What are you all up to
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We also had MIL here to keep an eye on things when we were away, but since 2001 we have just had to lock up and leave.
While DD was still at school we were usually only away 3+2+1 weeks, but once I retired in 2007 we were away for up to 4 months in one stretch. DD lives not far away, so comes to water plants, open mail, and check freezer has not conked out etc. We do the same for her when necessary.
These days we are only away a max of 6 weeks at a time, we just make sure the neighbours know we are away and say to them to use our driveway if they wish. They also take in any bins we have put out.
We have good door locks, locks on all windows, and good insurance, not much more we can do. The front of the house is very open to the street, so easy to see anything untoward going on, the back garden is well fenced in.
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All these security concerns underline the reasons why we shouldn’t post personal information on an open forum.👍🏻
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Talking of security concerns, I received a new card through the post and activated it online but when I tried to use it it was declined. So I rang up to find out why and I found out that you can't use it contactless straight after activation and that the first time it has to be by pin number, fair enough my fault and a good security feature when you think about it.
But one of the security questions was, after giving my date of birth mind, what was my star sign! I actually couldn't help myself and laughed out loud and asked if this was a real security question? He said yes, I replied saying I have no interest in astrology and have no idea (untrue but wanted to see where this would lead) but also stated that it is useless as a security question as all you have to do if you knew the date of birth was look up the star sign on the internet and that these questions should find out only things I should know? He seemed to accept that as there were no more questions.
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I love these areas of Cornwall, the mining history is all around. Mostly off the tourist route too. Did you get up onto Carn Brea?
We didn't bother this time, brue, as it was spitting rain when we were close by, and we have been up there in the past. Then we got rather wet when we wandered round Wheal Peevor later, enough so that we didn't bother going to the outlying buildings. More mines today too.😁
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Hope that your cold soon clears up, tda. Take care....perhaps a two hour session on the upstairs bike will drive it away.😀
We hope to be heading over to both the Levant and Botallack mining area next week, weather permitting.
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I wonder what he would do with me as I fall on a cusp. Somedays I'm one and other days I'm t'other.
Now why doesn't that surprise me.
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Well that's another year past, roll on the next one.😎
After yesterday's rain we had a fine sunny day today, ideal for walking. We visited another Cornish mine, Tywarnhayle at Porthtowan,; had a stroll around the headland by Wheal Charlotte at Towan Cross above Chapel Porth, and then walked up to St Agnes Beacon from the road passed the CC site.
Late this afternoon we received a phone call from our doctor's offering us both a flu jab. Good of them to chase us up, and they were quite happy that we had arranged it elsewhere, so will inform them when they get done, for their records.
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🦛 🦅 🐑 🐑 Nellie! 😁
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Very wet here right now. It did start sunny but went rapidly downhill just after OH went out shopping, so she was rather wet when she got back! And she did not venture to Lidl due to the rain, so I will need to go over there for milk and a few other things soon.
She did however find Asda well stocked, and no fuel shortage. Morrisons also seem to have plenty of fuel. I do not think there are as many problems with deliveries up here as down south.
Yesterday we had a visit from the guys who we hope will be coming to renovate our en-suite, so now we are awaiting the bad news of how much it will cost. They will start on the 18th if we agree a price.
On Monday we have our gas boiler man coming to discuss fitting a new boiler, so that will be another shock to the bank account!
Also coming up this month is the Smart car service and MOT, insurance renewals for both cars, and pigeon proofing of our solar panels, not to mention visits to the dentist for both of us.
It's not long now till Christmas either!
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Good to catch up with posts. That's cos it's tipping it down here and I need some chill time!
Whoever was discussing moving my advice is don't even think about it if you want to remain sane.......
Drove one and half hours to view one Wednesday, never been so disappointed. Shame photos don't show how unloved everywhere was. My shed has less cobwebs and mess 😱😱😱 Top dollar price, garden in need of more tlc. Good project for someone with more energy than we have these days, but not at that price. It was the price that made me think it would be OK. Agent, first one we'd seen with them, asked what we thought so he could gauge our requirements. Gave it to him straight, don't think he was shocked by our comments - double glazing windows blown in 4 windows too, ashes in the fireplace, wax dripped all over the hearth, drips of years old paint on the floor, bodged filling in where ceiling light fitting changed, reckon our 6 month old grandson involved! and that's what we could see ...... but maybe he was shocked at the starting number I would I thought it could attract at least 150k less! Glad we got to have a family visit, was day our son had off to mind our grandson whilst mum having her hair done, so got to see them all. Define bonus.
