Family & Friends

This week has not been as challenging or as stressful as I thought it was going to be. which I suppose, is good news.  The ‘to do’ list seems to be dwindling and on this bright Friday morning I can finally see light a dim light at the end of the tunnel.  We were up and about early on Monday; Phil went over to Cranfield to let in the window fitter and I went to take my car into Days in Blakelands for its MOT.  I decided to get it serviced because it has only ever had one service in its life plus I wanted to know if my eBay car really was a bargain. David at Days gave me a courtesy KA which was good.  Not that I went very far, just to Newport and then back home.  When Phil was with the fitter he realised he had some tiles to stick back on the wall so he had to come home get his tiling gear and go back again.  We had corn beef hash for lunch, went to DW for a Jacuzzi and collected my car on the way back.  Thankfully the Matiz passed its MOT and the service didn’t show any problems so I did get myself a bargain after all.

On Tuesday Phil had to go back over to Cranfield to grout the tiles in the bathroom whilst I went to the health club for a quick workout and stopped off to see Vanessa in Willen on the way back.  I hadn’t seen Vanessa for yours so we caught up over a cup of tea.   Today she is on her way to Peru while she will be trekking across the Machu Picchu and the Huaynu Picchu raising funds for Willen Hospice.  We wish you safe and happy trekking Vanessa.  Good Luck!  Steve and Jan picked us up from home and drove us over to Overstone Lakes Caravan Park where we showed them our ‘new’ caravan.   They really liked it and reassuringly, don’t think we are crazy for buying it.  We wanted to go and look at other caravans on site but there was no one in the sales office and it was starting to spit with rain, so we decided to go for lunch.

There are quite a few nice pubs near the park but in the end we decided to try The Griffin in the village of Mears Ashby as it had been recommended.  The Griffin was old fashioned with a good choice of ales and a fairly good menu.  I am not sure if Steve enjoyed his fish but the rest of us had the steak and ale pie and it was delicious.  After lunch we went back to the park where we had a drive around the site and had a look inside one of the new caravans outside the sales office.  A nice afternoon and we finished off the day by going back to Steve & Jan’s house for wine & nibbles, oh cigars fr some and we arrived home by taxi after dark.

We were feeling a little muzzy on Wednesday but we had to up early because there was much to do, payback for haven taking off the previous afternoon.  First job of the morning was to take out all the glasses from the wall unit in the kitchen and the wall unit itself so that the plumber could get to the gas boiler.   When we planned our kitchen we didn’t factor in access to the boiler so every time it needs servicing or there is a problem the wall units had to come down.   Shaun, the corgi plumber wasn’t due to come until 4pm but he actually turned up at 9am so it was a good job we were prepared!  Thankfully our boiler passed and we got our annual gas safety certificate which will need for our house sale. 

After we put back the unit, washed all the glasses and put them back inside the unit, we went our separate ways.  Phil took himself off to Northampton to renew his international driving licence and I went over to Cranfield.   I only went to hoover up in the bathroom after Phil’s tiling and put a mattress protector on the double bed.  Luckily for me, all of next door were out so I could do my jobs with any interruption.  I tell you, it makes a big difference!

We have been concerned that the survey hasn’t yet been carried out on our house.  After 3 weeks after the offer we would have expected this to be done by now.   Our agent called to say that the delay was due to the fact that our purchaser is self-employed.  I am not sure I buy this but am prepared to go with it for now.   The agent said that our buyer wanted to view with her partner that evening if it was convenient.  And actually it wasn’t but I said we could do Thursday or Friday evening.  This spurred me on to do some proper housework.  I have been a little lax lately with quick flips around the house but on Wednesday I did some deep cleaning.  Phil went to pick up Steve and also to have a look at his Apple Mac and then they came back here for a drink before walking to the pub.   Harriet offered to drive them but they said they’d walk but about 5 minutes after leaving the house; the rain came down even harder. 

