Not much going on with the actual build at the moment but as we pack up our things and contemplate life outside of Meersbrook it seems as good a time as any to reflect upon why we are undertaking this project. It’s going to be stressful there’s no doubt about it. It will be an upheaval – we’ve still not got school places sorted for the boys and I dare not think too much about that too much in case I implode! So here are some of the reasons why we are taking the plunge.
- The coach house is a unique building. We’ve always loved it. The windows are beautiful and red brick has always been our thing. The chance to give it a new lease of life is a one off. It is in need of a bit of TLC but we think our architect has come up with something really special and I fully expect to have to pinch myself each morning I wake up there and think “I actually live here!”
- This will be the view from our bedroom window – need I say more?
- And following on from the last point the boys might have to leave their familiar neighborhood and friends behind and settle into a new school but just look at where they’ll get to play! It might sound a bit archaic and maybe I’m romanticizing a bit but tree-houses, dens, feeding the pheasants (yes the pheasants are daily visitors to the garden) and generally charging around outdoors will be a part of their childhood that I hope they will cherish.
- Family – we’ve been part of a lovely community in Meersbrook and I will miss it terribly. But I come from a family spread geographically out all over the world. I have at least 8 cousins and I’ve actually met just 2 of them. My parents aren’t going to be any nearer but Jonny’s dad will be next door and his mum only 2 miles. Plus Alan and Lynn are pretty awesome surrogate grandparents. There are more too – enough for Winnie the Pooh’s rabbit to consider a generously proportioned family. All people I want to have an influence on the way the boys grow up and the men they become. I’m totally overcompensating I know – being part of a family of 5 certainly didn’t do me any harm but its nice to have more.
So as the tearful moments arise and the reality of the wrench from what we know to what we don’t kicks in I will read these through again and remind myself why there was no chance of us turning down this opportunity.
Sarah