Thursday learnt of 3 new properties listed after our Wednesday visit! Only 2 suitable, booked viewings for Friday. Offered on one, fingers crossed, but other sold, over the asking price, to the 1st people to view just leaving as we arrived 😱 so not able to view. But agent, again new to us, said he'd let us know if it fell through. Said we'd driven one and half hours for nothing, a little white lie, could we see inside so if it didn't go through we'd be able to say yay or nay without need to re do the journey? No chance. I sort of get it, I'd not want any viewings after I'd had offer excepted but not impressed as we couldn't have got there any sooner. Its all a bit mad.
Another glimpse of and lunch with the family who were coming down to us on Saturday. DIL, son and grandson felt they had cold coming, you could see grandson was heavy eyed and not like he was Wednesday 🥲. Feast or famine it seems, we are up there for a few days next week for christening anyway. More viewings??? I doubt we'd be that lucky!
Son had dentist so he came but texted before he left saying only him as they'd had a bad night and colds developed. Sent DIL dinner back with him as 'warm ups'. He left earlier than he intended as he began to feel worse, and weather awful . Let's hope we can avoid it! He's home now, rain heavier there but no gales - yet, not a nice drive.
Meanwhile dog's eyes very looked sore and discharging so vets today, tried to book for last evening when we were safely back nearer home, would have taken her Friday if we weren't house hunting. She didn't like me bathing them. Vet thinks allergy and tests if we want, well see how it goes, she's been in long grass again...... So drops and Piriton.
Back to the house hunting, we put an offer in June, accepted, surveyed, removers quoted etc, she lost hers within a week of our survey. Shes's till not found anything else........... so I fear that's dead money as she's looking in a very large area unlike us.
Sanity, sleep what's that's? Stress and panic is so easy to get........
Ours is now sold STC so no pressure....... They're keeping their house so nice short chain and no hurry, they live in the area. I keep telling myself if it doesn't happen its not the right place etc sometimes I think we'll give up. However, we'll stick in there for now and regain sanity etc at some stage. And that's all before the actual move and getting straight! No wonder we haven't moved in 36 years...
Enjoy yourselves folks.
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Goodness me, B2, that sounds very stressful!
Buying/selling up here seems to be a little easier as things are "set in stone" somewhat earlier, but still not stress free.
We have a rather large house, 5 of us originally, with a full granny flat which can be part of the main house, as MIL was with us here from 1988 till she died in 2001. After she died, we did briefly consider moving as there was then only us and our daughter here, but we decided to stay as this is a house designed and built by/for us, and we love it.
DD pretty much moved out in 2004, but still had a lot of her stuff here, only now, since 2019, she has a big place of her own are we able to offload a pile of stuff. We take stuff to her every so often to give her time to find somewhere to put it!
DS has now asked for some of his Gran's stuff, and even some of ours, crystal glasses etc, so we are very slowly clearing the cupboards.
We are lucky that DD is only a few miles away, DS is about 35/40 minutes driving, so we do not feel the need to move closer to either of them........yet.
I do hope you can get it all sorted out soon.
The thought of having to pack up everything, and get rid of a load of stuff as we would be downsizing, has totally put us off moving. Plus, of course, where would we keep our caravan?
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I don't think I could face moving!!! We have lived here for 42 years. No current reason to move elsewhere. We like MK although neither of us come from this part of the country, me the South Coast and Margaret the North East. If we ever did move it would have to be a new build as I don't think I could face putting things right that others have done. We have also invested a lot of money in the house in recent years so would hate to have to go through all that again. I can perhaps understand if people want to be closer to family, especially children. We are lucky in that respect as both live fairly nearby. I was reading on the BBC a few days ago about house prices and it seems they are not growing in the London area but have gone through the roof in many other areas of the UK as people seek the countryside.
David
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We have a home which suits us but a large garden that might be a challenge in the future so in the back of our minds we know that we might have to be practical and move at some point.
A sleepless night for many locals here last night, full scale maize cutting into the early hours, just before the torrential rain hit. OH had an early dental appointment and then we attended a memorial service. By then the rain had reached biblical proportions, we got soaked getting there and had seats in a marquee extension watching rain pouring in through the gaps. The drains made a strange gurgling noise throughout as though someone had a very upset stomach!!
Got back home. Daughter had asked musician friends to play at the studio event, it would have been lovely on a dry day! Anyway we managed to pack Sharon Martin and cellist friend Gerri into the little building. Sharon is a singer/song writer and plays folksy type music on violin etc. She can be heard under the title "Sharon Lazybyrd" playing with Tom Chapman.
