When adjusting to living on a new planet, the regular, small things become important. And when working 6 days a week, that one day off holds a lot of expectation. There’s not a lot that HAS to be done, but what has to get done MUST be done. Washing. Simple. But the washing machine takes hours no matter how long I sit and watch it, so I rush off early to get the washing going before anyone else. No bloody washing powder and as is typical here, nothing is simple. A new box is locked away (who knows why) and I want some NOW. Back to my room, I wrote a note in big letters SOAP POWDER!!!!! and left it on the kitchen bench for the blokes to see. Stomped back to my room & started to cry. But it’s only soap powder!
And then I realised, of course, that it wasn’t about the soap powder. My cup of tolerations had finally overflowed as tears. The bad coffee, the temperamental Aga, poor internet, the arctic office where I need 3 layers plus a thick coat to stop hypothermia, the learning of the new ropes, no cat to cuddle (Sorry unfortunate TinTin) managing dietary changes where ‘meals’ are cooked for you, no nice cafes, no friends, etc etc. And mainly, I think, the sadness in my home country & not being there had hit hard. I felt very alone with my grief.
After a good weep and after thinking this through, I started to think about the SOAP POWDER!!!! note and hoped that nobody had found it, so sheepishly crept down to the kitchen to remove it with no damage done to my reputation. The washing got done, a nice day was had & I had picked myself up again.
I have to remind myself that I am living my dream. Sometimes it tumbles onto the verge of a nightmare but it’s MY dream and I am blessed to be able to experience it.
The days are getting longer now and there has been a day or two where I’m down to 2 layers. I have ditched the thermal long johns and there is blossom on the trees. The tulips are magnificent but Nick the gardener tells me that they be too early, they be, and my runs are magnificent. It’s at the end of the day when I’m running along the cliff tops, through the woods, along the beach & up through the village that I remember that this is my dream – pinch me.
A Rover guarding the early Tulips.
Look what I spied in the milking shed.
Sark SH1/M1
Jules From New Zealand 
Hang in there Julie, you will find your way through this, you are a powerful strong amazing woman, you’re ‘Jules from New Zealand’😊 xxx
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Awe thanks Patricia. Loving your photos. Keep them coming.
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Wonderful story telling Julie What an adventure you are having ..Autumn has arrived here in NZ .Shaz and I enjoying evening swims whilst we can over at Langs beach ,the water is still warm .Rain due tomorrow it is terribly dry with huge cracks around my property, water only what feeds me and flower pots. Enjoy each day ,home will always be here x0
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Hope you got your much needed rain, Kaye. Still swimming – wow. I am still wearing my arctic coat but the days are now stunning.
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You are loved.
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Thanks Jeanie.
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I could feel your frustration and sense of aloneness reading this and I’d have felt the same. Nothing like a good cry and then getting on with it all again. That dog’s a beautiful boy. Enjoy the promise of nice warm days to come.
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Thanks Heather. Rover is gorgeous but he’s cleverly naughty at times. Drives his owners crazy. He’d better behave or his days are numbered, I fear. Take care.
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Oh Jules, there’s always a bloody wee straw that breaks us. You are amazing, thank you for your openness and sharing with us all. I think the NO WASHING POWDER was a blessing in disguise. You let off a bit of steam and now there is room to start filling your cup with more treasures. 🙂 You are an wonderfully strong and brave woman taking this leap of faith for what will be an incredible dream time to look back on. In the meantime keep building those memories. Kia kaha from home.xo
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Awe, thank Laurraine. I hope all is well in your world.
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