Flying solo

Dansmam

Hi Robin, just popped in to find you're on the verge of travelling back. Sounds to me like time to nest and not trouble yourself overmuch with business here once you've done the bare essentials. That all sounds,a bit pressurised and unnecessary, and I'll bet my lurcher to your snowdog it'll all pan out ok in the end whatever. Oh ok, I'll keep the lurcher, you keep the snowdog, it's the thought that counts! A bit of peace and sunshine sounds just the thing to see off BD. And CD can see the excellent vet she knows so well...
If your gut says I'm wrong just chuck this in the virtual bin. Sending good wishes for a safe journey if not. Sending good wishes, whatever! hugs and ear rubs all round x

Sun_Addict

Hi Robin, just checking in

Ignore the "friend" you're worth more than that.

Sorry to hear CD is unwell and really hope you don't end up forking out £1k plus. Vet's bills are extortionate. They know they have you over a barrel. Hope it's not necessary in the end and she recovers.

Echoing what others say - time to return to the Nest xx

chevalier

I would be saying to T2 you do realise that your continued tenancy relies on you agreeing to my terms don't you? If you are unable to comply then I have a Sec21 notice right here I can fill in for you? Oh and whilst we are at it, expect your rent to rise by 2% above inflation every 12 months from now on, as you are not on an economic rent......

Some people you just have to play hard ball with. Have you thought about getting a letting agent to take over looking after the property. Maybe some of your neighbours at home home could recommend one?
chev

Brightspark87

Hi Robin thinking of you and CD x

please-let-me-be-lucky

Hope you are well Xx

brizzledfw

Ditto..didn't want to read and run...hope things are improving for you and CD...and you get to the Nest when you feel the time is right x

Bubblesmum

Thinking of you and CD - hugs

lindens

Hope all is Ok with you and yours..

*Robin*

Hello World, :hello:

Thank you all for popping in with encouragement, everyone.. Will try and respond to all your kind and sensible suggestions in between the waffle..

When Black Dog is chewing at m' extremities I play silly games. On the internet - when mifi decides to co-operate - or just on lappy when the little red light refuses to go green no matter where dongle dangles from at some high point in the camper-van..
They're always easy, quick, free games. Simple shape and colour-matching puzzles; completed in a couple of minutes, but with the option to repeat endlessly - pushing foggy brain and disobedient fingers to achieve a decent score. Pointless.
Have played an awful lot recently..
It really is time to get back to the Nest's garden..

Can report some progress:
CD, camper-van and I have a dog-friendly ferry ticket, sailing in a couple of weeks' time. Must commend the kindness and co-operation of the girls in the booking office; they really went out of their way to find a solution when I confessed [close to tears] the whole dilemma had just got too much.. It might have helped that CD's Houdini-style escapades in bygone years were one of the main reasons that pet-friendly cabins were introduced on the direct ferries; don't know - but was a bit surprised when the girl on the 'phone asked whether CD was travelling with me - mentioning her by name..

The huge financial favour I did in the Spring for a friend-of-a-friend of DS3 came in very handy, because it meant there was only a small supplement to pay on the fare despite camper-van being such a large vehicle.

Divo Three will not be joining us for the journey (too busy working - saving up for his next trip to Asia, so that he's got a decent float to tide him over until he gets his first wages over there). CD and I should be able to manage, driving slowly. After all it's exactly what camper-van is designed for. Am hesitating over buying the posh motor-home satnav which shows a multitude of stopping places - Martin's mantra comes to mind, and the price-tag is rather off-putting.

Negotiations re DH's London flat have been handed over to the family solicitor, who seemed charmingly pleased to see us (he was quite unfazed when CD accompanied me to our appointment).

T2 have been given the conditions for renewing their tenancy (six months, to appease the neighbour who suffered most - any more complaints and that will be an end of it). No response as yet although they're very happy with the replacement windows - which are fantastic quality - am delighted with 'em too. :T
Finally had a look around homehome yesterday; there's more work for Carpenter because the kitchen work surface behind the sink has obviously been left soaking wet every time they've washed up (don't think they're using the dish-washer at all so that's probably kaput by now).. The surface has become spongy so better replace it before the damage goes into the cabinets below (sigh). At least there's still enough in the windows / maintenance fund to pay that bill.

Have started stocking up on stuff to take back to the Nest. Tea and m@rmite mostly.

CD is sleeping a lot, but being quite agreeable about swallowing her GP and meds wrapped in ham (at the moment - fingers crossed). One side-effect of upping her GP dose is that there is now a distinct whiff of cat-pee in the van - it's not unusual according to the TUG site - so I've ordered some Ceylon cinnamon to cook up with the next batch of GP, which should get rid of that problem (I hope!).

Spends, lots of:
Ferry ticket - £72
Solicitor [old bill he didn't bother to send out!] - £150
Groceries - £42 + £63 (inc some food for DS4 & DR).
The River - £32
Probably more but can't remember..

missrlr

Hi robin

Glad you have made positive progress towards returning to the nest. Honestly having used a commercial truckers sat nav all the way through France to Italy and Germany I can safely say they are not worth the money. Use a sat nav for traffic and your wits and sign post reading as. A double check.

Tenants sound like a blinking liability .... Zero tolerance is required me thinks.

Hope the house sale progresses smoothly. Puplet has sliced roast chicken for his GP ATM ... Fingers crossed it is working

Enjoy the SLOW journey back. Stay safe.