One more day to go, it's been good but I'll be glad to get back to every day routines.
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We have shared your biblical rain today Brue. Non stop, all day. Mind you your day sounded much worse than ours.
Up early to take Mrs WN for her flu jab. She wasn't too impressed with the surgery doctor who applied the needle as he didn't even ask her name. Good job she told him as she was leaving. Maybe it was the early hour.
We're still of a mind to get away to the cottage and hope the situation with fuel calms down a little this week.
You're making a very good case for staying put Bakers. Best wishes.
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You, and tda, are correct, but no cake, scones, jam and clotted cream instead.😍
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Sorry to read of all your trials and tribulations, B2. Hope you soon get a house that is to your liking and the sale goes through.
We too have had heavy rain for most of the day. Fortunately it has not been windy till this evening so we managed to get in three walks from the site without getting too wet. Had hoped to go to Hollywell beach but that will have to wait till our next visit down to this part of Cornwall, as we moved across to the other coast tomorrow. We seem to by unlucky when staying here as during our last visit we had arranged to meet up with friends for a walk and lunch but very strong winds and heavy rain put pay to that 3 yrs ago.
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Belated happy birthday Nellie. We have never had a lucky time in Cornwall, and I won't contemplate visiting again, been 14 years since we last went.
Sorry if my last post frightens folks, but I do hope it makes you think and consider your positions! We thought we'd go out of this house feet first, but life changes etc. No desire to live on top of the children, we gave them wings - as my OH said in his speech when our daughter married and watched them fly. In her case further than we'd expected - gave up a place at Canterbury uni as too far from home 🤣🤣🤣 couldn't be further unless she went go Antarctica! However health matters and Coivid meant that we had to re-evaluate and our DIL can't wait for us to be nearer. Son may feel the same but wouldn't express it I suspect. Although just before he left we had a delivery which was due Monday apparently - a really posh hamper from a supplier to the Queen 👸 from him as appreciation of his mum and dad 👨👩👧. That caused a tear but nice to thank him in person, so I guess it'll be OK when it's sorted.
It's hard now when I can do things and guide OH how much harder would it be if we are older and not as able? I hate muddles and knowing even if it goes smoothly into something that's turn-key ready, I'm looking at a minimum of 6 months to be straight when we get in 😱. On the other hand I'm looking forward to a new adventure and making a home, and being able to take an active grandparent role in our grandson's life who knows if they'll be another! But sad I can't welcome kiwi granddaughters into the house their mum grew up in - if we make it out before they do their OE 🤞. Well when I'm upbeat!
KjellNN the Scottish system is similar to the kiwi system, once you make an unconditional offer you're tied in. So far we've got nowhere near that. Back in June I thought we could move quite quickly and smoothly without doing an out and in all at once, just how wrong can you be??
As he says in the best marigold Hotel it will be alright in the end, if it isn't alright it isn't the end. Or words similar 🤣
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We also have a fairly large garden, but I think not as large as yours, but ours is on a steep slope with 4 terraced areas and multiple retaining walls.
It pretty much looks after itself, and we have a lovely gardener who sprays the weeds and cuts down what we ask him to cut. We are waiting for him to come and remove a rather large, but very attractive, conifer in the front garden, OH is heartbroken, but it is just too large now, after 30+ years.
The front garden we can pretty much deal with, but the back, being on a steep slope, is more of a problem.
We really cannot face moving either, plus I have my woodturning and woodworking hobbies, which cannot be accommodated in a modern flat. Very little space for anything in these modern properties, let alone space for hobbies!
Our son keeps nagging us to "clear the loft" and "clear the garage", our daughter is more sympathetic and sensible, and even willing to assist with the task, so we will be starting on the garage in 2-3 weeks.
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Flus jab this morning at Docs 0900 to 1100 for our first letter of surname ,left home at 0830 OH told to not move until i returned , ,got to village at 0840 there was a big queue
but was still home by 0855 ,Buggy we were hoping for at Peterborough sold out of yesterday (good job i checked)
but local mobility shop had just had some in not open Sat/Sun got there with hour before closing ,OH tried one out (much better as has spring suspension and proper pump up tyres) got home ter store closed to find it had not got a batt charger, phoned their other store in Harrow ,as open on Sats, and they sent one of staff to us with a charger in a Black Cab (thats service) 0 -
Wow JVB that is service. I'm finding service with some places is a step too far. Customer isn't king these days! I hope this buggy will be 'the one'
KjellNN it isn't only new build that is space limited they've been cutting back for years! I wish they'd stuck to Parker Morris guidelines. Roads and garages are narrower too!