Sue came round not long after Phil & Steve left; Bless her, she was knackered after a 2 hour drive from Kings Lynn and 10 days and nights away from home visiting friends.   It sounded like she’d had a nice time but it obviously had caught up with her on Wednesday evening and she went up to bed at half nine.  This is most unlike Sue; normally I’m the one needing to go to bed early.  Still, we had lasagne and some garlic bread and some wine and caught up.

Wasn’t the weather on Thursday grim?  I think it rained nearly all day.  Our plan for Thursday was to dismantle Harriet’s wardrobes and take over to Caldecotte but in view of a possible house inspection from our purchaser and her partner we decided against it.  As it happened she wasn’t able to view, partner works shifts or something along those lines. I was glad because it wouldn’t have been a lot of fun doing removals in the pouring rain.  Also I had forgotten that Phil had a half nine appointment to get his new teeth.   He is pleased as punch with new teeth and couldn’t stop grinning innately when he got home.  In fact he is so impressed with his top teeth that he is contemplating given his bottom teeth done.  I went to meet my friend for lunch at the Wavendon Arms and Phil had the leftover lasagne and some salad for lunch.  The afternoon was easy and we were contemplating going to bed really early (like 6pm) when we suddenly remembered that Steve Pem was popping round.   He had called while we were at Steve & Jan’s on Tuesday evening.  Steve got here about 6pm, he had a beer and a coffee and although a bit fed up at work, otherwise he appeared on good form.  It was nice to see him.

Today we are moving the wardrobes, and Harriet, lock stock and barrel into the Caldecotte flat; trouble is we can’t do anything until she gets up.  So it’s a big day for everyone in our house; I am hoping we can get the moving part done this morning and then the sorting done after lunch giving me time I hope to take HH to get some supplies.  Of course, this is not the first time she has moved out but it will be the first time that she has lived alone.  She is a little apprehensive which is understandable, but she’s a big girl now and needs to have her own space away from us crazy ‘rents’.

Bye bye Harriet, Good Luck in Your New Home! X

Yesterday is history

Well it goes without saying that we are still fire fighting with little chance of things abating.  Are we winning you may ask, I’m not sure, ask me next Monday which is the last day before we fly away.  Friday morning was admin jobs.  Phil was on the phone by 8am and on the phone for the next 3 and a half hours trying to get us a loan to pay for the caravan.  He finally got Nationwide to lend us the money and this (fingers crossed) should come through this week.  This will take pressure of us slightly because it means we can pay for the caravan as soon as we get back from Malaysia and start moving stuff in.  Once we exchange contracts on our house, we intend to get a van and move stuff into a storage unit.  This will mean that on completion day, all we need to do is clean and load our belongings into both cars and head to Overstone.   Sound easy doesn’t it, but I’m sure it won’t be; moves and marriages never are. And I should know, I’ve done both several times!

Whilst Phil was on the phone, I was busy on the internet sorting things.  It took a while but I organised insurance for the new caravan, contents insurance for the CF, annual world-wide travel insurance because I suddenly realised our policy expired at the end of July.  I also set up a standing order with Anglian Water for the CF as well as a TV licence. And I’ve sorted out a 40ft storage unit with Arrows in Bletchley. It doesn’t sound much but it took me almost as long as it took Phil to get a loan.  With tasks accomplished we loaded up the land rover and went over to store stuff in the attic at the CF.  We just had enough time to go to DW for a Jacuzzi and a shower and then we went over to Newport Pagnell to view a bungalow for Phil’s mum and dad.  It was a 3 bedroom on the Poets estate in Newport. The size was good but needed decoration throughout not to mention a new kitchen and bathroom, also it didn’t have a conservatory and I didn’t like the access.  After viewing we went to The Giffard for a leisurely lunch and then it was back in the car for an appointment at Milton Keynes hospital for Phil’s annual diabetic eye-check.  And that was Friday, another busy one. 

