Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 4

Shandy57 I moved 112 miles away from where I lived. I know I moved to be closer to the children. But my original idea was to move to Scotland and I have such wonderful memories of family holidays there. But decided I need to cut all ties with the past and start afresh. Like I have said before couldn't have picked s better place to live. Don't discount the areas I suggested you will be surprised at how lovely it is here. And bungalows go for £300,000 to £150,000. For 2 bed.
Just having a cuppa in my garden done some weeding and transplanted s bush into the front garden.

Morning all, lovely and sunny again, I am going up to the station again in a minute, must get as much out as possible in this good weather. I prepared a huge pile yesterday, hopefully won't take as long to load as I'm anticipating. One more day and I've got two more lockdown weeks, I think I will manage.

I'm just waiting to hear if the buyer wants the furniture craftyone, hope he does, his solicitor hasn't got back to mine for over a week. Odd I haven't had anything in writing from the auction house, just the offer. I'm going to phone them this morning.

Your trolley sounds great Whiff, I used to use a heavy basket with my garden tools, wheels are better.

I do need to cut the apron strings Ellianne, I have such an emotional tie to the house. I felt affronted the people ignored me in my driveway yesterday, I think owning such an interesting house has fed my ego!

Better get dressed and get going! Have a good day whatever you are doing

Back indoors after my weekly foray to Sainsbury, and returning home the long way round to give my car a once a week run out.
Sainsbury in 'oldies' hour is very civilised. Can park there in blue badge area much easier than I used to be able to do, suppose fewer and fewer of us oldies are actually GOING to the Supermarket. I am so glad that I have continued doing this, although on the day I go I have to get up much earlier than I have got used to.
Everything except sugar and flour (except strong bread flour) as normal on shelves. I am obtaining flour from my daughter who has ordered it a large quantity on line, and have enough caster sugar for what I use it for at the moment.
Have to unpack this, now, and put away. Lovely weather - will trundle round the park this afternoon.
Shandy, I would second the idea that you look much further afield from where you at present live. You have often said how cold it is up there, and how you sometimes yearn for returning south. This is the ideal time, yes, rather frightening - but when you think over what you have already achieved in the past few months - you will cope with that tremendously and will give you the opportunity of really starting the next lovely phase of your life.
Today is the birthday or my twins, and also that of my youngest g.child. Was rather rude of her to have been born on her Mums and Aunts birthday eight years ago. Bless her1 another party having to be delayed. Will be so many birthday parties in the latter part of this year for these youngsters.

One of the pair who terrorise the neighbourhood.

Good morning everyone, beautiful sunshine.

Glad your cat came home Shandy, they always do. We currently have 2 black boy cats we rescued in France. They have moved 5 times, 100s of miles on 2 occasions, once right next to the tube line in East London, and they always seem to know exactly where they are.
That got me thinking, maybe you need to move well away from where you are now. Cut the apron strings do to speak. If certain things and people make you feel a bit uncomfortable a fresh perspective is often a good thing. It doesn't mean you need to forgot that past chapter, in fact it may become even more of a precious memory to you when you are at a distance.
Your cart sounds good Whiff. It reminds me if those trundle carts we used to drag the kids round in on holiday.
Has anyone been watching a programme with Kate Humble called "A new life for half the price"? It's on Channel 5 and last night a family moved from Surrey to a farmhouse in Gloucestershire and became self sufficient even though they weren't farmers. I can recommend it.

Woke with a start this morning thought its light earlier. It was 7 no wonder it was light. Legs feel better today so am going into the back garden this morning. Because I walk with a stick I have to put my tools in a little box to carry them round. But can only do a few at a time so it's trips back and forth to the garage. Solved the problem. Knew I couldn't us a wheelbarrow but remember seeing someone years ago with a folding thick plastic folding shopping cart with long handle. So looked on eBay. I brought one. It folds flat when not in use but is large and deep no lid. Perfect for all my tools even can get a 50l bag of compost in it. When my daughter came for her shopping showed it to her. I now know where I saw it before. When she worked for one of the Liverpool uni's she used one for doing UCAS fairs.

Shandy57 I echo the warning becareful who you share info with. Glad your cat came back.

