This is the southerly view from my new nest, where the River Liffey meets the River Dodder at Grand Canal Docks in Dublin. In this direction there are historic bridges, and in the other, a bustling port. There is a rhythm to the day, with low tides morning and night that reveal sandy (a romantic view) or mucky bottoms. I expected the sea birds, but the swans that visit daily were a surprise.
All the furniture basics were here waiting for us, but beyond that we are starting from scratch. What do you need on the very first day? Some sheets and pillows, for sure. A bowl and spoon for middle of the night cereal cravings, some cereal too. A towel by the next day, or the day after that at the latest.
Make no mistake, we didn’t arrive empty handed. We have clothes (maybe too many, we’ll see), I have art material, we have journals to fill, and of course our electronics.
I would say it feels like being a newlywed, but I wed in my mid-thirties, so we certainly had the basics.
This situation sparks a lot of questions. It it a virtue to live with as little as possible? Can a color lover like me, used to living surrounded by my own handmade curtains, quilts, paintings live happily with perfectly nice neutral furnishing and bare walls? How clean should we leave this clean slate?
I suppose there is a return on investment answer to that question, depending on how long this stay turns out to be. Then again, isn’t that always true?