House Update

There are some people in life who appear to be able to make things unintentionally very difficult. Maybe, though, it is not so unintentional but a reflection of a subliminal desire to be in control. The local planning office, it would appear, have some of these. I phoned the planning office some weeks ago to enquire about what exactly was needed to change our unattractive and leaking flat-roof for a more attractive, warmer and generally superior pitched and tiled roof. Allegedly I had to fill in a form, draw pictures of said roof, maybe include a photo, and write a cheque for £20. Allegedly the planning office like pitched roofs so much that they don't really need a full application for planning permission, they just needed to check that all is well and then give the go-ahead. Allegedly.

At the beginning April before we even owned the house, we fulfilled all their requirements, sent off the paperwork and cheque, and waited. And waited. And then waited some more. I phoned the office and left four, or was it five, messages on the answer phone of the designated planning officer. We heard nothing. The builders were getting edgy by this time as they were running out of work to do. They were talking about going home.

I called again and this time spoke to a person. They informed me that designated person was in the office and she would ensure they they returned my call. This time. She did.
"I am sorting out your application now. But I am a little confused: you have filled out all the paperwork for a full planning application but only included the fee for an enquiry."
"Oh," I replied. "I was informed that we only needed an enquiry as you like pitched roofs. I filled out the forms I was told to fill out. What is the problem?"
"You need full planning permission for a pitched roof. We do like them and will give you permission but you still need to go through the enquiry and THAT WILL TAKE AN ADDITIONAL SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS AND COST YOU £150"
At this point I nearly hit the roof, pitched and flat! I had been leaving messages on her phone for the last four weeks! I had fulfilled all the requirements they wanted! Why wasn't I told this before when I first phoned up? What numpty gave me wrong advice in the first place? I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR BOSS!

I did. He was very apologetic. They are putting the application through in four weeks not eight and are being very helpful. It is just as well as I told them I would be sending them a bill for the additional costs if they didn't. The builders did run out of work to do and have gone off to other jobs but will be back tomorrow. Phew.

We have used the time to strip wallpaper, wash walls, and sort some stuff in the garden.This isn't easy as Isla and Angus both want to "help". Isla's help mainly consists of moving things around although she tried to strip wallpaper yesterday. She picked up a scraper and tried poking it at the wall in an 18 month-old effort to imitate Mummy and Grandma. Sadly it wasn't very effective and we also haven't seen the scraper since. Angus tries to help too and sometimes is an asset. Other times he gets either so excited that he begins to bounce, or so bored that he wanders off. He is currently trying to lift floor tiles from the lounge with Dad while I work hard at checking that Isla is still asleep. I am curious as to what is going on right now in our new house... The floor tiles appear to be the one thing that we really don't like but that have been firmly and securely fitted.

I also, at this point, need to publicly thank the in-laws Chris and Tricia. They have been staying for the weekend and have child-sat and paper-stripped and garden-tidied and wall-washed and tile-removed and dinner-cooked all weekend. If you know them, do thank them on my behalf.

A few photos of the house so far:

The back of the garage had, at some stage, been extended but was done so badly that it wasn't safe. It had to come down although we had wanted to do that next year. It became evident, however, that it had to happen sooner rather than later. We will be building a proper utility area with downstairs loo and shower.


The builders had already removed the ceiling from the room over the extension is preparation for taking it off and replacing it with a higher ceiling and pitched roof. It is rather noisy in here now when it rains!

We have done a lot of garden clearing and have found three umbrellas, several balls, various dolls and doll accessories, a spade, two brooms, a shoe, a slipper, socks, a dvd cover and various other items all hidden in the long grass and under the bushes!


Another view of the back of the garage. Do you see the small freezer in there? That was left behind along with a double bed, snooker table, some cookery books, bags of clothes, a baby's changing table, horse's feed bucket and grooming brushes, and a lot of other stuff in the garage.


The hole in the kitchen ceiling has been extended to remove all the rotten boarding and prepare it for repair. The builders won't do that until the roof is replaced in case we get heavy rain while the roof is off and ... Let's not think about that.

We still have a long way to go. Most of the wall paper is off and we are trying to work out just how much we can do before we move in. I know what I would like to do but I need to be realistic. I will keep you posted on the balance between dream and reality!

The New House...

I collected the keys for the new house yesterday. Now the fun starts - although that may be a bit optimistic! I have spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks on the phone trying to co-ordinate builders, plumbers, electrical suppliers, electricians, estate agents, debt collectors (to clear rubbish from the house!), solicitors, planning application departments, and so on. I think, I hope, I pray, that all is now in place.