Phil didn’t sleep well on Friday night so on Saturday morning I left him to sleep and popped to the health-club for a swim.  Well I was going to have a workout but I forgot my kit.  He was up when I got home and so was Harriet which was good because we had allocated Saturday to ‘Project Harriet’.  She has decided to move into the CF early because of us going away.  It’s not that we can’t wait to get rid of her but we want her to spend a few nights in the flat so we can sort out any problems before we go. So on Saturday we wanted her to sort her clothes and pack most of them so we could take them over to Caldecotte.   We went over with a load of her stuff and also a load of stuff for the attic.  We left Harriet’s stuff for her to sort and got down the ladder to put our rubbish in her attic.  Time was of the essence because Phil had arranged a bungalow viewing,

Phil had his gym kit so he dropped me off at BM in Bletchley to browse whilst he went for a quick steam and shower.  BM was good and I brought 2 cushions but not as good as the Pound Saver in Westcroft, which is my favourite bargain shop by far.  I walked back to DW to meet Phil and we drove straight over to Furzton to view a bungalow.  It was nice, well maintained, good floor space, lovely gardens, both front and back and ticked all of the things on mum and dads wish list. The only slight worry is that it is semi-detached, but the price was good (under £200k) and I can see mum and dad living very happily there.  BUT, and this is the thing, whether they like it, is another matter. 

After Furzton we had to go over to see Aaron from O’Riordan Bond as Phil had asked him to come over to give us a valuation. Aaron has arrived at the flat early and was just in time to help Harriet up the stairs with her stuff.  He is such a nice young man and well anyway he said that the value wouldn’t have changed with the refurbishment but we could charge a higher premium.  What we hadn’t realised is that the housing association decide on the sale price and obviously because it is low cost housing this doesn’t go up much.  But Aaron thought that if we sold, we can charge £10k for the premium; we paid £2k when we brought it so at least we have covered our costs and made a couple of grand.  Well, in theory.  Of course we have no intention of selling because the CF is going to be Harriet’s home for the next couple of years but it still good to know that we are on track.  We did a few more jobs when we got home then it was a quiet evening in front of the telly.

Phil has been suffering with his bowel and his bladder which has been interrupting his sleep. He had such a pain free week until the latter part last week but things started to get worse on Thursday and as such, he has had 3 nights of very broken sleep and Saturday night was particularly bad.  Unfortunately I fell asleep on the sofa at 8pm (lightweight) and woke him up when I came to bed at 2pm; he couldn’t go back to sleep so he got up and started doing some research for our trip to Malaysia.  Phil is so excited and can’t wait to go.  He’s been emailing Tom asking for advice and hints and tips, poor Tom, he must be exhausted with Phil’s questioning!  We shall have to treat him and his girlfriend to a few nice meals and quite a few beers as repayment.  

Tired and exhausted, I’m sure Phil would have loved an easy Sunday with no jobs and papers and telly but there was no chance because he’d arranged to pick up G and drive over to Melton Mowbray to spend the day with his mum and dad.  It left me with a free day which I spent clearing out filing cabinets and folders. Much as I adore Phil, he can be very demanding on my time and it was nice to have a chance to be able to get on and work without constant interruptions.  I did get to the gym and was able to take some stuff over to Caldecotte which will need to go up in the attic.  Sunday afternoon was relatively easy, some cleaning, rubbish sorting and I also cleaned my car and cut the lawn.

Today is rubbish collection day and what with my sorting and Harriet clearing out her bedroom, we have 20 black and red sacks ready to be picked up.  I’ve pretty much now done all the cupboards and drawers, what’s left is every day stuff that is still in use.  In terms of sorting, the only big job left is the tools which Phil started but had to abandon because of the rain.  It’s not going to be lazy day today; chance would be a fine thing.  I need to get going and take my car into the garage for an MOT and service and Phil has to be over at Cranfield to let Pete into fit the window board in the bathroom.  Not too sure about the rest of the day without consulting my ‘to do list’ but no doubt, we will be busy.  Mustn’t complain too much, doing too much of that these days, we’re taking the afternoon off tomorrow and I’ve managed to schedule in meeting up with 3 girlfriends in the week so it’s not all work and no play, even if I make it sound like it is.

