To the “manor borne”……….

 
 
 
 

…….we had to hire a van. Where did all the stuff come from? Seventeen months ago we arrived at Mill Green Park with a suitcase each. 24 hours ago we left with our suitcases and a dozen or so boxes. Since arriving in our new place we have managed to put together at least 3 boxes of gear and deposited them at one of the local charity shops. Our “rubbish” did not fit into our new surroundings. Everything we need is here and is of the most elegant style and best quality. We are now 5* servants with 5* accommodation to match. However, the down side of that (as in the best of hotels) is, we are short of cupboards, we are having trouble controlling the temperature and in every room there is a security system with a flashing light. We went to bed last night, at 11.30pm and I said to Rod “we can’t possibly sleep with that, you’ll have to cover it up”!!! The consequence was, within a few minutes we had triggered the alarm system and of course the accompanying security firm! We have since learned that the light only flashes when there is a lot of movement in the room, once you settle into bed it all slows down (if you’re lucky and seriously restrict late night activity). However, we are very pleased to be here. It is what we said we would do. Although our employers are absent for most of the year, the estate is coming to the end of a 2 year refit and so there are lots of ‘state of the art’ systems to come to terms with, schedules and staffing to be implemented as well as networks to be established and routines to put into place. In the meantime we are off to Berlin to see Hattie for a few days before Christmas and then after spending Christmas with ‘whanau’ in London we’ll head for somewhere warm for a few days before returning to the Cotswolds at the beginning of the year……...have a very happy Christmas and all the very best for 2009………we hope to see you…..much love xxx