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Daughter in laws granddaughter, Mila age just over 3, has started nursery school and it seems not too keen. She is as bright as a button and seemingly quite savvy for someone so young. As a way of getting out of school she told the teacher that she had to go home for a COVID test!!! Out of the mouths of babes!!
David
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That is a bit of a myth B2, you are not actually committed until the missives are concluded, something similar to exchange in England, but this does tend to happen much quicker up here than in England. 4 weeks, or less, from offer to a binding contract is not unusual.
The situation you are in, having had an offer accepted but the seller not wishing to exchange contracts as she has nowhere to go, would be rare up here.
The entry date (your completion) is part of the contract, and is usually many weeks later, but is agreed between the purchaser and seller. So you know where you are quite early on in the whole process and can plan ahead.
Chains are not so common, and this "everyone moving out/in on the same day" is also uncommon. Generally speaking it is a much more relaxed process up here.
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We had a good day yesterday at a family christening it was nice to catch up with all the family again after quite a while. Just shopping today for a few essentials weather here isn’t great today yesterday was the same it has rained most of the weekend.
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After yesterday's VERY soggy day it's beautiful, although as I type the sun has gone behind a cloud - they are building a bit now. Was a grey chilly start, but I've got 2 lines of washing dried. Now going to Potter a bit before remaking the bed and preparing a roast.
NZ are not managing to keep a lid on new Covid cases in the last 7 weeks. The city our daughter lives in has a case, opposite side of town from them, and another near Raglan - your family way I believe brue? Level 3 for them from midnight Sunday. Daughter has escaped Taupo on a booked break, hoping they can return home next Friday. From the 1 delta case 7 weeks ago when they shut down they are now into 1200's with Auckland only recently down a lockdown level. Mind you they can link the cases so that's a bonus 🤞
Having had 2 trips, I managed to get petrol after the 1st to indulge in the 2nd, and retain enough to travel for grandson's christening. I popped to out for a couple of bits in the car and to give the dog a good run in a very safe space. Hadn't topped up on our return from 2nd trip. Called in at Tesco, no queue, straight to a free pump, topped up to full again, £40, and noted both petrol only the one blend E10 despite pricing and pump labelled E5, both pumps £1.40 per litre 😱, and diesel available at every one of the 12 pumps. Papers still saying shortage in tge South and Southeast!
KjellNN yes much like the kiwi system. Why is England's slow? Out of interest how do you get on if not everyone moves on the same day? I'm likening our system to hermit crabs, never thought about the similarities before 😱🤣
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I think it would very much depend on your circumstances, B2.
We have only moved twice, first time we moved out about a week before we got the next house as we had the in laws to stay with, and stored our furniture for 3 weeks while we painted and carpeted, I think that is quite common if you have family who can take you in. Second time we were having a house built so rented for a year to release the funds for the build, so we are not typical.
Last time our son moved, they had a two week overlap when they had 2 houses as they wanted time to decorate the children's rooms and fit some new carpets, and time to clean the old place once all the furniture was out, they got a small bridging loan.
When our daughter moved to her present house, they had 2 houses for almost 4 months, and borrowed the extra from our son as he had enough funds available in his offset mortgage to cover the deposit, and the bank allowed them to have 2 mortgages for up to 6 months. In their case, they did not need to move, only wanted to move school catchment areas, so could not risk selling before they had found a new place. They did not however think it would take so long to sell the old house!
Some friends of ours sold their house and went into rented till they found what they wanted, that took a year, then they had another 6 months renovating the new place.
The usual approach in a buoyant market is to find a new place and negotiate a long entry date, which gives you plenty of time to sell the current property. You could of course risk needing additional finance, but that is up to you to sort, you would not be prevented from making an offer just because you still have a house to sell.
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End of open studios...sorry if I've bored people with two weeks of similar news but it's been a success and was worth all the effort, daughter is happy but very tired. Mum and Dad left with the clearing up today!
A thirty year old female who lived near our other daughter has died from Covid but our strapping great middle grandson, in his twenties is still refusing to get vacinated, so we don't have success in every quarter.
KJ we never found house sales any easier in Scotland than we did in England! In fact I think nearly all house sales contain bear traps along the line....sorry B2...but in the end they seem to work out and you live to tell the tale.
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