Help calm me. house buying and selling stress. Part 5

DD has just left, wow amazing time to get here and she looks so well and fit and cheery. I am going to drive to her house for a visit next week, it will be lovely to see the dgc at long last.

Bottling is good to preserve my berries when I think my freezer will be full, easy I will fill the jars with the washed berries soon and probably do it around teatime. I used to make fruit leathers because I used to have a dehydrator. I would not bother just for me as the sugars are concentrated

I washed! the car this morning, I only I put the hose on it and used a soft handbrush, also checked my tyre pressures as I am going to do the 40 mile round supermarket trip tomorrow.

So salad for lunch, prep now and a cup of tea

Morning all, very hot here today, I'm not sure I like it

Have a good time being spoilt Whiff.

Hope your daughter arrived on time craftyone, a remarkable ride!

I wanted to ask if anyone has researched new laptops, I can't use this one now as half the screen has gone, I have to reduce the window and drag it around to read posts. Not a good time not to be on line!

I love gooseberries, we used to buy loads in France where they are very plentiful.
Have a lovely time with your daughter Whiff and keep us posted with the bathroom progress. AC are a strange breed, I hope your son turns himself round soon.
Many properties round here that were on before lockdown have been reduced. The post lockdown ones seem to have come on at post lockdown prices which seems reasonable enough.
I wouldn't accept their first offer Luckygirl, they usually have a bit more to spend. What a fiasco with your EA!
Our DD's buyers are going at a real pace and already having conversations about buying free standing appliances from them.
A word of warning about solicitors ........... Last year we used an online company and they were fine, although I have heard poor reports about some. The fee was a lot lot less than the local solicitors quoted. We suggested our DD use the same company in Manchester, but the price had doubled. Apparently a lot of the staff have been furloughed so the solicitors are having to do the menial work themselves and are charging higher fees. The local ones are now comparable and of course on the doorstep.

Craftyone never tried bottling must give it a go. Have you ever made fruit leather? I wondered what it would be like as it's something that would be useful as a snack to take out. If so have you any recipe that works well.

On hold will Barclays bank at the moment. Once I 've finished my cuppa going to hang out the washing.

Have a great day everyone. X

DD will be here at 9.30 after cycling 45 miles, I have energy boosters ready, macademia nuts and dried fruits, sweet whipped hot chocolate and cake

I am also ready to bottle gooseberries in light syrup, the syrup is cooling and fruits are washed as are the jars. Its a grand way to preserve fruit. I will still have enough for the freezer, invicta are quick and there are quite a few more left to get larger. The other 2 bushes are the hinonmaki red, very prickly and will be ready in a few weeks, I will freeze those. It will take about 2 hours to do the slow water bath bottling but they will keep for a very long time

You will be all done before you can blink whiff and what a difference it will make. I don`t know what is up with these AC of ours, some turn out lovely and caring and empathetic, others cannot get their heads around that we are getting old and are more vulnerable, so they cut themselves off, until it is too late. All we can do is to make that bubble around ourselves too and try not to think of them.

Luckygirl, this does sound promising

Luckygirl I hope you let the estate agent know you are not pleased with the service they are giving you. After all they are working for you. They are bound to want to knock down the price. Depending how much and if you are happy to accept. Make it a case you want to exchange and complete in say 6 weeks. But get it in writing between the solicitors so it is binding. I took a reduced price but took their word it would be a quick sale 6-8 weeks. Their solicitor was a nightmare. Should have moved in May got here in August.

I know it's stupid o'clock. Just put some washing on. As I don't want to take a pile of dirty washing to my daughter's. This feels just like moving day. I was up at 2 that morning packing boxes and only went back to bed at 4 for 2 hours. Ridiculous I know. Realised we will have to take at least 1 door off as the door is very tight in my bedroom. Have to ask my daughter to bring tools. Still got my husband's but theirs may be better.

My home improvements guy came round yesterday just to go through a few things and gave him the keys. Just to the back door and front garage door. I just know I am going to drive myself mad thinking I've forgotten something. I'm only going to 10mins away in the car.

