Help calm me. House buying and selling stress. Part 6

what on earth would property hunters do without google satellite? It was very much my friend when I was looking and nowadays is so much clearer and I do agree about standard photos, so many are ridiculous, photos of a sink or a door. They don`t ever give close ups of dirty scuffed areas and they are not smelly vision. A number of times I turned my back on dirty properties and one with no ventilation in the shower room. They are always a disappointment to view, except maybe a new property

I have been doing a little bit of pottering and am now sat with aeropress coffee and ice cold water melon. I dismantled a carving device that I made 4 years ago and have not used for 2 years, bulky too. That has gone and so have the many tea lights, similar not used. I am keeping the lovely big candles for christmas presents, all were still in the box I moved them in

Seeds and grains in my wholefood stash, out to the birds, I am favouring ready cooked pulses these days. Again little by little

ooh yes, I decided to make a savings progress graph, very long term so a year at a time. I had only thought about it and almost immediately stumbled on a pad of my husbands for structs drawings, perfect small squares. Year one is done and the first cross for july 31 is on. All my savings will be in NS&I now and a couple of safety nets for yearly bills in my 2 bank accounts. So much happier about that, prior to this and around moving date, I had numerous accounts all over. Much refined now and also good for `dying tidy`

Morning all, a lot warmer here today but not as hot as many of you. Hot weather does make me feel lethargic.

I met a couple on the beach last night, both work for the NHS, and they are preparing for 'the second spike'. I had to queue outside a food shop in the pouring rain, I am not looking forward to doing this in the autumn/winter. I expect home deliveries will surge.

Just more on line research for me today. I have just bought my friend an 'Easy read' AA atlas and need to post it, she is also house hunting within two hours of London. She is a bit miserable because the bungalows she is visiting are so very different when she arrives. I do think estate agency descriptions/photographs should be standardised. I've just looked at a cottage in Lympstone - street view reveals it to be on a very narrow rat run.

Still sorting clothes, I want to feel comfortable with such long train journeys. My skechers have almost given up the ghost because I've washed them so often, I'm sorry they've stopped making the Go Walk 2 with many bobbles on the bottom. I'm hoping there might be a shop in Broadstairs and I can buy a new pair.

Enjoy your day whatever you are doing

morning all. I am absolutely not looking forward to the heat today and will again be a sloth and remain in my cave after I have watered the thirstier plants

A couple of small crumbles are prepped, this time gooseberry because my aim is to de-clutter and that means getting through my bottled berries too. I would love to do some work in the garage but that will soon be too hot. The birds are quieter, maybe they feel the heat too. I suppose I could do some paperwork and a hand-written chart, I want to concentrate savings in one place and have started by transferring to NS&I, their income bonds give the best rate and the interest can go straight back into their direct saver, it is all immediate access, so I am doing that. I have a very long-term aim in mind

Not much to say today, just need to get through the day. Wishing you all well

Lovely chatty posts as usual. My friend from U3A was surprised by how much my bungalow and gardens have changed. She enjoyed the marmalade cake I made yesterday. She is a talented watercolour artist and knits. We got talking about cross stitch so she went home with one of the free kits I get with my magazines to try. She enjoyed looking at my work. Made me miss my craft group. The library is open 2 days a week but only for books. The local independent cinema is also open. But with reduced seating and allocated seats.

My Hermes man also calls me by my Christian name. Life up here is so different from the Midlands and I love it. 2 of my water plants arrived today. So I washed the stones and large rocks. Boiled the water for 20 mins and once cold put it in container with the Hornwort. Can't plant the lesser spearwort until the soil and baskets arrive. So it's in a bowl of water outside. Can't remember what the other plant is called I ordered. But it will be here tomorrow.

Was raining this morning but was very hot by 11. Hotter tomorrow. So I will be gardening. Most likely followed by a nap after lunch.

Have a good evening.

Hi all, the ‘log cabin’ is expensive, but still a bit cheaper than lifting the roof
off and putting a second floor onto the bungalow.
Sadly a residential Annexe which has building regs approval, but is still classed as a Mobile home, even though it is plasterboarded, insulated to within an inch of its life and has full heating etc. Is around an arm and a leg, but no mess or hassle indoors, we won’t have to move out and rent for 6 months, plus rent a storage container, so we are thinking about it.
Next step is a visit to their show home to see exactly what we would get as a brochure looks fabulous and enormous, but in real life might not be so good.
Will keep you posted, but they do look lovely.......
Fencing team arrived early today, only me up so had to wake up DH to come and sort them out, poor chaps, it’s boiling out there so we are keeping them hydrated with ice and water.
DD1 has taken the GCs out book shopping, she is also escaping building works in her cottage so has brought up some very dusty items to wash and some to hang over the washing line to beat. But some idiot has lit a bonfire grrrr.

