What are you all up to
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Well I woke up at about 2.50 this morning and finally got back to sleep nearly 2 hours later but still managed 7 hours sleep in total. It's awkward as my wife's sleep pattern and mine are out of sync. I tend to fall asleep earlier and wake earlier. Mrs WN is usually an hour or so later in both instances. I have often woke up alone as she has disappeared to the spare bed. Bit difficult in the caravan though!😂
We eventually got back into normality by food shopping this morning. The day is a bit brassic out there. Still chasing and waiting for a reply from the hotel in France. Have just sent another stronger letter threatening legal action so hope that shifts someone.
Has anyone heard how Pliers mothers doing? I haven't kept up with all the news whilst away in France.
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Strange. I also woke around 3am and couldn't get off again. Did have a bit over an hour this afternoon to make up though. There has been a bit in the press of recent times about the nation's sleep patterns.
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Yes! The morning closures are not helpful to us either. Main reason we opted to use our own.
I was a tad sceptical about the quality of sleep information given by my little Fitbit, but have to say it’s impressed me. I do find that being physically active helps me immensely as well.
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Coo, that’s not good really. I am always in 80-90’s. We often get out of sync at Xmas time, with film watching and in normal times a bit of partying, but I aim to try and go to bed at a fairly regular time, and get up within a half hour window, certainly after at least 8hours. OH stays up late at weekends watching MOTD, then is grumpy if he has to get up early on Monday.🤣 The dog is no help, he has an elastic bladder, never in a rush to be up early.
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I won't go into my sleep patterns as they are so erratic. Often have to have 3 lol breaks during the night but last night only up twice and the second time was to switch the heater on in the van at 7:00. Just be the best night's sleep I've had in ages.
Shopping for us today, Aldi in Harrogate, before onto Ripley and a good circular walk from over 2.5 hrs. The sun has disappeared but it wasn't too cold and no wind so can't complain.
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Apparently, according to OH, I can "sleep for Norway AND Scotland", sleeping is never a problem for me, but OH is a different matter, or so she tells me, as I , of course, am asleep.
She has always had problems sleeping, her brain is just too busy trying to solve problems. These days she is better at just lying resting rather than tossing and turning, but she is still doing a lot of thinking, and occasionally will get up for an hour, then come back to bed and end up sleeping late.
Now we have Alexa in several rooms, we have her playing the radio for about half an hour when we go to bed, and she is our alarm, though these days we often switch it off and have another hour in bed.
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That sounds really stressful B2. It is a long time since our last property purchase, 34 years, and that was only a £25k building plot, but only 3 1/2 years since DD and SIL bought their present place and it all seemed pretty easy once their offer had been accepted.
The waiting on the morning when the offers had to be submitted was pretty tense! They were quite surprised that their offer was the one to be accepted, but they did have the advantage of being able to finalise the purchase at any date the seller wanted.
I do not think they had to do much reading of paperwork, that was all taken care of by the solicitor, though they were sent copies of everything.
We were away on holiday just before they were due to sign everything, and got a semi-frantic phone call for advice as a mine shaft had unexpectedly been discovered outside the driveway. Not really that unexpected as there was a lot of mining in the area in the 1700s and 1800s.
The Halifax, mortgage providers, had to be consulted in case it was a valuation problem, the surveyors consulted too, but it all turned out OK in the end, with the proviso that they understood it might put off future purchasers. As this is their "forever house" , and it had been there since 1924, they decided it would not be a problem and went ahead.
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KJ my OH can sleep for France and UK he is a natural late night person 11.30pm onwards as I am earlier and awake earlier in the morning but he is not, I sometimes wake in the night and will read for about 10 minutes and then get off again and know what your OH re thinking things over.
As to land prices here the previous owner bought this plot 1acre and a half about 28 years ago for 3000.00 euros and you can still get a good sized plot for about 20 to 35 thousand euros but we do have a lot more space around here.
Hope things will get sorted for you soon B2.
Another sharp frost and lovely sunshine.
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Bored with tv last night I flipped through the internet and came across the coroners reports for our local area around 1840 to about 1850. OH said, how depressing, and of course it was but also interesting history. Given the area, there were drownings. Also lime kiln deaths, bull charge deaths and horse related deaths. What I did find horrendous was how so very many children caught their clothes on fire, many only being left for a few moments while mother went for water etc. Even the coroner suggested children clothes might be changed from cotton to wool. Why did no one suggest fire guards. Some mothers seem to accidently overdose their babies with ‘poppy seeds’ or laudenem, with the chemist being chastised by the Coroner not the mother. And if you were old or no reason could be found then it was always ‘ visitation of God’.
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Lately I've become a bit obsessed with old newspapers - https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
I've always done a lot of research into our family trees, but I'm finding all sorts of interesting things I didn't know. Maybe they were incidents the family didn't want to talk about. This is (I think) my GGG Grandfather. The equivalent of parking on double yellow lines?
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The human side of history is always fascinating but not always easy reading. I enjoy looking into things too.
Yesterday I made some marmalade after vowing not to make it any more as it's hard work and the results are unpredictable. Most of it will go to a local fund raising event. This years Seville Oranges were better, not so tough.
