Seagull Cottage Chapter 3 - The old diary

Well, Cathrina and Alexander just spent their very first night at Seagull Cottage. They were tired from the journey and all the wallpapers, and slept pretty tight.

Alexander was even in a good mood after noticing an old cats calendar on the kitchen wall. Cathrina's dead great-auntie Gloria must have been a cat lover, too!

Cathrina: Ew, I didn't notice these kitchen walls last night!

Alexander: Ha, I knew you would have commented on them, sweet silly... let's eat, it will be a busy day! Emma Hydront's food supply doesn't seem as bad as I expected... By the way, didn't she look rather sick and pale? Her skin was almost green...

Alexander: So, cleaning up the place today? Or checking out the store in Old Town?

Cathrina: Why don't we do both? You can go shopping while I try to sort out where to start? We'll need several days to get this place clean. And we'll need plenty of remedies for the job.

Alexander: I'll walk down there. I think I saw the old part of town when we arrived the harbour yesterday. If it's just a 30 minutes walk we can just shop food for a couple days at the time.

Cathrina: Less to carry... Less food, more soap...

Alexander: Please check that all the windows can be opened while I'm gone. I'll need fresh air to walk into those tiny lodgers' rooms downstairs.

They both got dressed. Luckily the shower worked, including hot water. Then they stepped into the room next to the living room. They had of course been there last night, but the room didn't make much sense to them.

Cathrina: Those pillar tables, doesn't it look like some sort of an exhibition... like in a museum.

Alexander: Looks like someone did a good job tidying the room. Was Gloria a collector?

Cathrina: No idea, Alex. I don't think she fancied valuable stuff at all. She was kinda alternative. Her hubby might have been a collector, though. Those curtains are nice, maybe we can make use of them elsewhere...

Alexander left for Galucca's Old Town, and Cathrina peeked into all the rooms upstairs. The windows could easily be opened in all the 3 bedrooms. And in the little study, too. Then she got curious about all the books.

She didn't look for long, before she found something of interest. An old book full of handwriting.

Cathrina sat down, and opened the book. The writing was hard to read, but yes, it was definitely Gloria Moonster's diary!

"SimCity, day of departure. I've decided to accept Seagull Cottage, turning it into a bed and breakfast. My sister Esmia is not interested, and I will need to pay her."

Cathrina: Esmia Moonster, that's granny...!

"On my adult birthday, Ludwig and I broke up, what a terrible day! He didn't want to move to Galucca, but now I've decided to fulfill our dream on my own!"

Cathrina stared at the book. There was a little more text on the page, but not much of interest. So, maybe she could read one page every day? It could be a good way to get to know great-auntie. She put the book back onto the shelf, too high for Alex to see it.

It was a warm and sunny day, and Cathrina walked outside. The road ends here at Seagull Cottage, but Moon Trail continues up the hills, and several households reside up there, not yet discovered by the two newcomers. Looks like someone has discovered the newcomers though... Cathrina wanted to see where the seagulls hatch. Down there over a few smaller islands, she saw many birds sailing on the sky, was it their main territory?

Suddenly she heard sounds from the house. But Alex hadn't returned yet, had he? Had Emma stopped by with the key? Cathrina walked back into the garden, but she stopped far from the house. Wasn't something moving behind one of the right side windows? Or was she just imagining it? Then it started to rain!

Alexander: Cathy! You were not supposed to work in the garden! I found the store. Then the rain came! And they said a thunderstorm is underway!

Cathrina: Shhh... something moved...!

They both stopped, as she pointed at the window all to the right.

Cathrina: I saw the curtain move!

Alexander: But that's the blue room! It's locked off!

A little later they were indoor, dry and warm while the rain was pouring down outside. They had not seen any more movements in the window, and when they walked into the lodgers' corridor, and listened by the blue room door, they heard nothing.

Alexander: It was the wind, sweet silly! Finding its way through a crack in the old wall. Old houses like this is full of cracks waiting to be repaired, I told you!

Cathrina: Could have been, but it's not a windy day...

Alexander: The air always moves during heavy rain, sweet silly. Let's get on with the cleaning! Afterwards I'll prepare us some good dinner. I even bought a bottle of good nectar!

Cathrina: Oh, could we afford that?

Alexander: Not really. But I think we'll deserve it!

