Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

I did go and as soon as I got into the car park the robin appeared The sea is absolutely boiling and the whole beach was covered in foam, so very dangerous out there, I do hope people stay safe if walking on piers etc.

Quite pleased with myself when I got back to the car and just driving off when a lurcher appeared, looking very lost. I carry a spare lead and tried to get close to him without success, then some locals ran past and pointed out a lone person with their back to us about half a mile away. I shouted to them and the person eventually turned round and called the dog. It's no wonder there is dog crap everywhere, irresponsible owners infuriate me.

I too am nervous of driving in even the slightest hint of low temperature - a skid can happen so easily

Glad it's not just me Luckygirl, I do have a winter kit in my car but still don't feel completely safe, it is the unknown. If it snows I'm going to walk my dog to the beach nearest to me, unfortunately I'll have to take his pram and push him back. I can do it, but find it physical, I'd rather not!

If the forecast is to be believed your dog will be perfectly happy with a quick potter in the garden and back in the warm quick!
Let’s hope things get a move on for everyone this week.

I was once driving a 7 seater estate car with 6 children in it - I was going very very slowly indeed, but on a bend on a country road a solid ice puddle was underneath what looked like a smattering of loose snow. I skidded straight across the road and into the hedge - I was straddling the road on a blind bend with a stalled car. Luckily it restarted first turn of the key and I shot into a nearby driveway before anything hit us. I have been very very nervous of driving n winter conditions ever since.

All the pother Mums could not believe it because I was known to be a very cautious driver. It was a hard lesson.

What a lucky escape, lucky you're a quick thinker, doesn't bear thinking about. My scare was when I went to collect the children in a bad snow storm, donkeys years ago - turned right into the road where their school was, and spun 180 degrees back into the busy road. Just sliding, nothing I could do, luckily nothing was coming. When I finally got the kids I crawled home but then got to the top of the hill I had to go down .... and all the cars coming up were waiting on the pavement with a policeman, he was only allowing one car to come down at a time. Was rigid with fear but had to pretend we were on a fairground ride and just shouted 'weeee' as we slid down, was sure I was going to end up in a wall. Oh, still get the shivers thinking about it!

Oh lord - that sounds truly dreadful.

I always hated having to drive in snow or even, very icy, conditions. In this country we just do not have special tyres etc. Where I lived at the end of my little cul-de-sac, which had a very slight slope downwards towards the end of it. When it snowed, I was just too nervous to try to get my car off the driveway and along the Close, between the usual parked car s either side. I am not normally a nervous driver, but snow did frighten me. In fact, when there was snow which laid I was just house-bound, even when I worked I would not try to get in.

Many years ago, my husband went off one very snowy New Years day just five miles to collect my parents to bring them over to us for the day,. I stayed at home with six small children aged between 1 year and 8 years clearing a path for my Mum and Dad to be able to enter the house easily. Then I received phone call from a man who had taken my hubhie to hospital after he had seen him skid in a main road, up the pavement and into a tree. Not very badly hurt, but badly bleeding head.
Did not know what to do,- phoned my in-laws, they lived very close to that hospital, (and they went there), let my parents know, phone my brother in law who did come over and once hubbie was back home was able to take me to wait for RAC to come and collect car which was a write-off.

Your poor husband Franbern, I'm very sorry he had such a bad accident and glad he recovered. Hope your shopping trip was OK this morning. Good you posted, I was thinking about you rehoming your dinner service today. I've hardly got any Portmeirion left now and have to buy more plates etc when I move. I quite like some of the Emma Bridgewater.

I've woken up to a smattering of snowy hail again, but we keep getting violent bursts, and it's 0 degrees outside. Did wear my fingerless gloves when I walked the dog but still couldn't feel my hands.

On the last leg of packing now, my box 'tower' is in danger of toppling, I need to put the last kitchen box somewhere else.

No sign of any viewers yet, but I am viewing ready. I do hope the landlord chooses someone who likes birds, there are so many here. Happy blackbird eating grated cheese right now!

Just heard from the agent, two viewers tomorrow afternoon! Feel as nervous as I did when I was selling my house!

