It does feel like an own goal, a self inflicted period of bedlam and yet that’s simply the way it has happened. Moreover it is life, an enjoyable and rewarding life which has just become more complicated and has revved up our gentle life of retirement. What am I talking about? House renovations and refugees.
Welcoming a family of three refugees from Ukraine has coincided with further house renovations. Our new kitchen installation has been booked since February and no matter how carefully we might plan these things, we cannot control events in Ukraine. We have to manage as best we can, with a little support from our friends and the Good Lord.
Renovations
We didn’t just want the old kitchen and laundry ripped out and replaced like-for-like with some dowdy trash. It needs to be done with some sympathy to the oldest part of the 17th century Quirky Museum while result in a modern, contemporary kitchen.
Following the advice of a period home expert, we have decided to use some breathable insulation on the inside of the walls which is a little bit like Gortex for walls. Then combined with lime plasters, it should keep us a little warmer in the winter. All of this has annoyed the plasterer who is accustomed to using modern materials only. I did try to temper his general grumpiness and questionable language by pointing out it was a good learning opportunity with new materials and techniques. He was not impressed. He does, however, seem to be a skilled plasterer.
The kitchen was ripped out last Monday, followed by initial plumbing and electrical work. Yesterday the new kitchen has been delivered and sits in the garage waiting to be assembled and installed next week and finished in the following week – with the work tops and flooring to follow towards the end of the month.
In the meantime we have set up a little basic kitchen in our dining room. Washing up takes place outside and feels like we are on a campsite in our garden! Thankfully and at last we have some lovely warm, dry weather now. Lots of salads with minimal cooking.
As ever I see all this as an adventure. I suppose I have become ‘project manager’ and find myself dealing with queries and hiccups along the way (as was the case with the previous bathroom and miscellaneous plumbing work going on). Needless to say this occasionally involves spending extra money, which I hesitate over more these days with so much capital expenditure this year, albeit planned expenditure.
Refugees
They have certainly had a long journey to our home. The visa process went surprisingly well and there were no immigration issues, thankfully. Their actual journey involved leaving their home in the war zone, with sirens and the sound of gunfire on Tuesday. A combination of buses and trains got them to Krakow in Poland ready for their flight to Luton early yesterday morning (Friday). They hardly slept during these three or four days
Unsurprisingly they are tired, sleepy, weary and totally disorientated. And so we have become social workers, as well as project managers. Although life goes on for us, we have tried to ease back on various commitments for the next few weeks.
Isn’t this a dream come true?
I say ‘dream’ and not ‘nightmare’, although it could be. This is life. Life is what we make it in terms of what is either in our control or influence. We cannot control everything; we have to make plans and decisions as best we can.
I have a friend who has recently retired, a single man. He is looking forward to a simple, quiet, settled and easy life. For him it fits, it is right for him. Somehow that would drive me nuts, crazy and I would become very despondent. I need to have a purpose, to be of use in society, to be busy and enjoy a rewarding life. I cannot simply coast downwards to the grave.
All in all, this really does seem like a dream come true. Definitely not a nightmare.