Morning friends, lovely to catch up with all your news! I'm exhausted and also have the sniffles, I got caught in a huge rainstorm and my 'Joules' mac isn't completely waterproof!
The biggest thing about my adventure is that it's shown me how unfit I've allowed myself to become, I need to do something about it now. I thought walking my dog was enough exercise, but I'm going to start eating more healthily and do some yoga or something to increase my flexibility. I really felt it actually being 'on the ground', and physically walking around, as opposed to looking at places on the map and working out the walking distances. I've walked up and down more hills this week than I ever thought possible! Skecher bobbles are worn!
My taxi came at 7.30 am on Monday morning, and I got to the station in time to introduce myself to my assistance person who was going to help 'me on', and grab a coffee. The train got in at 0807 and the journey was quite uneventful, everyone was distanced as we had to sit in window seats and all were wearing masks. I was due into Exeter St Davids at 1445, where I had to change to the Exmouth train. Booking in time at the Airbnb was listed as 1500, and my arrival time was 1547. I was irritated to receive a text from the Airbnb owner at 1420 saying the room was ready and could I go straight there to get the key as they wanted to go for a swim - but this is just me being a grump, it was pointed out to me the next day that it was a wonderful day for a sea swim. I must learn! They offered to pick me up from the station but as I was going to be later, I got a taxi - and the driver didn't know where it was and dropped me off 'near there'. I was walking along on the main A376 to Exeter and couldn't find it 
It was very, very hot and I was quite tired, my phone battery was really low, and my bag was getting heavier and I still couldn't find it, so I rang the taxi firm for help - I was walking the wrong way! I sent a text to the hosts to say I had got lost and would be with them shortly, when the owner appeared, they'd come to find me, I was so glad! They pointed out the bus stops to me and told me my 'stops' name, so I felt safe to go exploring.
The Airbnb was great, a building in their garden with a conservatory, then a bedroom with an ensuite, a tv and fridge. I felt really safe. Once I'd dropped off my bag and showered, I went out to catch the bus into town, and had a walk around the promenade and had a meal outside at the Strand. The atmosphere is completely different to Kent, and I felt really comfortable on my own. The Airbnb owners said I was their last guest as the cleaning is just too much, it's doubled in time from two to four hours. I did strip the bed when I left, and swept the carpets with the dust pan and brush.
I had a good night's sleep and got a taxi to my first viewing in the morning at 1115. It was a two bedroom ground floor flat, part of a grand souble fronted house, with a garden, within walking distance of the beach. I hadn't realised it was adjacent to a busy road, but you couldn't hear the traffic whilst inside as it was double glazed. This one was a fifteen minute walk into town.
I then walked to my next viewing which was about ten minutes away, and during my walk saw a lot of lovely houses around the back of Exmouth. I was really early, and ended up hanging around in a passage way linking two roads for about half an hour. I sat on the kerb at one end, and it was so nice, two people asked if I was OK! I was in the wrong place though - I thought the agent had said Henrietta Place - no - Henrietta Road! It was another two bedroom ground floor flat with a courtyard garden. I did like the layout but it was very dark and needed a lot of work - plus the garden off the lounge was shared by the two rented flats above. The owner said he hadn't heard from the freeholder for the two years he'd lived there, she was local - and he was moving into rented. I dismissed this one, although the ten minute walk into town was attractive.
I walked into town and waited for the bus to my next appointment, a bungalow some distance from town in a hilly road of bungalows. The bus service is really good, and you can buy a day rider ticket for £3.80, I certainly covered a lot of miles on the bus. The bus came straight away so I was early again, and sat on a wall for half an hour waiting for my 2 pm appointment, I shared my sandwich with a magpie (discreetly!). I could see the sea and the hills in the distance, no flood risk there. The bungalow was elevated with twelve steps above the road and had a very, very steep drive. The bungalows on the way to it were lovely, but the ones either side of this one were very neglected. The layout was odd, garden was very small, and mainly concrete. I couldn't get into the garage. I dismissed this one, I'd never use the drive and felt my vertigo kick in when I stood in the lounge.
I walked back up to the main road afterwards, and thought I'd walk to my next appointment on the outskirts of town, but the hill defeated me. I managed to get the bus and a local gave me directions from the nearest stop to my next viewing. I walked for about ten minutes on the main road and found the new estate and again was early so sat in the children's park on a bench while I waited. When the agent came the house has been tenanted, and was in need of some redecoration, but I didn't like the huge wooden block in the front bedroom - it was the top of the staircase. The agent said most people have a built in wardrobe built on it, but you would have to step up to it. I dismissed this one because of the staircase block, plus the garden was two tiered, and had two huge manhole covers. Lots of children on the estate too, young families. I dismissed this one.
It was 4.40 by this time, and I thought I'd wait at the bus stop I'd seen when I arrived. After half an hour and no bus, I thought I'd walk back to where I'd got off the bus, and crossed the road to the other side. I'd been there for about twenty minutes when someone came out of their house and I asked about the bus - she said the bus didn't stop there at this time of night, and I had to cross the road to the original bus stop. Luckily only a ten minute wait this time, and I went back to the accommodation. I got off too early, and had to walk up the hill unfortunately, but found a Co-Op on the way and got some mac cheese to microwave for my tea. And some crisps. And some jelly babies!
I had an early night and got up to really heavy rain As the roof on the Airbnb was metal it was really noisy, so I knew when it had stopped and dashed out for the bus. I went into town and went into every estate agent, that would allow it - three were closed and people just waved at me through the glass. It started raining again quite heavily, I was dripping in the end, absolutely soaked. One man came to the door and threw his card at me - on the door it said appointment only, and sit on the chair with the 'red spot'. Luckily the agents I could see were very helpful, and I've managed to register to rent with three of them.
I then went down to the Esplanade where I was meeting Ellianne and Franbern at noon. It was so nice to meet you both, thank you very much for organising it Ellianne, and for doing the long drive down Franbern. Ellianne bought us a Devonian cream tea with delicious home made scones, as well as coffee, and we had a lovely socially distanced chat. Cream first! I was viewing a property at 1500 and Franbern very kindly offered to drop me off on her way home, which was a lovely treat. When I move I will be having driving lessons, Franbern puts me to shame!
This viewing was a two bedroom first floor flat, part of yet another grand house, with its own steps up to the front door, what a contrast to the other properties I'd seen. Light and airy, and very spacious. A small communal garden though, and the flat below me owns the garden the lounge looks out over. I've asked more questions and am thinking about this one, the steps are obviously a drawback for future proofing.
I went back into town afterwards on the bus and had another wander around, and walked back to the first flat. The road was still very busy, I don't think I'd enjoy being out in the garden there, so I've dismissed this one too.
I got a lift to the station from the Airbnb host yesterday morning and enjoyed the little train back to Exeter St Davids, no avocets obliged even though I was glued to the window! then the long journey on cross country for home. I glimpsed my old neighbour/solicitor on the train and avoided him, he was working.
The temperature difference really hit me when I got home, and the cottage thermostat was showing 13.5 degrees, luckily the oil man has been so I turned the heating on. It started sleeting later in the evening, autumn is definitely here.
I've just collected my dog and he's upset yet again, I hope to find a home boarder for my next trip instead of the kennels. Puss cat is fine, although the sitter was over enthusiastic with her filling of the cat litter tray 
Just jumped out of my skin as a huge bang on the front door - wooden washing line prop has just fallen against it in the wind!
Take care friends, I'll let you know what happens next, with far less detail!