Mmmm.....not sure about 'poor husband'. He had it relatively easy - taken to hospital, head wound cleaned and stitched,brought back home by his Mum and step dad. It was me who had the real anxiety and heartache trying to work out what to do with no car, and six small children. Could not leave them alone at all. It was also me that had the worry as to how to cope in the aftermath. Hubbie, just took it nice and easy!!! This was only a few weeks after I had been allowed home from hospital after a lengthy stay, as I had very bad ulcerative colitus and had been told that stress was one of the worst things for this. Indeed, my elderly parent were so concerned at how worried I was as to how I was going to be able to even simple things like food shopping, actually gave me (not us) half the cost of replacing the car, which together with the insurance meant we were able to do so.

Oh dear, Shandy you have made me feel a little guilty. I have actually packed away my dinner service, thinking I will decide what to do about it when I have to unpack everything again.

Back in one piece from the beach, but I won't be going to my normal quiet one, road down was lethal and it was completely deserted.

I didn't mean to make you feel guilty Franbern , I was just thinking I need to buy new china. Portmeirion often have a seconds sale, I might start to collect it again, but the birds this time.

Well everyone, the viewers want to know the size of the rooms now! Does the garage have electricity! Horrible echoes of selling my house. No floor plan for here unfortunately. Much fun with the metal tape measure, except my dog is scared of it and the twanging of the measure was accompanied by hysterical yapping.

Double checked and sent off the measurements - immediate email in response, now they want me to do a video tour! I'll suck it up and do it, I'm very glad not to have had to pay for the remaining three weeks, and a video tour means I don't have any risk. Better get my best towels out!

Shandy surely it is the landlord or agents responsibility for anything to do with viewings. As the tenant you can only be expected to allow access. That is how it works here in any case.

A friend has inboxed me and said the same Spice101, but exiting tenants appear to do it as a matter of course, I was shown around by the previous tenants here. I'm going to have the front and back door open and hope icicles don't form on the tv! I've done the viewers a sheet of general information ie bin day/oil deliveries, and will show them around speedily, it's very small here.

My daughter has just asked for her Gamecube to be sent to her, I was delighted to find it immediately - but looks like her brother has the games!

Being a control freak. I emailed my floor fitting company yesterday, just to check that everything was still in place for them to start next Monday morning. My daughter and family are all coming to me this Sunday to move as much of the furniture as they can out of the Living room, which will include my tv, etc.

The lady I had been dealing with rang me upon receipt of that email - I was impressed at the speed. Yes, it is all fine. I also gave them information as how to access our car park each day, and a request that their technicians (that is what they call their fitters), use a face mask whenever going through any of public areas of the flats. In my flat they will have access to my bathroom for hand washing and I will also leave some hand gel around. I will leave coffee/tea and biscuits in the kitchen. When I return home late, each afternoon, I will then spray all surfaces they may have touched with Virusend. Think I will draw a line at opening windows though!!!

My son in law will set up my tv in my bedroom, and I will have an armchair placed in there so I will just use that as a bed-sit for those few days. Still will have use of the kitchen and my own en-suite. I am sure many people have to live their lives in far worse conditions.

Did a bigger than normal shop when I went yesterday, as I will not be going next week. Must say, it is easier packing things for this, as I know that none of my boxes will be moved until I am ready to unpack them. In my hallway I have one of those cube ikea units. Bottom level is four wicker baskets - I am intend just to store those in the bath next week, and nine of the twelve upper cubes are used for books. These I have tied with string each group of books from each cube, put a number on them and made a plan as to how I have numbered them, so will be easy for me to return them the week after next!!!

When I told my daughter I would be starting to pack ready for this as soon as the New year started, she laughed and told me I had loads of time. In actual fact, I will just about be finished by the end of this week.

Fortunately, although very cold here, we have had no snow. And the forecast is for it to remain v. cold this week, but a rise in temperature for next Monday.

Stay safe and warm everybody.

I've had great news, the first viewer wishes to rent the cottage, so no more worry about viewings and catching the virus! I also don't have to do the video tour, which I was concerned about. I put the heating on and opened the upstairs windows, plus had the front and back door open during the viewing. Very nice couple in their fifties, came with gloves and masks. They used to live in this area and were delighted to be able to return. And they like birds, RSPB members. A happy day today!

