Living it up by the sea

Clowance

uralmaid said:

  On another note the daisies I ordered to decorate the outside of "Elsa" have arrived so she will look very jolly on her next outing.

Have you seen "Helen" Susan calmans motor home on her travel shows? https://www.channel5.com/show/susan-calman-s-grand-days-out/season-4/episode-5 
Mind you I am never convinced she stays in it overnight,

uralmaid

@Clowance I have. I am of the same mind - I don't think she will be sleeping in it as it doesn't have "facilties". Luckily "Elsa" has full facilities.

bluenose1

Thanks for the tips @Organgrinder, very much appreciated.  Will definitely look at those walks, the weather forecast isn’t great for next week so may spend more time in coffee shops than planned. 

Will try and impress the locals with my Welsh greetings

I  dread to think how much I have spent on the house in the last year @uralmaid. A new roof,  sofas, fire, false chimney breast and lounge floor.  Just totted it up and not much change from £20k. On the plus side hopefully will last for many years and I have definitely done my bit in supporting the economy. Think I will forget about a new kitchen for a couple of years though as feel the need to replenish our savings.

uralmaid

@bluenose1 It's annoying how things add up so easily.  We moved here 3 years ago and have spent quite a bit and could still spend a lot more.  I keep thinking about a new kitchen and utility room. They are perfectly functional but not really my taste. My pet hate is the flooring which is tiled with  very pale grey large tiles.  Our back door leads into the utility room and my husband is in and out all day doing things in the garden and garage.  I did put a large runner down but needs hoovering 3 times a day. Also then he steps off it with his muddy boots and the tiles get dirty too.  At least if the tiles were darker it wouldn't be as noticeable .  I am loathe to change them though as it would mean taking up all the tiles in both rooms and knowing our luck would end up having to dig them out. A new roof sounds like an expensive job too.  I sometimes wish I lived in a new house with a small garden but then I am sitting here looking out of my window watching a small deer frolicking on the lawn and think how lucky we are despite the challenges this house keeps throwing at us.

bluenose1

Oh wow @uralmaid having deer in your garden really must be wonderful, I feel fortunate to see them now and again when out walking in the woods. Having them in your garden is definitely worth the house hassles.
Your tiles would annoy me as well, though more the husband’s muddy boots as I am not very tolerant. Pity you can’t make him take them off before he comes in or have some type of outside mat to get rid of mud. I don’t allow shoes in the house at all, my lot are all used to it so just take them off at front and back door.
I am definitely stopping big spends on the house, though I have just ordered a large pale pink vintage style rug for lounge as a contrast to the China blue walls and sofa. Hoping it gives me the effect I am after, though  I am not very good at colour choices.

uralmaid

@bluenose1 - believe me I have mats!  One outside the back door. A long runner one which starts inside the back door.  He does take his boots off but always manages to step off the runner.  Your pink rug sounds lovely. Should contrast well with the China blue walls I think. I too am trying to curtail my spending on the house, but there is always something I spot and decide I need.  I love auctions too.  It never ceases to amaze me since we moved to Lincolnshire what comes up in the local antiques and collectibles ones.  I like older furniture and have found lovely items which are far better made than the modern stuff. My Mum used to hate it. She always liked shiny new stuff bless her. I also have items which came from various relatives when they died, and I love the fact that when  I use them or walk past them, they remind me of the person.  One thing I keep telling myself when I visit antiques shops, car boot sales etc. is  "do not buy any more jugs"  For some unknown reason I love jugs in all shapes and sizes and at the last count was edging close to the 30 mark!!

Humboldt

@uralmaid hope that you managed to resolve the damaged cabinet situation.  Customer service just isn't what it used to be.  I much prefer an actual person rather than an automated system that has you going round in endless circles.  

@bluenose1 think of the monies spent on your house as an investment.  Your colour choices for your lounge sound lovely.

bluenose1

I sympathise with your muddy tiles @uralmaid. My pet peeve is cleaning and putting everything away in the kitchen only for my husband or son to leave something out within minutes. 
Hoping I like my new rug and thanks to both you and @humboldt for saying you like my colour choices. I sort of know the look I want but never quite get there 
I wish we had auction houses near us as would love to go to one and hopefully find something I love. Whenever I go in an antiques shop I never seem to see anything I like. Have in my head that I  would like a vintage gold necklace with pendant. Think I have watched too many Bargain Hunts....
Good luck not buying any new jugs  

uralmaid

@bluenose1 I like to watch Bargain Hunt but I always end up shouting at the telly.  A part of it is definitely engineered for the programme. Not many antique stalls or shops will give the sort of discounts they appear to "bargain" them down to.  I love the auctions but have got a bit lazy and log into the local one online to watch and occasionally bid.  We used to like to go to them and it made a bit of a day out, but after Covid they went online. You can still go to the auction but watching from home means you can also do other stuff whilst waiting for the items you are interested in bidding on. Although you have to pay an extra premium for bidding online.  I do like jewellery too.  I love vintage and antique furniture but have got too much already and no more space. I think I need to buy a chateau .  I know what you mean about the cleaning and clearing only to have stuff put down and left there.  It is annoying isn't it?  I went and did my shift with the village gardening group this afternoon and got nettled for my efforts.  Also got some mozzie bites too.  

bluenose1

Hi @uralmaid.  Thanks will have to investigate online auctions, says me who is trying to reduce expenditure and declutter:D. Your taste in furniture sounds lovely.
 I have come back from our break away with cutlery and crockery envy from the accommodation we stayed in. At least if I buy some it will be cheaper than a new kitchen…..
Hope you are not in pain from your nettle stings and mozzie bites,  one of the downsides of gardening unfortunately.