Gallygirl's "A journey of 121,226.67 pounds begins with a single penny" diary

Karmacat

Hurray! Pretty colours

Gally, I was going to write "you have no idea how good all this sounds - but, of course, you do! Which makes it all the sweeter. Brilliant. I particularly like the idea of moving in to the house by end January, so it doesn't drag on, *and* the roof terrace. What about solar power? I know government schemes have been badly hit out there, but you could do your own anyway? Or to heat the water?

Kipling cakes indeed

ljaneyr

Hi GG

I'm loving reading about your new house and all of your plans! Our house is currently closer to the 'mucho polvo' pic at the moment (I'm only slightly exaggerating :eek:) and I can't wait to be thinking about decorating and kitchens.

I'm excited to read more about your adventures!

Janey x

gallygirl

gallygirl wrote: »

This week sees our first experience of the Three Kings Day (except it obviously takes two days to celebrate :rotfl:, other places start on the evening of the 5th but we start in the morning ). Our favourite bar is named after one of the kings and the owner's son is one of the kings ('blacked up' :eek::eek::eek:) so we have a table reserved outside to watch the fun :T. When I say 'we', I mean myself and some friends. Mr GG has been excused to go on an airport run to pick our neighbours up, he sees it as 'time off for good behaviour' as he thinks he's seen enough processions to last a lifetime :rotfl:. Our lovely electrician is also taking part, dressed as a Roman centurion but unfortunately for his wife he's not allowed to take his costume home .

This was a great day :T, all the better as one of our friends got a role as a centurion :j. A bit sad he's the first British person ever to take part but a great honour for him . These events are often a bit of an anti-climax but this was superb - like a whole play with amateur actors and King Herod (who's in his early 20's and loves the karaoke in the local bar :rotfl:) hadn't quite grasped what 'understated' was - lots or shouting and scowling and arm waving . We even understood some of the dialogue .

Nature Notes:
Three sea eagles circling overhead a few days ago .
One of our lemons looks a little like instead of all - we may get a G&T out of it yet :rotfl:.
Kingfisher at the golf course

gallygirl

gallygirl wrote: »

Plans for 2016:

MONEY:

• Reduce mortgage. Due to buying new house and using offset money to part fund, as of 31st December we owed 51,440k net. That will reduce by 6.8k over the course of the year, obviously we want to reduce by more than that . Can't really set a specific target as need to see how spending out here settles - we're not going to start scrimping to meet an arbitrary target - but will continue to be sensible and see how it goes.REVISED TARGET TO PAY OFF WHOLE MORTGAGE - GIVEN NOTICE TO TENANT WHO IS SEVERAL K IN ARREARS AND WE WILL BE SELLING THE HOUSE. Pretty sure this will be a long-running saga . Getting hit with a big repair bill for a flat roof on one house so just as well.
  

HEALTH:

• Reduce weight. I lost almost 3.5 stone a few years ago, have put most of it back on and now it's going to come back off again :rotfl:. NOT WEIGHED YET
  
• Eating healthier, drinking less and exercising more - the usual stuff . Mr GG also on board :T. More specific aims connected with this below. OK SO FAR
  
• A new recipe per week, as per MWC's diary YUP, NOT SURE IT'S A KEEPER THOUGH
  
• Walk wherever we can rather than use the car. Dolly the Shopping Trolley will be coming out to play :T. Need to be careful though as she may aggravate my back/side . DOLLY STILL IN CUPBOARD BUT DONE 110K IN LAST SEVEN DAYS, MR GG DONE 156K :eek:.
  

SOCIAL (also related to health, but want to expand social circle):

• Go out with walking group at least once a week if possible. New season started late Sept, first walk was rained off, then I went to UK and came back feeling under the weather for a few months. Now feeling up to it so will look at agenda and pick some out - they do some VERY long, VERY tough walks which I won't be going on ). Both walking days coincide with pilates which I don't want to give up, hence only once a week with walking group. NOT LOOKED AT YET
  
• Take some bowling lessons - turns out new friend is qualified coach and she is very, very good :T. Decide if I want to continue - if so join club and get clothing and bowls . WANT TO PURSUE THIS BUT IT MAY GET POLITICAL - IF IT DOES I'M OUT
  

LIFESTYLE:

• Spanish - explore having private lessons and find some tame locals to practice on :rotfl:1ST LESSON TODAY, FEELING REMOTIVATED, LESSON EVERY SATURDAY :T
  
• Eat meals outside whenever possible and continue to embrace outdoor living . YUP, ESPECIALLY WHEN EATING OUT
  
• Visit three new cities - I will include our local city as we've only had one brief trip in 10 years NOT PLANNED YET
  
• Enjoy life with my best friend Mr GG :kisses2:DOING OUR BEST
  

HOUSE:

• Move in to new house by end of January - rather than letting it drag on into spring as there is no real rush STILL HOPING TO DO THIS
  
• Bedrooms - 2 double beds required by early March at the latest NO ACTION, AM SURE FRIENDS HAVE SLEEPING BAGS
  
• Curtains - required for lounge (x2), our bedroom and replacement for one bedroom in apartment MEASURED, GOING ON SHOPPING TRIP TUESDAY, HOPEFULLY WILL GET SOME
  
