pick up the phone and talk to us.

our last frosty view of the moor

The fantastic parishioners have taken it upon themselves to decorate the house and have spent many hours cleaning ( and recleaning after the builders) in order to help us move in. Knowing this has made a huge difference to The Curate ( Rector 2B) and myself. I don't think we would be moving today if it wasn't for them. When we heard that builders were still living in our kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, we booked at cottage near the new house for a few days so that we can take stock of the work and keep three very excitable dogs from helping us unpack.

Today and tomorrow I will remember that I must 'keep calm and carry on' ( and I will also remind The Rector 2B that he must do this too.)