Get a grip woman!

Karmacat

I'm chuffed for you that the birthday celebrations went well and at the weekend away upcoming - thats always good! Sorry about the financial saga tho very grrrr.

beanielou

What a blooming plaver.
Glad that the birthday celebrations went well.
Hope you gave me a wave on your way home:)

Suffolk_lass

I would have waved Beanie but I don't think you would have seen me as I was in Ayrshire, a long way from you, the other end of the A road - I did think of you as I turned off the A1 on to the A66

Suffolk_lass

Weekend away booked and prep of the motorhome is underway as it will be our first. We still need some levelling wedge things or traction mats, and I need to get in there and clean it all thoroughly. It will only be a two night break but hopefully we will learn lessons.

The mortgage and pension issues have resolved themselves, with time. DH's pension is a bit less than the minimum amount to be paid into the running costs account to satisfy the loyalty bonus so I made a one-off payment from the bills account this month. I will set up a standing order in due course when the payment becomes a bit more stable.

The BS secure emailed the missing letter and the payment was reduced to £100 from £500 this month. It is still a small overpayment but much less and I told them I will make ad hoc capital OPs to pay it off by August 2022.

We have started to read about Australia and New Zealand in order to agree the places and things we want to do, and will book this one via a travel agent and ABTA company. It might be a combination of bespoke independent and organised parts. For instance when we were in Sydney last time, we organised a boat trip and bridge climb ourselves but missed out on attending the Opera and touring the house and backstage areas, or going up the tower as they were all booked out by groups. Lots to consider and we have only just started reading. Not even sure if we will do this in winter 2020 or 2021.

DH had a short medical investigation procedure this week and a relief to all of us that the GP's treatment was for the right thing, with a quick pre-emptive removal of a collection of cells and an advice sheet on diet that directly correlates with the diet I have us both on. I know this is a huge relief for him as his brother died from complications from undiagnosed cancer before he was 50. I might add that this is a huge relief for me as well!

I did not get the seasonal temporary job I applied for (I don't mind) - I am overqualified, but DS did :T:T:T:j:j:j:beer::beer::beer: - he needed the morale boost as his current job is really hard on his health and well-being.

Lots planned for the weekend with DH having removed lots of the waterproof sealant in the shower and I am currently cleaning some of the trim and the door with white vinegar and sealant remover, ready for the new stuff. He also has a motorcycle show tomorrow but sadly I will miss it because I am on bar duty (a volunteer thing I do). I also have lots of my Christmas decorations to make up from the chandelier crystals

enthusiasticsaver

Good that your DH pension is now paying out. Has he rung for his tax refund? Both myself and my DH got one after retiring midway through the tax year.

Australia plans sound good.

beanielou

All sounding good.
Great news for DH.

Busy_Mee1

All sounding good here SL. Congratulations to DS on his new job, will hopefully be the boost he needs. We spend too much time at work for it to impact on our health. My DD is so much better since starting her new job and actually enjoys going to work.

We also have New Zealand and West Coast of Australia on our list....along with lots of other places !

Suffolk_lass

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Good that your DH pension is now paying out. Has he rung for his tax refund? Both myself and my DH got one after retiring midway through the tax year.

Australia plans sound good.

He hasn't because he has to do a tax return reflecting his partial ownership of the house DS lives in (with lodgers). We haven't forgotten it will be due though!

Suffolk_lass

Busy_Mee1 wrote: »

All sounding good here SL. Congratulations to DS on his new job, will hopefully be the boost he needs. We spend too much time at work for it to impact on our health. My DD is so much better since starting her new job and actually enjoys going to work.

We also have New Zealand and West Coast of Australia on our list....along with lots of other places !

Perhaps we should compare notes.

Re West Coast of Australia: Possibilities are a bit of a motorhome trip from Perth north up the coast, and possibly a small boat along the next section of coast to the north. I have not been to the centre - only Sydney and Melbourne, flying between and hiring a car from Melbourne to drive down the Great Ocean Road to Philip Island. We did lots of interesting things while there but there is so much more!

In NZ I was with my Mum (then 78, now 90) and so our activities were not too active and we did not re-do anything she had done with my Dad so as not to impact on those precious memories. Have you been before?

Suffolk_lass

I am sure it would have taken a plumber a very few hours to re-do the sealant in our shower. Us? we are entering day 3. DH has been up there, in the cabinet, sat cross-legged or on his knees and I was in the kitchen with the door, seals and trims, removing the soap-scum, limescale and a bit of dirt using white vinegar and a nylon scourer. I am hopeful today is sealant day after two days of preparation.