That is a good price Ellianne, we are thinking of you. Hugs from me

Good positive progress for me in the last hour, downsizing continues and will continue, or call it de-cluttering. I have decided finally that I will carry on only with jam making, bottling of fruit and freezing so all the fermentation stuff is out and so are the endless jam jars and lids and jams made some time ago, still delicious but too much for one. My AC do not eat too many sweet things so I cannot give them away. I am keeping the bottled berries and blackcurrant jams and a few marmalade, which I can use in fruit cakes

happy with small steps

Shandy, re Stonehenge. I can remember back in the mid 1960's Hubbie and I (and dog) were going through that area on our way to visit friends in Cornwall. As we drive down the A road, we could see Stonehenge, and I remarked that I had never visited it. So, we turned off down the next side road, parked up on the side of that road, and walked across a field right up to the Stones. Wonderful experience!!

These days you have to park a very long way away, and then pay a very high fee to going over the them, and, even then, cannot get amongst them (as we did back then). I do understand the need for money to upkeep them, and the damage that was being done by silly people carving their initials into them, but all these many years later I can still recall the feeling of sheer excitement that ran through me being able to tenderly touch those ancient stones.

Oopsadaisy - before I made the move to my last house, I did look into these lovely log builds to work as a home office for me. Was rather excited about it - they were lovely then and I am sure, have even improved. As it happened did not need to do this and had office indoors. Think it is an excellent and sensible option for you. If you go along, do keep as informed about it.

I'm just dropping by to say thanks to everyone. This thread keeps going because people put a lot of kindness into it, so I didn't want the good wishes to slip by without acknowledging them. Let's just say the final hurdle is in progress, but the urgency isn't being felt by all involved and a bit of stalling is making things rather stressful. I'll report back.
Oopsadaisy yes, to having a garden log cabin. With toilet and heating. Cost would probably be around £25k, surprisingly quick job done by a proper company and not too messy. Let me know if you need more I do
Have a lovely sunny day everyone. So nice to read the posts.

Good Morning. When I retired, I stopped using the alarm and found my body clock really liked me waking just before 8.00 am and has stayed that way. I also, then, take it very easy - have my breakkie, look on my laptop - usually do not go to washed and dressed until about 10.00 am. Only after that do I really get down to doing anything. Lovely and lazy!!!
Was up early yesterday as was collect at 8 am to be taken to Devon to visit daughter and niece on holiday there. Very large house overlooking the Estuary near Bidemouth - lazy day, just sitting on the patio there. Nice seeing them and my g.daughter.

Up early again this morning as curtain lady came to hang my Living room curtains for me at 800 am. All done, and I am delighted with them. Need to wait for the tie-backs and cushions to be finished.

Going to hot today - windows and patio doors all open, so flat is lovely and cool.

I long ago gave up growing so much veg and fruit and then having all the hard work of blanching, or cooking and freezing them. So often would not get around to using them. Only have a small under-counter freezer in flat and find it easier (and actually more economic) to purchase fresh veg and fruit as I require them and use them. Much less work involved also. Glad those of you who do this enjoy it, but it is not for me.

My daughter is driving up to London to day to collect my friend who is coming to stay with me for a couple of days. V. good of my daughter - mt friend gave up her driving licence a couple of years ago, and is not happy at the thought of travelling by public transport. Indeed, her husband has told her she has to sit in the back seat of my daughter's car and both must wear a mask. Not sure where he is coming from!!! So, my friend has said to my daughter they should do this until they have pulled away from her house!!!

we are all waiting on news of Ellianne's daughter competion - hope this will be soon.

Shandy, glad that you are really spending time researching so well for area around Broadstairs. August is nearly here now.

Before my friend arrives I need to make an apple cake, get my weeks washing dry (in washing machine at present), and prepare supper for us for tonight.