STRESSED OUT!

Oh what a week it’s been; and there was me thinking all of the stress was behind me when it’s all starting up all over again, only this time it’s even more intense. But more about that in a bit and I really shouldn’t moan because bottom line, the stress is mostly Phil-induced. Monday was manic which was only to be expected after a fairly lazy weekend. I got up, had breakfast, put out the rubbish, posted a blog and then drove over to the CF to finish off the last of the glossing. I have had just about had enough paint and if I am truly honest, the doors need another coat, but a basic undercoat and 2 coats of white gloss is all they are gonna get.

After the glossing, I went to the health-club for a run. I hadn’t realised how much I missed my fitness regime even though I find it a complete bore but I do have the belief that if you don’t use it then you lose it and although a fag at the time plus a strain on time resources, I always feel better afterwards. After the gym I went to Caldecotte to have coffee with Sue at her flat. She’d been away for a few days and it was an ideal opportunity to have a chat and a catch-up. Phil didn’t go with me to the gym because he had some paperwork jobs and also he had a big appointment at the dentist in Wolverton. He is finally having his front teeth sorted out. I hadn’t realised how much they had been bothering him. He is having big work done, old teeth grounded and new veneers fitted. Phil did say he was worried about the pain and I did offer to go with but as it turned out, it was pretty painless and he was glad he went for the appointment. He goes back again on the 18^th for the new teeth and well, I just hope it all goes well for him. At the moment he is grinning with wide smiles and looks totally stupid; stupid but cute and when he is not grinning like a mad Cheshire cat, his temporary teeth look much better than his old yellow ones.

Tuesday was another manic day. Phil was up half the night and had me awake at 4am, I wasn’t able to go back to sleep and got up at 6am but Phil did go back to sleep so I made the executive decision to leave him and went to the gym. I was a little worried because I knew the heaters for the CF were down for a 8am until 6pm delivery, but fortunately they came after I’d left, but whilst Harriet was still at home at half eight, so she took delivery and signed the form, which was just as well, because Phil didn’t wake up until gone 9am.

I did an hour at the gym and then went to ASDA for supplies and then went on to IKEA to get a clothes rail (it’s a temporary thing) and a cutlery tray for the CF flat. The clothes rail was from Bargain Corner and was already assembled and I couldn’t get it in to my Chevrolet. Sods law, I didn’t have a screwdriver or an Alan key to dismantle, so I had to phone Phil who was already at the CF. He wasn’t a happy chappie but he came and got the clothes rail and put it in the Land Rover with no problems. I followed him back to the CF to hoover, put the boxes outside for the rubbish and left him fitting the heaters. They look good and I am pleased with them and Phil. As we had 2 cars I left Phil and went home to let in Rachel, Harriet’s friend who was coming round to cut my hair. Rachel did a dry cut but it turned out good even though Phil said it looked like she had put a basin on my head and cut around it. Thanks Phil, I love you too!

When Phil got back from the flat, we washed up and drove over to Overstone Caravan Park to view some caravans before going on to the Luke Radiotherapy Unit. Unlike Billing, we liked Overstone Park immediately on entering the park. Julie, the sales girl was helpful and gave us keys to 3 caravans and we viewed them alone, which was good. The one we liked most was the cheapest at £11K; the caravan that I thought I would like most from viewing on the internet was £26K but actually the cheaper one was my favourite. We went back to the sales office and asked some questions. Julie asked for a 200 quid deposit but we declined and said we’d come back the following day. I always think it’s best to discuss and take stock; I do believe on acting on instinct but we’ve been caught out making quick decisions many times before. Like they say, a wise head is normally an old head. Is that a saying or I have I made that up myself??? I don’t know.

Radiotherapy was running late on Tuesday but we got on the M1 and were back home by half five. We spent the evening watching the last of series 8 of 24. It’s been stressful and I am glad it’s all over. We’ve watched the whole series of 24 over the last 8 days; I’ve enjoyed it but I am pleased it’s all over now. I like watching happier things and don’t like going to bed stressed. Please, I have enough of that in my real life!