Have a good day everyone.

yes shandy don`t speak to anyone about the station and your business, apart from friends. Ask your solicitor for the formal agreed completion date, these dates are arranged on exchange and are fixed. They probably know the completion date but no-one has thought to tell you. Also start bothering the EA to get the date. EAs will be out of lockdown within a few weeks, removals and house moves will be on again. Jump the gun and be ready. House sales and purchases are an economy driver in the uk

I assume that you will be staying in the NE and in an area that you know, look for walking/easy access to shops and facilities as a priority. I don`t have many shops within walking distance but a few is enough. Facilities could mean buses so you have the means to get about if eg your eyes ever play up. Its too mesmerising looking at large general areas so home in on a particular district to start. A bungalow with a garden would be good

Hi all, I had a funny experience tonight. I was in the drive of the station looking for my cat, and a man and a woman walked by with their dogs. As I was standing with a cat basket shaking cat biscuits I called out hello, and said I'd just moved out to a nearby cottage, and thought my cat might have returned to the house.

I turned back to the garden for a few minutes and when I turned around again they'd come into the drive and were picking through the items I'd left out, as though I was invisible. I said please help yourself, I no longer have room for them as I'm downsizing. They then said is it your house then? Aren't people odd, they just don't listen properly. The woman then said her son had been following the sale. Gave me the creeps to think of how many people know my business, it's all so public isn't it. Good thing is she said she was coming back with her car, hopefully she'll take lots of it!

When they left I realised I should be more careful who I speak to, I always talk too much. I didn't meet the buyer, for all I know he could be up here. Could have been him!

My cat came back at 8.30 pm with the feral male cat, they seem to have made friends.

I'm a bit overtired tonight, feel sleepy but wide awake at the same time

Crafty - I'm glad you have posted a description of your garden as I can picture it now. You have worked so hard in it and can now visualise what you have done. It must look lovely.

I succeeded in picking up 70 stitches without dropping (m)any. I sat out in the sunshine so the light made it easier. I think I'm back on track now.
Your garden sounds amazing crafty. Such a lot crammed into a small space.
Ours is huge I think over an acre but a lot is woodland, pond etc. We have a smallish kitchen garden, a greenhouse, veg patch, flower beds etc .my biggest problem is the lawn mowing so I have just asked if the gardener can come and cut it. It's costly but now we have no helpers, I can't see an alternative as we can't go out and get petrol . She says it will have to be next Monday.
It's going to be another scorcher tomorrow. I want fish and chips, ice cream and a stroll along the beach.

Franbern sounds like you have a very good consultant. And he was reassuring.

Ellianne loved that cartoon.

Finally cracked this afternoon and went into the garden but only to put some seeds into pots . Have 48 biodegradable ones on 4 trays in plastic bags to germinate at the kitchen windowsill. Fingers crossed they grow.

Apart from reading, cross stitch and preparing veg for the freezer haven't done much. Legs feel a lot better.
My daughter popped round for her shopping. Gave her 3 pots of jam and 2, of marmalade to take home.

Craftyone your garden sounds amazing. But love my little ones as I can look after them myself.

Shandy57 has your solicitor told you the completion date. He should know.

Have a good evening.

The whole of the main back garden is about 31 x 38 feet and half to a third of that is a massive L shaped patio, plus I have a bit down the side about 11` x 16` plus a bed all along the front and continuing along the side bit, it is full of roses and lavenders. The whole back garden is walled to about 2m high so it is a real sun trap and is not overlooked at all. The house faces E at the back and the shade starts coming at about 12.30, All of the side with the garage faces south and there is a lot of sun in the garden all day long

It is not your normal garden, no grass, 3 obelisks made from iron and more height with 4 x M26 (10`) apple trees and 3 standard gooseberries and a black pagoda solar water feature. In that soil area I have 3 x ergo raised beds, they have 6 sides. On my patio I have 4 x black aluminium veg trugs and 2 keter storage facilites, 2 wooden benches and 2 lovely cafe tables with 2 chairs each. It means that I follow the sun. I also have 2 tall greek columns that hold rain water and one mini glass house. I do have various other planters. On the s facing side, half way down on the soil side of the full length patio, I cleared and made a big square, edged with chunky rubber and filled with gravel. In that square right by the patio, I dug very deep and concreted in a base for my whirly washing line, which is solid as a rock. lol, I have to laugh when I see my strong male neighbours washing draped all over their lounges because they have not made provision outside

Down the side in the extra space, I have 2 mini hotbins because compost is my black gold. I have a utility keter storage box for garden stuff, a half barrel sized raised bed and 3 x 1m squared raised beds for veg. I also have 2 bush gooseberries and 2 rhubarb down there and 3 baby bergamot plants. At the moment in the beds I have potatoes, shallots, carrots and beetroots

My garden in a nutshell, if that was possible!

