I’m writing this perched on the piano stool surrounded by boxes. We and (finally) all our things have arrived in the UK. However, it feels more like the Mediterranean as temperatures topping 30 degrees! It's the weather for lying on a beach with a good book, not sitting cross-legged on the floor trying to decipher Ikea Billy bookcase instructions.
I feel vaguely guilty stopping the unpacking and writing, but over many, many moves, I have learnt that it takes ages to get fully unpacked and settled. If you try and do it all in one go, you end up exhausted and fed up. As long as you have a bed* and something to cook and eat with everything else can wait.
Plus, there are other things to do apart from unpack, like find my way around the truly massive Sainsbury's, locate a Crossfit gym, work out the best route to the school bus, cut back the out-of-control Blackberry bush so we can get to the bins, and, of course, join the library.
It’s a strange feeling coming ‘home’ you get a lot less help and support because you’re home. Even if it hasn't been home for a long time. Being back is an odd mixture of things that are the same, and the things that are new, and things that are brilliant to have back (the Saturday papers, marmite!) and things I miss intensely (boulangeries, cafes).
I thought my hardest challenge would be driving my French right-hand drive car on British roads, but is surprisingly easy. The UK is exceptionally good at signs - it’s almost as if they think all drivers need to be reminded what side of the road to use!
It also helps that we’ve moved to a beautiful part of the UK. At a time of year when it's particularly lush and verdant. We’re lucky to live just across from some fields, which lead to a common, and then a canal. The dog is having the time of his life exploring all the new smells and chasing squirrels. I meanwhile am enjoying the views and fondly imagining this Substack may turn into a version of Jilly Cooper’s The Common Years* but without the dog escaping constantly.
Despite the unseasonably warm weather, I feel back to schoolish and ready to make some plans and goals. One goal is to make this Substack part of my life. Walks & Thoughts is nearly nine months old and only has ten posts. I plan to write a post a week rather than a month.
In the meantime, below are two excellent books I binge listened to on audio while unpacking box after box.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - This is the first novel of Ann Patchett’s that I’ve read and I loved it. I’m looking forward to diving into her back catalogue. It’s also the first book I’ve read that mentions the pandemic.
Happy Place by Emily Henry - I love Emily Henry’s books. They are a happy place for me. This one was no different. It is smart, funny, and romantic read. I loved the female friends at its heart. I also enjoyed watching Harriet struggle with her people pleasing/peace maker tendencies and Harriet and Wyn struggle with their relationship.
*an airbed does not count over aged 40, after 4 weeks on one I hate them with a passion!
*If you haven’t read The Common Years do it’s funny and charming.
Loved Tom Lake. I also enjoyed Ann Patchett’s book ‘The Magician’s Assistant’ which I found in a charity shop a few months ago.