Wednesday was not a relaxing day; I drove over to Cranfiled and was there by half eight. Mad Betty-cum-Emily was there at the window, all ready and waiting. Because she is half nuts she is a girl with no friends so my coming to paint and sort the flat was probably the highlight of her week. I opened the lounge blinds and the windows and she talked to me whilst I worked; it wasn’t a big deal, Phil can’t understand why I tolerate her but although she does test my patience sometimes ( and I don’t have an lot of that) she is lonely and at heart, she’s not really a bad person. She had the not-all-there screaming (and I mean screaming) 7yr old in tow so she was a bit tied up and in the end how to go inside play the X-box. This was good for me because otherwise she’d have been round, actually in the flat, stopping me working.

I made good progress. I painted the lounge walls although not the ceiling. There were scuff marks and it wasn’t my best paint job but it looked loads better when I’d finished. I also paint the kitchen because there was some mould residue and a few scuff marks. Whilst I had the paint tray I also painted the bathroom ceiling but had to stop when the plaster came away in a couple of places. The agent had had a cleaner in the day before for a ‘sprinkling clean’ but it wasn’t to my standards so I cleaned the place from top to bottom. I replaced the shower curtain with a new one; put down a bathmat raided from my airing cupboard with matching grey towels and cleaned the outside windows. The place looks good to go and now I am comfortable for happy viewings. Really, I should have done this last week. Procrastination is not good for the soul, well, certainly not mine anyway.

It took me 4 hours at the Cranfield flat and I got home just after half twelve. Phil had been busy whilst I’d gone; he’d cleaned out the whizzy-dizzy shower and he had also shaved the kitchen door so it now shuts. All in all, good progress for the both of us. Phil also managed to book us a 4 week holiday to Malaysia which I really am not happy about. I know he has been talking to friends about this for ages but I never thought he would actually go ahead and book. But book he did and we’re going. Normally I’d be over the moon about going away and island hopping our way around islands with back-packs. But the timing is pants. I can understand his thinking, after going through weeks of radiotherapy he wants to reap some rewards and have some fun time but 4 weeks? There is so, so, much to do and with a completion date set at the end of September, f**k this only gives me 9 days to make good, sort out storage and the caravan and move lock stock and barrel. OH my god! It really is no wonder my wine intake is so high and my weight is plummeting.

On Wednesday afternoon, before going for radiotherapy we decided to go over to Cosgrove Caravan to pick up some sales literature. We didn’t want a tour because we’d already been on site to visit step-dad and Marie when they stayed with their campervan. We did ponder going to look at a few of their used vans but in the end we decided against. Cosgrove Park is not really an option because it’s only open 7 months of the year and also they do not let you rent out your caravan plus I think our hearts were already set on Overstone which is where we headed to next.

Julie, the sales girl that we saw on Tuesday, wasn’t there but her colleague Mike gave us the keys to 3 Martins Court and we went for a second viewing. And you know what, we actually liked it even more than before. The caravan plot is really well situated, it’s in a kind of cul-de-sac which lessens the passing traffic and the neighbour vans and plots look very well kept. The real bonus about this caravan is that it comes with a decking already in-situ and skirting. The boundary needs to be defined at the back of the plot but this is easily sorted. We decided we wanted to buy the caravan and went straight back to the sales office to pay our deposit. The inside of the van has been recently redecorated and re carpeted. I can’t say the décor is to my liking but I am going to TRY (no promises DH) and live with what is already there. Our plan is to live there when our house sale completes and then buy something to do up and sell; we will go probably go somewhere hot for Jan and Feb because the park closes and then rent out the caravan for holiday lets when we get home. That’s the plan, whether it all works out is another thing altogether.

