Welcome to my perfumed garden

We handed over the keys to the house in Liverpool today after a busy morning emptying out the loft and all the last minute stuff you have to do. Mark spent a good while just walking through the rooms, sitting on beds, looking out the windows... He lived in that house, on and off, since he was a week old when his Mum brought him home from the hospital, so - a lot of memories. For me too. Mark was back living at home when I met him in '82 and I have very fond memories of that house, too.

I took cuttings from the apple tree that was Mark's Mother's Day present for 1968 - a really huge tree now, currently full of blossom, and where our 2 dogs are buried. Then we took a lot of pictures, at the house and in the neighbourhood in general; said goodbye to all the neighbours - then, just as we were leaving, the new people arrived to have their first proper look so we got to meet them in the end (first time we have). A very young, very sweet couple - they seem really nice.

We both had a cry on the stairs before we left. Closing the door for the very last time, knowing you'll never be back, was very strange. So, we're both a little sad and subdued. Now we have to get our own house done up and on the market... What joy.