I didn't tell my son about the bubble echo nor am I telling him about having the work done now and will be at his sister's. Since that email 4th not heard a thing. I sent my grandson's the cushions I made them addressed to his mother in law who lives with them. He was brought up with good manners. Not to say thank you is beyond the pale. He says he loves me but if you love someone you would at least text once a week just to ask if they are alright even if he only wants yes or no answer. I am doing what he wants at the moment. My new grandson is due end of July but I reckon he will arrive end of June or beginning of July. As the other 2 where both 6 weeks early.

Well going to get in the shower now. And get going.

Going to be another hot day.

I do hope your viewers buy Luckygirl.
Our property was already for sale at a reduced price but the buyer wanted another £5,000 knocked off the price because they didn't like the windows, it is a conservation area and the wooden windows can't be replaced with plastic.

Well - 2pm came and went, 2.30, 2.45..........! I rang estate agent - I happened to have his mobile number.

Someone from estate agents rang yesterday telling me that the viewers wanted to come round today and asking what time etc. - I said 2 pm - woman said fine. I did rather think she might then tell the viewers............but no!

The viewers were wondering what the hell was going on too. But in the end they did get the message that I was waiting for them. They brought a surveyor friend with them!

We wait and see; but I suspect they will try and knock me down on the price.

Shandy Sidmouth is brilliant in the Autumn, Winter and wet days!
Any sign of sun and it and the car parks are heaving, my DD lived just outside of Sidmouth, but worked in the High Street, I took her in one morning, fairly early and parked in the almost empty carpark an hour later when I went home the car park was full and the traffic was queueing All the way out of Sidmouth . So if the bungalow is in town then thats brilliant, but if it’s in Sidford or where you would need a car to drive in to Sidmouth, then please think carefully and travel in on a Summers day to get an idea of the traffic, before you commit to buy.
Axminster is a pleasant market town. Honiton is also a good place with decent shops, but they all have problems in the holiday months.
It would also be a good idea to check the closeness or otherwise of Hospitals, Doctors, also the crime rates, you’d be surprised at the crime in the Summer months in our coastal towns.

Fingers crossed Luckygirl. My laptop screen has gone white with lines on just on one side so I’ll be off line for a few days?

Everything is crossed for you luckygirl

Luckygirl fingers and toes crossed for you.

That's good news Luckygirl. Sounds promising.

Shandy ... Whiff is right, Sidmouth is in a valley between two hills. It is a lovely small town with everything you need and lots of activities, it can get very busy in summer. Plenty of dog walks but they are banned from the beach from May 1st. Exmouth has a more expansive sand beach and dogs are allowed up one end.

Thursday's viewers coming round for a second viewing this afternoon. Fingers crossed.

Bunnies got at my sweet peas last night.

crikey whiff, walk slowly and have plenty of breaks and drink water often

I would love a walk on a beach, something I will remedy when all this is over. I will pack my new bike into my boot and go to the lovely cycle paths in west wales for holidays. Until then???

I have been hoeing, easy standing up and best to do it so the weeds die properly in the heat. Noticed that the gooseberries look big, They need to be sub-ripe for bottling so I have picked enough for 4 kilners and left smaller ones to grow and freeze. I am really pleased with the crop and it is very easy pickings because the 3 are standards and I stand upright to pick. They are prepped and in the fridge. I am doing things in stages in this heat. I will bottle after dd leaves tomorrow, she wants to get the miles in so does not need a lift back. I am taking a car run to hers next week, while nice enough to sit outside. Got to be extra careful soon, her husband is a key worker teacher and she is a dentist. They are very aware of contamination

I watched a house through time on iplayer, was very interesting, in Bristol.

Franbern glad you had such a great day. With all that's going on good days are to be cherished.

Shandy57 when I was 21 my to be husband took to me too Sidmouth for as he called it a dirty weekend. We even registered as Mr and Mrs complete with wedding ring out of Woolies. Laughable now but in it was 41 years ago. Remember it being beautiful but hilly. Hope I've remembered the hilly bit right.

Craftyone have a lovely time with your daughter tomorrow.

Been packing and moving stuff about honestly it's worse that when I was packing to move house. Just had a drink and then starting again.

Morning everyone, sunny again here, I do hope it rains for the farmers.

Glad you had such a good day Franbern, happy memories are so precious.

