A New Year
So, that was Christmas… it was a whirlwind but somehow we had some slow days on either side. I was busy in the run-up with workshops and posting out last minute orders, and all the school activities, but suddenly everything came to a stop. There were walks and cosy afternoons at home, presents and food and books and films.
Then we drove south, back to the North West, to see friends and family. It was a long journey but the mountains and waterfalls, deer and pine forests were (as ever) breathtaking. Joe coped well with the ten or so hours in the car (admittedly, we’d finally caved and got him an electronic game for Christmas, which helped. A lot.).
We had the same house sitting arrangement as in the summer: my friend was away with her family, so we looked after her house and cats and based ourselves in Irwell Vale. It’s a place where I spent a lot of my childhood, and where Joe attended preschool. It’s also very near the village we moved to Scotland from, so I’m not exaggerating when I say I know it like the back of my hand.
It was good to be back.
There were lots of walks (and a few night time outings to see the Christmas lights - some people had really gone to town and it was magical). We revisited old haunts, sometimes the three of us, once with a friend and her boys, again with my brother and niece, and I went out alone too.
A solitary walk after the buzz of Christmas is, for me, a necessary thing. Particularly when I want to go and relive old memories in the place I grew up in.
I met up with my friends quite a few times, for coffee and hot chocolate and lunch too. I miss them.
We caught up with family too, and ate lots of party food. I don’t regret any of that. Although my clothes seem to have shrunk…
And we spent a lot of money. We went a bit crazy, what with the whole proximity to shops thing. Clothes mainly. Mostly for Joe. He’s done well out of the whole trip, but he does keep growing and we came across a few sales (seemingly before anyone else did).
And then. Ikea.
I’d been planning on going when we were back down south because our nearest one is Glasgow (5.5 hours away, with no motorways). As we passed the car park we noticed it was heaving with cars. Jay dropped me off and disappeared to the relative safety of Marks and Spencer. I walked inside the revolving doors, stepped on the escalator and knew I had to follow those arrows faster than I’ve ever followed them before. The goal was to get out of there as soon as humanly possible. All plans for buying picture frames and glass food storage and floor cushions (Joe again) went out of the window. I don’t fare well in crowded places. And this was crowded.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t get panicky. Just very, very irritated. And who needs that? So I hightailed it to M&S to find Jay, buy some nice snacks and enjoy the fact that there were very few Other People in there. I sound like a cranky old woman don’t I? I promise you I’m neither cranky nor old. I am most definitely a woman though, and one who likes to make her way through life in a little bubble of dreamy thoughts and interesting ideas. Screaming toddlers and wayward shopping trolleys: no thank you.
So we bought Joe two new coats and came back to the village. And said, Never Again.
But much as I love being back home in Lancashire, and admittedly I’ve seriously considered returning for good, I’ve come to the realisation that a permanent move back isn’t the answer. Not yet, anyway. I don’t miss traffic and busy-ness. I still follow local Facebook groups and I don’t miss parking wars, burglaries or the endless development proposals for yet more expensive housing estates on open fields either.
I do miss my friends and the familiarity of it all.
Jay wants to stay on Skye, and Joe’s happy pretty much anywhere (but especially so if he can live by the sea). I’m happy if everyone else is happy. And if I’m happy, they’re happy. Sorry if that sounds a bit sugary but that’s honestly how it is…
And our adventure on Skye is only just beginning. We have big plans for this year - for the house and for work.
And me not coping well with crowded places? Well, where better to go than New York?
We’re flying at the beginning of March. And seriously, I’ve always wanted to go. Joe’s never been on a plane before and last year something happened which made us decide to seize the day and book a trip. So we did. I’ve been to America once before (Boston and Nantucket), and Jay has been lots of times. But never together. And despite all those people and cars and noise - I can’t wait. Book shops! The High Line! Central Park! Joe’s going to love it.
So we’re starting the new year (and decade) with lots to look forward to. There’s going to be plenty of hard work in 2020 too, but I think we’re ready for it.
