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

Happy start to the weekend for everyone. The weather might just hold a bit longer before some rain. Three birthdays in our family all come together this week. They say there are more conceptions around Christmas time!

Franbern have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Craftyone love your get up and get on with it attitude. Like you I love planning and getting things done. Feeling a lot better today. So going out to do a bit of shopping.

Had my playmate to look after yesterday afternoon. Then had a a nice time with my daughter until it was his dinner time. I have 2 boxes of toys here for him to play with. He decided my spare bed was a mountain and the train had to go up and down but had an accident so had to get the digger and lorry to rescue them. He has such a wonderful imagination.

Mentioned the C word to my daughter as in have they any ideas what they would like for Christmas. She laughed and said she had started to get ideas. Asked what I wanted said a stick blender with stainless steel stick bit. Mine is white and the plastic has been stained by blending red fruits. Had it before my husband died so probably 20 years old . Over the years if I wanted something just brought. I am not I want person but if it's something I need I get it. This last year has been the most money I have ever spent. But it's been mainly on the bungalow and things that won't need doing again.

My garage door is powdered coated so never needs painting same as the frame. Came with 10 year warranty. Glad I had it done. Once Emmaus have been on the 30th will be able to get it all sorted out . I have peace of mind that water can't get under the door again.

Have a lovely day everyone.

I watched a programme last night on channel 5, about how to easily add 20k value to your home. I thought it was excellent and they quickly went through many suggestions, with pictures and comments. Bathrooms/en suites/loos were very important but they needed to be shiny bright areas

It gave me a great big uplift about my garage, which is now a rather full workshop and store for cycles and lots of other things. I already arranged my tall shelving units to basically make two good areas, much storage is in matching really useful boxes and I can easily see what I need to use or put outside into my garden storage. So I have a plan, going forward

So for me it boils down to using my winter fuel stores from the garden keter storage area and will be using that space for my pressure washer and other things. I am quite excited about this, it will take time but that is my objective. Once that is done then eventually my garage will be two distinct `rooms` ie workshop with the nice workbench plus cycle storage with cycle maintenance area. Tbh it is a load off my mind as it has been a dumping ground

Once winter is over then I am not going to store any more food or fuel but it will take time to use everything up and yes I will

So now I have an objective and can carry on with the de-cluttering, outside small keter area first, the one I use for garden things. I will do that one today. I have to start with one emptier space

Franbern, so glad it has worked out for you. I have no one in WSM so wouldn't move there but I dream of having a small run to place there for holidays and weekends. How lovely your son in law and his son have this shared biking interest. It aways looks to me such hard work on those recliner bikes but it opens a whole new world and glad he has one.

Afternoon all, we are locked down in Northumberland - but I can still go on holiday so long as I adhere to the local rules on the place I'm visiting. None of it makes sense.

Had a nice surprise. The garage men are here they had a cancellation and had everything in stock . So new garage door and frame today. Another job ticked off. They only came on Tuesday . That's what I call service. Lot cheaper than I was expecting . That's another thing things are cheaper here.

Next door are having the bungalow rendered. Personally I don't like it
I like brick. They came on Tuesday and put the beading on. I would have thought they would have done the job yesterday. She has had a lot of work done. But the the workmen she has used do a bit and disappear for days or weeks. Only ones who didn't were the window fitters. So glad all the ones I employed stayed on the job until it was finished.

I thought you would like to see this from RM. It shows the exact bungalow, it was lowered and you can see the `mean` row of leylandii. I found it because there are now 2 plots for sale belonging to the neighbour

www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-69338442.html

oh yes I know recliner trikes, my son had one for a while and they can indeed go very fast. Good on your son in law for looking from outside the box and finding a solution so he could exercise in the fresh air

Yesterday I cycled past the brand new bungalow I saw last year, I was the first viewer and a ready cash buyer andwhen viewing I stood on tiptoe and looked down the `tatty` dividing fence, strange because everything else was pristine and brand new. I realised that it must have belonged to the neighbour, I had looked up planning docs and that neighbour had objected to that bungalow, hence the tiptoe to see what had been planted 1m from the side of the bungalow. I could just about see the ferny tops of baby leylandii. Yesterday that row of leylandii was a good 2 feet above the fence line and already cut back from the bungalow side. I am so glad that I had done my research and walked away. The second viewer bought it. It is a classic case of buyer beware, baby leylandii would not appear on any surveyor report

I am preparing for the visit this weekend from my son and DiL. Been an up and down week. My daughter here had a cough and a sore throat, caught from her own children. The first night she ran a slightly high temperature (her bodies own immune system kicking in and doing what it is supposed to do), but her school (understandably) insisted she could not come into work until she had a negative Covid test.

