This post is by way of apology.
I said I would restock my shop this week. But I haven’t started yet.
In fact, I haven’t even unpacked my stock from it’s bags and boxes after the fair on Saturday.
But I wanted to make the most of our last lad-free day. So, as it was a beautiful day on Sunday, we decided to spend the afternoon visiting Mapperley Park Open Gardens.
After going round the gardens I was feeling hugely inspired – and guilty.
The reason for this double-edged feeling was that we saw some gardens that were tiny, much smaller than our own – but where every inch was made beautiful.
Unlike our own outdoor space. Which was looking a bit neglected and sad. It gave me the sudden, overwhelming desire to do something about it.
So I spent yesterday afternoon cutting the hedge, weeding the borders, staking plants, and making plans. And then I started cleaning and sorting indoors. I was knackered by teatime.
But I’m glad I made a start.
We saw some lovely houses on Sunday. And some of the lovely houses we saw were for sale.
We always thought that Mapperley Park was totally out of our reach financially. But some of the lovely houses we saw, actually weren’t.
Of course, we would have to sell ours first. The lovely houses we saw on Sunday will be long gone by then. But it made me realise that it’s time to get our act together.
Time to sort out the stuff we’ve been putting off. The leaks. The decorating. The garden.
Time to make plans for the future. So that we’re ready.
For when the lovely house with our name on it comes along.♥
And when you’re done, and the house looks lovely again, will you still want to move…?
Yes, I think so Kate. When we bought our current house it was never a “forever house”, lovely though it is. It was the very best we could afford at the time and we have been very happy here over the past 8 years, but if we don’t move soon we probably won’t ever be able to afford to again!
Grosvenor Avenue is lovely! Buy this one! I grew up in number one and my best friend lived at number 14! It’s a lovely house and the people living there now are lovely. X
It’s already under offer. And we have to sell ours before we can move. But it certainly is a lovely house and somewhere I’d love to live!
annoyed with myself for missing Mapperley’s open gardens – love going ’round the gardens & admiring the wonderful houses.Is the pic one of the ones at the bottom of Mapperley Hall Drive – if so, do they still have the wonderful collection of hostas??
You missed a treat Alison.
The picture is of a beautiful house on Grosvenor Avenue. It wasn’t one of the open gardens, but it was for sale and we somewhat fell in love with it!
Ha! Right in the middle of that right now. We’ve been here 8 years too, never intended to be here so long. But god it takes a lot of effort. We’re on the market with viewings happening…and frantically trying to decide where we want to move to – we’re an absolute nightmare seeking perfection in everything we do, so the endless debate rages on and on…..I think I need to have a day of sewing soon, just to think about something different 😉 But on the plus side we’re getting to visit lots of nice places as part of our “research” 🙂
I have been intending to get on with sorting the house out ever since before Christmas last year, prompted by my sister coming to stay and with the intention of putting the house on the market in the spring. But the thought of all that work and hassle had me wincing and I put it all off because I couldn’t face it.
Good on you for going for it! I’m sure the right destination will present itself before long. And even if it’s not the right destination, it will be another stepping stone on the journey. x