What are you all up to

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  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,391
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    edited February 2018 #15182

    I couldn't help noticing the prices of even modest dwellings. You need quarter of a million pounds minimum! To me, it doesn't bear thinking! I bought my first house, a brand new build three-bedroomed detached house back in 1978, for £9390!

    Presumably the £9390 was not in the south east. Our first house, new build mid terrace cost almost that in the East Midlands in 1975. Best move we ever made, bought on a 100% mortgage, through the local authority. Gave us a foot on the ladder and we could spend our deposit on furniture.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,689
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    edited February 2018 #15183

    High winds forecast ,5-7 Southerly ,veering Westerly ,gale 8 at times in places.bright periods,,sea moderate to rough in the South .(Channel)

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
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    edited February 2018 #15184

    Very stormy start to the day, glad I got some outside jobs done yesterday (cleaning the windows) the sunshine was quite productive! wink

     

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15185

    It was in Wrexham, North Wales, SteveL, where I had a full-time teaching job at that time in that area. I had to pay a 5% deposit and 95% mortgage.

    Even then, I found the monthly payments crippling compared to my monthly salary and Inhad to but everything for the house, carpets, furniture, kitchen appliances, bedroom furniture, all on HP to add to the monrthly payments on the mortgage.

    To keep up the payments, I had to get a second evening job and take lodgers for the two spare bedrooms. It wasn't an easy life by any stretch of imagination.

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15186

    I wouldn't worry too much, Bakers2! I'm sure eveything will turn out all right in the end and if it's not all right, it's not yet the end! The visa solicitor's firm that is working on her case, specialises in this kind of work and will continue to advise us until a successful outcome is achieved. This firm of solicitors were recommended to us through CAB.

    I will do whatever it takes to ensure a successful outcome as I could not imagine life here without her. She does everything for me!

    You're right, Bakers2. It's not easy starting a new thread and having to navigate from one thread to another can be frustrating. That's why I stick to this topic which, by its very title, is all encompassing and therefore, more convenient and easier for others to make a response.

    I have no quarrel with anyone here on this forum. Whatever bad things others may think have been said to me, it is a thousand times better than what my ex-wife put me through!

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,165
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    edited February 2018 #15187

    Been down the High Street and done some chores as forecast for rain later.  Hard frost last night but bright at the moment, wind is a bit nippy though.

     

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15188

    It's windy and raining here too, Oneputt, as I'm typing this. The caravan is rocking and you can hear the wind howling outside but that doesn't bother me. I'm warm and comfortable inside our caravan. I can't go out in this weather so I'm taking this opportunity to set the record straight here on this forum, as you can see from my posts on here this morning! Does it really matter if the weather is miserable if it gives us the opportunity to chat to each other on here?

    My wife wants to spend her day catching up on her cookery. She wants to get three days supply of meals cook today and put away in the fridge in plastic microwavable containers so that the meals can be ready in 5 minutes whilst busy packing things away ready for our move to Gatwick on Thursday.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Club Member Posts: 10,224
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    edited February 2018 #15189

    Fifty knots in the eastern Solent an hour ago. Decidedly unpleasant out there today.

    As for property prices, my first house was £4200 in 1968 and that 'was' in the south east. You'd be hard put to get a lock-up garage for that now.

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15190

    Exactly the reason why, CY, I intend to stay well clear of the property ladder forever! The caravan has given me the opportunity to do so. With a caravan you can shop around for places to stay that is within your budget.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,165
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    edited February 2018 #15191

    I guess Malc will be looking forward to red envelope day on Friday.⛩💰

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
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    edited February 2018 #15192

    Hmm. Thought I was going to mooch around today, now had a call from the pancake brigade, son and family coming over....frying pan at the ready. Shrove Tuesday starts here. wink

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,391
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    edited February 2018 #15193

    Had to google it. 

    Interesting. Seems the opposite of how we operate here. Elders get given more by their children than they give them.

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15194

    With my wife's family relations, money is given in a red envelope to the children who then give the money to the parents. The parents then decide what to do with the money!

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
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    edited February 2018 #15195

    Good luck with the Opticians, TammyG. Mrs.WN has a visit this afternoon. She had a cataract operation a couple of years ago and it turned out great. She thinks she may need the other one doing soon.

    Visit couldn't have gone better WN, no change to prescription and the no change to the cataract's smile 

    OH needs a slight change to his prescription so new glasses for him, he's going for a new look this time with a little help from me and the assistant wink

    Just need to think what I spend my money on now as I'm not needing new glasses laughing 

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15196

    You could always save it, Tammygirl, towards your next holiday!

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
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    edited February 2018 #15197

    Or, I could just by something nice for the holiday wink only 2 weeks to go before 3 weeks in Lanzarote.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited February 2018 #15198

    Freehold Lockup garages where I live sell for in excess of £25k but that's cheapcool My Son who is a partner in a building company ran a Job 2 years ago in Notting Hill. The Client had just purchased a Lock up garage next to his property for £100K only to find once his RR sport was in side, the door didn't open enough to get out of the carwink

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,391
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    edited February 2018 #15199

    Spent the morning alternating between watching the Olympics and trying to update my Windows 8 laptop. Particularly at the moment with these latest threats, I want it totally up to date. It should do it automatically but doesn't. Even when I got it to finally accept them it is taking hours. We have a 69 MB download on our internet, so must be Microsoft. Now configuring them 30% complete. Just as well the weather does not look as though it will be good enough for a walk this afternoon. I have still got what I want to do on it once updated. Will have to go for some milk though, or it will be No pancakes.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,165
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    edited February 2018 #15200

    Plenty of houses in South Wales on the market from £50k to £100k at the moment.  If you have no ties then does it matter too much where you live🛏🛁🏘

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited February 2018 #15201

    It matters to me, Oneputt. I need to live an area where work is available! That's why my £28,000 caravan fits the bill!

