Maximising the joy in everyday life
A new home in the Lake District, owning a washing machine and reduced hot cross buns
Two weeks ago I collected the keys for the little house I’m renting up here in Kendal. The estate agent handed them over along with a reassuringly heavy welcome box, which I was certain contained wine and chocolates. Or perhaps toilet paper and washing up liquid on the less-exciting-but-still-useful end of the spectrum. Incorrect on both counts. Instead, I found unicorn toothpaste (which apparently just means bubblegum-flavour and slightly sparkly), some vegetable stock cubes and a very large bottle of conditioner inside. All the essentials for moving day, clearly.
That weekend I took the train back to Northampton to pick up my belongings which were still in storage from my nomadic summer. For a long time I prided myself on being able to move house in the back of my mum’s Suzuki Swift and I can’t say I didn’t feel a little panicked watching the large hire van fill up. Where did all this stuff come from?! Owning a sofa and a washing machine aged 30 clearly isn’t remotely unusual but tha…