We had an hour to kill before Phil’s zapping so we decided to go to the pub next to the park, Overstone Manor for a drink.

http://www.pub-explorer.com/nhants/pub/overstonemanorsywell.htm

They had a carvery and I was starving so I had some roast beef, £3.99 which was cheap as chips. Phil wasn’t able to eat but he had a pint and a half and we talked about the caravan. Overstone Manor serves the usual pub grub and obviously caters mostly for the park residents but the prices are reasonable and the setting is stunning. Phil had been told that his treatment might be delayed because his machine was being serviced but actually there was only a 20 minute delay and we were back home just after 6pm. Phil picked up Steve from home and brought him back to ours for a drink and then they walked to the pub to meet up with the rest of the Wednesday night boys.

As usual with Thursdays, Phil was tired and hung-over.   It didn’t help that I was wide awake before 6am and consequently work him up.  Thankfully it didn’t stop him getting on with jobs although I’m sure he would have liked to lie on the sofa with his book. With so much to do and so little time with this holiday, I think he knows that this is no time to be idle, treatment or no treatment; with his treatment coming to an end, Phil has been hyper this week.  He’s got projects and ideas oozing out of his pores.   Most of them are ridiculous and I am trying my best to ignore them because it’s just adding to my stress levels. After jobs all day we over to Northampton General for the last time.  Par for the course, the Luke unit was running almost an hour late but we didn't mind too much as it was our last time.  I felt bad as I meant to take the zapping team a card and some chocs but it clean went out of my head.  Its not surprising really, my head is full up at the moment.   As a way of celebration, we stopped off at The Lamb in Stoke Goldington for steak and ale pie.  The pub was desserted but no worries, the pie was delicious.

So all in all a productive week I guess; the CF is finished and Harriet is ready to move in. The Cranfield flat is done except for a window board that Phil needs to chase Ampthill Glass up to fit.  A holiday is booked and if our house sale goes through, we now have a place to live. Of course, the best thing this week is that Phil has finished his treatment.  Two months of daily radiotherapy has not been easy.  Phil has suffered a little, mostly uncomplainingly but thankfully it has not been that debilitating. We can only hope that the cancer has gone and hasn’t spread.  His PSA levels cannot be tested for 2 months, so for now there is nothing else to be done but to get on with life.

Sorting Stuff

The mission on Friday was to get down and sort out all the stuff we’d stored in the eaves of the garage which was what we did.  But it wasn’t easy; we’d got off lightly in the attic mainly because what we didn’t store in the attic we’d stored in the eaves.  I had quite forgotten how big the space in the eaves was.   I vaguely remember Phil buying some wood from B&Q a few years ago because it was on offer but I hadn’t realised just how many planks he’d brought.  It took us 3 hours to get all the stuff down and once again we ended up with a pile for the tip, a pile for the charity shop and a pile to keep.  The stuff to keep we loaded in the car and put up in the attic in the CF. 

It took 4 trips to and forth and we were knackered by the time finished.  It was gone half one and we had lunch at The Tawny Owl at Walnut Tree because we had a money off voucher and there was nothing in the fridge.  We’re used to have Sue with us when we go to this pub, and it was a struggle without her, to spend 15 quid in order to get £5 off.  But we managed; Phil was hungry and ordered a huge steak and a dessert to follow.  I think he needed something to sustain him after crawling around on his hand and knees in both the eaves and the attic.  After lunch it was back home, Phil caught up with his TV recordings and after giving the garage a good clean, I did another trip to the dump and then went to git some inserts for my Filofax from Staples and lastly, a trip to Lidl’s for toilet rolls and washing tablets.  A very satisfying day indeed. Friday evening was quiet and uneventful.

I was pleased with our progress on Friday and wanted to carry on with clearing and preparations for when we move.  I got up early and started clearing out my white gloss units in the lounge.  I think Phil would have preferred to stay longer in bed but he could hear me filling boxes and was worried I was getting rid of his stuff so he came down to see what was going on.   Phil is not so good at getting rid of things; I have worked on him over the years and he is much better than he was but nowhere near as good as me.  I have no problem with de-cluttering and work on the theory, that if you haven’t used it for a year, then you don’t need it.  It’s easy.  We cleared the units without too many arguments and ended up with 3 boxes for storage and a box of old videos and books for the charity shop.   I whipped the latter into Newport and then we over to Caldecotte to store the other boxes. 

