Making progress

The flat is on the market.  We spent quite a bit of time today preparing the place for viewings (always optimists!).  The spare bedroom now has a bed in it, my sewing table is in hiding, bits and pieces have been found temporary homes.  N felt the spare bedroom would benefit from a net curtain, and he remembered we had kept the ones we took down from the lounge, so I've shortened one of those and put it up.  It certainly does make the room look a little more like a bedroom.

My son and his girlfriend J are off on a very special holiday at the end of the week.  They are flying to New Zealand, hiring a campervan for 10 days to tour the South Island, then spending some time with J's aunt and uncle in Aukland.  They have been planning this trip for about 18 months, and we are all so excited for them.  It will be a fantastic experience.  This afternoon I made a 'Bon Voyage' card to send them - I have a little stock of coloured card and holograph paper which I have collected over many years, so I was able to have a bit of fun cutting and sticking.  M has emailed me the proposed itinary, so I shall be able to follow their route.  I'm more than a little envious, but so thrilled for them both to be able to go on such a wonderful adventure.

A blackcap on the bird feeder this morning

Over morning coffee and gingernut biscuits (still going strong after several days), N and I spotted a blackcap on one of the bird feeders in the gardens.  I took several photos; this is the best but as it's taken through our lounge window, the focus is not perfect.  However, the plumage is clear enough for identification purposes.  N and I were mulling over our decision to market the flat - no-one can ever accuse us of not looking at a problem from all angles :) The bottom line is that unless we have a buyer for this property, we will not be in a position to make an offer on another one.  We just take one step at a time.  And this is the first step.

I've just realised that it's only 2 days to Valentine's Day.  N and I like to exchange cards, but I think this year I would like to make a small token rather than a card (I don't buy one as I like the idea of something handmade, and I do resent the price of shop cards).  I have something in mind, it's just a question of making it in secret!  I need N to spend some time veneering in the shed so I can do a bit of sewing.