In theory, Tuesday the electrician and plumber will make sure that the builders can safely have power and water. Then a long weekend as there is a small wedding on Friday. The following Tuesday the builders move in and will remove the back of the garage, the roof, part of the chimney, a wall in the bathroom, and replace a kitchen ceiling and build a new roof, and so on. Hopefully by the end of May/beginning of June, we will have a habitable house that doesn't smell.

The tricky bit will be keeping a lid on the budget...

I realised that you haven't seen the front of the house. It's really quite a mess. Just look at its potential - try. I know it's difficult.





Oh, and have a Happy and Blessed Easter.
Christ is Risen!

We're Moving - Again!

Okay, so that is a bit of a dramatic title, and potentially a bit misleading, but yes, we are moving again, although only about 500m away. We have found a house to buy.

It is an interesting house - there is a rather large hole in the kitchen ceiling, the fire in the lounge has been condemned, there is no water, heating, electricity, the garden is a total mess and in need of a goat, the flat roof over the extension leaks and the entire house smells of damp. It is a genuine house, just in case you think I am about to let you in on the one fact that tells that it is actually a rabbit hutch, or something.

The house has been empty for about a year, so we have been told. Sadly the owner went bankrupt and so the house has not been maintained. This does mean, though, to our advantage, that we can actually afford to buy it as Heddon is somewhat expensive. We will have a lot of work to do before we move in but can do that while still in our rented place. Then, the good news, I can decorate! Even Ken has conceded that all the carpets need to come out. So, no disgusting-overly-floral-overly-coloured-but-will-never-wear-out carpets in our new house. Yeh!!!

The really cool thing about this house - there is a small irregularly sized room at the back of the extension that you can't fit a bed in. It has a rather lovely view over the garden and currently is fitted out with a large desk. Guess what? I get my own scrapbooking room!

The photos don't really do justice to the state of the house or the smell. I didn't even remember to take a picture of the hole and you can't see all the rubbish in the back garden, the jumper still on the washing line, the three dishwashers still with some dirty plates in, the chips in the oven and the greasy dish, the general junk that is lying around, but hopefully you will get a slight idea for what a project we are taking on. Actually, let's be real, who will be doing most of this?!

Oh, the picture of the window? It doesn't close properly so is stuffed with toilet paper.

Angus's Big Adventure - The No-Girls Walk

This weekend Ken, Mark and I were meant to be going on a walk in Scotland. Sadly this didn't happen as Blue had a rather nasty op last week at the vets, and hasn't been coping too well. This meant that he couldn't be cared for by the in-laws who had valiantly offered to hold the fort while we went away. Contingency plan needed! Ken, Mark and Grandpa Sandpit took Angus for his first big walk instead! By our standards this was a very small walk but given the lack of physical motivation exhibited by our son, this was quite a major achievement. They left on Saturday afternoon with the grown-ups carrying most of the kit and Angus carrying his important items (Brown Dog, small-child sleeping essentails, waterproof trousers, favourite blanket, snacks, Dinosaur water bottle) in his own back pack. He put on his walking boots, outdoor coat, hat and gloves and was really excited. They arrived at the start of the 4k/2.5 mile walk and Angus talked incessantly. He was so excited that he could not stop talking. This drove a couple of the adults a little crazy but they coped by walking faster, not too difficult when you consider that the walk took them 2 hours! The overnight stay was in a bothy - this is a very simple style of hut which may have been a shepherd's hut or a hunting lodge and is now used by walkers. Accommodation is free but there may or may not be a stove, beds or table and there is almost always no toilet! Lighting is by candle or torch, water from the local stream, wood from trees if there are any or from what you carry in, toiletting is in nature. Angus walked in, noted it was dark and asked for the light switch! When they got the fire going and started to unpack, he loved it. The following morning, Grandpa lit the stove. They made porridge, drank tea and then walked out. The bothy is near Housesteads Roman Fort so a quick visit there finished the trip. Not surprisingly Angus slept in the car on the way home. The whole event was celebrated at dinner that evening with Angus's favourite carrot cake made by Grandma. Well done Angus, the first of many trips we hope! It was boys only and he loved it. Look at the photos (in reverse order!):

Lots of catching up to do!

So firstly, we don't have a baby any more.

In case you are wondering, we still have Isla and haven't given her away! It's just that technically she is no-longer a baby, but a TODDLER! Isla has started walking. Hurray! Angus is delighted and loves holding her hand and helping her to "go in the right direction." It's just that his idea of where that is and Isla's quite often differ and then they both get frustrated. Isla, however, is loving her new found freedom and using it to pester Mummy, get to the stairs, empty cupboards, and move things around. Angus keeps losing his toys! Fortunately, Isla has realised that Brown Dog is special and generally takes Brown Dog to Angus, so he hasn't been misplaced too often.

Here, hopefully, is a video of Isla.