Help... It's time for change!!!

Mint1955

We are now just tying up loose ends and making contingency plans for anything we can't do. Last night was lovely with eight of us for dinner and it was their treat for us so that was a suprise with bubbles to celebrate. We had both dosed ourselves up so it all went to our heads a little lol. Lunch with stepson today and then a sleep before the drinks farewell tonight which I thought was just eight of us but it's been let slip there are a few surprises but I havnt let on to OH. Life is precious and I want to spend as much time with OH as I can really enjoying life, hearing Kitties sad news yesterday and a friends Mum was also taken suddenly today it's bought us up short with our moaning. Take care everyone and go hug someone right now or make a phone call. Xxxxx

Mint1955

Suprise guests meant even more tissues and lots of hugging last night. Champagne downed with lots of laughs. Our colds are much worse today and I have even less of a voice this morning!!!

The old saying you don't know what you've got till its gone is rearing its head with so many people wishing us well etc. We left the party at 2 and walked home and I shed a few tears and said to OH it feels like it was just us two now and he replied 'There will always be us two' that was me finished lol eyes are so sore this morning!!!!

We need to be ok for a lunch today then it really is just clear up and out in two days time.

Running on adrenaline now but we can collapse once we get there thank goodness.

Mint1955

Sunday lunch was welcome and then we went home and straight to bed to get a little rest.
Monday was frustrating as the trust are now arguing over a path and a tree which may all have to be removed but as yet they cannot tell us which of the covenant rules they are issuing the problem via.

So definately no exchange before we go and in fact we may have to instruct landscapers and tree surgeons in our absence.

Thank goodness OH and I don't stress over the same things so we are keeping each other going.

We ended the day with no furniture to sit on but we did still have a bed.

Tuesday the trust were no more forthcoming over the hold up issues so we concentrated on packing our stuff and the homeless charity took loads for us which was great.

Last trip to the tip and a clean through and we were good for nothing but got closed up and handed car and keys to the new owner and reported to the estate agent we had left.

The local hotel was welcome and we arrived around 5.30. A shower and a bite to eat and then a few neighbours joined us for drinks. We slept well and our taxi arrived at 6.30 this morning.

The extra luggage proved uneventful and we are now sitting in the business lounge awaiting the call for the flight.
No matter how many cards well wishes etc etc it still is not computing that we are doing anything more than going in holiday!
The adventure starts here I guess but right now I could really do with a sleep and OH is a day or two behind with the cold and flu we have both had so it's a bit subdued lol

Mint1955

Well we are here, nearly unpacked and the weather has been kind. The luggage caused no problems throughout the whole journey and taxi both ends meant it was not too bad.
We got to the villa at 9pm and after a quick check round and opened windows etc a special bottle of Tattinger was opened. Bought on our 10th anniversary for a special occasion.

We have an electric duvet so a welcome bed and a good sleep.

Thursday and loads of messages re the house and lots of problems which carried on until Friday. We now have to pay £140 for consent for a pergola and paving in our garden and they will only issue transfer of trust certificate once the tree is down.
Estate agents started threatening us saying we hadn't done x x and z but soon shut up when we asked them to listen to messages we had left and instruction emails sent covering things until we landed. We havnt heard from them again lol
The tree will be removed Monday and paperwork issued once inspected. This then should mean exchange can take place.

Here we have managed to open six of the boxes and stow the contents, have been to the supermarket for a weekly shop and petrol the car which started first time. A load of washing was done and dried in the sun and today we walked for two hours but we need to remember we don't need big coats!!

Last night I cooked two lasagnes (one for freezer) with half the meat mixture then added chilli and kidney beans etc and bagged up two days chilli con carne meals for freezer.
Today there was some veg pasta left over from thurs meal so I soft boiled two farm eggs and added them to a bowl of pasta each with fresh local bread and farm butter. Yummy and I didn't chuck pasta out as I would normally.
Local bread has no preservatives so OH sliced it up and put in freezer so we can defrost slices when needed otherwise it goes hard very quickly.
Having to start from scratch in kitchen cupboards I spent over budget but decided I would even out over the first few weeks etc so not stressed.

I did have to laugh I got the shopping and left store looking at the receipt to check when the wind blew it out of my hand. I would have chased after it but a big dog ran after it and ate it!!!! So much for checking prices etc.

It's chilly once the sun goes down so snuggles on sofa with throws. We have tv and Internet which are a little temperamental but we appreciate its not simple here.

The stars are so clear at night and the air fresh we tend to wander in and out a lot and just stand and enjoy.

Our equivalent of a council tax bill for the year was waiting for us on arrival at £50 approx. The monthly water Bill is approx £4 for ten tons of water which for two of us will probably be enough if we are economical. Electricity is another matter and I will be keeping a log of use age etc.

we will be looking at all expenses and adjusting the spreadsheet regularly as we go along. We will change our pay as you go Internet to a yearly service on Monday and set up new savings accounts at the bank/banks (not all eggs in one bank basket etc)

Life is calmer and so friendly here we are relaxing already and both our colds are much better.

Goldiegirl

It must be an amazing feeling to finally be there.

It sounds busy, with all the settling in, but it's a nice busy.

I hope you'll be very happy in your new life:)

muddywhitechicken

Very best wishes for your new life in the sun

nursemaggie

Best wishes for your new life mint.

Anne_Marie_2

So pleased that you've finally got here Mint, all the very best in your new life, you're going to love it. Bit blowy today though.....brrrr! At least the sun is shining.

Mint1955

Hi Anne Marie, yes it's been fab and today the winds have picked up but its still warm and sunny. Hour and a half in the bank to sort a new account and pay a few bills plus some shopping and a visit to Internet provider to get a better deal now we are permanent and the day has just disappeared.

Bargain of the day was when we sorted a wine shop purchase and were given a free 5 litre box of white wine so I am happy.

Anne_Marie_2

Mint1955 wrote: »

Hi Anne Marie, yes it's been fab and today the winds have picked up but its still warm and sunny. Hour and a half in the bank to sort a new account and pay a few bills plus some shopping and a visit to Internet provider to get a better deal now we are permanent and the day has just disappeared.

Bargain of the day was when we sorted a wine shop purchase and were given a free 5 litre box of white wine so I am happy.

You're obviously not yet acclimatised, it's dashed cold!
You are so right about time disappearing here, things take so much longer. Nipping out for a bit of shopping can be a whole morning.
Well done on getting a freebie wine....never managed to get a free 5 litre box yet, you lucky thing.