Clear as crystal

Early, early morning, bright and clear and pure as cut glass.

As I heave open the old oak door I was rushed by a swirl of cool, cool fresh air - the wind is coming from the north today. I glance at the Boodle who sniffs his agreement.

The wind grew impatient and flipped up my hair "OK!" I reach for my wellies and step out into the early morning clean chill. Exhilaration - a great surge of joy. Go back and grab the camera, ready to take a wander.Such a playful wind, all calm and still and then, in a moment, a thrill in my throat as an unexpected gust whips through me. I smile at my childish delight.

Conscious of being observed I remember my attire (wellies and P-Js!). I look over the barn, into the Gods and there the swallows line up along the telegraph wire that stretches from behind the barn across the top field and away. They too are sensing this new freshness on the breeze and I fancy mentally mapping long haul flights to come.

The remaining audience are in the stalls, quietly munching the sweet green shoots beneath our feet. The garden is large enough that they have become brazen enough to continue to graze even in sight of Mr.Boodle, cleverly judging the exact distance required to safely out run him. Not that he has the slightest inclination to chase them.

I confess that I linger for quite some time by the brick farm building. Pipe dreaming and planning all the creative activities it will house.....just think, all the things I will paint/make/do inside those lovely brick walls.

Round the corner and into the orchard, so much windfall already, I must bag them up for friends pigs and horses!

Back at the house I must show you this lovely coral red rose against the weatherboarding.

Oh and yes, you must just take a peep inside.....

Whilst I hang out the washing!

So lovely to feel the delicious thrill of a cold wind - but now I am off to find a jumper!

xXx

Welcome, come on in, the kettle is on.........

Seems a lifetime since we left Kent and arrived here in our new East Sussex nest.

Seems an age since I last posted, and I suppose it is!

I have been floating along since the last removal lorry shuddered out of sight Down the Lane.

I must thank you if you have been wondering where I had got to and have checked in on me only to see I was still absent. Here I am! All bright~ eyed and bushy haired ( It's rained a lot!)

I owe you a lovely long, beautifully scripted post and instead I find I am a little shy and stunted as I feel uncomfortable blabbering on about how wonderful things are ~ seems a bit self congratulatory and being British that isn't something that comes naturally!

Instead I am offering snapshots of the first things that have captured my imagination here at the New Lane, and as always probably too many.

I will say that I can feel reams of words on imaginary tape tumbling from the very top of my head, out they spill, words of wonder and joy at being here, out and out they flow ~ concentric circles that express happiness, peace and gratitude.

I still think Alexander Pope had it when he said

"Happy the man whose wish and care a few paternal acres bound, content to breathe his native air in his own ground. "

Come back soon, I have much to tell, went to Hampton Court this week and I simply must tell you about the Country Living Marquee....squeak......so good!

Have a brilliant weekend,

Sarah

xXx