Last moments in Cambs...

[byslantedlight]

...well, here it finally is, after seven years of being temporarily in Cambridgeshire, I'm heading back west! Not quite as far west as Alaska, but west in any case.

Way back in 2008 I moved into this house, and I took a picture from my new window. Here's that picture, beside one I took just now... Everything has grown! I can't see over the hedge to the fields any more, Little Tree is big enough that I can barely see the telegraph pole, and look at the tops of the trees at the back of the field across the road! Even the two big trees across the road have grown a bit.

Cambs. has been a strange time - I never did warm to it, and because I was only here temporarily I ended up living in three different houses in the first year I was here, finally settling in this one and deciding to stay still for a while until things sorted themselves out. Eventually it was really clear that what with all the changes in the department at university in Alaska, and with my supervisor moving to another department herself, I couldn't finish my PhD - no funding. We tried to get funding elsewhere, so that it wasn't department-dependent, but no go. So I lingered in Cambs... I never did quite work out what I was doing next, but maybe Somerset will help with that!

One thing I have thought - that now would be a really good time to actually put into practice something I've been waffling about for ages. When I get to Somerset - I'm going to write every day, until I'm convinced that it's not worth doing at all. If I'm convinced of that, then I will stop properly - but until then I will write properly. So there. *g*

In the few hours before I do hit Somerset though - I'd better get on with packing and getting myself there! *g* It's been a week of lasts. Last tutoring with my wee lad, last trip to return books to the library (including one that I'd reserved and not actually collected yet - rats!), last day at NT place... We'd better have some pics... *g*

Statue cleaning at NT place... here's one I did earlier! *g*

It was a gorgeous day - all blustering wind and dramatic grey clouds...

And here's the urn that I was working on this time - not been cleaned for years and years. Funny how the middle does look clean, presumably protected from some of the elements by the top, which was green and grey and lichen-y...

So I stood on a ladder and scrubbed, and watched the world turn to autumn... *g*

And eventually I began to make a difference...
There's three hour's work there! Well, perhaps two - it was at volunteer-pace after all, which involves moving much more slowly than I usually do, various waiting-for-other-people, occasional stopping to chat, teabreak... quite civilised really... *g*

And here's yesterday morning, last proper day in Cambs, blue skies... Nipped into town one last time...

And then it was all mad packing and day-jobDo you remember my midsummer flowers? I liked the way they were drying, but yesterday I returned them to their field...

And now? Now I really must pack the last few things, have a wash (*headdesk* - can you believe that with two days to go, the shower broke on Thursday? I didn't even get to have a shower that day, because I was statue-cleaning, so I thought I'd just have a quick splash to wake up and shower properly when I got back... and the thing wouldn't turn off! I had to turn off water supply to the whole house, and got landlady to call the plumber - who came and pronounced it properly dead. Gargh!), shove everything else into the car (I was very efficient and packed most of yesterday!), and then... then be off! Somerset awaits!

Comments

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Gosh, has it been that long you've been in that house? Wow.

Good luck! At the very least, it is an adventure!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I know - it doesn't seem like it can be! It was always well I'll just wait and see whether we get funding... and I'll just hang on for a bit while mum's moving, and... I'll just pay off my (uni-costs!) credit card, and... suddenly it's seven years later! It suddenly felt right to go too, even if it may not be the perfect house to move into (but it may... *g*) so I'm secretly a bit impressed with the power of seven. They do say... *g*

Here's to adventures - see you from Somerset!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Though it doesn't sound as if Cambridgeshire was ever your cup of tea, at the same time you did manage to have some good times there. At least, it sounds as if you did. But here's hoping that you take to Somerset. Is it supposed to be permanent?

And yea! for more writing. :-)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I did have some nice times in Cambridgeshire - there are very few places that are all bad! And it can't have been that awful since I did stay so long - I didn't mean to make it sound as if it was! But yeah, Somerset I think is more me - more old stone walls and ups and downs... *g* It is indeed supposed to be permanent - until the next thing comes along, at least... *g* Had a sticky start last night, cos of course I was really tired from all the moving and then had to do it all in reverse, and things are never perfect as you want them to be, but I'm starting to clean my room properly now, so that I can properly arrange stuff in it (even if it is just where I put the suitcase full of clothes *g*) and it feels a bit better already... Mind you, I'm not sure it's been cleaned since she and her old roommate first moved in - if it was clean then!

And I will write today! *g*

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

HUge amounts of good luck with the move. Do take care. Sincerely hope you like Somerset better than Cambs. Having spent a bit of time in Norfolk, enjoyed it, *but* was so happy to get back to the hills of the SW.

You'll be otherwise engaged for a few days but just wanted to let you know that the R.I.P. post is now up, here: http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/r-eaders-i-mbibing-p-eril-ix?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StainlessSteelDroppings+%28Stainless+Steel+Droppings%29

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I did like Cambs. in many ways, but somehow the west feels more right to my bones, if you know what I mean... *g*

And yeay for the RIP challenge - thank you! I had a quick look last night after you'd posted, but was too shattered to sign up. I'm deep (deep deep) cleaning today, but when I popped into town to find a mop and hoover and things I may have popped into Waterstones as a cheer-up, and bought a book that I think might fit the challenge... a Daphne DuMaurier one... Right - a break, and then tackling more cobwebs, and reading and writing and signing up for the challenge tonight as a reward!

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

Oh! Drive safely, and (considering my timing, this comment should probably be) Welcome to Somerset!!!!

