Back in the land of blog!

Hurrah - we've moved! And unbelievably it all went really smoothly. This is just a quick post to say thank you so much for all the good wishes I think they must have really helped because we hardly had a hiccup and already the new place feels like home. I'm sorry there are no pictures with this post but we don't get broadband connected for a couple of weeks (groan!) and I can't upload my photos but I've got tons to share.

The best are the views, just unbelievable and the first thing I do every morning is gaze out of our huge window across the houses to the rolling hills and distant views of the Churnet Valley. Its glorious. This morning I was greeted with frosted fields, misty hollows and a reddening sky complete with a skein of pink-footed geese heading towards the river meadows. My second favourite thing is the walk to school, a total thrill after driving 30 miles there and back everyday since September. Again there are fab views and I love walking into the old part of the village down the tiny footpath across the fields, past a row of old cottages and the 12thC church. All week Woody and I have found ourselves stopping for a second saying "I can't believe we live here now, can you?"

The house is beginning to get into some sort of shape and I'm getting used to living in a '60s house. Feels a bit odd but it's quirky and a few metres of fabric and some paint will change it hugely. I've already started painting it cream to show off my treasures(couldn't live with the peach/orange dining room for a minute longer!). Yesterday I made a brilliant find in my favourite little shop in Leek. Pretty Chic is a mine of vintage fabrics and beautiful bits and bobs, everything from china to furniture and ornaments so I have to pop in when I'm in town. It's one of those gorgeous shops that when I walk into I want to squeal with joy. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw, the sweetest, glass-fronted, white painted cabinet for sale. It was just meant for me, the day before the owner had reduced it from £60 to £25 and I just had enough spare to afford it. Its living in the garage for now but its new home will be the dining room, lined with pretty paper or fabric, not decided yet, and will be the perfect treasure trove for my rose china and vintage glass.

I'm back at work for the first time in a week today so did a trawl of the Broomhill charity shops in Sheffield and yet again left Oxfam empty handed and a bit annoyed. Too expensive and nothing very nice actually so I have transferred my affections to the Save the Children around the corner which is staffed by the loveliest ladies and I treated myself to a lovely embroidered green cord skirt I saw in M&S last winter and toyed with getting but never did and regretted it, picked up another glass candlestick for the collection and found a lovely crocheted blanket for Archie's' room for just £1. Wish I could pop some pictures on but I promise to be back as soon as BT get a wriggle on and wire us up. Off now to catch up with what everyone has been up too, I feel like I've been on the moon for a week.