Seagull Cottage Chapter 2: Arriving Galucca

(Please keep in mind that this story takes place in Galucca, the town I developed over 200 years in a separate blog. See top menu for more info on the Galucca project.)

One week ago, Cathrina and Alexander Wooblershield decided to give it a go! Cathrina had inherited Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast after her great-aunt Gloria Moonster, and the young couple were now heading for Town of Galucca. They both had made arrangements with their part time jobs in Bridgeport, to have one week off. Will seven days be enough to decide whether they should stay or not?

When they arrived Galucca, a woman named Emma Hydront picked them up on the harbour. After some quick, formal hand shaking, they got seated in her car, and drove off.

Emma Hydront: I'm sure you will like Seagull Cottage! It was Gloria's life work, and still is!

Cathrina: Was it left empty for long?

Alex: Are you sure you know the address? We left town!

Emma: Of course I know the address! I know this area like my own... area! And no, Seagull Cottage was never left empty! Never!

Cathrina: Oh... okay...

They turned right, then left, and drove up the steep road, and there the dusty road ended, next to the orange brick stone house. Cathrina gazed at the weird building.

Cathrina: Oh... this is it?

Emma: Sure thing! Best bed & breakfast in the entire Town of Galucca!

Alex: Oh... out here in no man's land?

Emma: It's not very far off, this is 4 Moon Trail, I'll give you a quick tour of the place!

Emma: You will love it! This place used to be packed, and still would have been, if it wasn't for Gloria's death. The lady turned 107 years old! Did you know? This is more than a life's work!

Cathrina: Ah, the entrance looks nice...

Alex: Look, there IS a garden, Cathy!

Emma: The garden of the Black Rose... sigh. Well, you can inspect it later. Come!

They walked inside, met by bright purple walls and faded window frames. The room was filled with old smells, and it felt like the much needed fresh breeze from the open door was about to cut through whatever was sealed in there.

Emma: Welcome to Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast! And please close the door!

Cathrina: Oh, geez... I think I need my sunglasses...

Emma: What?

Cathrina: Nothing... tell me, is this a public hangout spot, like a countryside bar?

Emma: Oh yes, this place was packed! This is where Gloria served her lodgers, and quite a few locals would stop by, too. I tried to tidy up a bit for you, but it needs some more cleaning. I trashed the old coffee machine, it was broken and practically produced tea for the last ten years.

Alex: Shouldn't we bring our luggage inside?

They carried all the trunks inside. Cathrina had packed a little more than she needed for just one week. She was determined to stay, but judging from what she had seen so far, she had no clue why she felt this could be a once in a lifetime chance.

Emma: Opening hours used to be from 2 PM to 11 PM, five days a week! Normally closed on nights with a full moon.

Alex: Uhm, why?

Emma: Oh, this area... Moon Trail residents needed no watering hole on those nights. Things have changed, though. History won't repeat!

Cathrina: History?

Emma: Eh... you know! Let me show you the rooms that your guests will rent!

They walked through the double door, into a short corridor leading to the four guest rooms, then into a room containing a bed, table, chair and a desk.

Emma: This is the red room! Can you feel the energy! Each of the four rooms have their own colour, that was Gloria's idea! The Blue room is still locked off, I'll stop by some day with the keys, I'm sure I got them but I just couldn't find them before going to pick you up. Gloria's last guest died in there, I think the room was locked off ever since.

Alex: Cathy... psst... Cathy...

Cathrina: That's fine, we won't open for lodgers during the first week anyway.

Alex: I need some fresh air! And so does this room!

Emma: Not so quick, young man! I'll show you upstairs, and then I'll be off and you can check the garden for the rest of the day if you like!

So, they walked upstairs to the private section, into a rather big, but not too cozy, livingroom. Cathrina couldn't really see herself living there, but maybe a few upgrades would make a great impact...

Emma: The private section covers the entire story. Gloria slept in the red room downstairs for the last years because of the stairs. But in the earlier days, she lived up here when she wasn't busy with her guests... and her hubby, well I never really met him.

Cathrina: I think this house looks more like a town house than a cottage. So why is it called Seagull Cottage?

Emma: You will find out, soon enough! But the house itself was much smaller in the early days. Then the bar was added, and of course this part of the private story. Listen, I put a little food in Gloria's fridge... your fridge, just enough for your first day. The nearest grocery store is in Old Town, just ask your way. It's only a good 30 minutes walk...

