Saturday 17 October 2020

Shedding "stuff"

 



When you have lived somewhere for nearly half a lifetime (32 years in our case), you accumulate a LOT of "stuff".  Some of mine went to a Charity shop today, as arranged on the phone on Thursday.  Yet when I got there the lady had no knowledge of it and said because of the proposed Lockdown they didn't want to take any more bla bla bla.  So I said, "You want me to take it away then?"  "Oh no . . ." and when I mentioned craft things, she remembered the call and took much of our carful.  I can take more next week.

    After that Tam and I had a lovely walk around Llandeilo, which is a nice little town with a long history.  We included the churchyard of St Teilo's in our perambulation, noting a Chinese headstone beside the path, the first I have seen anywhere, and many plots belonging to the Nicholas family.

    Then I had to go and see our smallholding friend N up the road, and offered her some small books on aspects of country living, plus a pile of old Country Kitchen magazines - they were too good to just chuck.  I also offered her some rubber matting we had for the horses (she has donkeys and sheep) so both of us were pleased when we agreed she would like them!

    After that, we had to load the car for the Tip Run tomorrow.  I will need to book another one or two in for the coming week so that we can get as much away as possible before the likely Lockdown from 26th October.

    Tea was Kedgeree tonight, and whilst that was cooking I carried on going through the (last?) box of paperwork from the Junk Room, finding old Archaeology essays, school reports, notes for a book I once proposed to write, notes and copy of a talk on Edward Thomas which I gave, and old bank statements and auction receipts.  Also the details of a lovely old house in Hatherleigh we once hoped to buy, but it didn't happen as no buyer turned up here at the time. 

    Now I am absolutely shattered, and about to have a bath and collapse in a heap.  Tomorrow, legal paperwork needs to be done for the Solicitor, so we can drop it in on Monday, and  pears need picking and storing before the birds have them all, and then it's more going through the junk room.  We have had the eye-watering quote for our removal, and it is obvious we must do some of it ourselves, and jettison more furniture.  Two linen "cupboards" that were middle daughter's will now be taken apart and can be Freecycled, as they are quite bulky when made up and we had originally intended taking them.  No more. G's bed is also staying with the house, and another couple of big chunks of furniture will be offered to our buyers.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

17 comments:

  1. I remember that you shared some chapters as ideas for a book--the story of 'Ann' who had lived in a now tumbled down cottage [?] I recall that was far better than much that gets published!
    Moving--oh groan--I hope NEVER to do it again!

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    1. Ah yes, I remember that. It never got any further. The stuff I am about to consign to the fire was written in my teenage years and best not revisited!!!

      I hope never to have to move again too. I am jettisoning books, which I wouldn't mind so much if it was to help a charity dear to my heart, but it is looking more and more like they will end up at an . . . Emporium in town which is a charity (can't even remember which one) but not one I would normally support. The Salvation Army will have as many as they can take, but THEN I am also aware who is going to go and buy them, as the b**k dealers we had here the other day get stock from the charity shops - no wonder they didn't want to pay me much!

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  2. A nightmare. We downsized from a very large house we ran as a B&B nine years ago. Younger and fitter and no pandemic. Well done you are amazing.

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    1. The Pandemic is a game-changer Jill - especially when outlets for out belongings - Tips and Charity shops - have to shut during Lockdown and then we would be getting very short on time . . . With books, I may ask our friends up the road if we can store some boxes with them and I can collect and sort out in the New Year.

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  3. Moving here after I lostt my dear farmer gave me the opportunity to clear as much stuff as I possibly could. I found it very therapeutic.

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    1. It should be therapeutic Pat, but I haven't got to that stage yet!

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  4. I hope you get through everything you need to before lockdown. I think we might be heading that way as well.

    God bless.

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    1. Well, another Tip Trip booked and we are shedding books like a moulting horse loses hair!

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  5. Reading your posts is a reminder of how much junk and clutter we have accumulated over 40 plus years! Make sure you try and find a bit of time each day to relax and read a book as life is so hectic for you at the moment.

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    1. It does built up, I have to say. The sitting down bit is more difficult but I make sure I do at 3 p.m. when we have our afternoon cuppa.

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  6. Exhausting times, but it will all happen eventually. When the little cottage in Whitby got sold, most of the furniture remained thank goodness. The stairs curved and were steep, and I can imagine the heaviness of the two linen cupboards.

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    1. We are glad that the biggest heaviest pieces are staying here, by negotiation.

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  7. You seem to be getting very organised, and yes hope you get the outside jobs done before we have to stay at home. (Apologies if this comment shows up twice, pressed something my mistake!)

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    1. I have no choice in the matter! We need to get the polytunnel down this week . . .

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  8. You sound like you are still really busy. It is good to hear that everything is moving in the right direction for you still, I hope that continues and your are able to move before any lockdown.

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