Today I have taken a chance and planted out 10 x cosmos. Tomorrow I will do a bike ride and do a stone chucking exercise along very overgrown country verges under hedges, just a small stone at a time but little by little, they are going back to the ground, just in a different more suitable place

I empathise about the knitting grammaretto, I am using devonia 4 ply on 3mm circular needles, right now on 2 circular needles with end stoppers because the line is so long. I have to have a craft light behind me

Evening all, I've had a good day of sorting and am going to have tomorrow morning off, I've packed enough to do a few collection runs tomorrow which will be enough for one day.

Just heard from my solicitor, he is still waiting for a response as to whether or not the buyer wants the furniture or will accept it may still have to be there. If removal companies are not allowed to remove during lockdown, he won't be able to move in anyway?

I came back after my packing and felt brave, thought I'd do the lawn. Pushed it all the way round to the front, unwound the miles of cable, plugged it in and nothing. I unplugged it from the garden plug and tried it indoors - still nothing. What a bore! I'm sure I saw a lion out there!

Ellianne thank you for thinking of me, what a nice cartoon!

Keep your fingers crossed my puss cat comes back - she went out at 8 am and hasn't been back yet, unusual for her.

Shandy I don't normally bother with all the jokes or silly messages, but this one is for you and your dog.

Grannaretta, you should be using at least a double knit yarn with Size 8 (4mm) needles. I only knit in the evenings, when I am watching tv. As I have said previously, I am trying very much to keep to my normal routines in every way. Up and to bed as same time as pre-lockdown. Meals, at same time as usual and with virtually same menus,
Do admit to snacking a little more than usual .
Obviously, not going to my usual U3A groups etc. Spending that time mainly on the laptop.
Today, I will have to go out to local pharmacy to collect prescriptions. I have been told to expect a Hermes order to be delivered before 3 pm, so will need to stay in for that and then go out.
Sorting out my shopping list for tomorrow morning. I write it in aisle order - so it is quick and easy to do when I am there. I miss my leisurely stroll round the supermarket, comparing weights and prices.
Shandy, would add my voice to the others, take some time off from sorting out the station and relax with you laptop looking at properties in different areas. That will be fun to do
Craftyone, how big is this garden of yours? You seem really happy even with all the hard work it gives you. I must say that I was more than happy to give up my small garden at the house - I was having to have a monthly gardener as I was find it impossible these days to carry out even the smallest tasks.
The balcony is idea for me - no work involved - or there will not be when I have it all sorted out.

Just reading what you are all up to makes me quite tired. I wish you were here to help with my knitting Franbern. I have taken mine back twice and may have to begin again. Remind me to avoid 4 ply in future. I can't see it well enough for the tiny stitches. I miss my group.

You'd think we lived at the seaside. We don't but we have seagulls nesting? certainly roosting and screaming at the other birds. I believe they miss the school kids leaving their leftover lunches.

You could do a little househunting Shandy or are you finding that hard when you actually need to do it?

So glad you were reassured by the doctor Franbern We had a wobbly day in that respect. Not being able to leave the house /garden is getting to us both. It is like being in hospital when there's nothing wrong with you.

Good point crafty, property prices won't slump for long. Our daughter spoke to an agent today and he said he has several prospective buyers currently in rental chomping at the bit. They have to be out of their agreements by a certain date.

I hope that settled your mind Franbern, he probably spent more time talking and listening that a normal face to face

I am finished working for the day, I always seem to start at 7 because the mornings are so light. Today I did my cycle ride and the squeaks and rubs were annoying me so I had to do that methodical tweaking with allen keys and crossed fingers. I also scraped inside my mudguards and used a very good oil on where the hub turns and then I oiled my chain. Tested on a 2 minute ride and I could not hear any squeaks and rubs.

Then after my second breakfast, I dismantled my 2 wayfair wooden greenhouses, carefully storing the loose bits in a marked bag and the whole lot has gone into my keter store it out, it is taller than a box and has a sloping roof, 2 doors and is bone dry inside, also cavernous. I have logs in there, various bits and still have room for my lafuma in winter

Seaweed mist on all plants, moved plants have been watered and that really is enough for today. I want to wash my hair but may as well wait until it is late enough to come down in my dressing gown

If you feel tired shandy, do a bit less and spend some time property hunting on the net with laptop on your knees. Prices will slump but they will soon go up again, months not years, so you need to be ready to pick up a bargain

This morning I was supposed to have an appointment for a full check up at the local hospital urology unit. Follow-up from my operation at end of last year, to check that the growth has not re-grown. Obviously, not to to at present, but a couple of weeks ago the Consultants secretary rang me to say there would be a telephone consultation at the same time as the appointment was for. 9.00 am.
Indeed, just before that time, Consultant rang me, went through some details, and I asked a couple of questions about medication that had been concerning me - he was lovely, unhurried and very reassuring.
He will have me in for a full test once things return to something approaching normality.

