It was a beautiful morning, the sea was flat calm.
Col sat out for 10 minutes while we had a coffee and I tidied up and collected up what had to go home
We've been able to put off selling the beach hut for a year as the council had so much opposition to their plans to alter fees that they've "re-considered" and have decided against huge increases in ground rent - for now anyway. They wanted people to take on long term licences, paying up front for several years at a time but have given up that idea. They also planned 10% increases every year for 10 years but have put off that plan for a while too. They still intend to charge people buying a hut a £300 fee "administration" charge rather than the £30 we paid in 2016.
We didn't really make the most of the hut this summer so will still have to think about things this time next year.
As we locked up again the sun disappeared behind some clouds and the temperature dropped by about 10 degrees. We went into town and toured the charity shops finding.........Nothing.
Then into Ipswich to pick up Col's tablets from hospital, Asda for shopping and home.
When we drove home the water company were on the corner near the house repairing a leak that Colin noticed on Thursday and rang in to report. Thank goodness they soon got that done as they were really losing a lot of water, it was pouring out of the verge and flooding right across the road.
Back Soon
Sue
We first reported a leak to the water board at our property boundary in September and have reported it numerous times since and they are always going to attend to it promptly...we are still waiting! We are going to try the more official letter approach now.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a pleasant time at the beach hut before it got too cold. Hope you get to use it more next year.
I love Felixstowe at any time of year, but especially out of season. Cold and refreshing, quiet and beautiful. I hope you can keep your hut, but blimey, councils are swines. Always so keen to think up of new ways to get extra money, and for what exactly? Hmm.
ReplyDeleteCol looks like he was having a lovely time, I'm glad of that.
Good thing the water leak was sorted quickly.
Col looks like he enjoyed that 10 minute sit in the sun. We always moan at water leaks, such a waste of water when they take too long to repair things.
ReplyDeleteCol looks very relaxed in the photograph. I'm glad the water leak was sorted quickly. X
ReplyDeleteThe sea looks lovely in the photo. Glad Col got to enjoy a few minutes in the sun. Hope you get some more good days there next year.
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy, just got 3 Christmas stories for my young grandchildren from the charity shops. Can't wait to read them to them.
We have to soak up any rays of sunshine that we find at this time of year. Lovely to see Col doing such a sterling job of it, I hope you joined him for a few minutes. 😊
ReplyDeleteWe have had flat calm sea around us, it's lovely at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a lovely time at the beach hut. I'm amazed of your people power versus your council! Well done! Here, the latest cut back, after already stopping giving us bin bags, is to reduce our refuse collection to ever three weeks. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThere are 900 beach huts in Suffolk Coastal and I think many answered the questionnaire about fees and The Beach Hut Uses group waged a campaign too.. They still have some nasty plans in store - just putting them off!
DeleteJust look at that sunshine.
ReplyDeleteCol looks very relaxed.
Hugs-x-
10 minutes sitting in the sun by the sea may be some of the very best medicine, good for the body and soul.
ReplyDeleteShocked at the proposed council "administration" fee. Certainly a deterrent to someone thinking of buying.
Always enjoy seeing pics of Suffolk especially Felixstowe. Thanks for sharing.
Just for changing details on a computer and sending out new licence!
DeleteBeautiful photo of Col soaking up some winter sun. I prefer the beach in winter as I can't really take the heat. Glad you are holding on to the hut for another year and hope you will be able to use it more next year. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI was also wondering what the 300 administration fee was for. Do they come out and sweep for you? Do they provide a tax receipt so you can write it off later? Sounds like money grubbing to me. I hope you don't have to pay it. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThat £300 is just to alter details of new owner onto their data base and send out a new licence! It will apply to anyone buying after end of March. A big rip-off but at least it's the only charge they have managed to get away with at the moment.
Deletewhat does a beach hut look like???
ReplyDeleteIf you click on Felixstowe on the labels bit on the right, all the posts of the beach hut will come up including those with photos.
DeleteA beach hut is owned by people but we pay ground rent to the council. They are used by families for a day by the sea. Not to sleep in.
took a look... thank you. I remember little houses at the beach where we would change clothes etc. But I don't remember where... long ago, back in the 1940's!!
DeleteI prefer the beach in autumn/winter too, tho I wish I could turn off the wind! Hope Col got plenty vitamin D and whatever . He is looking good.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are keeping it at least for now.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a perfect place for you both to escape to during the next year. Maybe it's a treat you should allow yourselves even if it doesn't feel like money well spent at the moment. Sue
Lovely to hear you both having some time out together. It's lovely to see the sunshine and the beaches this time of year.
ReplyDeleteMy parents had a hut at Felixstowe for a few years, but just didn’t get the use from it and sold it a few years ago. Col looks like his soaking up lots of sun and vitamin D there xx
ReplyDeleteGood dose of precious vitamin D for Col. Enjoy the hut while you can. x
ReplyDeleteaw the beach at Felixstowe...lived there and enjoyed not enough time on that beach. But did when we did go. Looks so cozy there. Sorry to hear the fees, etc the council wants to make on the beach houses. Hope you can enjoy it for a few more years.
ReplyDelete