Enjoy the lovely weather everyone.

oopsadaisy, I do like the log cabin annexe idea, in fact what a good idea that is and something for me to remember in future, much better than taking the roof off and having all those structural `potential` problems. A bit further away down the garden is good and keeps privacy. I think it is lovely to be able to help your family like right now, its what we do when needed. I never thought of a log cabin, that has raised my own game in future. DS assembled a log cabin in scotland, not the big version but by golly it is well insulated and looks goorgeous

My neighbour`s beefsteak tomatoes have also failed. I use gropots on top of soil but those on top of soil in buckets need much more tlc. Maybe you have grown the tomatoes in soil that had tomatoes in previously, they can get diseases and also I spotted a small sign of blight a few weeks ago in warm and humid weather

I don`t like this sitting around but daren`t think of doing much, the heat is building fast in the house. It is about time I re-did my very messy book with passwords, bank details etc, it is falling apart. I don`t want to completely waste my day

Morning all, rainy today. I've had to get up early a few times this week and was looking forward to waking up naturally today - I did, at 7 am! Unheard of for me! Our house used to be so cold I had to get up early to light the woodburner, I don't miss that!

Great to read all your news.

I was excited to see the news about the stones at Stonehenge, I clambered all over it in 1965. How many men and animals had to drag them, remarkable. Very odd the relic was kept as a desk ornament for so many years, why didn't he offer it before? Makes you wonder, I am sorry he died before the results were found.

I haven't got much to do today, just focussing in on my Broadstairs research and making lists for the prep I need to do for going away.

I do need to take back a jacket I bought yesterday - it's a packaway lightly padded jacket, but it's navy with spots. Looks great but as I always wear a tunic length top, and most of my clothing is patterned, not really suitable. As the shop is struggling I'll ask to swop it for other things. I probably won't need a jacket as it will be warmer down there, but I feel naked without a coat as the weather here is so unpredictable.

Enjoy your day whatever you are doing

Another one here who enjoys cooler weather, for all we have a holiday home in Spain, though that is out of bounds at the moment. We usually visit Autumn and Spring. I will be having all the windows and blinds closed on the sunny side of the house tomorrow and then swapping them round as the sun progresses to the other side.
You've put me to shame again Craftyone - need to get the washing on.

Morning craftyone I’m up early, usually, but not able to do much in case I wake DH up. A beautiful morning here too, DD2 arrived at midnight with the GCs, they have been isolating for a week so that they could come and stay whilst the builders get cracking on their house. Empty roads from Cornwall at that time of night, I can track them on my iPad so I know that they are all ok on their way up.
Our bungalow now holds 5 adult sized people (2 GCs are almost 6 ft tall and teenagers) with a bathroom that is falling apart, literally. We were thinking of turning the upstairs loo into a shower room, not sure how or if I have another renovation in me so
Instead We are thinking of buying a ‘log cabin’ annexe for the bottom of the garden, with a kitchen, bathroom etc. They look beautiful and it would solve our bathroom situation , it also means we don’t have to take the roof off to accommodate more space. Cheaper too.
I don’t suppose anyone has any experience of these buildings? We are to go to visit one soon.
I lost all of my tomatoes in the Polytunnel, they all went brown and blotchy and the leaves all died, so sad, they were huge beefsteak tomatoes and I was quite proud of them! Anyway the lettuce are all romping away, but TBH the outdoor planting has performed much better in the raised beds, and the potatoes are super from our old tubs and recycling bins.
The fencing people are due to arrive any minute so that will wake everyone up, so catch you all later, have a lovely day.

morning all, firstly I do hope that Ellianne`s daughter gets that good news this week, so much unnecessary stress when buying and selling these days. Remember the days when we moved because we just fancied a change? It was so easy then and much cheaper. I think today`s stress is down to fears of litigation, on the part of the solicitors and surveyors

Not much doing today, the heat is starting to build and I have prepped the cave already, also watered the plants in containers or raised beds, such as tomatoes and strawberries. All rain water so it is a watering can job and needs doing at least twice a day right now because the plants are in full leaf

Naturally the washing is on, I cannot resist a good drying day, sheets, tablecloth and another easy care load after. My 2 male neighbours dry everything on racks in their living rooms, I could not stand that as well as the damp being no good indoors, I see the racks by the windows. These whirly airers are so good, I remove mine sometimes and flip the base lid down so it is not always in sight

I don`t like heat, I am definitely a cool weather person. Very warm in the SW and no doubt the roads will be packed on the way to devon and cornwall.