The plan was to go the gym for a workout but Phil was tired and my back was niggling so we just went for a Jacuzzi and a steam.  As it was Saturday morning we expected the place to be packed out with kids but it wasn’t, so that a nice surprise.  We had lunch at home, fish salad and new potatoes and I was thinking that we might walk to the cinema but then the rain came.   Phil wasn’t feeling too energetic and was happy to recline on the sofas.  I felt that I wanted to do something but the rain didn’t seem to stop so I sat down with Phil and we started to watch series 8 of 24.  I do enjoy 24 but it makes me very anxious every time I watch it, which is crazy even though I know it’s not for real.  The sun came out later in the afternoon so I decided to cut the lawn.  I am anticipating our buyer coming round to measure so I am trying to keep the house clean and tidy.

Phil’s mum and dad came down on Sunday.  We had arranged for them to see the bungalows that we viewed last week.  Their first appointment was at 11am so we were expecting them to arrive early and sure enough they turned up at 10am; this was fine, I was ready for them, I’d had time to go to DW for a swim stopping off at the Co-op to buy papers, the veggies for lunch were already prepared and I’d even had time to clean my car and hoover the house.  Mum and dad had a good trip down, they didn’t get lost this time and were lucky enough to get off the motorway at the services.   They had time for coffee and a biscuit and then Phil drove them to see a bungalow at Middleton leaving me to cook the lunch.

This was fine by me but I was getting worried an hour and a half later and there was no sign of them.  Knowing that Phil’s dad likes his lunch dead on the dot of midday, I was ready to plate up and was relieved when they got back at quarter past twelve.  Phil had taken them to see the CF and then he’d gone into Bletchley to take them to BM, his latest favourite shop which he has only recently discovered.  I haven’t been there myself and I know pretty much where to buy the best bargains so I must make a visit if only to see what all the fuss is about.

Lunch was delicious even if I do say so myself; roast lamb, roast potatoes, cabbage, carrots, Yorkshires and green beans from mum and dads garden.  For pudding it was a shop brought rhubarb crumble and custard which again was very nice, so nice that even I had some.  Poor Bet & George were stuffed and probably would have liked a little nap but there was no time as straight after lunch Phil whisked them off for to see a bungalow in Newport Pagnell.

 They didn’t like either one of the bungalows; the first bungalow didn’t have a shed, it didn’t have fitted wardrobes in the second bedroom and they didn’t know where they’d put their fridges and freezers.  But they liked the conservatory and the blinds in the conservatory.   The second bungalow didn’t have a conservatory and Bet didn’t think the lounge was big enough to fit in her dark wood wall cabinet-unit thingie.  And this was a problem because if she couldn’t take that with her she would have nowhere to store her stuff.  Why does it all boil down to stuff??? I know the move, if it ever happens from Melton to MK will be a huge one, but somehow I don’t think we will find a bungalow which ticks all of their boxes, there has to be some compromises and a little room for manoeuvre.  It’s selfish but I’m afraid I’m going to concentrate on our move and more importantly, if our sale does go ahead, where we are going to live. But we had a nice day, it saved Phil’s mum from cooking and they got home safely without out traumas.  

A balmy week

Things have been balmy this week and by that, I mean the weather.  Boiling sunshine one minute and then lashing with rain the next, not to mention the high levels of humidity that don’t make it easy to crack on with work.  But work, in a fashion, is what we did, although thankfully this week it’s been at a much slower pace.  Phil went over to meet the agent at Cranfield on Tuesday morning and I decided not to go with him.  It’s a tiny flat and way too big for 3 people.  I decided to go to the gym instead to try a small workout, a) because I hadn’t been for ages and b) I wanted to test out my back.   I was just getting ready to leave the house when I answered a knock at the door.  It was Harry, Kevin’s friend from across the road wanting to know if I wanted my car cleaned.  I didn’t and told him so in a nice way; Harry is not the full ticket, he’s a nice young man and somehow, and don’t ask me how, I ended up storing his bike in the garage and giving him a lift to DW of which he a member.  I did explain that he would have to get the bus back which didn’t put him off, he still wanted a ride.

