End of an Era

What a busy couple of days!

Friday morning I caught the new overground line from Brockley to east London. About 15 minutes to Canary Wharf. I can now see why property prices in Brockley are rocketing.

First stop was our solicitors,  after getting a bit of advice from Adam, to ask him to get his finger out and get things moving. Then Andrea and I had a leisurely morning's shopping in Westfield. 

Back to Brockley where Donna soon arrived, followed by Jane and Amy.  After a bit of domestic shopping we went back into town to meet Sally at London Bridge, where we wandered rounds to the Hays Galleria for a drink and bite to eat. 

Catching the train back to Brockley we dropped off in the local, the Brockley Barge,  where there was a cider festival ongoing.  A pint each lead to Chinese chips and curry sauce before we eventually got back to the flat. 

Another tiring day over. .. With another to go....

We started the day off on Saturday back down the Barge for a cooked breakfast to set us up for the day. 

Around 2 our prospective buyers popped in to say hello. Then within no time more people had arrived and the party was in full swing.

Everyone kindly brought a heap of food and plenty to drink too,  most of which went during the course of the afternoon and evening,  with the bits that were left going back to Smalldole to stock Jane's cupboards.

It was great reminiscing again and catching up with a load of good friends as a final farewell to our one time home. 

It's now Sunday afternoon and I'm back in Smalldole at Jane's and Andrew's feeling my age and the strain of the lady few days;  both physically and emotionally.  Find me a quiet darkened room someone I really need some peace. 

Flat out

I arrived at our old flat later on Wednesday afternoon after a lovely time in Brighton with Irene and her family. 

To say I was disappointed with the condition of the place is an understatement.  It was filthy and definitely in need of TLC. So I went straight to the local supermarket and bought some cleaning stuff and have it a quick lick and a spit.  In no time it was looking much better, but still needs a lot of work.

Strangely finding the flat in such a pre state of repair means I am happier to let go.  I was worried I would be over-emotional but so far so good.  There are loads of memories but they aren't in the flat they are fixed firmly in my head. 

This morning I walked round to Lewisham to do a bit of shopping.  Along with the many changes there are many things that have stayed the same.

Lewisham isn't the most amazing place on Earth but it had what I needed today.  And that included breakfast in the Weatherspoons pub. A veggie all day brunch which was pretty much closer to perfect.

This afternoon I have been entertained by some of my loveliest and most caring friends.  Caroline arrived first in the pouring rain and we laughed about how happy we'll both be to return to our Spainand how poor some of our English has become.

Next Rita arrived.  This was our first meeting. We are both researching our family trees and have a cousin connection somewhere along the line. We've chatted online many a time but now have finally meet.

Finally Freda and Adrian arrived laden down with food for our lunch.  We reminisced about all the wonderful parties we've had here and I have to admit to a lump in my throat and a tear close by especially when Xali's name came into the mix, but I handled it, and kept my composure.  

It's been a brilliant day all in all for which I can thank my wonderful friends.  And tomorrow I start again. ....

Change

SO.... Back from another Camino on Saturday afternoon,  a couple of days to sort things here and now in a couple of hours I'm off to the UK on another big project. We have decided it's time to sell our flat in Brockley, and I'm off to clear the place ready for the sale.

I am full of mixed emotions about letting go of our one time home. We lived there for twenty or so amazing years and the memories are super-strong. It was our first home together where we raised our first kids, and said goodbye to some of them. It may only be bricks and mortar at the end of the day, but I know as I start to throw out and clean up I will be feeling full of so much emotion as the memories pour through. 

After ten years of not having lived there I had thought that when the day came to let go it would be relatively easy, but those darned butterflies bouncing round in my tummy are a warning of what I am about to go through.  

I know I'll get through it okay, especially with so many friends popping in to help with the process, either with rubber gloves and dusters, or grub and Cava, but I know there'll be tears amid the smiles.