I must say that I am very pleased with my new garage (dealership) total was £482 and I had estimated £600, that included mot, new tyre, air con, brake fluid and some more bits and bobs plus a full health check and collection and delivery. So my car is now 6 years old and must be at the cheap stage ie the worst of the depreciation is over ie now is cheap to run. Love my car, a workhorse with style

Bread is now sliced and packed in packages of 12 x 2 slices, no more bread making for another 12 days at the least. I had to stuff them into the freezer and I shall have to use frozen milk to make space. Luckily I only have green beans to freeze and may stop freezing them soon anyway. Maybe strawberries as puree in tiny pots, depends on the number of berries

I need to get rid of this post war thing, psychologically copying my mother. I am not at all a hoarder but I do like to have a good kitchen cupboard, which has overflowed into the garage, naturally this kept me safe because I did not need to shop but I want to get back to a normal amount of `just in case` items

Also clothes and some crafting things. I am dithering about my weaving looms, I could sell them but need to let go first. I had been intending to go to a weaving group not far away, sigh. Maybe one dull wet day, I will go up and sort out at least one loom with its extras and put a for sale ad on ravelry

Just realised another thing I love about living here in the north I am on first name terms with my postman. It's lovely to be called by your christian name and not Mrs _.

lol

Glad I am not the only early riser and do-er. Very satisfying isn`t it whiff? to get these jobs done and have that positive day before lunch. Cleaning I regard as negative and deep cleaning only happens once in a while, probably a throw back to spring and autumn cleaning

I finished all my jobs and have thrown some stored grains out for the birds, I need to get some cupboards down to basics

Blimey you lot. I get up around 6 but need an hour to come round. I'm always at my best in the mornings and feel sleepy in the afternoons. I get a second wind in the evening.

I'm an early riser to usually 6 sometimes a bit earlier. So far today I've made a pork stew for 6 dinners, stewed fruit to go with my yogurt, prep fruit for freezer ready to make jam another day, made a marmalade cake and some double choc cookies, phoned in my repeat prescription, had a delivery of compost and some other garden odds and ends , ordered more compost and things I forgot to order the first time, done some housework and now having a cuppa. Want to put some of the plants I brought yesterday in the garden. Then think I will have a nap after lunch .

After having 2 cataract operations last year, one in July, the other in December, both thank God before Covid, I know what you mean Craftyone. I could not believe how dirty the splashback in the bathroom was, full of small skits of toothpaste which I had not noticed, although I cleaned it every week.

Arghh shandy, it doesn`t rain but it pours. Quite right to check the walking route, 100% most important for you

I am a lark, always have been, spring out of bed around 6, full of energy which I need to utilise because my bodyclock slows down drastically from early afternoon and I am no good to man nor beast, if I sit then I often end up in a nana nap. I try and get into something interesting to change the wiring in my brain, maybe a ride out or a sewing project but knitting or a book are sleep inducers

Then my bodyclock goes full circle and many a time, I go up to bed and have to have white noise on for 30 minutes to focus my ever-whizzy thinking mind.

I am at the stage now when I really don`t see dust or marks on light coloured kitchen cupboards. I think older age does have advantages and then my duster says oo-er

Morning all, sunshiney and warm today.

Great to read all your news. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for Ellianne's daughter.

I'm waiting for the landlord to come and chop back the elder and ivy.

I think I told you the electrician came on Monday - last night I let my cat in about 11 pm and the old smoke alarms were doing that horrible pipping noise in the bin! I found them (had stupidly put them into the food waste bag) and the batteries were still attached as the electrician recommended , I couldn't understand it. Ended up having to smash them to bits with a hammer.

I've been on Google earth trying to virtually 'walk to the beach' from a location in Broadstairs - not a pleasant walk. Dogs are allowed on Kingsgate Bay all year, but from the house I'm looking at, it's 25 minutes down a lonely narrow track/rat run, then crossing a B road, then down a lot of steps. Not ideal as I'd have to push him back in his trolley. I'm having a rethink.

Better get the curtains down, the landlord changed the rail recently but put it on upside down.

Enjoy your day

Yes, Craftyone ! So far have had breakfast that is all. Cleaner is coming this morning so will be ready to go out when she arrives. And metal collector is coming between 10 and 11 for the RSJ. I am so excited about this have been trying to clear them for ages. They are such a trip hazard in the garden.
And my Mantis tiller went on free cycle last night. In the end I found it just cut up and spread all the weeds. You can't beat a garden fork and a pair of hands. This is all clearing up after our last move in September.
Have good day everyone.

Goodness Craftyone you put me to shame. Almost a morning's work before 8.00 a.m. Wow!

A good start today. Made smooth soup, which is always my last meal of the day. Sweet potato, ginger and apricot this time. Car is collected, bread starter is almost at room temperature and will be baked by 11. I have made a duster quite dirty by finding places that I don`t normally dust. It must have been the wind coming in. Cleaned the dw filter and washed up

Found some new drying-out cracks so will inform developer soon, to get snagging done by about february. I see some strawberries are ready to pick, lovely, I will slice in my breaktime yoghurt

So far so good, all is well but I have to stay home in case of a phone call