Alex: Hey, a study with lots of books!

Emma: Oh yes, Gloria read a lot when she found time. I think.


Then Emma left Seagull Cottage, and Cathrina and Alex walked outside to inspect the garden.

Cathrina: Oh! Alex, look! The garden is wonderful!

Alex: Oh, it looks pretty much neglected to me! It's even hard to see its potential.

Cathrina: Look, a flying seagull, did we scare it up?

Alex: And there's another seagull on the path in front of you, it looks dead...

Cathrina bent down to check on the bird, then it jumped and flew over to a corner of the garden.

Cathrina: The garden is perfect, Alex! I mean, it will be perfect!

Alex: You mean after you spent weeks working on it?

Cathrina: I spend weeks? WE spend weeks, Alex, you will be part of it all!

Alex: Shouldn't we tidy and clean indoors first, sweet silly? It would be wasted to upgrade this garden if we decide to return to Bridgeport in a week, don't you think?

Alex: I really think you should have asked for Emma Hydront's phone number. Did she say when she will be back?

Cathrina: Nope. She seemed a bit confused, I won't be surprised if she needs a few days to find those keys. In the meantime we can get familiar with Seagull Cottage. We'll go grocery shopping tomorrow, checking out the neighbours... We'll need to clean, doing just a little gardening...

Alex: No gardening until we have decided to stay, okay?

Cathrina: Okay. Ah, can you hear those seagulls?

Alex: Sure! Who can not? I don't think I can sleep in this room!

Cathrina: Yeah... even with the lights turned off, I won't be able to forget these wall patterns.

Seagull Cottage - Chapter 1 Introduction

New story packed with mysteries and local history! This is the run-up to one of two long term legacies. Follow from the very start if you like a different The Sims 4 read!

Bridgeport, 1 week ago

Cathrina and Alexander Wooblershield, both young adults and recently wed - yes, to each other - rented a tiny flat in a dusty quarter of the city. They had chosen to rent instead of buying, because they wanted to spend a couple years working and saving up funds, before buying their own real home. It was only a year since they married, but their relation already had its ups and downs. They both figured they could live with it as long as the downs didn't involve jealousy. Whenever they made some grand money, everything should become much easier!

This morning they ate breakfast together. Alexander had a few days off the gas station, and Cathrina would not work at the Golden Frog's Diner until 5 PM.

Cathrina: Oh my... there's a letter for ME from a Lawyer!

Alex: What? That sounds pretty serious?

Cathrina: Wait... uhm... yes... wait... WAIT... I mean... OH! Great-Aunt Gloria... dead... It says I've inherited some sort of a HOTEL!

Alex: What?

Cathrina: Gloria Moonster! She was mom's aunt, I met her only once when I was a child. She had no kids, and because mom is dead, and mom's only brother, Donald, died about 10 years ago, and uncle Donald's son just died... oh, my, sounds like they all just died, really?

Alex: And you get her hotel? I can't believe it, let me see the letter!

Cathrina: Alex, I'm the only relative still alive!

Alex: It's not a hotel, sweet silly! It says Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast. That's not a hotel, but just a house with a few extra rooms for guests... Now, let's go for a walk, we need some fresh city air...

Cathrina: It's still a great something! It could be our once in a lifetime chance, Alex! Should we move there?

Alex: Why? You could just sell it, and we could probably buy whatever city flat we want here in Bridgeport!

Cathrina: I want to go there! We should at least check it out - Seagull Cottage sounds nice, I think!

Alex: It's probably some old ruin that we couldn't afford fixing... besides, I like it here in the city. Galucca... sounds creepy!

Cathrina: I've never been there, but I'm pretty sure granny and Gloria were raised there, and that it's a rather big town. They probably have gas stations, too, if you mind...

Alex: Our friends, sweet silly! Wouldn't you miss our friends? We wouldn't know anyone in Galucca.

Cathrina: Oh, my! I want to go, Alex. Please, just for the weekend! Our flat is only paid for this month, and we know we might need to move out when the Landlord's son returns from SimCity, anyway!

Alex: I don't think we would do well hosting a Bed & Breakfast... you know I don't like sudden changes like this.

