new house, new lives by Theo

So we have moved, to a 3 bedroom semi in the Bristol garden suburb of Sea Mills. We have a house filled with IKEA furniture, we've completely repainted the downstairs (plus my Dad has put in a new floor in the sitting room) and final got our boxes down from my parents attic: we have become stereotypes. Actually, it's been something of a homecoming for me as, unbeknownst to me as we were house hunting, it from this area that my father's family hails - my grandparents were married at the church not one minute from our door, and my Dad remembers walking in the woods just up the hill.

We've been joined in our new home by the lovely Elena, the sister of a Catalan friend, who is spending August with us to improve her English and to help us with Rosie when Kate gives birth. The due date for Rosie's baby brother is August 26th and Kate is booked in for an elective cesarian on the 29th if he hasn't turned up by then. In contrast to when Rosie arrived and we were caught on the hop this time we are prepared - the hospital bag has been packed, the cot is assembled and clothes ready. We've talked through the process with Rosie and she seems quite happy with it all, even roleplaying packing her own hospital bags and heading off to get her baby brother out. Bless.

So, it's all change for us, and not just physically but mentally too. This is the first time I've ever owned a house and will undoubtedly put paid to the nomadic existence I've lived up until now - 30 years, 24 different houses/flats across 5 countries on three continents. It's time to put down roots. Who knows, perhaps one day Rosie's name will join those of her great-grandparents on the register at St Edyths church.