Seemed sensible, and with a testing centre two minutes away at the bottom of her road, thought it would be easy. Had she tested positive (unlikely), then that would have meant that her brother and his wife would not have been able to see her this weekend.

Took her and hubbie (working in turns) just under thirty hours to book at test at Bristol Airport. The local testing centre is empty most of the time, but the two young lads there told her (and others who turned up in the same way), they were only permitted to test those that have appointments - and also admitted they had nothing to do most of the time!!!

Now, I was not worried about her having this virus, pretty sure it was just a cough, but did get myself into quite a state about her having so much time off from her new job, and also disappointed that this weekend would not be as I had hoped.

Fortunately, the result came through in under 24 hours - negative and she is back at work today, and will be coming here, as usual, for her weekly tea and chat with me. (would have been cancelled if she was still waiting for a test or result). Have booked the five of us in for a meal out locally on Saturday night.

Does seem strange that Rome Airport has a test which takes half an hour to produce a result (Yes, the pregnancy style test that Johnson said yesterday was not going to available here in the foreseeable future), whilst the private company who has the contract for our world beating test and trace system were unable to realise that with people returning to work , and children returning to school there and normal winter ailments starting up, there was going to be a large increase in requirements for tests.

Sorry, rant over. I actually cried with relief when she let me know the test result. I was not so much frightened of her actually having Covid as I was of the total disruption to our lives, by this total inefficiancy. Now I worry what will happen in the net few months as, undoubtedly, she will contract other, normal winter colds.

Sparkling - I came to WsM as one of my daughters and her family live here, I did leave another daughter and g.child (with whom I was particularly close), behind near to my old house. None of my other children live near here, in fact - except for my son, I am actually further away from them than I was in London.

I was a total Londoner, but do now love living in smallish town, with everything so close to me. Two theatres (when they can open again), U3A groups all so very nearby, shops, lovely local museum, beach, etc. I was settling down beautifully until Lockdown - had started going to different groups to meet people, but not had enough time to actually make friends. So no-one to just meet up with for a chat and cup of coffee. Hope I will have the inclination and energy to start again next year.
As you comment, friends do disappear as you get older, left a few good ones behind, one has visited me twice, another is not allowed to be away from him and home for more than one night, by her hubbie.!! That is another story.

As, due to my panic in 2003, when my ex-husband decided on the day that he would not sign the forms for the sale of what had been our family home - so, as I was totally desperate not to lose the sale and purchase, I gave him a half share in the new house I was buying. This meant that when I sold it last year I only had 50% equity and that put me well outside the price for a flat in London, so coming down here was, to an extent, Plan B. It has, however, worked out the best possible plan.

If your children all live close to where you live at present, then it is probably best not to move too far away. You say they are busy -as they should be - but it is nice to be able to be within reasonable distance of each other.

I know I will never, ever move again- this is my forever home, and I love it very much.

I made two lists when I was flat hunting and kept to them. List A was what I MUST have (eg: 2 bedrooms, balcony, en-suite - or at least a four piece bathroom,etc. flats with lift, (surprising how many do not), close to shops, buses and doctors). List B was what I would like, if possible. Parking facilities both for yourself (if you have a car), AND visitors does need to be taken into account these days. All the points A list was achieved at this flat, and most of List B.

