Things can only get better

Sun_Addict

That’s a bit unfair to be in Tier 2 if you have very low rates Cherry ☹️ We’ll all have to try and enjoy what we can and plan to see friends and family when things are better. 

enthusiasticsaver

I am sorry to you all who have had to cancel or rearrange plans for Xmas. Most of my extended family are in the south east so our family what's app chat has been buzzing tonight although my mum had already decided to just stick at home with my stepdad and my brother who is in her bubble. My sisters plans are all up in the air though as her children live elsewhere so a get together is now off the cards. Luckily we are in Cornwall which is still Tier 1 and DD1 has just moved back with us for the 2 weeks and DD2 and her family live down the road so we can still meet up for Christmas Day. 

The main thing is everyone stays safe. 

enthusiasticsaver

RelievedSheff said:

alt80 said:

If you upgrade the loft insulation make sure there's adequate ventilation to the timbers and the installers don't just either not bother upgrading the ventilation or block it up.

My res home costs a similar amount to run each month - detached Victorian place, single glazed windows, solid walls etc so really inefficient. Price you pay for living in a nice period property imo. Don't care how low the heating costs are, you wouldn't get me in a modern box, might moan its cold sometimes though ha. Enjoy your home for what it is, get the best deal you can but I wouldn't stress too much about extra insulation etc - some jobs can do more harm than good to the structure of a period property.

We said the same about new builds until we saw this one. Have done the old house bit. We lived in a victorian villa for a long time. That was impossible to heat. It never felt warm.

We moved from there to a 1930's semi. That was much more energy efficient but the sound insulation between properties was non existent. 

From there  we moved to this new build. It is by far and away our favourite house of the three. The running costs are next to nothing and it feels a much more solid house than the semi. Yes it was a bit bland and out of the box when we moved in, but you then have to put your own stamp on it. We have enjoyed making this house our home.

Yes I would have to agree. We had a 30s house for our first home and that had  barely any sound insulation as a semi and my old family house where I grew up was also 1930s and detached but always freezing cold. Our 1990 4 bed detached is very cheap to heat and well built and although fairly modern all the houses are different and have character although obviously no period features. We opted for comfort and have been very happy here for 30 years. 

Cherryfudge

Sun_Addict said:

That’s a bit unfair to be in Tier 2 if you have very low rates Cherry ☹️ We’ll all have to try and enjoy what we can and plan to see friends and family when things are better. 

It's because everyone is Tier 2 for a long way around us, SA. It would be difficult to allow this little pocket to have it easier and it probably wouldn't stay as safe for long as it's easy for the virus to be transmitted relatively locally.

I'm glad we saw DS2 the other day and DD and her partner saw him today as we may not be able to meet up for some time. However, as you say, we can plan for when things are better. DH reminded me the other day that during the war they had no idea how long they would have to suffer bombings, restrictions and worry. To us, looking back, it's neatly compartmentalised but they couldn't see an end in sight. Our restrictions are different but we have a lot they didn't, like the Internet. I imagine video calls will feature large this Christmas, and more people will be getting outdoor exercise than ever!

RelievedSheff

I do feel sorry for those having to change their Christmas plans last minute but I guess in the long run it is for the best.

We decided a while ago there would be no family Christmas this year. We are planning a get together in the summer instead when rates are hopefully much lower.

Honeysucklelou2

Re loft insulation - I had a cold call the other day from a company who informed me that there are government grants for loft insulation. The one I could qualify for is due to living in an area without mains gas but apparently there are other grants with different criteria. Might be worth looking into, especially as you are a carer.

Sorry to read that your Christmas plans have had to change.

RelievedSheff

enthusiasticsaver said:

RelievedSheff said:

alt80 said:

If you upgrade the loft insulation make sure there's adequate ventilation to the timbers and the installers don't just either not bother upgrading the ventilation or block it up.

My res home costs a similar amount to run each month - detached Victorian place, single glazed windows, solid walls etc so really inefficient. Price you pay for living in a nice period property imo. Don't care how low the heating costs are, you wouldn't get me in a modern box, might moan its cold sometimes though ha. Enjoy your home for what it is, get the best deal you can but I wouldn't stress too much about extra insulation etc - some jobs can do more harm than good to the structure of a period property.

We said the same about new builds until we saw this one. Have done the old house bit. We lived in a victorian villa for a long time. That was impossible to heat. It never felt warm.

We moved from there to a 1930's semi. That was much more energy efficient but the sound insulation between properties was non existent. 

From there  we moved to this new build. It is by far and away our favourite house of the three. The running costs are next to nothing and it feels a much more solid house than the semi. Yes it was a bit bland and out of the box when we moved in, but you then have to put your own stamp on it. We have enjoyed making this house our home.

Yes I would have to agree. We had a 30s house for our first home and that had  barely any sound insulation as a semi and my old family house where I grew up was also 1930s and detached but always freezing cold. Our 1990 4 bed detached is very cheap to heat and well built and although fairly modern all the houses are different and have character although obviously no period features. We opted for comfort and have been very happy here for 30 years. 

A house is what you make of it. We have definitely made this one our home and while it may not have period features it is, we like to think, a warm and welcoming home.

Just a shame we have not managed to have friends and family over to stay with us this year 🙄

Sun_Addict

Morning all 🎄

Nice and peaceful this morning, Mr SA and the dog still asleep. The weather forecast looks good for today so we’re going to go to the further away park that has the Christmas market. It’s a good walk for the dog (and me) and a change of scenery from the park across the road. They’ve got a stall there that sells vegan mince pies with amaretto, not had a mince pie yet this year so plan to buy a couple. Mr SA loves their sausage rolls and didn’t even notice they were vegan 🤣

Still haven’t watched a Christmas film so the plan is to do that this afternoon. I finally got around to connecting the DVD player to the TV, only taken me about 18 months to get round to it, so might watch my favourite Love Actually. 

Have a lovely day x

RelievedSheff

Love a good mince pie. 

HairyHandofDartmoor

I'm sorry you can't see DS and the DGC on Christmas eve. It's all so last minute and disruptive. At least you can look forward to seeing them on Christmas day. Enjoy your vegan mince pie .