what goes on tour...

It is a surreal experience leaving one's house through a queue of people waiting to get in, all the way down the path, down the steps, and along in front of the garage.

Such was my experience this morning as I left home.

I confess to feeling more than a little nervous, & quite sick, as I realised just how many people (1200) have bought tickets to the NZ House & Garden charity tour today.

I spent yesterday cleaning. 

By 4 o'clock, I had completed only 2 rooms - the girls.

Brunnel told me I was perhaps overdoing things, and that I should get a grip, get real, and not strive for perfection.

I retaliated by thanking him for his support, assured him things were far, far from perfect, and that his girls lived in a pig sty.

Milly's room revealed all sorts of hidden treasures, including my long-lost pair of sunglasses, and a favourite necklace, along with many better left unmentioned finds.

Eva had money hidden all over hers in little secret places.

By 11 o'clock last night, as I was picking dahlias in the dark with a torch, I decided that perhaps enough was enough - discovering they were half-dead once I could see them in the light only served to show how futile things were, and maybe it was time for bed.

I added 'check dahlias' to my list for this morning!

It is meant to be a house AND garden tour, but in my case, I hope the garden will be overlooked.

The dahlias are looking really sick. I had just enough to pick for inside.

This morning the family were under strict instructions as to what they could and couldn't touch.

Brunnel was sitting bolt upright on the only chair he was allowed near, and Eva was asking which toilet she was allowed to use.

Even the dog was up early and his bed put away before he could think about returning to it.

I'm sure, more than anything else, my family will be relieved when they return home tonight.

Their mother might not be quite so anxious and getting up and down to move something, dust something, remove something (dog poos at the 11th hour this morning).

As I said to the team assigned to our house, more than anything else, I hope people will understand that this is a family home, and therefore a lot of living goes on here.

And like all family homes should, our home is filled with things we love and enjoy.

Like it or loathe it, it's about us, and although I hope those viewing it today like it too, actually, all that counts is how much we love it.

And we do!

Amanda xx

P.S The only other thing I removed from view - our wedding photo, despite the fact that it was taken so long ago Brunnel & I are practically unrecognisable!

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