We’ve got our new kitchen mostly installed - one work surface is missing until we get a cooker, then it will be made to fit round the new cooker. Until that time, we’re working with the old bits balanced on the new units.

The fitter has only fitted the cabinets, he’s left us to fit our own plumbing back in. We set off to buy a new tap and the other fittings we needed this morning and I thought DM had the whole situation under control. It was only when we were standing in the DIY shop that I discovered he was filled with trepidation from undertaking a bigger plumbing job than he’d ever done before. Because I thought he’d got it sussed, I hadn’t even looked at it.

So, I ended up trying to sort out what we needed and deliberately bought more than I thought we’d need of copper pipe, brass compression fittings, flexible tap connecters, waste pipe etc. We arrived home and were sitting thinking about how to go about the job when Iain, our neighbour popped his head round the door and offered his help. Phew - that got me off the hook! Iain and DM spent an hour or so sorting out what we’d got, what we still needed and then Iain popped home and brought back most of the stuff we needed - his garage is a treasure chest of goodies.

Once the plan had been put in place, David got his confidence back and I resumed my job as ‘navvy’ - I carted away all of the old debris to the dump, shopped for the remaining missing bit and for food at our local farm shop then came home to find the work well underway. While I was out and about, I was listening to the commentary of the first premiership games of the season. As I left, DM knocked on the car window and announced we’d scored our first goal, then while I was travelling around, we scored our second, to win our first away game in the last eleven, not to mention starting this year’s campaign with a clean sheet and three points...cool.

This sort of job really stresses me out so I’m very glad David rose to the challenge. Until we met, all of this stuff was tackled either by me, or if I was totally daunted, then I asked my Dad for help. Sometimes, I’d get my Dad over and ask him to supervise me and keep his eye on me. On other occasions, I’d just ask him to do it. Somehow when your Dad is in control, it always feels as though it’ll be all right. If I’d been under that sink all day I think I’d have gone stir crazy so I am eternally grateful that my love is such a practical person.

I was newly in love with my new 'things' last year.....and before that, I didn't realise just what would happen - DMs house was sold and we bought this wonderful place with the proceeds...