My father used to talk about the Last Knockings, the final remaining items left to finish a project. We use the term for the final few items of preparation before going on holiday; turning off the electrics, cleaning out the chickens, mowing the lawn, emptying the fridge and so on.
This time the Last Knockings have lasted 2 1/2 years. Having originally booked this holiday in February 2020 to take place a few months later the world then intervened. By April 2020 the holiday had been postponed by a year, ‘it’ll all be over by then’ we’d optimistically thought.
As 2020 morphed into 2021 it became clear that whilst things were looking up in the UK the USA wasn’t going to play ball so the trip was moved to September, but the Americans still weren’t going to let us in so it shifted again until June 2022.
It’s very much a 2020’s thing but the Last Knockings now include countless tests and forms, and more forms and more tests, and masks to wear when completing the forms to apply for the tests, and of course the US’ contribution: our ‘attestation’ that we’ve worn the mask whilst completing the form and taken the test.
In the 2 1/2 years the Last Knockings have also included refurbishing two houses, selling another one, three house removals, selling a car, closing two companies and setting up a third, applying to do a degree, working on architectural projects in the UK and China, trimming countless hedges and mowing and mowing and mowing.
As Last Knockings lists go its fairly comprehensive but finally, finally we’ve crossed them all off, driven up that motorway, deposited the car and boarded a flight. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally here!
Liam, Greenport, Long Island, NY, USA, 7 June 2022