It's haggis and neeps in this household tonight, thankyou Mr Burns for such an easy meal!
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I'm a very light sleeper so any noise and I'm wide awake. Since retiring I no longer have trouble dropping off to sleep but staying asleep can be an issue. I often wake around 6am then can't get back off to sleep, eventually I drop off only for OH to wake up
if I stay in bed it's usually the best sleep of the night.OH could sleep on the edge of a razor blade, anywhere, anytime he can just close his eyes and drop off. He claims its his early years in the army, lots of soldiers in a hut together all coming and going.
Years of doing duties, stagging on every few hours and of course being on manoeuvres, sometimes on the rangers all day then driving to the next area overnight. In our early years of marriage he once came home late Friday afternoon from a 6 week excersise, after something to eat and a bath he went to bed, he woke up Sunday mid morning I had a devil of a job convincing him it was Sunday not Saturday.
Dull day here, OH down at the men's shed again, another 25 trees to plant in the community orchard. All mixed fruit trees.
Would like to sell up and move but the thought of it puts me off, after doing 17 moves with the army which were easy as all you have to do is pack everything into boxes then clean your quarter from top to bottom. We have only ever bought the one house, this one but we were still living in army quarters at the time so it didn't matter how long it took. The thought of trying to find something suitable then going through all the processes required is putting me off. Good luck to you Bakers2 at least you will be near to your son once it's all done.
Right must get on and finish my sewing, the dining room looks like a bomb has hit it.
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Another GREY cool, 4c now, still day. I've been noticing subtle differences in bird activity but much more noticeable today, even more woodpeckers drumming too! Spring must be coming 😃.
A really good night for me last night, much appreciated, but a very slow start - running over an hour late but it doesn't matter. Tesco delivery early afternoon then off to sign the papers 😱😱 mind you won't be actioned until whole chain ready........ Learnt from the restrictive covenants we can't keep pigs 😪😪
Checked our removal quote, 6 months validity expired. Delighted to receive the revised quote and ecstatic that there's no price increase. I was expecting something because of the cost of fuel. Let's hope this one doesn't expire!
Wish OH would eat a Burn's dinner.
Yes I do miss the casual reading of old newspapers or documents since leaving work. It was always lovely if someone had ordered something particularly interesting - that could be anything! And folk using the search room weren't in need of too much assistance on their research. The human side of any history is really interesting to me. We had a lady, now a professor at a Scottish uni who researched animals, cows sheep pigs chickens generally singular, left in wills, boxes and boxes of them (wills not the animals). Such was the lack of 'stuff' available the dresses, petticoats etc would all be willed, should the person be 'rich' enough to be able to leave a will. How different things are today - I haven't mentioned clothing or animals in my will and now I know we can't keep pigs I don't need to alter mine! If the dog out lives us I expect son to take it on, as we would theirs heaven forbid but its been nodded to.
Coroner's reports weren't always subtle and admittance to mental hospital or workhouse harrowing. They called a spade a spade. In Essex reports weren't retained but coroner expenses were....... Even baptism registers showed no fear to label a child, base born or bastard 😪😪. Apparently my uncle cried to his wife in his wedding day because their marriage certificate had the harsh description under father's name - unknown. Women sitting with woman and interrogating her during labour to gain name of a father so the child didn't have to be supported by the parish 😪😪
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We've never bought a house, just moved into the farmhouse when my father-in-law died. But three years ago we bought the adjoining farm (except the house) at auction, and that was the scariest thing I've ever done. The accountant and bank were involved, and we had to have enough cash in hand to pay a 10% deposit the minute the hammer fell. I've never written a cheque like it. The room was packed with farmers from near and far, with all the eyes on us, as everyone knew we wanted it. Not that, that stopped others bidding against us. I sat next to my husband ready to dig him in the ribs if he got carried away. But with almost imperceptible blinks he came through.
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Not been a bad day here today dry and quite mild. I remember a couple of weeks ago a chat on here about passports well I sent off my renewal form last Monday and got my new passport through the post today so a total of 8 days excellent service and much quicker than I expected. Not done much today got word back from a CL in Cumbria that they have space for us on our chosen dates around Easter so that’s good news something to look forward to
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Don't know whether to laugh or cry!
Left home in plenty of time after putting away the tesco shopping. Made silly mistake of buying petrol on our way. Left the petrol station and it took 20 minutes, almost my expected journey time to destination, tangled in school traffic. Satnav, helpfully pointed out, about 10 minutes in, the road had heavy traffic. I rung the solicitors and put them in the picture. 10 minutes later I rang again and it was decided we would all be pushed for time so we'd rearrange. Luckily I was able to turn into the road we would have turned out of if I'd not decided to buy petrol. I wouldn't mind but I had almost half a tank so it wasn't necessary. Thus we were out an hour to do a very local square! Car kindly told me we averaged 17 miles to the gallon on the journey.