    Also, it depends what type of property is available at that price. If you have an electric car you need a property with a driveway so that you can plug it in.

  • SELL
    SELL Forum Participant Posts: 398
    edited February 2018 #15202

    I don't recall reading anywhere that Brue would be financially hurt by an expensive conservatory roof. Please explain to me how a caravan awning is just as good as a conservatory I am intrigued to hear your explanation.

  • cariadon
    cariadon Forum Participant Posts: 861
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    edited February 2018 #15203

    You've just hit the nail on the head, brue! I love your comment about painful on the wallet! That is precisely the reason why I don't want to buy or rent a house. It is also the reason why we enjoy using our caravan all the year round.

    Do you think that if you can say the same thing over so many pages that you will eventually believe it.

    For the price you paid for your car and caravan I bought a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 reception room house years ago, and yes it took hard work and saving to pay for it back then just like you did, then the wages was low, and borrowing other than a mortgage was frowned upon, and I like many on here did that, and now have the security of a home and investment.

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,061
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    edited February 2018 #15204

    We have just returned froma lovely 5 night stay at Keswick C&CC site the weather for the most part was nice so we visited many nice places we prefer the Lakes at this time of year as it isn't too busy so it is easier to park etc. This is our 4th trip out with our new caravan since we got it in November so far so good we love the layout and have no regrets about changing our motorhome for it. Todays drive home wasn't very pleasant as the moment we crossed the border the motorway was horrendous snow and slush everywhere not the best of conditions for towing it did clear up as we got nearer Glasgow. The car and van were filthy when we got back so I have just washed the van and put it in its space on the drive now just having a coffee and catch up on here before I tackle the car

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,749
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    edited February 2018 #15205

    Could you not just  have bought a 2 bed terrace or semi that you could afford, instead  of a 3 bed detached?

    I always thought that teaching was a reasonably well paid profession, a good secure job.  We have several friends who were also teachers back in the 70s and they had no problems affording a modest 3 bed semi in a nice area.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,397
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    edited February 2018 #15206

    Couldn't help reading your posts Malcolm. You must be under quite a bit of stress, hope the visa application goes well for you and your wife.smile

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,848
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    edited February 2018 #15207

    Mrs.WN didn't need any change to her prescription but only because the  Optician said she is 'twixt and between and unfortunately will have to put up with it for a little while longer until the "bad" eye deteriorates further. What a palaver.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
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    edited February 2018 #15208

    Sorry to hear that WN, at least it sounds as if they are still doing the Op in your area, I believe some places they have put them on hold. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,848
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    edited February 2018 #15209

    Glad you are enjoying the new caravan Francis.

    Drove the MIL to Bury this morning so that she could visit her brother and sister, neither of whom are in the best of health. It was quite horrendous on the motorway with heavy rain but ironically it was one of the best journeys we've had that way for some time.The 3 of us then had lunch at a Garden Centre, very enjoyable. After lunch we called into a sports shop in Bury itself as MIL (going 85) wanted to buy some super-duper new bowls for the forthcoming season, higher density but still small enough to fit into her small hand. Mission accomplished so she's raring to go.

    I was cursing on the way home as I missed the turn off from the M66 onto the M62 and had to travel all around the M60 (the orbital motorway around Greater Manchester) to pick up the M56 towards North Wales. Then I listened to the traffic announcements and found out that there were terrible delays due to an accident going around the way we should have taken. Phew. Must make more mistakes like that one again.smile

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
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    edited February 2018 #15210

    Beautiful afternoon, this morning it looked like we were in for a heavy dump of snow but it didn't happen. The sun came out just after I got back from the Chiropractor.

    Passed a snowplough gritting going the opposite way but its been a lovely afternoon and managed to get out for a nice walk. Lots of birds singing and busy flying around, farms have been out ploughing the fields, its certainly got a spring feel about it here.

    Sorted more things to go to charity shop and another load to go to the skip. 

    We've recently been warned that our local council are looking at charging us to empty our garden bins, every house has to have at least one of them.

    They won't charge you if its just food waste but if its garden waste there will be an annual charge of £25 per bin.

    Still not clear how they are going to police it but its not going down well. Not a done deal yet but they are pushing hard. Guess they have to try something to raise money as they have also announced that are going to spend £12 million on lighting up the river Tay that goes through the town. This was announced at the same time as the closure of 2 care homes and 2 primary schoolsyell

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,848
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    edited February 2018 #15211

    They won't charge you if its just food waste but if its garden waste there will be an annual charge of £25 per bin.

    Still not clear how they are going to police it but its not going down well. Not a done deal yet but they are pushing hard.

    Tammy, our council charge if you want a second bin and as we need one we have to pay £25 p.a. They then send a bar code and address form that we attach to the bin, these are also sent out to those with just one bin, so that the emptiers can see that the second bin has been paid for. Should be receiving our new forms any time soon.

    Why do they want to light up the Tay?