End of an era

It’s all been a bit quiet over here! Where did the last 18 months go?

Last summer (2025) we decided we wanted to move back to Lewes. Much as we agonised about leaving our beautiful flat and garden, and after all the work we’ve done to it, we realised our hearts were still in Lewes, as well as many friends, Nick’s work, and the culture that we’ve struggled to find in Eastbourne.

We put the flat on the market last July and despite a few viewings we had no offers, so we took it off over the winter and started again in February. I think it was the third viewing that produced an offer that we accepted. We then raced to find a house in Lewes that we liked and could afford – not easy, as there really wasn’t much for sale! However we found one, our offer was accepted and after an initial flurry of form-filling and other legals, we just had to sit and wait. Six months later we were in holiday in Sicily when we got the call: contracts exchanged. Hurrah!

We moved last week. While the movers got going, it was a beautiful day so we had a last breakfast at Bistro Pierre on the seafront!

The move went well, partly due to our excellent removals firm (Ranger Removals of Seaford) but mainly I think due to a lot of forward planning. Nick sold the harpsichord and grand piano back in 2025, knowing that we couldn’t take them with us. But he bought a fantastic electric instrument that serves his needs perfectly and is a very neat size. We knew we had to downsize drastically, so all this year we’ve been taking things to charity shops, going through our loft space and cupboards and making some hard choices about what to get rid of.

Because we thought we’d be moving in May rather than September, we rather neglected the garden over the summer. Although it was so hot perhaps it was a good thing we weren’t worrying about the tomatoes!

We’re very excited about making a new start. I was worried about taking Bobby away from his huge garden and familiar surroundings but he’s adapting well. As are we: already we’ve been to a concert, a book launch, a cinema visit… I’ve joined a new gym which I’m excited about (PureGym in Newhaven), Nick’s loving the walk to work on Sunday and the shorter journeys to evening rehearsals. We’re gradually exploring the neighbourhood. I’ve been teaching a weekly step aerobics class at Lewes Leisure Centre since July! And bit by but we’re sorting out the house. Loads to do on it! Maybe I need to start a new blog??

The reasons we left Lewes before were lack of parking, noisy/busy traffic, no garden and night time noise from drunk people passing outside our bedroom window every weekend night. We went to Eastbourne and loved the space, the sea, the garden, the high-ceilinged flat. (Although parking was sometimes an issue). Now we’re in a small terraced house (though bigger than our first home in Lewes), with a small garden and a driveway, in a quiet cul-de-sac. Yes, we downsized, but it’s where we want to be. Location, location, location!

If you’ve been following the blog, thank you! I might yet post a few pics of how the Eastbourne flat and garden changed in the 11 years we were there. That might be a neat ending.