Escape to the country & living off savings

SuzeQStan

Plants sound lovely - try to plant the hebes in a sheltered position as they can be a bit tender in my experience. Those and the violas will look cheerful and pretty.  Xx

Skint_yet_Again

Not sure what counts as a sheltered position Suze 🤔 I am no gardener 😂 I just shove plants in and let them get on with it! They either live and grow or they don’t! They will be in the only border I have up against a fence away from the “wind tunnel” end of terrace side of the house so 🤞

It’s chilly again tonight. I have just changed my bed and swapped to my winter duvet so hopefully I will sleep better tonight and not be waking up at 2am 🥱 I have also closed all my curtains, turned all my radiators back on and tested the central heating for 10 minutes so it’s warm and toasty now ☺️

doingitanyway

It sounds like your dad's home was in a good condition. Unsurprised. It bis great you have been able to get to EA stage so quickly. Huge well done to you and your family

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks dia. I didn’t realise that there is a EA stage? The EA value is needed for probate application & we can market the house before probate is obtained. We have chosen to remove most of the belongings and furniture and each beneficiary has taken what they want. However we will need an EPC and to speak with a solicitor before marketing just to make sure everything is in order. 

MovingForwards

Sounds like a good sheltered spot for your plants.

Check your council website and see if they'll collect the tins as bulk waste rather than trying to get to the other site. It's also worth contacting a few organisations who help homeless / people just going into tenancies to see if they want it and the surplus furniture.

Double check DF's new home insurance policy as they will have some requirements with the water, possibly the heating too.

Sending more hugs x

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks MF I am grateful for the hugs 🤗 

I’ve been up at dads this morning working out how to get the heating on! Finally came on and all radiators getting hot so I’ve set thermostat to 15’ as per new insurance instructions. I’m not sure how cold it’s getting in there but it was just 16’ when I got there at 10.30am. We are allowed to keep the lights on timers and dehumidifiers on as they are for security/ stop condensation. Gas & water need to stay on for boiler. 

Third estate agent coming later. I’m just home having lunch then back to dads to put final coat of woodstain on & spray weeds. 

Then after EA has been I will come home & plant my new plants ☺️

Tresinia511

Sya, good planning to keep house aired and heated while waiting to sell

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks Tresinia 😊 no choice with the central heating it’s a condition of most unoccupied house insurance policies. Either that or turn off gas & electric at the meter and drain the CH system. They also specify how often you have to visit the property. 

Washing dried on the line today. Chicken casserole in the slow cooker. Planted my new hebes and half the violas. The border is mostly grit over paving slabs 😫 I had to dig a trench around the slabs and transport soil from another part of the garden. My back is aching so I gave up and will plant the rest tomorrow. 

doingitanyway

Even with all you have going on, you STILL manage to get a chicken casserole on, plant, and half dig a trench! 

Skint_yet_Again

Lol dia I must admit the gardening almost did me in 🤭 The chicken casserole was a “bung it all in” the slow cooker 😂 I only peeled and chopped the butternut squash, carrots and onions. Added chicken thighs (already skinned and boned) plus mushrooms and a cheap casserole mix for stock & herbs. 

Not too much to do today. Sun is shining. I will wash my bedding taken off the bed the other day, then sofa throws so they are freshened up now they will be used in the cooler evenings. 10 violas to plant, hopefully there will not be any paving slabs hidden under the soil where I am planning to put them 🙄 I will eventually dig up the slabs but not urgent right now. 

I will pop up to dads and cut his small back lawn, will only take about 10 mins.