Morning all, I've been up for hours and can't get going today.

Promise you'll rest Whiff, let your legs recover.

Your knitting is lovely Franbern, I do regret not being interested when my Mum offered to teach me.

My dog is behaving very strangely, he hasn't moved well. I am sorry he can't see out of the windows at the cottage, he is used to his sentry point at the station. Wherever I move to he will need a view.

Off to get dressed and up to the house, it worked much better yesterday working all day then going to the beach at night. I still haven't had an official completion date, but am working to eight weeks from the date of exchange.

Oh whiff!! yes a couple of days off for you.

I am watching the pianist on netflix and knitting, am enjoying my rest sessions but I definitely need to get on my bike again, I don`t go far but it makes me stretch my legs.

My neighbours girlfriend came back just as it was getting dark, I saw her car, almost 100 miles to see her partner. I am inwardly cross but at the same time thinking that karma could well bite them. She left her young adult daughter to come up. I bet they ring my bell again but this time I will do my best to be cool and detached, not chirpy friendly. I have not travelled to see my dd`s nor them me, we are keeping to the rules for the safety of others. I bet these 2 go shopping today, putting other people ar risk. I need to switch my head off about them or I will think nasty thoughts

I have been a bit busy, juicing various veg and 2 left over lemons, I am expecting more carrots on friday. I have enough juice for 3 days but am steadily making a list for my sainsbury car run on sunday.

My new bottling pan came yesterday, it was a fair price on amazon. I was always making do but having kilners bobbing up and down on a tea towel in a maslin was a bit nerve racking. It is very big and stainless steel with a glass lid, I easily found space in my utility room and it will be put in the garage when I finish in autumn

Oh yes, I unwrapped my cross stitch set and it is truly lovely. It has everything I need except a bit of stuffing and will make 30 2.5 x 2.5 inch christmas decorations to hang on my christmas scandi tree.

Hello, just reading through your gardening comments has worn me out. I sowed some courgette and chilli seeds yesterday, threw out some dead plants and cleaned some pots and trays. I acquired the seeds when I offered my surplus tomato seedlings to a local group on FB which went, as my mam used to say, ‘like snow off a dyke’. Perhaps we need an organised community plant swap next year. I also got more compost yesterday; B&M with garden centres are still selling along with a few plants and I happened to hit on when the queue was very short. I’m also a great labeller when it comes to packing/storage; DP keeps it all in his head which can be irritating at times given the quantity of stuff we packed away and are still going through that was put away last July before the work started on our basement. My idea when I retired over 2 years was to do some travelling; DP now thinks we may manage it next year.

No gardening today for me I over did the digging. In a lot of pain with both legs. I know better lesson learnt. Trouble was I was enjoying myself and feeling rather cuffed at what I achieved. Pride comes before a fall. My children will tell me off when I tell them. After my husband died they made me promise to always tell them when I don't feel well. It's only fair as they are listed as my next of kin. And have been grateful of that especially when I had to be rushed to hospital and couldn't explain what was happening. Pays to be a chatter box at times.

My daughter is popping round later to pick up some shopping I got her from Sainsbury's , just a few things she was having getting.

Had an accident with the watering can yesterday tipped it the wrong way. Only thing not wet was my bra and knickers. Don't ask me how I did it not a clue. You would think they are simple to operate. Handle end and end where water comes out. Simple!

We'll have a good day everyone.

Those little knitted figures are really sweet. I like the hedgehogs At Easter someone near here had something similar on their garden gate.
Where did you live in Wales crafty? I love Welsh singing. My mother didn't speak any English until she was ten.
It would be lovely to see garden centres open again soon, but maybe not the cafés and wating places in them.

I am awaiting several garden type deliveries too but don’t know when I will actually get my goods.
When we moved into our house there was a huge compost bin but last year I felt it was too big and ,since the council collected green waste, I emptied it and sold it on eBay for £20. Well the council no longer collect and the bags of printings, grass etc are mounting up so I have ordered a new bin from our council (£21 plus p&p). Lesson learned!

I have also ordered some roses from David Austin. Graham Thomas (yellow) , Eustacia Vye (soft pink) and the deep pink Gabriel Oak. I am also waiting for two cherry bushes that I ordered through the Radio Times. My grandson loves cherries!

I must say that I agree with Franbern that I wish they would relax a bit re the DIY stores and garden centres. Can’t wait to go to a garden centre again when they reopen!