SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Matt, a 40-something, brown-haired Brit, picked us up early from the Moxy Hotel. As we tried to piece together the scenario we were entering, we noticed each detail. He helped us with our bags and moved Eliot’s car seat over for Chloe. (Eliot is Matt’s and Lucy’s two-year old son.). The car was unpretentious and not perfectly clean. All good signs. As he drove the 20 minutes to his house and I asked questions, he seemed relaxed, easy going and kind.
Chloe and I were feeling both excited and anxious as we again entered into another family’s life. Doing these house/pet sits is an act of faith, and after Crawley and Madrid, we were a little nervous about what may lie ahead.
WELCOME TO MORNINGSIDE
Matt’s and Lucy’s typical Scottish house, with it’s pointed roof and mild-colored, stuccoed stone exterior, was surrounded by a fence and a small, disshevelled front garden. Only recently did they buy the house, and some parts, like the front garden, were not yet completed. A large, yellow van used on family camping trips was parked outside. Their curving street, like most streets, sits on a hill in the suburb of Morningside about 30 minutes from Edinburgh.
We were happy to see such a nice neighborhood and house, and even happier when we walked in, and were greeted by lovely, practical Lucy, bubbly, bright Eliot and an apprehensive, but totally adorable, Labradoodled, Duffy. While Eliot is the real centre of attention, Duffy is a close second. She is very much part of this family.
WELCOME TO DUFFY
Lucy quickly focused our attentions on Duffy, who either suspected we were going to change her life, or picked up on Lucy’s underlying anxiety, and growled. Not usually the way dogs respond to us! Lucy explained that Duffy doesn’t like to be petted on the head, and takes time warming up to new people.
Suddenly, it felt like we were being interviewed by a dog. Very unnerving. In fact, in many ways the entire day felt like a subtle interview. There is usually tension in the air on the first day of explanations and transitioning. Owners are under time pressure before they leave on big trips: the packing but also dealing with leaving their home, all their belongings and their beloved pet in the hands of strangers. With Matt and Lucy there was less a deluge of information and more a sense of surrepticious watchfulness.
Their house is painted in many colors, both bold and soft. Objects and family photos depict a full life attached to extended family and friends. Eliot’s toys are scattered over couches and across carpets. Comfortable couches are everywhere — in the kitchen and three in the living room, each strewn with blankets. A skylight and bright yellow paint lights up the stairway.
A vaulted glass eating area next to the open kitchen feels like it’s an extension of the recently renovated backyard. The kitchen is flooded with light, whether a sunny or cloudy day. Multi-coloured and mulit-patterned Spanish tiles add life behind the fine, light wood counter. The refrigerator is covered with photos, notes, and drawings by Eliot.
Lucy and Matt are engaged in the world around them, working to help improve the environment. In the center of the family is Eliot, who is dynamic, talkative, curious and giggly, and Duffy, just a bit older than Eliot, and like his big brother. Eye to eye, every now and then Duffy’s tail whacks Eliot in the face, but it doesn’t bother Eliot.
Lucy fixed an all-vegetable lunch of many dishes that was amazing. They have fresh vegetables and fruit delivered from a local, organic farm once a week.
THE WALK
Just behind the house is Braidburn Valley Park. We couldn’t believe it..so close and so beautiful. Duffy ran ahead on her own once we were on the path to the park. She is the most well trained dog I have ever encountered. She’s independent AND responsive. Eliot is also independent. No stroller, all on his own tiny legs. Matt threw the frisbee for Duffy and Duffy happily and energetically retrieved it through streams and down steep slopes. Eliot was in constant conversation/banter with his mother and father.
From Braidburn Valley Park, we walked through a bit of a residential section of Morningside village to reach the next park Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill , a wilder, forested park, also along a stream.
A small cafe sits at the entrance of Blackford Hill and we stopped for a scone and coffee . Duffy curled up at Lucy’s feet under the table. Eliot wandered outside, unattended, to talk to some people eating around a picnic table. I thought about different parenting styles and how environment effects them. How nice to live in such a safe place that your two-year old can experience such independence.
Lucy prepared another healthy, fresh meal for us for dinner. More vegetables with loads of thick, nutty bread.
Chloe and I slept downstairs the first night. The family, including Duffy, slept upstairs.
