Reflections

 We decided to have this weekend at home, rather than going back to the caravan, as we have things to do here.  And I need to make more lists and plans and have a general think about things.  I had a terrible night last night, tossing and turning all night with very little sleep, stuff going through my mind and awful pain in my hip and back, no doubt as a result of yesterday.

Marlene, you said half the fun is doing things up - well yes, but it certainly wasn't fun yesterday, quite the opposite - very stressful and anxiety inducing.  Frankly, I am feeling overwhelmed and as if I'm floundering in deep water (and I can't swim at all well in real life!!) at the moment, it's only just dawning on me what a big job we've taken on.  The problems we had yesterday, coupled with the fact that we're hampered by not being able to have the electricity on and serviced until the 25th, and still have the water problems to sort out, is all making me feel uneasy right now.

The thing is, I KNOW it will be so worth it when it's all done, and I have to try and focus on that.

Upon meeting and chatting with a couple of the caravan neighbours (who seem really nice and friendly), it turns out, as I mentioned yesterday, that the previous owner of our van was the park handyman - if anyone needed anything doing, he did it.  One couple said they all really miss him, as he was so helpful and it meant they didn't have to do anything themselves - now they have to get a 'man' in.  The park owner, whilst being exceptionally nice, talkative and very friendly, freely admits he's not a handyman and doesn't know one end of a spanner from the other, nor does he have anything much to do with the caravans - he just lives on site and does all the admin and chats to everyone willing to listen (he talks about cars, mainly - right up husband's street)!  He does have a list of suitable caravan workmen - although we don't have to use his, we can use anyone of our choice - but that's pretty much the extent of his involvement.  So we're more or less on our own.  We did have touring caravans for many years, so husband is sort of familiar with caravan stuff, although a static caravan has some differences to a tourer, it's kind of midway between a touring caravan and a house.  I have absolutely zero knowledge of any technical caravan stuff, that was always husband's department.  And there aren't currently many other owners on site - unless they mostly come at weekends.  So it's all a bit daunting at the mo.

Yesterday I did think how on earth am I going to get the carpets and sofa upholstery cleaned without the electricity being on?  Well, it occurred to me during the night when I lay there tossing and turning that I can bring all the sofa cushions home and use the steam cleaner here.  I've new cushion covers for the entire seating on order, they're due to arrive next Wednesday, but I don't want to put them on the old dirty cushions - I want them clean first.  The present covers aren't removable, no zips or anything, I'd have to unpick them all and that's just another job I don't really want to add to the already huge list.  So bringing the cushions home to steam clean them was a bit of an inspired idea, laying awake worrying does have some advantages!

The carpets will just have to wait for cleaning with the Vax until the leccy is on.  As we'll be decorating, it's probably just as well anyway, although we will cover them with dust sheets.  The lounge and main bedroom carpets seem ok, pretty good quality, just in need of a deep clean (the previous owners had 2 dogs, apparently - and obviously weren't too fussed about housework).  We'll need a new carpet in the 2nd bedroom.  The kitchen and bathroom are both carpeted - erm that's an absolute giant NO!! as far as I'm concerned, they'll be ripped up and replaced with vinyl flooring.  The entire caravan needs decorating throughout - that's fine, I don't mind doing that.

We will get there, I know, it'll all get done eventually, and it will start to be fun once we get going with the decorating and furnishing it with our things.  Right now, I just want the whole place cleaned and free of the revolting all invasive cobwebs - I know I'll feel a whole lot better then.