The Clan of the Cave Bague

Our insurance company has organised a semi-permanent place to stay while the house is being repaired. It’s an old victorian house in Dalkeith and, as surrogate homes go, it’s very beautiful. In true victorian style, it’s a rabbit warren inside, with lots of high-ceilinged rooms connected by little passages. It’s not home, but it’ll make it easier being away from home. The little summer house at the back looks like a good place to write.

The insurance company really seem to be pulling all the stops out. We’ve had fire investigators swarming around the place, and the builders are moving in next week. It looks as though the entire inside of the house will be rebuilt from the ground up. Despite staying in Roslin this week (right next to Roslin Chapel, no less – wonder if we should pop in to say hi to the Holy Grail?) we’ve managed to get Tristan and Matthew back to school, and Harmony back to playgroup. They seem a little more relaxed with things.

Today, Debbie and I are going bakc to the house to have a rummage in the debris for any personal stuff (photos, letters, that kind of thing) before the workmen descend on the place. Not really looking foorward to it, but I guess it needs to be done.

Our insurance company has organised a semi-permanent place to stay while the house is being repaired. It’s an old victorian house in Dalkeith and, as surrogate homes go, it’s very beautiful. In true victorian style, it’s a rabbit warren inside, with lots of high-ceilinged rooms connected by little passages. It’s not home, but it’ll make it easier being away from home. The little summer house at the back looks like a good place to write.

The insurance company really seem to be pulling all the stops out. We’ve had fire investigators swarming around the place, and the builders are moving in next week. It looks as though the entire inside of the house will be rebuilt from the ground up. Despite staying in Roslin this week (right next to Roslin Chapel, no less – wonder if we should pop in to say hi to the Holy Grail?) we’ve managed to get Tristan and Matthew back to school, and Harmony back to playgroup. They seem a little more relaxed with things.

Today, Debbie and I are going bakc to the house to have a rummage in the debris for any personal stuff (photos, letters, that kind of thing) before the workmen descend on the place. Not really looking foorward to it, but I guess it needs to be done.

The worst type of hotel, in my opinion, is the kind you find yourself in the morning after your house has been gutted by fire. Sadly, that’s exactly the kind of hotel we’re in right now. Smoke alarm went off at 1:30 in the morning. Debbie and I managed to have the kids outside within two minutes. Two minutes after that and nothing could have survived inside.

Nice, huh? Anyway, we’re all ok, everything is insured. It’s apparently going to be six months before our house is habitable. We’re going to be in this hotel for a week or so until the insurance company has found us rented accomodation.

Matthew loved his first few days of school, had great fun in the playground with his friends and enjoyed circle time. The other two were pleased to get back into routine. I didnt really get the chance to do any artwork but that time ll come when we ve got the routine sorted out. I enjoyed walking up and down the road in the sunshine – very peaceful.

We ve just planted some roses in the garden and I spent an hour or so yesterday tidying up – the wildflowers are looking very beautiful and the kids and I are enjoying discovering new flowers every day. The fence and the absence of trees have made a huge difference – enjoying the garden and having the safety of a fence so that the little ones can enjoy playing football and catch w/out worrying about traffic.

Thats all for me for now. Got to go get the children organised.

Debbie.

The school term begins tommorrow. Its Matthew’s first day. He still seems too little to be going into the school system. He is very excited about the whole thing. Tristan is looking forward to going back – he ll be in Primary 4 – half way through primary school. The wee one is keen to get back to playgroup too. Its been a busy summer with the boys and Harmony -she s potty trained and is losing her baby look – becoming a little girl with her own agenda.

I just hope that Matthew enjoys school as much as John and I think he will. I guess we just have to think positive. It wont be long before Dot goes. Time seems to pass quickly with little ones. I guess you just have to make the most of their babyhood because before you know it they are away to school for most of the day.

Debbie.