It is done!

Yes, I can’t quite believe it, but the rectory is finally cleared of everything and cleaned. Mind you, Ed and I are like two zombies needing a year off to recover. Oh, forgot! Getting a lifetime off with retirement.

We got rid of some stuff through Freecycle, the council came again and took another five pieces of furniture, the skip is full to overflowing, and Rachel next door took no end of bits and pieces for the next church bric a brac stall.

Today we finished the cleaning, so at least for the moment, the rectory looks and smells clean. But since it won’t have another resident for a minimum of four months and probably longer, may be less clean by the time the new Rector moves in.

Last Sunday we had a lovely farewell service at the final church, followed by a delicious al fresco lunch in the churchyard. Unfortunately the wasps have descended in earnest and I got stung on the arm (yes, all the usual swelling and redness – I’ve been living on Piriton since.) The church gave us a lovely red acer tree for our new garden, a fun pepper mill and a bottle of pink champagne. I think it’s pink so that I won’t notice the pink elephants swimming around in it after half a bottle or so.

Next Sunday evening is THE final farewell, with all the churches together and I think quite a lot of other people as well, or so I’ve gleaned. It’s all a closely guarded secret, but there are ways and means…

Meanwhile I have a wedding on Saturday but other than that am crashing out for a day or two.

Not long now.