Day 13
Cleaning the flat and studio, The Lake, Home
We find the local lake and set leaf boats a drift. Looking forward to going home. Family is home. Its sunny here. Nicola sends me a message saying that its grey and wet in Manchester. But right now I would happily swap the yellow for the grey of home.
Cleaning the apartment. I can safely say that its defiantly cleaner than when we arrived. Packing. Cleaning. Packing. Naoise helps to hoover the studio floor but soon becomes bored…its a pretty big space.
The 2 Euro microwave meals that I bought from the garage are yucky, but they require no washing up or clearing away.
Family, familiar, not difficult and different.
Naoise wants his dad to cook burritos for his welcome home meal. I order a cider. I look forward to being back in the bosom cuddle of hills.
Watching the sun go down. Drinking a cup of tea on the double rocking garden bench. Red rowan berries the trees.
Watching Abney and Teal on their island.
Watching people washing clothes outside in a communal washing area of sinks and hanging out their things to dry on metal rails.
I wonder what the graffiti in the underpass says? Naoise notices a bird squashed dead on the road.
Anxious about traveling. I worry about getting to the train station on time. I worry about everything.
We listen to The Stone Roses, Slaves, Wonk Unit. We miss Syd’s noise.
I’ve missed my eldest son and my partner. Its been a strange and lonely experience being here without them. Its been a fun, crazy and challenging roller coaster ride. Naoise sleep patterns have got worse and worse as the days have progressed and he has eaten less and less. Today Naoise ate crisps, chocolate and some ice-cream.
In the evening we get into bed and watch the animated version of the Iron Giant by Ted Hughes.
the lake looks beautiful, the boat inviting! but the challenge is nearly over – I’m glad you;ve (almost ) done it helen, you will have grown a lot and it’ll stay with you probably for the rest of your life!! lets have a cider together after you get back and come out of your warm and cuddly hilly bosomy warmth (its boiling here!), of tod and lovely familyness,
Helen and Naoise,
What a great achievement to have done all this, with the aim of creating artwork and taking on huge challenges such as travelling long distances, a new language, different food, and a complete disruption to your routines.
Naoise’s changed eating and sleeping patterns probably indicate that he has had enough, and like you, is ready to come home. But congratulations on your marvellous, magical drawings and games.
This will inspire more young parents to step out of the mundane and into the yellow, for a while, at least. Safe journey home both of you! Xxx