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

shandy, two years into a new build guarantee is good. The snagging period is over and hopefully all the snags are done. The owner will have put window dressings up and maybe made a start on the garden. Even the big new builds have improved from the old days but in any case, very important to get a surveyor and ask for snags to be listed too

I used to live near Chester, it was a lovely place and my sister lives near there now, she is always walking and cycling locally, it is just a hop to n wales and the lovely forests. Everything is there in chester. We lived in Hoole very close to the centre, walking distance. Our house was architect built, next to police houses and right in the centre of a council estate. It had a big garden. Delamere forest is in the centre of cheshire, she and her husband go there several times a week

Franburn
You and I have been on the same page from the very beginning ?
Fortunately so have my friends and family.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Sorry, I see it was yesterday. I didn't realise it was that close to Liverpool.

midgey I didn't think about the chemicals in mattresses. The John Lewis man told me to leave them out of the plastic wrapping for 24 hours, now I know why.
All those horrible stories of beds catching fire through people smoking make me shiver.

Where did Chester come from?

Midgey, thanks for the suggestion, I'll add Chester to my list

Hello travelnan, haven't seen you for ages, I hope all is well with you. My daughter rang to say her flights had been delayed yet again so I'm not sure when she can come. Unfortunately I'm looking 350 plus miles away, so it all does have to be flights/trains etc. I'm finding street view really useful, the EA photos make places look fantastic … once you are in street view you get the real picture.

I wish I could shake off this tiredness, I had to cut my dog's walk short this morning. I remember feeling like this after my husband died, perhaps my body doesn't deal well with adrenalin.

I don't know how I feel about the virus but am meeting increasing numbers of people that have had it and survived. I've been alone in the house the whole of lockdown except for 'station goodbye' day when my son came. I do walk my dog and see people at a distance, do go food shopping in my mask, and have started going to the second hand bookshop. I automatically move away from any people I see. I met a friend with a self catering cottage yesterday and she said she was off to buy thinner mattress covers to put over the thick ones she uses, as they won't dry in time. Hopefully it can't 'move' through the fabric?

I so agree with Franbern’s pragmatic approach. We have been similarly careful but not OTT about contact with the virus, and since all our normal activities have stopped we are meeting few people, the most likely source of infection.

I am so concerned about the impact of all this on the young, and am prepared to put up with this half life if it means school and work and social interaction can be resumed and the young can pick up the threads again.

My DD says you should leave your mattress as long as you possibly can because of the fire retardant chemicals. Sounds exciting times Whiff!

Spice101 sorry to hear you are locked down . But like Franbern says it will be like this for a long time yet. I haven't been wiping shopping or parcels down. To me that would be going overboard. Always washed my hands a lot and always after going out.

My friend from U3A has invited me to see her new house next week. Looking forward to it. She's promised cake. Sent her a card but will take a house warming gift with me. Seen pictures but it will be lovely to have a catch up. Sitting apart of course. I will have my mask on because I will go on the bus but take it off in her home.

My new mattresses are arriving next week . How long should I air the one for my bed out before use? It's been over 20+ since I had a new mattress for my bed.

Going to get in touch with the decorator today as my bed will go into my bedroom this weekend and won't take long to clear out the spare room ready to be done. And then that's it for inside the bungalow this year. Just crack in garage wall inside and extra guttering on garage roof and new garden gate and frame. Then I'm done this year. Just living room and hall to decorate next year.

Can't go into the garden today raining hard.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Some of the Charity Shops here have some places where they are taking in donations. Think most intend opening properly over next couple of weeks.

It is obvious that each time lockdown is eased there is going to be more cases reported. Could go on for years on that path - Lockdown - Ease - Lockdown- Ease....etc.etc. Each time, many lives totally disrupted and economically disastrous for both individuals, families and the country.

Not sure about other countries, but we need to remind ourselves in the UK the original reason for Lockdown. It was to give a chance to our totally under-funded and under-resourced NHS to cope with the more severe cases of this virus. Okay, that sort of worked - although tens of thousands died.

NHS can cope now with a further outbreak, although I do worry that whereas they are able to cope with Coronoavirus cases, many other, equally serious illnesses are being left untested and untreated.

Until such time (if ever) some sort of vaccine, or immediate treatment for this virus is discovered, there is no way that it can be really prevented from spreading out to those who have not had it. There is far better treatments now understood and used for those who have it severely - reason for much lower death rates. But do not think it sensible to go on that sea-saw of in and out of lockdown. In the long run, think this can do more damage than good.

