Flying solo

Brightspark87

Robin so so sorry to hear of the terrible news. My thoughts are with you all. xx

*Robin*

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts, everyone.
Don't know if they will try again, it's all too raw at the moment.

Looks like we may have trouble with T2; the family is not looking after their dog - neighbours have just told me the R$PCA have been round. Divo Four and I were already talking about it - poor thing woke us up barking for attention first thing and hasn't stopped since.
T2 is away; looks like they've left a gaggle of young girls house-sitting (haven't knocked on door - yet ).
Tempting to take the dog with us - but but but, she snapped at CD last time they met. As DS said:
"Remember what happened last time, Mother!"
Indeed I do. :cool:

Sun_Addict

Sorry to hear your sad news Robin xx Not a lot else to say really.

Hate people who don't look after their pets

missrlr

Oh Robin I am so sad to read this news, my love and best wishes to all concerned.

Re dog, I think stiff words with T2 and make sure them know you are aware. Maybe ensure CD gets a better introduction before considering anything further? A shame but CD must come first!

I am gutted for you this is happening xx

*Robin*

Dear Diary and MSEers, :hello:

September is upon us; have just moved van from a very dank, chilly over-shadowed spot next to the river into a sunny car-park (residents parking spaces really, but they've all gone to work - we'll have left long before they return ). Solar panel charging indicator has gone from 0.1 to 5.6 - phew, at last van's interior is warming up! ..It was hard getting out of bed this morning - nearly time to head South although still have a lot to do here.

Sun.A and Missrlr - thanks for your kind thoughts; babe arrived a week more premature than DGS1; just too small to survive, alas.

Last night a flurry of emails passed between self and T2. Told 'em that if their dog is still distressed today I will use my key to go inside homehome, collect both their pets and take them to a lovely local kennels which I've used before - at T2's expense obviously. Divo Four had put his foot down earlier; said no way should we take on their nervous dog ourselves, and a camper-van is no place for a cat (definitely agree with him there!).
Like most things in the SE the kennels isn't cheap, so T2 begged for time to sort out their house-sitters by 'phone. They have until this afternoon.

*Robin*

Just had some very good news from window installation chappie; his quote which I thought was materials only, turns out to be for his labour as well! :T
..Means the pot already set aside will actually still have change in it when the work is done - am sooo glad to have dug in m' heels and refused to pay the National chains' inflated prices!

On a more sombre note; am going to have to visit all the neighbours at homehome - heard more disturbing rumours about T2 so need to find out just how much of a nuisance they've made of themselves.
Really don't want to issue an S21 but can't allow the tenant's behaviour to adversely impact the area. It's not 'snobby' like "Millionaire's Row" behind the cul-de-sac, but people are expected to be considerate to each other; no loud music, screaming kids - or barking dogs - in the gardens, and if someone has a barbecue or party all the neighbours are invited, etc.
Am beginning to feel T2 just doesn't fit in; they've had long enough to work out what is expected of them (and were told, when they moved in). There is also the matter of some damage to the fabric of the property which I've noticed. Asked about one item already but T2 denied all knowledge of it - not a good sign.
Being selfish, this could delay my return to the Nest by several months.
Being philanthropic, T2 will have a hard job finding another LL willing to allow their pets and be as understanding as I have been over little matters like the rent arriving late.
Difficult.

missrlr

Robin the trials of being a LL, hated by most and abused by the rest. I think a stiff word, and S21 if no improvements. Monitor closely as well to make sure this behaviour is enforced. yes it delays your return but short term pain for long term gain and sort it out so you are satisfied.
Dogs cannot be abused like that! Good solution to take to a kennels though!

chevalier

So sorry Robin to hear the sad news. So difficult to know what to say.

re the house. I wonder if you can find a reputable (they are like gold dust so good luck) rental agency to manage the properties for you. We are VERY luck that we have a good one for ours. But we are also lucky in that we only have had two tenants all the time we have been here.

Just a thought
chev

Dansmam

Dear Robin, so sorry to hear about the little one, early days to think about the future, as you say. Hope you're finding time for you in all of this as well as sorting out the daft tenant - sounds as though they just don't understand/want to be part of that community - might you be doing them a favour if they end up elsewhere? Glad you thought better of asking CD to share her travelling space - tenant`s dog doesn't sound much of a charmer…. Sending hugs, and plenty of ear rubs for CD

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Friends-in-the-Box, :hello:

Thanks Missrlr, Chev and Dansmam for your words of comfort..

More cheerful news arrived this morning; one of our fosterlings who still keeps in touch has had a much-wanted, long-awaited, healthy baby girl. Am hoping to squeeze a quick visit into m' increasingly crowded schedule of 'things to do before heading South'.

It's a very grey day here in the SE today, temperatures are definitely dropping.
Yesterday, didn't do much except monitoring T2's dog, walk with CD in between rain showers, and endure a rather frustrating 'phone-call with the ferry company: No they won't change my current ticket from car to van, no I can't book a freight slot for camper-van [because I'm a private citizen not a company!], no there are no alternatives for months ahead.. One positive is that they will refund the fare if I cancel outright.

Just checked another company, much more choice - but - they only sail to France. CD would have to stay in the van for the crossing - the shortest is 90 minutes; wonder how much damage she could do?
The only other alternative is the chunnel. Hmmm. :think:

Later.
Got distracted by a wandering tradesman and left CD in the van by herself for fifteen minutes. Then opened the habitation door to discover - for the second time - mosquito screen hanging free with claw-shaped holes in it.
Aaargh - wretched dog! :mad:
Guess she answered my question in the paragraph above: The chunnel it must be, then.

Meanwhile aforesaid tradesman persuaded me to let him clean the drive with his very impressive pressure washer - it does look much better now, all the weedy bits gone - and while he was working, he tried hard to buy m' camper-van, sell me his Transit, or arrange a part-ex for another camper his FIL wants to sell.
..Am exhausted by it all - but the drive looks great!

Spends:
Groceries top-up and dawg meat - £21
Getting drive cleaned - £40 (WT started by asking £120 - I laughed and said:
"This isn't Millionaire's Row!").