Good news Shandy! You never know they may buy in the area later too.
All the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together for you.

We've had heavy snow, first time in years! I've cleared the car but I'm not going to drive, I'm too nervous, I've walked the dog in the field and up the road, he'll have to make do today - although I feel sorry for the birds I normally feed.

There was going to be a viewing today but as yesterday's viewers signed up, I was told it was cancelled. Unfortunately the couple still turned up. I rang the agency and they said they shouldn't have come as the appointment wasn't confirmed. They had travelled twenty miles, on bad roads, I did feel sorry for them.

Did you remember to bring the sledge from the station Shandy ?

ha ha yes I do have them midgey! I don't know what I'd have done without them, probably a nasty fall, I always hold on when I'm going downstairs. I do feel I should make a snow man, but don't know where my gardening gloves are. I feel really unsettled when it snows because I know my dog is missing his beach walk. Snowing again now, glad I didn't go. I put a dish of water out for the birds earlier, it's frozen over already.

Oh dear, just as I was thinking all is going along well for our move next week we have been thrown into a third lockdown in Victoria. Back to Stay Home except for essential shopping, exercise, medical or care and work. Schools will yet again close Travel only within 5km of home and no one to visit. Fortunately at this stage it is only for 5 days. Once again the new virus (this time the UK strain) has escaped from the quarantine hotels. These hotels have been housing people associated with the Australian Tennis Open and returned travelers. I still cannot accept the tennis people have been allowed to come and the tennis allowed to go ahead. Surely they are not more important than our daily lives and our children's education.

Hopefully this will not affect our move next week because 1/ the lockdown will be over and 2/ moving home is considered an essential service.

We were supposed to be doing a final inspection tomorrow afternoon but now have to do it this afternoon. Unfortunately one of the owners is not available so there will be many of our questions unanswered.

Oh Spice, sorry that you have these added problems. Hopefully, you will still be able to make your move next week. It does seem obvious that the virus is not just going away and as soon as anything is opened up, then it will re-appear. Surely, the only final answer are the vaccines. How are these going in Oz???
So bitterly cold here - has been zero or minus zero for the last several nights and rising only to plus 1 or 2 during the day. I am glad to note that it is due to return to more seasonal norms of 10c or 11c next Monday, as I was wondering if I would need to have the heating on whilst the Technicians were working here . Do not normally have heating on during day time very much.
When my daughter came last evening for her tea we discussed exactly what furniture will be able to be moved to where on Sunday - I am starting to get a little excited now - yesterday my 'life-time' guarantee certificate for this Karndeen flooring arrived via email - I have printed this out and placed with my deeds, etc. as it is transferable. On Monday morning I am going to ask the 'Technician' that, when he takes up the carpet, he leaves me a one metre strip so I can use this to stick on the walls in my garage as an added protection when opening my my car door. Some of those walls already have this on, but I obviously park my car slightly differently to whoever did that.

Best of luck Spice101, I've just seen the news about your lockdown, what a blow. The news also reported re UK quarantine hotels allowing people out for fresh air, or to smoke. Fingers crossed all goes well for you.

Do you have snow Franbern, or is it just very cold? Unusually we have snow here, as we are coastal we normally escape it. I walked down to the village yesterday, the parking area was a skating rink, I'm glad I walked. I hope all goes well for you next week, the flat will then be exactly as you want it.

Sorry for more hitches Spice - hope it all hap[pens as wished.

I have just had email from my solicitor forwarding one from buyer's solicitor. She wants to know if I have ever sold off any part of my "land" (it's just a garden) as they have fund a land registry title that looks as though I have. No idea what that is about - except more delay no doubt. And they want to know if anyone has applied for planning permission on the land behind.

Just one thing after another.

I have dealt with the solicitor's queries by looking up the land registry title they are querying (it is next door) and checking the planning applications on local council website. I have reassured her about these.

Why am I doing this? - is it not her I am paying to do all this?

I am only doing it because it is quicker. Sigh.........