Et On y Va!

Now that's a view to wake up to! Guaranteed to put  a smile on your face and start the day well. The day we moved in it was snowing but a few days after the sun came out and soon the whole garden was full of dandelions which brightened the view even more. Sure, it looks a bit wild and messy still but I quite like it like that. For a while. Until the grass grows too long. I think we'll need to purchase some gardening equipment soon.
Even more so because our too neighbours seem to put us to shame with their continous lawn mowing and trimming. How the grass has even a chance to grow there, is beyond me.

But first things first! Before attending to the lawn, we have to get the heating sorted out, sow the veggies and start building the greenhouse.

Normally things take a bit of time in this corner of the world but for once it was practically the opposite; we ordered the wood first thing in the morning and in the afternoon Gerard the Woodman delivered it, just as was agreed. First time for everything!

He is a right character, Gerard, talking about the hard winters and black horses whilst smiling ironically. I suppose he means to say that if we make it through a winter here, we'll be allright. He had been 'holding onto the black horse' for more than 40 years now. The postwoman confirmed the sentiment; it seems that surviving the first winter shows what you are made of. The gritty ones stay here, the softies go south.
Either one has the money to buy the wood and fuel, or like in our case, one goes and searches for his own wood in the forest.

But for now, we have some work to do and haul our delivered wood inside before the rain arrives. It is rather green here so...it rains a lot too.

The other important equipment in the house; the oil heater thingy (I don't know the correct word and Mon Cheri is not available to comment). We ordered the fuel the first morning and that, as well as the wood, arrived the same day. I am starting to be impressed by this place! They don't joke about with the heating; apparently too important of a thing to mess about with.

Our final journey (with our final moving load) to our new house was quite eventful. It happened to be the windiest day of the spring and consequently we lost couple of bags from our load on the motorway. Our cat Lili moaned and meowed all the way up (three hours, because of the several necessary stops to secure the load again and again) and it started snowing before we got to the destination. Needless to say, we were a big bundle of frayed nerves upon arriving to our new home. But it was all soon forgotten once we got the fire going, boxes unloaded and contemplated our new surroundings.Finally, we're in our new, beautiful, peaceful home!

Lili the Cat has probably taken in fastest the chance and started enjoying the countrylife tout de suite. We kept her inside for about a week, afraid that scared by the new place/animals/tractors she might take off and never come back. And the first time we let her out she did take off. Nearly panicking, we searched her high and low, and finally she came back, as relaxed as only a cat can be, looking completely at ease.

And that was that. She asks to be let out and almost without a fault returns every time, sitting and waiting by the window to be let in. Except few times late at night when she's on the hunting mood and we have to go find her and carry her home before locking up. Maudit bestial!

Water always tastes better outside.

Heating and boxes sorted out I could get stuck in preparing the veggie ground. One former occupant had already had a patch here but it was all covered in weeds and tall grass. And stones. The soil here is full of stones. No need to go to the gym, I'll get a proper workout in my own garden.

But this is all very pleasant. I have been enjoying digging the soil, dreaming about the courgettes and beetroots and other delights that we will prepare for our dinner. And just pottering around the garden when the sun is up lifts the mood instantly. I am loving it already!