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.

A Great Weekend

We had a lovely weekend as Uncle Steve and Anya came to stay. Angus especially had a lovely time as Uncle Steve and Anya wanted to see Hadrian's Wall - a favourite activity of his. Bonus - Uncle Steve actually gets around to taking lots of photos! Hurrah!

So here for your pleasure and delight are Steve's photos used without his permission and copied off facebook. They are of Angus and a walk we did on Saturday along Hadrian's Wall. Angus was delighted and wrapped up all warm is his hat and gloves (note the predominance of red!) and keen to show off what has now become his wall, to Steve and Anya. There is also one of Steve himself!

It was lovely having you to stay: Angus is already wanting to reciprocate and visit London.