It's the last Saturday in March and completion on the bungalow purchase isn't going to happen next week after all. My solicitor has been offered a "tentative" date of 7th April. This is pushing things toward the last day I can be here on the 12th - 😟. I've contacted the removal company with this "tentative" date and they only have the 8th available until the following week...... yikes......It's been "tentatively" booked. The hold up now is caused by the equity release company's (who are lenders to the bungalow owners) solicitors having to look through all the legal searches of the place they are buying in Kent.
So what have I been doing to fill yet another week pretending to be on holiday?
Brother in Law brought my bike round for me once the weather was fine, hadn't cycled for 3 weeks so did the smallest loop for practice which is about 2½ miles. Then a bigger loop of 4½ miles which involved some up-hill bits and walks, just as I got about halfway it started to rain - which wasn't in the weather forecast - soaked me through! Glad the holiday let has effective heating and radiators to dry things. I've bought a cycle helmet as the roads are busier around here......been cycling for 55 years and have never bothered before ...but age is creeping up! I've only ever fell off a few times as far as I can remember. Once braking on a downhill black ice morning - nasty, once when out with family cycling and one of them touched my back wheel and once - unexplained - while just stopping and getting off!
On Thursday, seeings as there is loads of time to kill, I did a wander round Lidl in Stowmarket - I'd not been there for ages as it's not my favourite shop, before doing the same around the usual Asda - filled most of the morning!
It's quite good to be able to walk to a small shop from the holiday let although their fruit and veg is abysmal and their other things expensive - but I've been treating myself to a copy of the Radio Times each week. There's quite a lot of reading in it as well as all the TV schedules. Once I'm settled it will be a plan to take out a subscription to get it cheaper. That makes 3 treats to enjoy in my new smaller and cheaper home.............A regular bunch of flowers, a Radio Times and book purchasing without guilt! I'll probably share some of the house sale profits with the children too!
Another benefit of walking in a village is spotting things out for sale at peoples gates - like this rhubarb at 50p a bundle.
There's a Silver Birch tree here, just over back fence by the road. I've been watching it slowly coming into leaf and there's often a couple of Blue Tits or a Robin sitting in it. I'm still thinking about some Silver Birch out the front of the bungalow even though my cousin said "don't do it!" due to the mess they make with their pollen and catkins later in the year.........Lovely bark set against the grey sky yesterday morning.
This week I've been grateful for
- Getting out on my bike
- Seeing the two nearest grandchildren
- Being warm and comfortable while waiting for my new home
Have a good weekend, I'll be back Monday
Sue
I do recommend a cycle helmet. When I worked, I cycled most days. One winter, I was coming home, no problems even though it was cold and snowy, until I turned a corner and hit black ice. If I hadn't had my helmet on, I would have given my head a nasty bang. As it was, I think I cracked a rib. Things can happen in a split second. I hope the house move eventually gets sorted. It's so frustrating when things get held up. xx
ReplyDeleteI went for a bright fluorescent green helmet should be easy to spot now.
DeleteWhat a nuisance the delay on your move. I hope you are ok because this must be stressful.
ReplyDeleteTrying not to get too stressed - but patience is wearing thin
DeleteMoving home in England is so frustrating. Antiquated laws need updating. You are so close now I have my fingers crossed that your dates are adhered to and you are comfortably in your new home by the next bank holiday.
ReplyDeleteHope the tentative dates turn into real certain date next week
DeleteSo really sorry about the delay. Well done for getting back on your bike. At least the weather seems to be brightening up. Can you improvise a dish using tinfoil?
ReplyDeleteDon't have foil either!
DeleteSome sunny days forecast for next week
As you well know our eldest and family had one almighty adventure with their move next door...but it ended happily and I’m sure yours will as well. It’s just the awfulness of being in limbo land isn’t it? x
ReplyDeleteIt will happen in time just not sure where I'll be if it doesn't happen before 12th
DeleteStewed rhubarb can be nice on its own - just add some sugar and a little cream or milk.
ReplyDeleteI do hope your house gets sorted out soon, it must be very frustrating and annoying having all that uncertainty going on.
At least you have spring you can enjoy :) xx
Plain stewed rhubarb has a "funny" effect on me!
DeleteA cycle helmet is a must. You wouldn't ride a horse or go on a motor cycle without one? My ex avoided two very nasty head injuries, and a friend's life was saved, when they were knocked off their bicycles by careless car drivers. Two years on, the friend's leg still isn't fully recovered, but his head is fine, which shows how bad his accident was and the merits of a life saving helmet.
