87. Return of the gardening bore

87. Return of the gardening bore

Winter is easier to bear when you have a garden. Gardening is optimistic, it’s looking ahead to spring and summer. It’s organising. For me, gardening involves planning the veg garden and buying seeds in early winter. That, in turn, involves writing lists and mapping...
86. Goodbye, builders

86. Goodbye, builders

Ding dong, the builders have gone! They finished rendering and painting the house last week, just in time for the January snow. Yes, the house looks grand (and feels much warmer thanks to the insulation), but the best thing is being able to slump around in my pyjamas...
85. Five winters in

85. Five winters in

Usually around this time of year I start reading one of Rob’s old books on Buddhism in a futile attempt to become more zen and live in the moment. This year I’m screwing that off in favour of looking backwards. Not in a gloomy way, you understand, but a reflective...
84. Work in progress

84. Work in progress

Just a quick (and unusually chipper) update: the builders are making great progress and we’re thrilled with the work so far. They did half days for the first few days (finishing up another project I think) but have been here 9–5 every day since then. Three of the...
83. Polystyrene walls

83. Polystyrene walls

The ‘before’ pic. You’ll have to wait for the big reveal…   We’ve got the builders in. That’s not a euphemism for getting my period or having vaginal reconstructive surgery. We’re finally having the house re-rendered. In Bulgaria this...
  Follow me on Instagram  |  Sign up for the newsletter