Sunday morning and with no packages being delivered, OH managed to have a bit of a long lie before heading out to the flat armed with some Polyfilla and a tin of paint. He’s such a handy man. Within hours of being in the flat he had fixed a kitchen cupboard and a wonky shelf that the previous occupants had probably being putting up with for years.
I spent my Sunday buying bits and bobs and wandering around charity and second hand shops taking photos of possible purchases, which is far more enjoyable than filing holes and putting up curtain poles.
As the flat is on the coast and to get to it you have to walk through an arched vennel*, the wind hurtles down it causing scarves to cover your face and glasses to be blown clean off. It’s like running a gauntlet with invisible gladiators and when you’re laden like Buckaroo, balancing various kitchen equipment whilst trying to remain fully clothed, it’s a challenge The Cube would be proud of.
When I eventually arrived at the flat, the bed had been built, the mattress had quadrupled in size and all my previous purchases were in their proper place. OH had been busy.
Knowing he’d be hungry and the kitchen resembled Mother Hubbard’s, for easiness I had bought a M&S dine in meal deal. Time to try out the cooker! I am used to a gas fan oven and hob so the shift to an all electric set up really tested my patience especially when it came to boiling the veg. The “Gastropub creamy chicken, leek and smoked bacon pie” and potato rosti cakes had been in the oven for 30 minutes and the cabbage still looked as perky as it had when I had chopped it up. It took me a while to realise that the knobs turned anti-clockwise and because, through time, the numbers had worn off, I had the water on at 1 instead of 6. Oops.
Every day is a school day, and this one felt even longer by the time the cabbage had cooked.
So our first meal in the house wasn’t just any meal but because we had both driven there, the accompanying Rioja, which comes as part of the meal deal, unfortunately had to stay in the car until we got home.
When I left I couldn’t resist taking a pic of the town clock from the balcony, all lit up and looking splendid.
p.s. Just in case you are interested the dessert was sticky toffee pudding and the deal costs £12 – the 80p cabbage was extra
*a narrow lane or passage between buildings
DEAR LORRAINE 