
It only seems right
It’s nice to be back home in England, at West Cottage. That’s the name of our house, West Cottage. Here houses tend to have names rather than numbers and the Royal Mail is amazing because the mailmen tend to deliver to the correct house mostly all the time. Which is not easy when you have five Rose Cottages, three The Poplars and several Brook…something. Brook Farm, Brook House, Brook Lodge, Meadow Brook, you get the picture, in the same village. And, changing the name of your house when you move in is routine. I’m telling you, the mailmen deserve a lot of credit.
You know what’s so fantastic about Robert? He leaves some things right where I left them till I get back. He leaves these things for me on my return and for himself as a memory of me being here. I must confess I do the same thing in the Vancouver house, where the receipt for his last flight into Van is still on the side of the fridge right where he stuck it. (Don’t ask me about our spaghetti noodle tag game…lol…the noodles get stuck everywhere)
But some things are different. Theo the wonder cat has a new spot. R calls it “his plinth” and it’s actually a velvet cushion on top of some pillows on top of the radiator. Theo loves being there and warming his old bones. We love having him with us. Earlier today he ran outside and came back with a fat field mouse. He tried to drag it inside but got intercepted and told to take it outside. He loves to hunt but would rather eat his mice inside.
Today was the last village market before Christmas. I really wanted to go to catch up with our friends and also get some of the local mistletoe. We were lucky because most of our village friends were there and big hugs were shared all round.
I got my mistletoe, some homemade minced pies, a book from my friend Elaine who runs the charity book sales, and a commemorative plate made by Aston Pottery to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the village church. I also got some potted bulbs to bloom in the bleak mid-winter.
So simple and so lovely, don’t you think? I’m lucky that Lisa was selling them in these beautiful vintage pots. I bought a hyacinth and several daffodils.
I also hung up some bird feeders for our hungry cottage friends. Don’t you love the suet and seed coconut halves? This afternoon we had our first two birds inspecting them. Earlier I saw a woodpecker around and I hope he’ll be back and find the peanuts.
Also this afternoon, jet-lag is kicking in something rotten. R has built a fire in the fireplace and the cottage is nice and cozy but my eyes feel heavy. One more day and I should be just fine.
Lavender Cottage
A few Canadians, like myself with an English background have named their homes here too – a quaint tradition really.
I like the coconut bird feeders, good way to repurpose.
Enjoy your stay in England.
Judith
Veronica
That’s still so wonderful Judith. The heritage house next to mine in Van is called Copper Cottage, but still has a street number. I planted a peace rose in the front of mine and R suggested we call it Peace Cottage. That’s nice, isn’t it? What is your house called? 🙂
Joanne
Mistletoe and Hyacinths!
Gorgeous pots and moss.
Lovely to think of you on this side of the water V!
Hope you get over the jet lag soon.
xx
Veronica
Aw, thank you Joanne. I wish you were closer to OXON. 🙁 If you ever find yourself having to venture this way please let me know. If we venture close to you I’ll for sure let you know. 🙂
Dewena Callis
Well, it all sounds heavenly, except for Theo’s house gift.
A 750 year old celebration, and we think a hundred year old building is old. Have a wonderful time!
Veronica
Hi Dewena, it’s almost unbelievable that St Denny’s has stood there in some form since the 12C, isn’t it? But when you go inside and see the Knight Templar and his lady, then you start to believe it.
DogsMom
Let me say Theo is tre handsome, very deserving of velvet pillows.
Our barn cats love to catch and play with mice, then when they stop moving, carry them to us to see if they can be “fixed.” If they decide the game is truly over, then they will snack on them and run off to hunt again.
Your village market sounds wonderful. I will have to develop a relationship with some sellers next season.
It sounds sad to say the ladies at the library and the thrift shop all know me and what I like.
(The one person who said they missed me after a couple week disappearance was the guy who sells cat litter!)
DogsMom
Oh- and I have named our farm as well, even though it is not the custom here.
Around here farms are generally just named after families. I think a proper name shows love and respect.
Veronica
I love that you named the farm. 🙂
Veronica
Thank you so much DogsMom, Theo is such a pretty cat, isn’t he? I love his Egyptian kohl rimmed eyes. He came to us as a ex pub cat turned feral after his owners sold the pub and gave him to their daughter and he left that farm and went walk-about. He adopted us and, even though we buy him the best cat food, he still chases and eats mice. Oh, but funny you should say that about the “fixing”. Our Vancouver city cats do that. They catch the odd something and bring it in and look at us imploringly to fix the squeaky toy…lol.
By the way, I’m on a first name basis with the charity shop ladies both here and in Vancouver. 🙂
Daryl
i hope by now you are all adjusted!
Veronica
It’s getting much better, although the nights are so long when you don’t sleep thru them. They say it takes a day of adjustment for each hour of time difference before one is back to normal…whatever…who’s got time for that! 🙂
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow
I like these coconut feeders…have never seen them before but not only are they practical they are attractive
Veronica
Hey, guess what, our garden robin found that coconut feeder yesterday and has already eaten a nice chunk out of it. So happy. I love those little robins. 🙂
dawnsrays
Nice day of catch up. I love that you got to see friends at the market. I can imagine the warmth that surrounded the market on that day!
Happy your home coming has been so relaxed and easy.
~Dawn
vastlycurious.com
Beautiful post Veronica ! I love the hyacinth too ! Mine have bloomed and I need another. You live an exciting life!
Veronica
Aw, now I miss England. 🙁 Oh well, Robbie will be here soon! 🙂