As you all know I have been quite pragmatic (almost fatalistic), about this virus from the start. Did not lock myself away, never washed food and parcels and post coming into me. Followed normal hygiene procedures at home, so did not need to purchase lots of extra bleach, etc.!!!

Continued weekly supermarket shop, etc. Went out most days to park etc. I accept that the chances are that I will get this at some time in the not too distant future, hope that I will be one of the over-whelming majority that only have mild symptons, accept at my age it will probably be a bit worse than that, glad there are now places in hospitals and intensive care units should I be one of the very unlucky ones, and also accept that I have to die of something eventually.

I do understand the concerns of the younger people with health conditions, but feel that locking ourselves away, is no long-term answer.

My only difference in what I do is more than past usual hand washing.

Today I have a zoom U3A coffee morning, then another attempt to make Chola bread, and daughter coming over for her last weekly team meeting this afternoon, and she will stay on for tea. Pork chops taken out of freezer last night for that. Pavolova for dessert. (Oh, those lockdown extra pounds_!!!!

Shandy57 have been following this post from the start and can only say how impressed I am with all you have achieved, You said your daughter was coming to collect her car in July, would it be possible for her to stay a few days and take you to places you are interested in? You could even take your dog with you.

I had an aunt who lived in St Leonard's. She used to say it was the posh part of Hastings!
That's sad for all those living in Melbourne Spice101 especially children. I assume they have a different school year to ours.
Charity shops here are opening this week but I don't fancy looking.
I need to buy a new light fitting for the bedroom. The one they left here had 3 long dangling lamps and the ceiling isn't very high. I have smashed two lights already when changing the bed linen, (I like to throw the duvet in the air inside its cover!). There's a nice furniture shop in town.
Chilly start, but hoping it will warm up later.

Our posts crossed craftyone - I'm impressed you are making a skirt!

Morning all, a definite autumn feel here today!

Thanks for all the feedback on the cottage. I love it but it would be a stretch at that price. I am trying to focus on location and had never thought of Minehead, my friend was trying to be helpful but I don't think it's for me. Even the estate agent said 'you have a lot of thinking to do' when I asked about the double glazing!

Craftyone when you looked at new builds did you see anything about Wimpey homes? There's a 2018 build for sale with 8 years left on the guarantee? I worked for them as a temporary secretary in 1978 in Hammersmith, my boss was in charge of Gdansk development. Not sure how to spell that.

I've managed to get my dog into the kennels and cat sitter organised for August, so planning another trip, deciding where to go.

Thanks Franbern, I'll have a good look at St Leonards. I am sorry I can't afford Swanage, it does look lovely, but nearly everything I can afford seems to be on a main road which I definitely don't want. Streetview is so handy - one house I loved opposite a park is on the main road, just before a very busy roundabout!

So very sorry to read that Spice101, I assume house viewings are stopped again too? I hated lockdown one, I felt like a criminal when I drove my car down to the village to walk my dog. Best wishes to you both getting through this second spike.

My poor cat has a cold sore on her eye again, wish me luck getting her into the basket later for the vets.

Have a good day everyone

It seems inevitable that most people are exposed to covid at some stage, we cannot live on lockdown conditions for too much longer, cannot be doing all this ducking and diving wherever we go. Countries cannot afford it, the next generation will have to pay for it and we have to get back to a better normality with socialisation included and the sooner the better. There is something to be said for being in a country or state with a higher number of positive cases and hopefully there will be immunity lurking too and a quicker return to normal

I need to get some exercise and will be out cycling later, the wind has dropped and I should not face crosswinds on my twitchy bike. As always I do have weeding, chopping of excess growth for the hotbins and plenty of berry picking

I need to prep for some ready meals, not a single one is left. I have grass fed turkey in the freezer, vac packed in portions, it was expensive so I treat it with kid gloves. I will get some out and make a turkey casserole with the usual base veg plus a tin of beans to bulk it. I am hoping to get at least 6 portions to freeze

I have had to destroy some rugs to get them packed into the bin, charity shops are still closed here, I also put some dishes out, its a shame but I cannot hang onto things any more, I doubt these shops will open for months if that. My dd is having my steam generator iron, bought when husband was doing the ironing, it arrived after he died and I really don`t need a big family iron. My old bulky ironing board is also going, I will dismantle and get rid of the metal in the tip tomorrow. I am getting a lighterweight more compact board

When I am back and showered, then I will get the casserole on and start on another autumn skirt, already cut out. So that is today sorted, plenty to do, albeit solitary again

Oh dear. As of midnight tomorrow Melbourne is being placed back in lockdown for 6 weeks. After 191 new cases today and hundreds over the last two weeks the government has imposed stage 3 restrictions. This means we can only go out for work, medical issues, care or shopping for groceries. Schools were meant to be going back after the term break on Monday but that is not going to happen now. Not sure how long it will be before it does. My poor GS is not having a good start to his school years. I do hope it will not have an adverse effect on his enjoyment of school.

