Seven

We got up a bit earlier this morning than we have been doing, to get stuck into the week's tasks, the day grey and drizzly but mild compared with the last two weeks. After breakfast L phoned R the builder to get assertive about the absent electrician. R called back a bit later saying he'd 'put a rocket under him', and he is now due to complete our electrics tomorrow and Wednesday, with a test to be carried out on Thursday! She then phoned the plumber to get him to come and wire up the timer on the boiler on Friday. Then a phonecall to the phone people, then a call to our friends who have boxes to spare from their move. Off then to Halifax to try and choose tiles for the kitchen. A woman with a feather duster was giving all the tiles a thorough clean, but was just 'minding the shop' so she didn't know much about anything. We saw some we liked, slate grey and slightly matt, but feather duster woman was unable to advise whether they'd be suitable in a kitchen - how easy to clean, resistant to grease... Said we'd need to speak to the owner tomorrow. L was uncertain, and insisted we go to one of the big DIY stores to see what they had to offer. Tiles these days nearly all seem to be tiny or huge, and we want medium-sized ones, so not much choice really. L liked some very rough stone ones with holes in, very porous looking, resembling volcanic rock. I vetoed them even though she thought there might be some way to seal them...

This afternoon I took a heavy pile of curtains to the dry cleaner's, struggling down Market Street in the rain, only just getting to the shop without dropping them - 8 Kilos, which will cost £58 to clean. That's the business to be in obviously. I took my job application to the Post Office and sent it recorded delivery. So - it is done! I did the shopping - fresh bread from the bread shop, groceries from the Co-op, and came home... No more running around now. L is working her way through a long list of phonecalls to notify the Council Tax, Water Board, power company, mortgage company for the mortgage on this house, insurance company etc etc of our change of address. I made her coffee and a crumpet and she's still going strong. Currently dancing to the music the insurance company play when they put you on hold!

The hat on the wall has re-emerged from the melted snow. We are tempted to throw it away, it looks so very sad and forgotten, but somehow that is hard to do. There's still some pretty alarming ice on a stretch of pavement just down the hill from here, so most people are still walking in the road, but gradually normal patterns of activity are resuming around town. People seem relieved, more relaxed, wearing fewer layers of clothes, faces more visible.