Stinky Feet

So it's probably my own fault for buying shoes at Primark but my GOD do my feet smell at the moment. My £3 pumps were clearly that price for a good reason.... that reason being they are lined with the crusts of cheese wheels. But I can't blame Primark really because my espadrilles also stink and they came from Debenhams.

The worst culprits are my Primark grey slippers. A couple of days ago we went out in Nick's Mums car to go on a muddy countryside walk and we all grabbed a pair of clean shoes to wear on the way back as she'd just got her car back from the garage, it was nice and clean and we didn't want to muddy it all up inside. So we went for this lovely walk in the warm sunshine and I had hastily picked up my slippers as we ran out of the door. Being left in the nice warm car they started to pong so intensely that the entire interior of the vehicle was imprinted with their foul odour. Poor Nick & Den had to suffer it the entire drive back. I found it funny which didn't help the situation; for some reason when it's your own smell it's not so bad. I think it's like that with farts isn't it, lets be honest. Weird how certain shoes smell and others don't at all though, isn't it. Don't worry, they've been boiled in the washing machine and smell like roses now. My slippers not my feet.

I am still jog jog jogging across the common here in Southampton a few times a week. Not sure whether I'm actually improving as I still find it quite hideously tiring and am a bit start/stop every few minutes. Got to be good though, that's what I keep telling myself.

I don't want to drone on about the house right now but it is still happening despite the efforts of the surveyor and we live in hope that it will all be resolved soon. I am enjoying the calm before the storm, so to speak, as when it completes my life will begin again as 24/7 DIY torture which I am slightly dreading. Nick is looking forward to it and I am dreading it. At least we're coming into the Summer. At least I won't be around there in gloves, scarves and two jumpers.

This will be the third place I've tackled in terms of renovation/decoration. The second project was our last home in Guernsey which was a three bedroom maisonette. I was in the middle of doing that when I started this blog, all those years ago. Before that we bought and did up an apartment in Plymouth on the waterfront. That was a one bedroom top floor place and my first attempt. It was very hard work, not least because it had no lift and we had to carry everything up several flights of stairs. The Guernsey project was much bigger and took much longer. This is bigger still, and is a house not a flat. I am slightly scared, it will be a lot of work and I am quite workshy, let's face it. It is, however, a beautiful house and in my mind I can see it finished. I've just been watching flipping Kirsty flipping Allsopp on the telly with her new show where she does up her Devon farmhouse by prancing around making candles and blowing glass. If only it were that simple Kirsty.

Although I really do miss my old home in Guernsey I know we sold it at the right time. I think I will always feel a bit sad about selling it because we did that place up with such love and effort it was a real emotional wrench when we left. I think it has made me stronger to sell and part with it because it was only a possession at the end of the day. Anyway why I think we sold it at the right time is because they have just announced house prices in Guernsey are down by about 12% and also because the land around it is now being developed so it's surrounded by noisy building sites.

And now we've also sold our campervan which was kind of our second home after Guernsey so now I feel like I am really homeless and don't have any possessions in the world. Although that is rubbish becuase I have a Fiat Punto and a room packed to the ceiling full of possessions in a secure lock up here in the city. Still, I have that vagabond feeling. Can't really explain. It's a bit frustrating because I really like having my own place and taking care of it and having friends round and most importantly having my own space. I have the best in laws in the world, I really couldn't imagine any better people to live with but sometimes I crave my own space. I think it's because I'm self concious and a bit of a twat at times and it' nice to do embarrasing things in private.

Alex I love your reading suggestion. Right up my street I would think. I have just read Silence of the Lambs which was yes, very good, but my favourite was Hannibal. That is one of the best books probably that I have read. Just so well written. I have a lot of time on my hands for reading at the moment! This blog is turning into my weekly book review.