Settling in

As always when I return, I spent the first couple of hours in the farm kitchen drinking tea, chatting with the guys to fill them in on all that happened in Canada and catch up on the latest news and gossip on the lane. Then it was time to put my caravan to rights beginning by removing the thick layer of dust from every shelf and horizonal surface (where does it all come from?) and clearing away almost inperceivable but multiple cobwebs encircling the ceilings (sorry spiders). 

Having been away for so many months, I spent the next few hours happily reacquainting myself with all that makes up my little home. I call it 'puttering', this process of rearranging my keepsakes, pictures, knick-knacks and plants to my satisfaction. I liken this habit to the way a cat paws and kneads at a favourite spot before it settles down to sleep, and only once I've made my home feel just right do I settle in to resume life in England.

After twelve hours' sleep, it was time to check out my garden, which had suffered at the mouths of six sheep that found a weak spot in the fence. During the onslaught, my flowers (except for the marigolds) had been consumed as well as most of the leaves of my ornamental and fruiting trees. However, I was pleased to see that my garden had recovered quite well, thanks to some friends who had worked hard to replace what they could. And now that Chris has mown the lawn and I've weeded and tidied, my garden is just the way I like it.

And after a trip into Weston to replenish frig and cupboard supplies, I felt I truly was back home.