It would seem that the 3 schools, infants, juniors (this did hold the record for biggest junior in the county at more than 1100 pupils a few years back) and seniors which are in close proximity all come out at the same time these days, 1515 ish. All the schools have expanded since our children attended. So thousands of them spilling out, and waiting parents in cars, all at once. Madness..... Goes to show that such things pass us by, most of the time!, in retirement. I walk into town etc but haven't ventured that way by any form recently around school emptying time.
I'm sure it will all work out in the end, but it's very frustrating and stressful. I can hear my mum saying" you've got the devil on your back".
Buying at auction, at least you've got all the searches etc done first, and you leave knowing the outcome on the spot. Must be euphoric if you succeed. At least for a few moments 🤣
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Gosh Francis that was quick re your passport OH had message yesterday to say they had received his old one on Friday last week and that took a week to get there in the UK so will see how long they take to get it here, he does not need it until end of April.
Another sharp frost but a lovely day so more washing done no gardening though as ground is frozen will have to wait a bit longer.
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Bakers2 we have 2 primary schools, 2 senior schools and a college on our route into town and I agree with you it is a nightmare. Parents parking anywhere and everywhere and flinging car doors open. It is total gridlock. I refuse to leave on my journey into the Cathedral until the traffic has cleared. I do sympathise with you over your house move. I do hope it is sorted and settled soon.
It is very grey and very cold here today.
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I don't usually watch The Chase but had to today as my friend Doreen was on it. The team didn't beat The Chaser but Doreen did really well.
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We only have a little primary school down the road. When our kids were little there were very few cars parked at pick up time. Since then two new estates have been built in the village but both within easy walking distance of the schools. However, few parents do walk, there are cars parked everywhere, I can maybe understand it if it’s heavy rain but this is always. I won’t even walk down there at leaving time cos it’s chaos. Why they can’t just stroll down there is beyond me.
Another grey cold day here, wrapped up yesterday and gardened most of the day, not really enjoyable though as so cold. Got rid of more leaves and died back stems etc to allow the new shoots some room. Garden usually full of slugs but didn’t see one, do they go underground in winter? Housework and a Tesco shop today.
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We watched it. Your friend Doreen was very good. I loved Anne's comment about how she was dressed to meet the Queen, to which she added she was - the queen of quiz 😂
Of course we would have missed it if we'd got to the solicitor!
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Arrived here yesterday ,After neurology appointment at at Stevenage Hospital confirmed OHs problems,
Big pow wow today with 6 couples, good job weather dry, discussed our situation
Conclusions
Good idea to give camper and trailer a trial to see how it goes this year
But we have agreed to keep C/van in storage for time being ,and Sorn car, as both worth more than selling ,,as if campervan idea not successful we can sell camper and we still have our outfit
As was agreed at our age ,spend rather than save anymore ,as the rainy day is here
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But we have agreed to keep C/van in storage for time being ,and Sorn car, as both worth more than selling ,,as if campervan idea not successful we can sell camper and we still have our outfit
Sounds like a good plan JVB, but does that mean that you will do all your running round in the PVC? If so don't forget to keep the car battery charged and turn the motor over every so often.
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Cold grey day here so just went for a short drive and a walk in Chevin CP before filling up with fuel at Sainsbury's, 4p per ltr cheaper than local garage. Had a second walk from the site while the van warmed up. Last night here before we head further west. We have been the only unit on site for the 6 nights we've been here apart from a single M/H last night.
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Glad you have a plan JVB. I do hope it all works out well for you and your OH but at least you have a plan B.
I have not had a good evening. Firstly a phone call from my oldest and best friend to say her OH has been diagnosed with a very aggressive skin cancer and after a series of tests and scans will have to go into Addenbrooks for a major operation. Then another phone call from an old friend to tell me that her son in his 50s has been diagnosed with cancer that has spread eveywhere and is terminal. We have to count our blesings and make the most of every day.
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Sorry to hear your news Millie, so true about making the best of each day.
JVB I hope your plans work out, sounds like a sensible idea keeping the van and car just in case. Hope you enjoy seeing your pals at FM.
Glad you've got a site sorted Francis. I heard today we can join a holiday rally, one that usually gets fully booked. I think we've got a lot of our breaks sorted now, mostly short ones, quite a mixture of venues!
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Milliehull I'm sorry to read your news. As brue says we should make the best of every day.
Good to read others managing to book breaks. And in nelliethehooker case continuing with their trips.
JVB glad you managed to get away. A chat with others about your situation always helps. It sounds like a sensible plan regarding leisure vehicles. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.
It's started grey chilly and still again, forecast is sun will break through later, it will be very welcome if it does.
Got to get OH to the dentist, filling I think, he made the appointment before his normal surfacing time 😱, so much 'discussion' currently taking place from one house level to the other! So it will be a later dog walk. This afternoon we are having our smart meters replaced, they no longer work 😤. Again I've ignored their requests as long as I could. They've only been fitted in the last year or 2 at the most, certainly after lockdowns, after years of resistance, but we were on an online tariff for years before. What a waste of resources! I hope they'll work when new folk move in.
Enjoy your day folks whatever you are doing.
Ps I see we had more essential maintenance again when I tried to look in earler
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