I like the idea that this urn will now sit in Cambs for decades and decades to come, secretly being the Cleaned By BSL urn *g*

Here's to your journey and to your happy arrival!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Heee - I am indeed in Somerset - thank you! *g*

And yeah, I quite like having left a tiny, tiny mark on the Cleaned by BSL urn... and my handwriting on a various antiques in the house. (Shame we couldn't actually sign them as well, but no, just the inventory numbers please... *vbg*)

Was a slightly wobbly arrival due to exhaustion last night, but things were a bit brighter this morning, and now that I'm super-cleaning my room so that I can arrange things in it (even just my suitcase) it feels a bit better!

[etain-antrim.livejournal.com]

Best of luck with the move itself, with the new beginning, and your assessment of "where to now." You sound happy and ready for a new adventure despite, obviously, leaving behind some aspects of life in Cambs that you regret leaving. I look forward to hearing how you like the new place.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There was a definite wobble about new adventure and all last night, and still slightly today, but as I clean up cobwebs and make my room smell more of me (if you know what I mean) it's feeling a bit better... Onwards and onwards! *g*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

And so the big adventure starts! *g*

Hope the move itself all goes according to plan, and that everything is tickety-boo when you get there!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Not quite tickety-boo when I got here, and I've bought a (very cheap, but goes like the clappers so far!) hoover and mop and am getting stuck into the cobwebs and dust and all, and am getting a bit more familiar with what's where in the house rather than feeling all abandoned in a strange place, so hopefully it's boo is getting more tickety! *g*

[murphybabe]

Good luck!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

A new leaf! Things are moving, and hopefully you will feel more right in the West! :)

You did an excellent job cleaning that urn! Maybe, there will be similar volunteer opportunities in your new area?

Good luck with the move, and I'm looking forward to you posting about your new place and adventures!
You are so well organized, that the move should go without a hitch! *g*

I got back from Germany less than a week ago, and am still settling in again here. For some reason, Germany always feels familiar, no matter how long I've been gone, but the USA are briefly a "foreign country" again, for just a few days. ;)
I miss being able to walk to do the shopping!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Yes - new leaves! *g* I wouldn't quite say the move went without a hitch though - the hitch is that my room (and the rest of the house actually) really needs a super-clean before I can feel comfortable in it, but I've bought a cheap hoover and mop - and the fact that I had to might give you an idea of how not-shiny-clean it is! - and it's starting to feel a bit better. I just hope I can do my room and the bathroom at least before S gets home (which might be tonight, might be tomorrow - I'm hoping for the latter right now, without meaning to sound awful!)

How funny to feel like a foreigner still in the place you've lived so long - though even after six years-ish in the US I still felt like that... but how nice that home is still home! Welcome back to you too! *g* (Actually I was thinking about you the other day, and how I'd not seen you around for so long and hoping everything was okay. Glad to hear you were off on holiday! *g*)

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

Well, the hitch is something you couldn't have planned for! ;)

I bet, by now your room is much nicer, though probably still not big enough. Wishing you luck that S stays away another day, so you can get done what needs doing. Sounds like keeping things clean is not her forte. How old is she?

I was in Germany (and three days Dublin at the end) for most of the summer, helping my parents getting their apartment set up to be more senior-friendly. My mom is very stubborn, and did not want a washing machine in the kitchen, but the way down into the cellar was just getting impossible for both of them. Now she is happy having it there, and my dad said: "Only a Capricorn could have done it!" *g*
Everyone else had tried and failed. I also got the old carpet ripped out in the hallway, had new slip proof vinyl installed, and used the leftovers from the hallway for the kitchen. Did all the curtains, washed the windows, deep cleaned everything etc...
Now they can last in their place for a while longer, with the help of friends for shopping.
My dad is trying to talk my mom into getting help with cleaning at least once a month, as she just can't see well enough (macular degeneration).

I actually feel that I need a holiday now! ;)
But school is starting again this Wednesday, and I have to be ready, new principal and all!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

Here's to new beginnings and new adventures. *\o/*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you - hurrah, wobbles and all! *g*

[giseerouchon.livejournal.com]

Oooh, was in Somerset a few weeks ago- My dad's 'from' Burnham-on-sea (in that his mum was evacuated there to have him) and I used to have lots of aunts in that part of the world.. First time back in years and it was really lovely- except the brakes on our car kinda packed up while we were there and we were towing a caravan and it was very, very hilly... and :-O well you get the picture... We took the sprogs to Wookey Hole- last visited when I was about 5- and it was a very different ballgame altogether, but they loved it- and the caves did look extra amazing...
Hope Somerset suits you then, and that you can write loads and loads.... (make lots of it Pros-related please ;-) ) and all the very best with the move!
xx

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling Wookey Hole (the caves) are probably very different from last time I visited too... will find out one of these days! I wonder if residents get a discount for putting up with all the coaches etc...?! I'm sure I've been to Burnham-on-Sea too (although I might be misremembering - is the sea a very long way out, or am I thinking of somewhere else?). There's a sandcastle competition on in Weston-Super-Mare that I want to go and see too - I'd forgotten, thank you for reminding me! *g*

And yeay - crossing fingers for writing and for this place suiting!

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Best of luck! The west awaits. (Reminds me of a book: The Man Who Went Into The West, - smashing stuff, enjoy if you read it!)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The west is being thoroughly hoovered out of its cobwebs right now, but hopefully more fun things await too! (I shall look up that book when I take a longer break too, thank you!)

[ali15son.livejournal.com]

the best of luck in your new place of work , pleasure and whatever else comes your way , ive only ever been to somerset once but what i saw of it was really nice ...brean it was called near weston-super-mare.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I liked Somerset when I lived here before, though it was a different part (and it wasn't sharing a house with one person who doesn't seem to own a mop... *g*), so hopefully it'll go well!

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

I've been away from LJ for a couple of nights, and here you are all moved already. I'm glad to hear you arrived safely.