Cathrina: Neither do I. I just have this feeling that this is our chance. We might have a garden there, too! Don't cottages normally come with a garden? And you could finally have the cat you talked about since we met!

Alex: What do you know about your great-aunt Gloria Moonster?

Cathrina: Not much. When mom died we had not heard from Gloria in a long, long time. And she didn't attend mom's funeral. She probably was sick and lonely in the end, she died at 107! I think she used to be married, though. There might even have been a son or daughter, too, but it seems unlikely now that I'm getting her Seagull Cottage...

Alex: Sweet silly, I know you are dead serious. Sometimes you just get too ambitious, too quickly. But well, I don't see why we can't go there. If it doesn't work out, at least we gave it a try!

Cathrina: Aw, Alex!

Cathrina: Being the only alive relative makes me feel guilty for not having kids yet. How about you, Alex?

Alex: Mmmm... but you are supposed to be at work in 30 minutes. You better get going.

Cathrina: Sure, I'm off, and I'll ask them for a week off. Anyway, suitcases brought down from the attic, we'll start packing tomorrow! For once it's good we don't own the entire world!

Alex: Shouldn't we invite our friends for a goodbye burger at the Golden Frog?

Cathrina: Nope. It would only give us second thoughts. And, if we decide to run the hotel... uhm, bed & breakfast, we'll rather invite everyone for a party at our own Seagull Cottage!

Alex: Galucca, here we come!

(to be continued in one week)

Bimbo NL - Simmerville's webmistress of the past

Among tons of sims, from all 3 The Sims series, one character was my clear favourite for a long time; Bimbo NL. She was the webmaster of my Simmerville website covering the development and gossips of my main games - both in The Sims 1 and 2.

Her full name was Bimbi O'Brian, and I recall she originated from a made up hood called Rosewood. She moved to my TS1 Simmerville hood, together with a high school friend, Jim Loveless. He was just a bi character though, as Bimbi NL grabbed all the spotlight :)

Bimbo NL was concerned with the Simmerville website (although it was actually Jim that initiated it). She covered local politics as well as more glitzy stuff. She even investigated, and from the top of my head I recall a top secret military operation, involving aliens, where Bimbo went a bit too far to get the scoop she wanted.

Well, here is Bimbo NL's personal TS1 diary! Note there are a total of 3 pages covering 2004, 2003 and 2002 (linked on bottom line).

Anyone following my Simmerville site back then, might recall the ambitious project where my TS1 hood prepared themselves to move into TS2 - the return of a lost demention. Bimbo NL was probably the only TS1 sim who was allowed to visit the new TS2, with the generous help from EA's very own Lucy Bradshaw. Bimbo NL was simply recreated in the new CAS, then sent to EA Games who returned a few pictures :)
Bimbo NL was of course wearing a tank top with the "logo" of Simmerville website - those 4 yellow dots.... Here's the article including those early TS2 pictures.

Oh, I just discovered that Bimbo NL (and a few other sims from several hoods out there) wrote a transformation diary, supposed to cover her first 5 days in the new TS2 place. How cool is that! I had forgotten all about that!

So how did life handle Bimbo NL in the new TS2 hood? She did rather well, she married (hm, did they ever marry?) and had to kids. She was 52 when marrying Simbille Ballong. She quit the webmistress job, and bought Café Cornell. At 55 she wrote this in her diary:

"I attended the annual Golden Star Awards, and guess what! Simmerville won the community website award again, and I was given the surprise lifetime achievement award, including a Dame title from the King of Simborough! My friend Anthony Troy must have put in a good word I think, lol, cool!"

So she was Dame Bimbi O'Brian Ballong :)  Check out her TS2 diary, with more pictures!

Well, I knew Bimbo NL through many years of simming, so when she passed I was pretty sad, no wonder. I found this posted on my TS2 Simmerville's 45th year:

"Bimbi "Bimbo NL"(O'Brian) Ballong (75)
Simmerville's coolest websimtress ever, Bimbo NL, died today, while drinking her daily espresso. Also known for several bestselling books and for owning local Club Cornell. Married twice. Leaves husband Simbille Ballong and their teen son Simerin, and her adult daughter Claira O'Brian from first marriage with Joe Carr. Bimbi Ballong reached status of platinum and will be found at the Cemetary d'Honour. R.I.P."

 You do get attached to those sims, don't you?