So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

badmemory said:

You need to remember Edwina Currie.  I think that explains a lot.

Possibly (I had to look that up as although I had a vague recollection, it was before my memory kicked in - memories of fellow children at nursery licking the cake batter as mum watched on in horror is the extent of my memory of the salmonella crisis!). That said, haven't we moved on from that? The chickens are vaccinated now and we've realised that we need common sense and to save the planet when it comes to milk/cheese/yoghurt....

themadvix

On another note, I've realised my house keys (with the garage key being the key one as we have spares for the house) are in the car, which Mr MV has taken to work (at least, I hope they are!), so I can't go to M&S until later (bike is in garage)! However, while I'm taking my time with my work, I have at least spent a fair bit of time on the Cambridge stuff and got that fairly squared away ready for next week. Have also managed a few PA surveys, which have pushed up the pending amount and also just tipped me over to £40 for this month.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

So the work is as done as it's going to get (client has sent me three more things, but has acknowledged that I won't be getting to them today), accounts, invoicing and money shuffles done too. M&S was a waste of time last night, but I've come up with a solution and better yet, one that I already have.

Just waiting for Mr MV to decide whether he's going to finish work in time to go to pub (but he's now on phone for 'work reasons' to our London to Brighton friend.... he may be a while).

Just need to get my head around packing etc., but we've got all of tomorrow to do that (leaving about 8.30pm).

MS things:
* Shopping the solution from home, as Foxgloves would say
* Cat litter and chill pills ordered - excellent discount on the chill pills, savers' club discount, TCB and a free tin of food with the loyalty points - honestly, I don't know how they make any money!
* Clicks and HW done... I may or may not do some comps today/tomorrow before we go
* Dinner already partly prepped - no chance of takeaway tonight as we have stuff to use up before we go. However, we may well not have anything to eat for dinner tomorrow night, so we'll see about that
* Have done physio exercises (did have to do two lots today as I didn't get to it tomorrow, but I am keeping them up!) - MS because obviously hopefully it will save me having to go back at £45/trip!

Gratitudes:
* A quick cuppa with Mum when I went out for a few bits
* Very cuddly cats - I don't think they've sussed we're going away yet as we've not started packing, but they've been super affectionate recently
* I'm done with work for 10 days! (Apart from cat sitting tomorrow)

Have a good week all!

Karmacat

Have a wonderful, wonderful time!  It's an overnight flight, from the sound of your time of leaving?  Here's to everything going really smoothly.

try_harder

Yes , have a wonderful holiday

themadvix

It’s an early morning flight KC, we’re camping out at Gatwick from about 12 until the lounge opens at 4am! The flight is 5.40am! The parking was ridiculous and we’re on the train line, and despite the strikes it was the best option.

 Thank you both!

Jessy103

Have a fantastic holiday vix x

newgirly

Enjoy your holiday Vix x 

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Thanks ladies. We had a fabulous time! NG, I think you'd love a Virgin Voyage! The ship, the food, the entertainment, our cabin, the staff - all fantastic! I even went to the gym a couple of times, even on my own! We really liked Rhodes, but weren't so bothered by Santorini (too many tourists and no trees), Mykonos (no trees again, although we did hire a car and found a wonderful, quiet beach, which was great) or Bodrum (lots of litter, little care taken of its ancient monuments and just people hassling tourists). In that respect, the cruise totally fulfilled its purpose, because we'd be unlikely to go for a week to one of these places and now we can definitely say that we don't see what the fuss is about Santorini, but that we would go back to Rhodes, should the opportunity arise. Very disappointed that I didn't get a stamp in my passport for Turkey (it's all done by the cruise ship)! Loved, loved, loved the very many cats we met. So many cats - and mostly ear-tipped so they've been done and also are clearly looked after.

We didn't get back until 2.30am this morning (thanks again, train drivers - our direct train from Gatwick was cancelled, resulting in us having to get a bus through central London at God-knows-what-time this morning 😡) - 4.30am Greek time. So finances have not been addressed at all yet as both of us have been straight back to work today. We do know that we were glad we didn't take them up on the offer of a preloaded bar tab (add $300 and get $50 added free) - we didn't spend enough to warrant it. Had a few drinks in tavernas and dinner in Athens on Sunday night, but tended to eat mostly on the boat (as it was there, free and air-conditioned). Feel a bit guilty about this (from a local economy POV), but we weren't expecting to do this holiday, so finances required it (also, so many options, and we wanted to try as many as possible). We will be claiming back our train tickets from last night, so that's something.

This morning, I've done some work, have done my bit for Cambridge and popped to the allotment, where I picked 6 marrows 😬, some chard and some sunflowers (self-seeded from last year). I am suffering from the rocks (I feel like I'm still on the ship - and it's got worse since I got home, not better - think Force 5 in a small yacht!), so having to take it relatively easily.... also, hardly any sleep!

MS things:
* Received a PA bonus while I was away and things have cleared - balance at £12.85 this month and I've not started yet!
* £5 casino bonus from a bookie turned into £18 cash - £15 withdrawn and £8 still in there
* Clicks and HW done. Will see how I'm feeling regarding catching up on comps - it might wait a few days. My Sis won a £1k Boots voucher while we were away - so thrilled for her!
* Booked a supermarket delivery tomorrow for a few bits - but only spent just over the minimum (with discount it'll come under)
* Lots of work

Gratitudes:
* Wonderful, wonderful 'free' holiday
* Lots of work
* Trees and greenery - I didn't know how much I needed it until it wasn't there.

Have a good evening all!

EssexHebridean

So glad you had such a fantastic time - and don't feel guilty about not having "put much back in" - you do normally when you go anywhere, but as you say, this time the budget was already being stretched. What a pain about having such a grotty journey back from the airport though - glad to hear you can at least claim it back. (And you've reminded me I had an MSE win on the compensation I claimed for our cancelled ferry too - must remember to note that on my diary!