The Next Episode

I haven’t looked back once since moving out of Blackberry Drive, Frampton Cotterell.  I am now resident in Clifton, Bristol living the city life.

The week leading up to the move started slowly.  A severe lack of motivation brought on by the thoughts of leaving the family home after 13 years and quite frankly I still had a stack of packing to do.

Once again family and friends rallied around accelerating the packing and cleaning.  By the end of the week I was ready.  Everything was packed away ready for the delivery men (who I highly recommend www.kwikmove.co.uk).  Well almost everything!  My memories of Caroline and the kid are cherished and locked away in my heart.  They will be with me all the time no matter where I am.

On my final day at Frampton Cotterell I had a last look around all the rooms wearing a wry smile remembering some of the many great times we had.  I locked the door, posted the keys through the letterbox, then Joe and I jumped into the car blasting my car horn all the way down the road whilst waving bye to the neighbours.

“Adios! Onwards!”

“Goodbye Frampton!”

“Hello Clifton”.

The new home is so much better than I remembered when viewing.  An open plan style apartment in a Georgian style house dating back to 1872.  Considering I am living in Central Bristol it is so quiet.  As quiet as Frampton Cotterell.  Although the difference is quite stark when you wander a short distant in any direction from the doorstep.  Literally 250 yards from Park St and 150 yards from Whiteladies Road both bustling streets full of shops, bars, restaurants and history.  Absolutely perfect for a single man who wants to live the city life.  The location has not gone unnoticed by my friends all of whom are eyeing up Joe’s room as a crash pad when he’s away.  I could easily become the most popular man in Bristol.

The move to Clifton is a big step!  The past two and half of years we have been travelling through the wilderness not knowing what challenge we would face next, living through a period of guilt and indecision.  The priority has been to ensure that me and the kids become the people that Caroline would have been proud of and a credit to her memory.  I believe we are doing this.  We move on with our heads held high. Our new home now provides the perfect platform on which to live the rest of our lives. We take the next step with strength and courage:  you never know what is around the corner!

Before being able to enjoy this new lifestyle there was the little matter of dealing with unpacking the boxes.  At one point, as my worldly were being unloaded and placed in my new living room, I began to wonder if it all would fit.  This is despite selling, donating and chucking out so much.  Thankfully everything fitted in.  Just!  One of the disadvantages of an open plan apartment is that the contents of my former living room, dining room, study and kitchen are now all in the same room.  Nothing matches!  Who cares?  I love it here.

Now that I have been living in my new surroundings for just over two weeks I feel very settled.  Most of the boxes have been unpacked (or placed into Joe’s room).  However, sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for:  I have already received a few calls “can Paul come out to play?  I will have to watch my weight!!!! 

Now for the next episode!