Flying solo

*Robin*

Thanks Lucky.

Well, I had another short conversation with MrsT2, in which we agreed they would pay for the brand new lawn-mower her DH blew up (rather than giving me the replacement they bought).
I suggested we can remove and re-use a section of guttering off the garage to repair the bits her Dad broke by walloping a ladder into them, and they can just buy a new short piece to go on the back of the garage where the fact that it won't match isn't going to look weird (the original design is no longer in production).

MrsT2 was rather shocked when asked outright whether she wants to renew the tenancy - if offered - and replied that they've already signed up the kids for nursery at the excellent local school, so a resounding "yes!" to that - she's no idea where they'd go if they have to leave homehome.
"Not really my problem," I said, "but I've looked on RM, and there's only one other house available to rent in the village; £500 more than you're paying now, a postage-stamp garden and no pets allowed. It's the same size as hh bar an extra small utility room, with the inconvenience of being a three storey town-house."
..MrsT2 went pale. As they haven't any chance of getting their children into the over-subscribed village school if they live further away and say there's no way they'd give up Dog and Cat, am hoping for full co-operation from now on!

We still have to discuss some other issues, but I've already suggested that she could approach the local professional dog-walker for help on days when she's simply too busy to exercise the dog, and crate-train it to avoid it ever having to be locked outside again (doing so would also give the poor thing a safe place to escape from the 'torturing-toddler' stage of childhood, which her kids are fast approaching).

Dansmam

Hi Robin. Sadly recognise I may have been much like Mrs T2 at one point in my life. Work, small kids and dog too much. The dog maybe needs, and definitely would enjoy, a new home. Not sure how that could be broached without upset though. When I `was` her I'd have claimed all was ok and resisted any suggestion it wasn't. It's not ok and I think your dog walker suggestion is great. Fingers crossed.

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSEers, :hello:

Gosh, you were up early Dansmam! I hear what you're saying, and yes I suppose there were times when my pets didn't get the attention they should have done either - eg. when stuck nearly a hundred miles away in hospital with DS3 for weeks on end without even being able to visit the rest of the family..
Hmmm. Suppose I had a better support network - a couple of dog-owning mates took it upon themselves to collect our mutts while they were walking theirs, plus DS1 and DSD1 were also old enough to look after things like that (there was a very comprehensive chores list on the fridge which was filled out daily by the kids themselves - stopped any "I'm doing more than you!" type arguments).
T2 doesn't have that kind of help. But there are so many unwanted pets in refuges, getting rid of the dog - especially now it's got into the habit of being noisy - would not bode well for it's future.

How are the girls getting on, Dansmam - still milking cows in some distant rural idyll?

I am missing DH dreadfully. Especially since DS4 is becoming immersed in his own life again - which is as it should be of course - but I can't help feeling lonely. This camper-van adventure would be so much more fun shared with a partner, and solving the problems life throws up wouldn't be so difficult.
Since DH died I've become very reliant on smoking roll-up tobacco to help quell nervousness and insecurity. It's taking the predicted toll; when CD is dosed up on GP and feeling frisky I do have trouble keeping up, which is pretty awful considering she's almost fifteen years old - ha, T2's young dog could doubtless run rings around me!
Even so, compared to DR I am practically an Olympic athlete. He resists doing anything much to help improve his lung function, which prompted me to finally take the plunge - and buy an e-cigarette.
It's a brand recommended by a trusted, intelligent friend who has guided me through the process of learning how to use the thing. Said TIF checked out the various makes of fluids before starting to 'vape' himself, and assures me the one he suggested contains the fewest questionable ingredients of all those on offer, so reducing the chance of simply swapping one set of carcinogens for another.
..Am actually very impressed. Since getting the hang of it I have only smoked one roll-up and not missed the habit at all. Better yet, DR likes it too and has ordered one for himself!

Ooh, pause - a Spitfire has just flown overhead! ..Unmistakeable symbol of the UK's valiant past. :T
Saw several yesterday too - there was an air display not far away.

Something else I spotted while walking CD is worthy of mention; we were in woodlands belonging to a local NT house, when a pair of muntjac deer wandered across the path. Beautiful, elegant creatures; they and I watched each other for a minute until CD hove into view, when they bounded off through the undergrowth. CD took no notice until we reached the spot where they had stood, then CD caught their scent and I had to grab her fast to stop her following 'em in to the brambles!

Spends:
E-cig kit, spares & liquid - £38

*Robin*

Blimey - the Red Arrows have just flown over at about 200' - amazing!
..Think it might be worth 'tatting down' pdq and driving out of town to somewhere with a good view-point - the Battle of Britain Anniversary air-show is in full swing..

satchmo1

Robin, I wonder if there are more than one squadron of Red Arrows? They flew directly over our apartment in the sunny burbs of Southport yesterday afternoon at 4.38pm. The local airshow is spectacular, and today there was (amongst a dozen other planes) a Spitfire, Tornado and Hurricane. The aerobatics was breath-taking. I stopped my car on the road mid-day to watch a free-fall plunge - and that was just a practise flight. The Hurricane plane was temporarily based at Woodvale airfield, which is half a mile from me.