Victoria has now been locked out of every other State of Australia all borders closed to us.

Just did a quick search on Right Move for both St Leonards on the South Coast, and (just out of interest) Worle which is a suburb of WSM, In both you can purchase really nice 2-bed detached bungalows with garages, close to buses and station with trains direct to London, and motorway just a couple of miles away.

Sure there are plenty of other places similar

I had a school friend whose parents back in the 1950's ran the Youth Hostel in Minehead, and was invited to be with her there for some of the school holidays. It no longer exists, but was a very large building with different wings and.......lots of spiders. Her Dad. unlike mine, could not understand why I was so scared of these tiny creatures. On the other hand I was able to take their big dog for a walk most days - I so wanted to have a dog.

Did go to Butlins there, when children were small. Back then bookings were for a week, with Friday night being the big party for end of the week. Most people only went for one week. It was quite sad Saturday mornings as people packed up and drove off. I used to leave at 1.00 am after that party - and be back in London before everyone else was up. Amazing how much, and how many I used to be able to pack in the car those days for those trips. Once did it with a trailer on back - hated that, could not reverse!!!

Went back to that Butlins about nine years ago and hated it.

Problem with Minehead is that it is quite cut off. Only one small road going there from the Motorway going through different villages.

That house does not look at all suitable - just a smaller version of what you have finally managed to get rid off. You need to be looking for something much more easy and economic to run Do not need anything large just for yourself and the occasional visitor.

Midgey what a fantastic bargain. Loved Laura Ashley clothes when I was in my late teens had to save hard to buy a couple of dresses.

Ellianne

Hey, this thread is beginning to sound like a tourist guide to the South coast and the South West, with a bit of Livetpool thrown in. I'm loving it!
That cottage is very nice, I agree it could be a money pit but it is interesting in the way your station house was Shandy

and that should be ringing alarm bells loud and clear

Talking curtains, my DD has just bought a large long pair of Laura Ashley beautiful curtains. £275 reduced to £27! I do love a bargain.

Hey, this thread is beginning to sound like a tourist guide to the South coast and the South West, with a bit of Livetpool thrown in. I'm loving it!
That cottage is very nice, I agree it could be a money pit but it is interesting in the way your station house was Shandy

ooh shandy, I often go to minehead, I have a lifetime pass on th steam train which goes to minhead from bishops lydeard. I looked at houses in minehead, was good value and handy access to lots of places. Gets a bit touristy in summer but isn`t as bad as some of the `prettier` beaches, more the butlins type of clientelle. It is very close to dunster and its wonderful castle and the train stops at several nice areas by various beaches, like watchet, which is more upmarket, much nicer
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84359462.html

The minehead cottage is visually attractive but looks like a money pit and has dark areas that could give anyone winter SAD and it is too near town centre, it is a typical `butlins` town, ice creams and buckets and spades,. I remember my first visit there, I got speaking to some locals at an exhibition, they were lovely. I don`t honestly think minehead would be right for you.

Looks nice Shandy57 but how old is it? At that price if it needs a lot of work you are looking at 30 -40 k. Already a bit pricey for what you say you can afford.

Talking of lost toys. We where in Worcester and only found out when we got back to the car my daughter's blue ragdoll was
missing. Went back but couldn't find it anywhere . The shop we brought from when she was born had gone out of business.

When we brought our first house there was a posh furniture shop in Birmingham called Lee Longlands always wanted to go in. What a disappointment everything was horrible and very expensive. They have just gone out of business due to CV19 after being in business over 100 years.

The curtains for both bedrooms arrived today. Lovely aubergine colour. Pleated the first one. And decided to even out the pleats and noticed the curtain getting straight. The cords one end hadn't been sewn in. Luckily could still see the holes so had to re thread them. Made sure the one end was sewn in on both curtains. My daughter and grandson popped round so both the voiles and curtains are up. My bed will be moved in at the weekend and then I can get the spare room decorated.

Hopefully sunny tomorrow and I can get back into the garden. Hope a good evening everyone.