At long last, my holiday is repaired, refurbished and useable post-burglary. It has taken since November which, if my sources are correct, is actually a reasonably swift period of time!
The dilemma, from the beginning, was whether to attempt to reproduce the interior that had been wrecked, or whether to completely change the style of the property. The middle ground – and the safest – was to do a bit of both!
Having eclectic taste and a penchant for the unusual meant that replacing certain items such as a lamp, which featured a working spinning wheel, was always going to be tricky. Similarly, locating a singing washing machine, which alerted me to a finished programme when I was otherwise engaged, seemed a stretch too far.
Things have a way of working out though!
As the kitchen ceiling had to be replaced, it seemed a blessed opportunity to increase the light levels by having a sun pipe installed. Equally, it seemed sensible to change the direction of the back door, in order to making entering and exiting the house and rear garden, with large pieces of furniture and electrical items, manifestly more awkward. Finally, I did what I should have done four and a half years ago; I gave my trusty next door neighbours a door key, so that they can nip in and out regularly when I am away (and let me in when I have locked myself out)!
I wouldn’t go as far as confessing gratitude that some nasty, vandalising little pilferer and friend wrecked my home and stole my things, necessitating a great deal of heartache and hard work as well as increased insurance premiums (I’m not that charitable!) but, I will concede that my home is lighter and brighter than it was before and I have encountered real kindness and empathy in the midst of the nightmare. I have a new spinning wheel lamp (the wonders of the internet) and LG make fabulous all singing (literally) and all dancing washing machines.
So, there is hope for humankind after all!
Take care.