On to T2. What would you advise a friend to do if they were in your position? My advice (for what it's worth) is, take the plunge whilst you are in the UK and give them notice to quit. Find a trustworthy tenant at the market rate. Sorry if that sounds harsh, Robin, but honestly you don't owe T2 anything and it sounds like keeping on good terms with the neighbours is beneficial.


How much longer do you think you'll be in the vicinity? Long enough to serve notice? (Perhaps that question should have been asked first).

*Robin*

Night shift again. Stayed up too late watching a film with DR, now can't sleep.

Satchmo, am pretty certain there's only one squadron of Red Arrows, but the country really isn't very large at the speed those 'planes travel! Wouldn't be surprised to learn that many of us spotted 'em recently; here's their itinerary for the last week:
*13 September Great North Run, South Shields, South Tyneside - (Flypast 1105hrs, Display 1315hrs)
*18 September Sanicole International Airshow, Belgium
*19-20 September Southport Air Show - (19 Sept - 1630hrs, 20 Sept - 1230hrs)
*20 September Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show, Duxford, Cambridgeshire
..Spectacular performance the very talented pilots put on, isn't it? :T

satchmo1 wrote: »

On to T2. What would you advise a friend to do if they were in your position? My advice (for what it's worth) is, take the plunge whilst you are in the UK and give them notice to quit. Find a trustworthy tenant at the market rate. Sorry if that sounds harsh, Robin, but honestly you don't owe T2 anything and it sounds like keeping on good terms with the neighbours is beneficial.

How much longer do you think you'll be in the vicinity? Long enough to serve notice? (Perhaps that question should have been asked first).

Hmmm. Being realistic, it would mean hanging around until the end of November at least - that's if T2 moves out promptly at the end of the notice period.
:think: When will it start getting frosty, with ice on the roads?

Reckon we'll see how they react to a Section 13, putting the rent up to market rate [without an agent's whack on top but including fees to pay a gardener]. It hasn't changed since T2 have been there, and they've already been told it will have to increase once the new windows are fitted.
You're right I don't owe T2 anything, but it goes against the grain to take any action which I know will make life difficult for someone.
Of course you're also right that I care about the neighbours - if it comes right down to it, my relationship with the permanent neighbours is more important.

..Thanks, Satchmo - might as well draft the S13 now; hope doing so makes me feel sleepy at last. << Actually, that's not very likely. Oh well.

missrlr

Hello Robin, I am sorry I have been MIA. Far too long boring and mundane (plus a bit rude to hijack your thread) whimsical nonsense to bore you with.
I am afraid I would be handing a Section21 notice on the grounds of breaking tenancy for non maintenance of the garden, causing complaints and damage to property. At the very least I would be in addition to the section 13 putting the above in formal written notice and stating that any further breaches will result in immediate S21 . Also I seriously think you need them on a short leash. Regular reviews of property
Then tell all neighbour's and if you have a reliable person who can go round in say 3 months to view the property and video the state of it, speak to neighbour's for you then do so.

On a very personal note I know you want that second check and actual voice sounding the half thoughts you have but I know you have indefinite wisdom and depth of character so will always know instinctively the necessary course of action (then the moral thoughts kick in).

Hope the house comes through and all thoughts become solutions
Ear tickles for CD

Brightspark87

Hi Robin - I love my ecig. Saves me ££££ and less hassle than when I smoked. I too use to to help with stress etc and it does do the trick! 18 months down the line I don't look back. Hope it is helping. Red Arrows sounds gorgeous - such a special thing to see xx

*Robin*

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

It's not been an easy week. Thoroughly mauled by Black Dog.

Knit Witch - I hope you're starting to feel better now; keeping all digits crossed you get good news on Wednesday.. (((hugs)))

Thanks for popping in, Missrlr; I've missed your wise council and often think of you, wondering how you're getting on. (((hugs )))
Are you finally free of the wearisome yoke* yet?
* Brain is stuttering; typed 'yolk' and had to look at it three times before realising! :rotfl:

Re T2; turns out a Section 13 was not required. My mistake, ably corrected by MSE's esteemed G_M.
Missing out the angst spread over several days - T2 are insistent they want to stay on, have promised to be more mindful of the neighbours, and accepted the rent increase with only a short intake of breath.

Sparky - am also very impressed with the new e-ciggie.
I've only smoked a few 'real' roll-ups since getting the thing; usually when the battery runs out.
Still a tad concerned that this is just swapping one addiction for another, but will suspend judgement and see whether lung function improves over the next three months.

Getting cold and damp in the evenings now; started using the gas fire which is amazingly effective - discovered camper-van is actually fitted with a primitive central heating system! Very impressed, especially as it's more economical than I'd dared hope.

Had the first big "oops!" with van; somehow a switch on the electrical control panel was left in the 'wrong' position.. Three days later engine battery was dead. A lovely AA man sorted it out in ten seconds flat - phew! We spent the next half hour discussing benefits of GP for senior dogs while he cuddled CD. Left him g00gling http://www.turmericlife.com.au/ when we drove off.. :rotfl:

Spends:
Groceries - £42 (£15 of that was ready-meals for DR).

Brightspark87

Hi robin lovely to hear from you not so lovely about the black dog visiting again. I was thinking you must be enjoying the sunshine but of course mornings and evenings it is much chillier isn't it? Glad you have found an effective form of heating - central heating in the van sounds VERY welcome. xx