Karen Wright: One last beef bourguignon before moving day
I am delighted to report that our property chain has all agreed to exchange contracts and to complete the move later this week.
I had no real plan on moving but around Christmas I was scrolling through estate agents' websites. When I spotted a three bedroomed ground floor flat near the city centre I knew instantly that my name was on the keys. I tend to follow my gut instinct and, if it speaks to me, I listen!
Six months later, we are on the cusp of a move. Everything is packed and ready to go. I have been steadily emptying my store cupboard and my freezer and now there is virtually nothing left. My daughters ordered a week's frozen ready meals for me as a treat, so I didn't need to keep buying ingredients. Now as you know I don't often eat ready prepared food, but they assured me that the company they had used was top-end and only clean ingredients were used in the preparation of them.
I must admit every one of the dishes has been excellent from tikka masala to moussaka and lots more in between. Last night I served the last of the dishes and it was my favourite, in fact it is my signature dish, beef bourguignon. They had chosen sides of dauphinoise potatoes and cauliflower cheese. It did not disappoint, and we ate it on the kitchen table which is currently in the lounge, and we overlooked the estate agent’s board which still says SOLD!
I am quite organised and have already booked a supermarket online shop to be delivered in the evening that we are moving in. My eldest daughter is coming up from her home in Brighton to oversee the move and help to get us unpacked and settled in the new place.
I am looking forward to getting busy in the kitchen again. All my equipment is away in storage and although unpacking it all will be a chore, many hands make light work.
Even my mum is looking forward to driving up from her flat to ours on her mobility scooter and doing what she can to help.
Next week, fingers crossed I will share a little bit more about our new abode.
It is in Wakefield and it has a little history to the building too, in fact it has its own blue plaque, how smart is that!