ReplyDeleteYes it's probably good that I've got a helmet now, especially after reading about people you knew
DeleteWhere I live they are mandatory and you will get a fine if you're not wearing one.
DeleteBuy a tin of evaporated milk and have with your stewed rhubarb. Easy peasy and nice.
ReplyDeleteEvaporated milk is nasty!
DeleteI love it with fruit compotes, stewed apples, stewed blackcurrants, stewed plums, just wouldn't be the same without evaporated milk! The juice and the milk mix beautifully together. I can't imagine life without it!
DeleteMore delays because of lawyers and their slowness to do the right thing. I'm annoyed on your behalf. I hope your tentative dates work out. Take care out on your bike!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how solicitors work so slowly.
DeleteI will take care - my new helmet is bright green to be seen easily
Gosh I hope those 'tentative' dates work out for you.
ReplyDeleteYep, the Radio Times is my treat to myself as well. Bought on subscription and enjoyed every week. I read it almost cover to cover (excluding the radio bits), circle all the programmes that I want to record and then do all the puzzles ... except the Sudoku, I just cannot grasp that for some reason.
A bike helmet sounds very sensible.
I'm enjoying reading the RT - lots of interesting bits and not page after page of ads
DeleteIn our house moving experience there is always something that needs sorting out at the last minute before the move can proceed.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were last in Devon my husband always went for long bike rides with some friends of his and always wore a helmet. He's had cars getting too close to him others cutting in, in front of him. None of them touched the bike but they could have done causing an accident. It is safer and sensible to wear a helmet.
Hopefully house stuff will be straightforward when dates are finalised.
DeleteI've been lucky with cycling so far but will wear my helmet now I have one
I am sorry your house completion has been delayed again. The system in this country is shocking but there never seems to be the political/legal will to do anything about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's all extra expense but I'll get there in the end - soon I hope
DeleteHope your move plans work out. Sounds like the sellers have been a major problem in this endeavor. Yes, helmets as a necessary item. I gave up biking. Never could get a comfortable seat.
ReplyDeleteThey are just as frustrated as I am - the Equity Release company are now the problem.
DeleteI've got a large softish bike seat and a sheepskin cover over that - makes things a bit better
I thought the equity release were always the problem, the one that held up the completion in the first place were they not?
DeleteNothing like everything on hold until the last possible moment, yet you continue on in your quiet optimistic way.
ReplyDeleteBeginning to worry on the inside!
DeleteI'm glad you've bought a cycling helmet, I always wear one, even though I haven't fallen off my bike since 1984, but most women I know won't wear them. I knew a young man who was knocked off his bike by a lorry, no fault of his own, but the head injuries he sustained changed his personality permanently and he was no longer able to live at home because his parents couldn't cope with his outbursts. Living in limbo must be very wearing so fingers crossed for the tentative date. x
ReplyDeleteI guess I should have bought one years ago. I will wear it all the time when cycling now
DeleteThere is a silver birch opposite where I live Sue and I get pleasure from it every day.
ReplyDeleteThe sun on the white bark is beautiful.
DeleteWhen I started cycling about six years ago my daughter insisted I wear a helmet. It felt a bit strange at first but nowadays I wouldn't ride without one. My worst tumble was when my shoe lace got caught up in the pedal - I came to a sudden stop, couldn't free my foot and fell side ways in slow motion.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about slow motion, that was how my fall happened when I was just stopping and getting off!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear of the delay. I hope things start moving again very soon! It is smart to get a bike helmet even though it will feel strange at first. A few years ago I got a bike after not riding one for at least 30 years. I do wear a helmet when I ride now because I figure I am in my late 60's and probably not as tough as I was in my youth!
ReplyDeleteI think cycle helmets are much lighter in weight than years ago. Mine is a good fit despite having to buy online and feels OK.
DeleteCan also recommend getting The Radio Times on subscription - very efficient and at no extra cost.
ReplyDeleteThat's got to be disappointing for you. I'm glad you're finding things to keep you occupied in the waiting time. The cycling is a good idea!
ReplyDeleteAnother delay on the move - I'm no sure I'd be nearly so calm as you about it. Fingers crossed it will all work out to plan, for once?
ReplyDeleteI found when we were moving house, that telling the solicitors that we had to move on a certain date, because it was the only day we could get removal men galvanised them into action. Similar tactics may help, including (if you absolutely have to) telling them at what point they will be leaving you homeless if they haven't got it together, but as that is later it may be giving them too much leeway. Good luck and don't be too nice and co-operative!
ReplyDelete