Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 17 September 2017

PS I've just Googled her so got the answer to my question, I think, AQ!

Well I have been quiet on here as have been busy since our holiday???? That was a bit of a disaster, we suffered two false starts due to warning lights coming on. The top of the M5 is having major works nose to tail onto the M6 where it continued due to junctions 16-19 being converted into a “Smart motorway!” We were approaching J19 when we had a local radio traffic news: traffic is heavy on the M6 due to the Blackpool Airshow. We finally got clear after the Blackpool junction. Consequently our 5.30 arrival turned out to be 9.30. My older stepdaughter had much worse experiences which went through her second week. As we had booked our third week we decided to delay a day and return on the Sunday hoping, correctly that we would meet less traffic. It did also allow us to have a last 'Thunder in the Glen in Grantown'. We are now aware that we cannot cope with an ordinary disabled toilet very long on our own as OH has to use the grab rails to balance so more work is on the carer. We are trying out a week in Cornwall with younger stepdaughter to see if we can work that. Its also only 3½ hours drive away.

However it is not all bad news. We got back with contracts exchanged on my brother's house with completion on 11 September. Checked in the bank Thursday and was able to hand over big cheques to the girls. In the meantime younger SD had made a viewing appointment for Friday. It was the top one on her list and when she saw it she loved it. An hour later with a mutually agreed  price it is now hers subject to contract. She did have one advantage over other viewers as she was a cash buyer! The cottage is 6 minutes drive from us so we will get more help. All we have left now is the court case and then dealing with the bike insurers. Almost there!

Happy, ForestBoar, that things are settled and that you will get  assistance now from your stepdaughter. Hope that you are able to claim carers allowance. I'm sure that you have got all that in hand. I don't know what the English system is, regarding that.

Morning all:  Really must start packing - or at least deciding what I need to take!

AQ: Don't let Donald T hear about those politicians of confused descent!  He'll be demanding they get rounded up and deported.

Heather: Enjoy the garden and hope the girls stop by.

Forestboar: Cash is a powerful incentive when it comes to making an offer on a house. Hope all goes according to plan.  Sorry the trip ended up as something of an obstacle course; fingers crossed Cornwall might be easier.

Back later.

Heather: to qualify for carers allowance we would have to reduce our savings to £23k. We would not have been able to do all the alterations to the bungalow with that level. We have just taken delivery of a loo that washes and dries you, saving OH much energy and time. With stepdaughter only 6 minutes away this should prove our best option at the moment. One of her comments was “I will be able to pop over and get mum to bed”. A very big help I can assure you!

Sounds good, ForestBoar. Family help is always the best:-)

Pleased things are working better for FORESTBOAR after holiday problems.

OK here - two home appointments today.  Out for lunch and matinee Wednesday.  Eye Clinic Thursday.  So don't know when I might catch up!

OH has the pleasure of nanny duty this pm, while I’ve tossed what I don’t need from my overnight bag. I’m ready to escape tomorrow morn. With a single pair of sneakers!

Good morning

So glad that I stayed home yesterday and pottered in the garden, as despite a promising start, it is now raining.

The girls did come over yesterday afternoon,it was good to see them.

I'm going to have to go to town today, no cash in my purse! OH never used cash machines except the one inside the bank (!) and it is a hard habit to break. You could say that he was very cautious regarding these things.

I was sorry to hear about the earthquake in Mexico and I believe that New Zealand has had one also.

Hope to 'see' you before too long, OG. Even a busy lady has to sit down sometimes - or so I tell myself!

Hello from a dull, grey but strangely warm Suffolk. 2 more bookcases bought so 5 boxes of books now unpacked. Yes I did have a thorough prune before I moved from Surrey but books are a great pleasure and comfort to me.

I hope all those on their travels have a wonderful time.

I did mention that when I unpacked them I would post a photo of some! of my hares. Hope this works....