Ellianne, can I ask if you ever go into Sidmouth? A bungalow has come up there.

Another coffee and off to walk my patient dog. Had a marvellous time at our 'normal' beach last night. I haven't been there for two months and the seagulls remembered me and came to be fed, I felt bad I didn't take them anything. More people than I've seen in weeks but still possible to distance.

Enjoy your day and stay safe xx

Had a really gorgeous few hour out in Wells yesterday, We got there quite early, (five of us), Obviously, everything indoors was closed, but the fabulous grounds and gardens of the Abbey were open and beautiful.

In a way, it was probably better at the moment than normal times as everywhere was so very uncrowded. Whereas there were plenty of people around, in so much space there was absolutely no problem. Probably the closest we came to any other group would about ten metres!!!

Lots of water there, so peaceful - I saw cygnets - for the first time in my life. Tiny little wings - never knew about that. The ducks were so relaxed with humans, that my three g.children sat within a metre of one with her ducklings for about 15 minutes.

We arrived just before 10 in the morning, walked (me on my scooter trundling) around, into the part where you need to pay, but that gives us entry there for 12 months - so will use it again. We had taken all our own food and drink - and finally left about 2.30. Even the car parks had loads of spaces.

It was totally magical day in every way - so lucky to be able to go there. Was exhausted when I got home - but am now quite happy to stay at home for today and tomorrow and avoid any crowds coming down here for this glorious weather.

Will definitely be doing more visits to Wells, but doubt if anything in the future will be as good as it was yesterday.

When you think about once you get pregnant we as women are always getting prodded and poked one way or another. And many on here have had to have various tests and operations over the years. If you analysis what some of have had done it's quite barbaric. But if like me you know it's for your own good. If it wasn't for the NHS many of us wouldn't be here. Remember my mom saying it used to be 6d to visit the doctor or 1/- for a visit. Many couldn't pay but still the doctor's saw them. I remember stories of country doctors being paid with produce as hard cash was hard to come by. Up here I have used the Royal and Aintree hospitals and the Walton centre which is on Aintree hospital site. Used various departments and had paramedics out to me. Can not fault the care I've been given. It was one of my worries when moving . Would I find a good GP and hospital services. Needed have worried. I love everything thing up here .

Did I say met another of my neighbours from number 27. His career takes him out for a hour in his wheelchair everyday we have sun. So lucky I picked the right place.

I was in the front garden the other day and heard fast wheels and looked up to see a labrador running by on a lead pulling a lad about 14 on his scooter. My grandson by my daughter would have gone out of his mind . He loves his scooter and goes very fast.

Well I have witted on as usual. Must start packing. And moving things around. Have a great day everyone.

I love wells cathedral ellianne, I used to go there after being widowed, not for the religious thing but for the old vibes and for peace. They charge £6 but I just went in, I was not a tourist, I just sat for a while and then went to their restaurant.

I hope my neighbour is not going to be asking me to water often. People should think about that before putting plants into growbags or pots. If they want to get away often then they should have other forms of gardening. I have pulled his hose out and left it on the ground, even winding hose is no good for my arms right now, never mind carrying the can he left. They are back in 3 days and I am going to leave the hose out on purpose, so they see it. I used to water my other neighbours garden, which was crammed full of pots. Honestly I had enough just doing my own

I got up early thinking about you whiff, you do sound like the most perfect pragmatic patient. I am glad it is over and that you are going to have a nice weekend.

My dd is cycling down from her house on sunday, 45 miles, yes she is an athlete. She will have cake and energy food and a short rest and will cycle back. They don`t get it from me, I don`t like exercise

The birds woke me, they are very loud and I am taking the opportunity of a blow through, it is 23 in and 12 out and I am trying to cool the house before the next blast of very hot air

Ooer Whiff that sounds like a bit of an ordeal, but glad you are ok.
Hope you enjoyed Wells Franbern. My husband sang in the cathedral and said the roof space was fantastic.
Hope your aches are gradually disappearing crafty.
Lots of watering every evening now and a very dry weekend ahead.

Shandy57 it's what they call the needle they put into your vein which has 3 little tubes coming off it with stoppers on the ends. It doesn't hurt to go in or taken out. Like I have said before the health care I have received up here is excellent .