We’re in! We’ve had our first week in the caravan. So far so good and its just got better. (I’ll come to that…)
Its been like being on holiday all the time, then you realise that this chaos can’t continue cos er, we’re not on holiday and we still have to ‘function normally’, like get to school on time, and drag myself away from the ever consuming home improvements and unpacking and get to work…

Its been a long haul getting here, ok admittedly not literally. Its not far to go…moving into the garden…but its been a lot of short journeys, mucky days, leaps of faith and my usual blind optimism to embark on this bigger journey. I owe a lot of thanks to some amazing friends and support.

On the moving weekend I had heaps of help from some super stars who came and shifted, heaved, packed, and laughed at my many possessions and provided much needed sustenance. Such a lovely weekend! I felt really blessed to have the company, the sunshine and, my trusty ghostbuster suit. (A flight suit perfect for times such as these..and lived in for the following weeks of painting).

Work was underway on the garden and things were taking shape; my Shamba Shack is to continue being my office as well as now becoming our cosy living room space, the compost loo went up swiftly with Jonny working hard, and the Outdoor kitchen gradually evolved.

 Our Palace, the caravan, is still fairly ugly; it ain’t a sweet caravan, but it gradually transformed as I painted layer after layer of paint. (Laminate is annoying stuff to paint!). Kian fitted the bunkbeds for the kids, plumbed in the sinks and completed various other lists that always grew (and still grow..). Note to self: invest in a power drill and have a go… Then it was half term, I had work in London so we all went and did our thing up there (another story) having still not moved in. Got back last week for our first few nights.

We had incredible mediterranean sunshine for a few days and everything felt wonderful and easy. We were still surrounded by boxes but its all easy when you can be outdoors all the time. The kids were, at first, delighted with this new life. Lots of time on the ‘bounceline’ (Maisie’s name), playing in the garden more than ever, and meals round the fire outside. Maisie did have a couple of melt downs when she was tired at bedtime – ” I want my house back, I want all my toys back, I don’t want to live here…”, which did worry me a little but it all got better as we unpacked their clothes and toys and established places for their special things. We are all creatures of habit and Darcy needed all her familiar toys around her.

Yesterday the bubble burst with the clouds; it rained hard. Loads of our stuff got wet and I began searching for the right sized tarps on the net. I enjoyed the sound of the rain on the caravan roof and we were all snug in bed but it all got a bit depressing this morning…rushing to school in the rain from a damp caravan..and then it didn’t stop all day.
The good news is, it did indeed get better. Kian fitted the burner tonight and I lit the first fire. All grey thoughts evaporate in the heat of a wood burner. It was like finally installing the heart to the home.  So good to see smoke puffing out of the chimney!

I know we will have some tough times ahead, we will have to make a lot of adjustments, learn to be very organised and tidy, and be very patient with each other (I’m already discovering how small a caravan can feel with 2 manic kids) but feeling the warmth of the fire tonight rekindles my love of a simple life. All things feel possible when I’m warm.