Abi & Izzy - the next 5 years

It's official, today we broke the law and I just don't care. We had an illegal gathering of many people at the Barn and while the doors were open and the room is massive, there were moments where I thought that one of our many new (very curious) neighbours would look at the number of cars and decide to shop us. Luckily they didn't and we got away with it - and it was definitely worth it! So we had, in order of arrival: Steve (the builder), Glenn, Abi and I (Izzy stayed at home again for a lie in and ready meal heaven), Amanda and Laurie, George (he and Glenn had planned to ride together), Muma and Dad (theoretically to do some measuring), Dave (the man from Sharps and the reason for being there), Vy (the painter, here to do a bit of work and check in on details). This was all before our new neighbours (Jim and Hilary) turned up at the door to introduce themselves, no doubt looking on in horror at the blatant bending of rules going on! It was lovely to get a sense of how it ...

Ahhhh, what to write when every day is pretty much the same? What is new this week? Well, not much! The good news (in a world where good news is in short supply) is that we have successfully made it to half term with no major mishaps.  This included Abi's parents evening (via video conference of course - 5 minute sessions interspersed with a one minute break - it all felt a bit relentless and I'm none the wiser really as to how she's doing) and another manically busy week - what week isn't these days though. While we have stayed at home, Glenn has been out all week, painting at the barn. It's a slightly strange situation currently - the barn is not finished but we have a key and therefore access to come and go as we please. Steve (the builder) reassures us that there is no more than 2 weeks work left to do, and we have at least 6 weeks before exchange / completion, but we would prefer they just get on with things. Glenn has come home every day feeling more and more ...

Massive kitchen island! This week was officially Ground Hog day and doesn't it just feel like it right now - every day pretty much the same - get up, walk dogs, eat breakfast, shower, get kids up, sit at computer on endless video meetings, check kids are paying at least some attention to online school, eat lunch, more meetings, more checking on kids, walk Betty, more meetings / checking, walk Bertie, eat, entertain the kids, sleep, repeat. I look forward to the weekend not because there are better things to do, but because I don't have to be on video calls and the kids don't have to persevere with their remote schooling. I will admit to having a bit of an emotional wobble this week. Between work, online school and lockdown, we also have the house move to add just that extra bit of stress. The blip this week was getting a letter from the mortgage company which said "Dear Mrs Drinkwater, following the valuation of Oakwood Barn unfortunately we are missing a UKFDF and hen...