Beginning

April 6th 2016

So here I am with all my worldly possessions precariously crammed into the back of a Luton. My husband, his crazy uncle and my father sigh a huge sigh of relief as we finally pull down the hatch.

I have lived in the East End of London for 30 years at this point. With 3 children in tow I made the decision that London wasn’t the place for my children to grow up. So with a sadness in my heart but excitement for our new beginning I say goodbye to my beloved city.

My father, Hoxton born and bred, and I follow the van out of the depths of London and onto a 2 and half hour journey into Country life. Our easy chatter and laughter becomes stilted as we come off the motorway and into the miles and miles of flat lying fields and farms and the true immensity of my move becomes apparent. I am no longer “just round the corner.” There are no shops walking distance, I’ve never seen so many tractors and the scenery is breathtaking, in a non London skyline kind of way. Can I do this? I look at my children’s sleeping faces in the back and know this is all for them.

Of course I’ve viewed my new home and started to acquaint myself to the surrounding area on family day trips over the past months. I’ve described it to anyone who will listen as “like being on holiday.” Except now this is my life and not a holiday and I am excited and apprehensive with my new beginning.

Here is my journey from Cockney to country life. What I have learnt so far, challenges faced and my chaotic family life with an Irishman, 3 children, completely bonkers dog and fat, ginger cat. Let the story begin!