My Son in Law is quite severely disabled but he managed to get (with help of crowd funding) a recliner trike. Not sure if you have seen these,. They are 3 wheeled, he sort of nearly lies in it. Goes quite fast - has to use bicycle lanes or else go on road, has an electric feature for help with steep hills. It arrived just as lockdown started and he was in Shielding. Had it in his bedroom to use as an exercise bike, and to build up some leg muscles for it. As he came out of shielding he was able to take it out - over the summer he has been out three or four times a week, has got up to 50 miles round trips with it. He loves it, and has lost a lot of weight (which he needed) and feels so much healthier. On shorter rides his 10-year old son accompanies him and they have lovely Dad and Son time.

crikey shandy. I just turned the radio on, will be an announcement soon. Fingers are very much crossed for you

Morning all, up early to take the dog out then take my car in for a service for 9 am. I lost power on a fast road last week and think my fuel filter is clogged. I am trying to drive faster and further, I go round the back roads to make sure I'm doing at least five miles now.

Glad you got your meds Whiff, get well soon.

I did see the bungalow Spice101, it was on an island in the middle of a cul de sac and overlooked from every angle which I didn't like. The layout was odd and would need a wall knocked down which I wouldn't want to do. I took a friend with me which was good, she felt the same.

I had a funny experience in my local food shop yesterday, the nice girl I've spoken to in there for years said she thought I'd left the area as her boyfriend delivered a trailer to my old house. She said he told her the people were very nice and gave him a tenner tip. I used to tip well too, I hope people thought I was nice!

Better walk the dog and set off, I don't like driving at 'commuter' times.

Will come back later once I know if we are locked down, looks like Northumberland figures are much lower than Newcastle etc but we might get included.

Must get changed, I am expecting a box of very fresh fish from cornwall, I have to portion, vac pack and freeze

whiff, uti is horrible. I hope you feel a lot better today

sparkling, whiff and Franbern moved further than me, they moved to be near children. I am half way between daughters. 1 hour to one, 2 hours to the other

Sparkling think on it as your last chance to move to exactly where you really want to live. I had never been to my market town but I got that feeling when I stopped in the free car park, people spoke to me and it had a very clean toilet. It just felt right. There is a theatre in easy reach, U3A, some shops, post office etc and I personally wanted to be in reach of rural lanes for cycling. I travelled about when looking and some places were just too busy with traffic, in others people did not talk freely. I wanted road access but not crazy. I wanted national trust properties in reach and so on

I love this new build house because of situation, very low bills and plenty of storage for my many hobbies and I have a garden and neighbours within reach and a 10 year guarantee

I still feel as though it is my transition house, one dd has expressed a wish to finally settle in the lake district and I am fully prepared to live there too, it won`t happen for years but that is my goal, if they go then I will go. That for me, would be going home but I have an open mind and am very happy and settled here. Covid has upset the applecart for many of us, no longer able to pop out on a bus or go to NT, which makes having local facilities all the more desirable, I have no wish to go on a masked bus journey any more but I could if I had to

Sparkling have a look at your roots first, any siblings that you get on with, perhaps. Then start casting further afield. Market towns are wonderful, many have that community spirit, it depends if you want busy town, or quieter. I am semi-rural. I worried about eyesight later in life, I picked a place where I could walk to shops and get buses if my eyes ever got so that I could not drive

If you can, make this your very last move and yes be excited, it is an adventure, adventures are not just for the young. You are never too old to explore new options

Shandy57 have you seen the Wimpy Taylor houses for sale in Alnwick. I know you said Alnwick was one of the areas you where looking.

Craftyone your daughter is amazing doing that run for fun. My son in law runs but usually 10k and he cycles 20+k. When he has been going to the office he goes on his bike instead of the train . Says it is safer and keeping him fit.

Well my day started well yesterday. And went down hill after lunch. Got UTI never had one so bad. My GP's was closed as they were having training. Phoned 111 they said I could get something over the counter at pharmacy until I got an appointment. Phoned my daughter they were out for a walk. She me something. Then asked if I had phoned the walk in clinic . Didn't know there were any. Didn't have them where I used to live. She phoned and a nurse phoned back and talked to me. She would send a prescription to the pharmacy. Luckily my son in law was working from home. So he brought the car and after dropping them off my daughter got the tablets.

I was amazed I didn't have to go . After looking at my records gave me the same antibiotics as I had last time I had one back in October.

When people have criticised the health care here I soon tell them be glad they live here and not in West Midlands. The health authority I was under didn't have walk in clinics. Aintree hospital has walk in X ray and ECG clinics as I have used both . Might be different now due to Covid. Used to have to wait up to a month for an appointment if you were lucky. My sister in law has MS she has to wait a week for a repeat prescription. Most I have had to wait is 2 days and the tablets are delivered.

