DOWNSIZING

And how to come to terms with moving on

(I’ve recorded an unedited audio episode for you below in case you’d rather listen than read. Let me know if this format works for you & I’ll start making them more often. Post your comments at the bottom. Apologies for James the builder with his hammer. And Mischief’s snoring. Both in their happy place and who am I to deprive them? Enjoy. x )

Patrick staggered into an estate agent in an unfamiliar part of town; “Do you want to see a desperate man? I am that desperate man. “ he said, pointing to his chest.

“Show me anything”.

Patrick’s wife, Lynne, was just weeks away from birth. The two and a half of them - plus a toddler - were living in a cramped basement flat in West Ken. And that is where they were destined to stay. Unless, that is, they found somewhere bigger. And fast.

Patrick hopped into the estate agent’s car and drove. They went to every single property on the books. Nothing. There was nothing. In the passenger seat, a demoralised Patrick allowed his head to sink, as they returned to the office. He was about to say his thank-yous, goodbyes and leave.

“Oh wait, hang on. This is just about to come on. Um… A house on Kew Green? The owner’s just sending over the paperwork.”

Patrick had never been to Kew. Patrick had no idea where that even was. And only a vague recollection of the name from the famous botanical gardens. But Lynne and Patrick were no gardeners. They had a stone yard outside the flat.

“Great! Yes. Where’s that? Take me. ”

And that is how, thirty years ago, Patrick and Lynne came to view 67 Kew Green.

Across the warren of Regency rooms that had once housed royal staff, guards and high ranking members of the court, a dazed couple looked north, back towards the river over a long, thin stretch of wilderness. An old boy would be coming with the house. He’d tend to the garden, the agent said. But first they’d have to pass the interview…