Dragged, kicking and screaming

Today, Clover our dear little caravan, our faithful travelling friend, was dragged kicking and screaming up the driveway behind a big black RUV and into her new life. Yes, we have sold her.

Farewell, Clover! You'll be fine!  He's an aircraft engineer, he knows what he's doing! You're off to the top end and you'll have exciting adventures!

The universal reaction of friends and family to the news that we were parting with our lovely little palais de wheels has been NOOO!! Why??? Well, the hard fact is that we can't afford to have so much capital tied up in a depreciating asset that we won't be able to use much for the next 5 years or so, while we get the house established. Can't afford not to be sensible about this.

We had such happy easy, luxurious travelling times in little Clover, it was hard to watch it being towed away.  But selling after the big trip was always The Plan.

Now, brows knit. Focus of gaze turns in the direction of Rover the Landrover, the naughty but nice piece of expensive European automotive engineering that is another depreciating asset. What is your next service going to cost, we wonder. Can we afford to keep you? He's down in the garage, keeping quiet, with his tail tucked between his legs right now.

It's raining on the mid north coast, and looks set to rain for the rest of the week.  So all work on the house has stopped, because there is no roof yet to keep it all dry and safe. We had a meeting on site with the builder this morning and he is sounding encouragingly full of positivity and energy about the whole project.  This afternoon we had another meeting with the kitchen designer, and tied down a few last details in a very satisfying way. Almost all the colour and fixtures decisions have now been made, for better or worse.  So we just get to watch it all come together now and hope our choices work.

Just to give you an idea of the lushness of the climate and soil in this area, check out this picture of our neighbour's horse nearly invisible in the tall grass, down a little embankment just across the road. This kind of growth is why we think we are likely to be spending the biggest part of the next few years out in the garden getting it all under control! And it now seems likely I will stay in the workforce part-time for a few more years, to help pay for it all.  So for the time being, long caravan trips not looking likely...