Feeling better. At least no pain when I go. I can still look after my grandson here but no outing . We will go another day.

Made me wonder are there walk in clinics where you live?

Have a good day everyone.

I looked at the Bluecedar homes, but out of price range.? If I moved away from this area I could get a lot more for my money. I need to examine my need to buy not far away. Although children fairly local , they are very busy, my friends, dwindled down as they do you reach 70. Crafty one, it appeared you looked far and wide going for an area that had what you required. How did you feel moving right away.?I should imagine it is very liberating. I hang on too much to the past, it is I security I think.

Shandy, did you view the local bungalow on Tuesday?

Glad to hear it craftyone. I've just dropped down a bag of hot chocolate and some funny straws my daughter left. Poor girl, she lost teeth and has had to have a brace fitted to stablise the rest.

I'm so fed up Northumberland might be locked down, it will be announced tomorrow apparently.

I wear my mask outside all the time, but the tourists are acting as though the pandemic is gone. A woman was looking at the door of our local choc shop and I said it is open - she said I know, but my mask is in the car Why?

My helmet is a MIPS giro helmet with the best available safety protection. My husband taught me how to use a helmet properly ie forward and tightened. It was expensive

I only just had a whatsapp message from dd, she just ordered a mips helmet with an accident alert system. She is the one who is an ironman athlete, did a 53 mile cross country run at the weekend, for fun!! . I am glad she has finally ordered a mips, perhaps because she has started mountain biking and is always competitive. I try not to think of it, they are all fit and active.

Craftyone, has your bike helmet got a visor on it? My neighbour's 20+ year old daughter came off her mountain bike and has terrible facial injuries because her helmet didn't, she's just started teaching poor girl.

ooh yes thanks whiff, I made a list of those exercises. I have dumbells and a resistance band. Strength is one of the first things to go as we get older and I haven`t so may heavy compost bags to lift any more

Spent 2 hours weeding the front garden. Before that made a sort of Bakewell tart. Pastry topped with stewed apple. And sponge on top. My treat for them for taking me out. Off to a garden centre for lunch tomorrow with my daughter and grandson. Then babysitting while my daughter keeps an appointment.

What I was taught a both the exercise classes for strengthening you arms was bicep curls. In class we used water bottles at home I have 2 500g dumbbells. Holding the weights at 90° elbows tight to your waist squeeze bring hands to your shoulders and fully extend your arms. I do this 12 times.
Triceps lean forward keep elbows hands to shoulders and push back squeezing the back of your arms. Trying to push your shoulder blades together. 12 times.
Shoulders punch/ reach to opposite 12 times.
I do these sitting down.
If you have a resistance band . Sit putting the band under both feet pull band up in bicep curl up to shoulders 12 times.
I found these exercises have strengthened my arms. But if anything hurts doing them stop. It shouldn't hurt.
Hope these are useful.

re deeds. These days all deeds are held by the land registry, paper deeds are no longer needed. I had a local solicitor, she did an excellent job and my EA was worth every penny.

So I have been on a cycle ride around my old stomping ground, I managed to get my bike into my car with back seats down. It took a few practices but it worked and I am more than happy, it means than I can take my bike out further afield . I did 80 minutes and at long last the weight is coming off me. I need to do arm exercises though as I am weight bearing my bike, away from my body, so I can get it in the car

I go quotes from local solicitors and wanted to stay local as Franbern said but was persuaded by my EA to use their recommendation over 100 miles away. They were brilliant, helpful, efficient and pleasant. It really did not matter that they weren't local. The rare occasion I needed to send documents I went to the Post Office and sent recorded. Most things are done by email now so distance does not matter.

I spoke with an EA yesterday who is really busy with new instructions. They are only doing proper viewings with serious buyers and telling the rest to look at the virtual tours. I guess their reasoning is someone ready to proceed involves less chasing around.
The problem for this EA is that the solicitors are so slow and are holding up the sales going through. The advice is to do your own searching as much as possible both on the property you are buying as well as on your own. Very often time is lost with your solicitor waiting for an answer from the solicitor of the property you are buying when the answer could be obtained via other channels.