• Sort garden out - not that there's much of it, but learn how to prune citrus trees, dig up cacti I don't want (little ones, the 10ft one can stay for now :eek:), sort out pots, grow some veg STARTED TO SORT OUT EXISTING POTS - CHUCKED OUT SOME TATTY ONES AND HAVE HAD WORDS WITH A FEW TATTY PLANTS . FRIENDS BOUGHT US A LOVELY APRICOT HIBISCUS AS NEW HOUSE PRESENT, SUITABLE POT MOVED TO ROOF TERRACE (:eek:, NOT EASY ) AND FILLED WITH COMPOST WAITING ITS ARRIVAL
  
• Roof terrace - this is quite large and I'm not sure how best to use it. A few mini-projects (shouldn't take long to arrange but each shopping trip is generally accompanied by a long lunch ):
  
  1. Divide off a bit with plants NO ACTION
  2. Put a rotary drier (in a heavy umbrella stand) in one bit - buy drier and base CAME ACROSS A HEAVY BASE FOR €5 IN SECOND HAND SHOP TODAY, BOUGHT AND IN LOCATION
     
  3. There is a good wind-out blind like this but it needs a new front trim - source and have fitted. NO ACTION YET
     
• Kitchen - although larger than I have at present it actually has less units. Plus the units are dusky pink :rotfl:. Reactions have included 'its better than I was expecting', 'oh', 'it's awful' and 'it's liveable with - for now'. I tend to agree with the latter and need to negotiate with Mr GG how long 'now' is . Then make plans involving knocking down walls and installing a few arches. Won't be started till end of year I expect. NO ACTION, CONCENTRATING ON MAKING IT WORK AT PRESENT. LIST MADE OF WHAT NEEDS TO FIT IN AND EXTRA SHELVES BOUGHT TODAY, CUPBOARD TETRIS PLANNING STARTS MONDAY :T
  
• Air Con - there is only one unit (and we haven't got that working yet ). We're having ceiling fans fitted but will need air con by the summer. NO ACTION, BUT NEW CEILING FANS MAY SEE US NEEDING TENT PEGS TO STAY IN BED :rotfl:
  
• Pellet burner - decide if one is needed, research and have installed when kitchen work done. NO ACTION

Updated .


Watching our mighty football team tomorrow then lunch with friends so no further progress due.

Popgirl

Hello GG

I share your pain regarding tenant. the agent we use has had a monthly battle to get the rent for sometime now so we have had enough and served them with a section 21 notice giving them 2 months to leave. I hope your tenant leaves soon and gracefully, we are not expecting a smooth ride!

Reading your updates you are certainly busy busy busy but enjoying it which is fabulous.

Enjoy the football tomorrow. My team lost today so no Wembley for us this year on the plus side it allows us to focus on staying in the top flight. Hope your team win.


Best Wishes Popgirl X

Watty1

Loving the plans and the pretty colours

ljaneyr

Tent pegs :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Karmacat

ljaneyr wrote: »

Tent pegs :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I noticed that in particular as well :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

greent

Loving the updates (esp the tent pegs) - except for the rent arrears
x

gallygirl

Painter has finished :T. Place nice and clean . He has also changed the wardrobe in 'Tilly's room' - I need to fill in, rub down a bit and gloss the surround :eek: - I thought my glossing days were behind me :rotfl:. He also took a door frame off and swapped round how the door opens to make it much more sensible :T.

Situation in house is now:
Sunroom: Floor needs washed. Currently has two sold chairs waiting collection late Jan. No further furniture or inspiration
Living room: Floor needs washed then TV unit, coffee table, side table and lamp moved into position. Sofas have arrived at store - need to arrange delivery. No curtains to go on the new curtain rail , just sent friend a message to see if they can bring some out in Feb, along with some sheets, as they are driving down. Have looked everywhere here and on UK websites, best ones are on Dunelm but they don't deliver to Spain.
Dining room: Needs curtains to match living room but furniture has been relocated from old position and looks fab :T. Quite big and 'Spanishy' but not too dark. Would like a new ceiling fan but no rush. Wall unit being filled with crystal glasses - but am operating the 'too nice to NOT use' strategy - I'd sooner have some broken in use than keep them unused in a cupboard.
What was the dining room and is now an empty space: Hmmm. This is bigger than I'd though and will look a bit odd as very little going it but not planning on doing anything to it as will be partly incorporated into bigger kitchen at some stage. Floor needs washed.
Kitchen: In process of moving stuff over, outside of units and floor need washed.
Inner hall: Floor needs washed, lights changing at some stage, need something to fill it.
Bed 1: Floor and wardrobe needs washed as do windows. Curtains on their way from Debenhams, bought some lovely lamps similar to this but nicer . Nice bedcover also bought. Need pictures. Keeping existing furniture for now till we see what we really like. Looks a bit like this.
En suite: Needs cleaned and new ceiling light fitted, horrible rusty painted metal fittings have been replaced with new chrome and towel radiator fitted.
Bed 2: 'Tilly's bedroom'. New wardrobe frame needs painting - no rush. Curtains waiting to be hung. Bedside tables (a bit like this) need rubbed down and painted. None of that will be happening quickly . Need a little dressing table and some pictures and cushions. Oh yes, and a bed :rotfl:.
Bathroom: Crikey, this just needs a good clean. Oh and new bath mixer and bidet taps. New towel radiator and fittings done.
Bed 3: 'MWC's bedroom'. Needs window, floor and wall tiles washed. Wardrobe needs moving out and other moving in. Curtains and pictures need hung. Don't think there's room for a dressing table. Oh yes, this needs a bed as well :rotfl:.
Toilet: New fittings done. Needs cleaned.
Utility room: Needs cleaned. At a loss to know what to do at present, longer term want to install a sink unit and large linen press.