Harry has a thing about cars, when he calls for Kevin he pretends that he has a car and parks it up and locks the door before knocking on Kevin’s door.  Apparently yesterday, Kevin was still in bed so wasn’t able to come out to play, which was hence, why he knocked on my front door.  Fortunately, and I don’t want to appear mean, I was able to lose  him at the health club and sneaked out after only a 20 minute workout on the cross trainer.  There was no pain with my back but I know there is still a weakness which I still have to get sorted. After a quick trip to Asda, I went round to the CF expecting to find Phil but he wasn’t there. I left a message on his answerphone and after loading the car, I was driving home when Phil phoned me to say that he was at the flat and could I bring his health club bag.  I got home to find Harry on my doorstep waiting to get his bike from the garage; I unpacked then went back over to the CF with Phil’s bag.  He had both the doors off and was planeing them down in the bedroom and I can’t begin to tell you how much mess he was making.  It was distressing me so much that I had to leave almost straight away. 

On Tuesday afternoon I decided to clean out the shed and sort out my paints.  I got everything out and made 2 heaps on the lawn, one to stay and one to go.  It wasn’t as bad as I expected but it was a hot job in the sunshine.  I just had enough time to take the stuff to go to the tip before Phil got back.    I did get the tools out of the Wendy House hoping that when Phil got back from the CF he would be in the mood for sorting them out.   But unfortunately he was done in and wasn’t playing ball.  I would have done it for myself but they are his tools and it’s a job only he can do. Never mind, I swept out the Wendy House and put all the stuff back in.  

It was a hot sunny run to the hospital and the radiotherapy unit was running late which was a bit of a shame because Phil had planned to cook hotdogs on the BBQ and also I’d invited Sue round for a sleep-over.  The rain came and then went as soon as it started so Phil ended up cooking the sausages inside.  I had done chicken-chilli-men for all of us but after Phil’s last spice experience on my birthday where he really suffered he didn’t want to chance it.  Harriet had Phil ate the sausages in crispy French bread and it was really sociable, we had a nice evening.  Sue and I ate in the kitchen, I said dinner but really it was a light supper and in spite of the rain we chatted outside for most of the evening.  Phil was able to catch up with his TV programmes and Harriet got an early night.

Both Phil & Sue were up with the lark but yours truly slept in until half seven.  We left Sue to lock up at quarter to ten and went to view bungalows for Phil’s mum and dad.  We saw 3 in total and have arranged second viewings for Sunday when Bet & George are coming down for lunch.  The bungalows that we saw are immaculate but small and I’m not sure they will be right for them but I do think they need to know what they can expect for their money in Milton Keynes.

We came home after the viewings only to find our Ian our friend, the MD of Ampthill Glass who’d come over to Neil’s next door to quote for a new front door after we gave him Ian’s number.  Ian didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get back to work, which we found rather odd, given that he always talks about how busy he is, but no worries, we had nothing pressing, the sun was shining and we quite happily wiled away an hour on the patio catching up over coffee.

When Ian left, Phil had a few jobs to do.  I had planned to got to Cranfield to start painting but first I need to wait for the professional cleaner to go in.  There are a few maintenance issues that need to be sorted but thank god it’s nothing major. Steve had already agreed to go to Billing to check out the site and then to accompany Phil for his treatment which was good of him.  It left me the afternoon to get on with some domestics.  I sorted out my wardrobe and took all of my old ‘work’ gear to the charity shop in Newport.  I did some more of the Shed, changed our bed, washed and ironed and was so hot and clammy that I had to take a second shower at teatime.  Poor Steve and poor Phil, they didn’t get on very well at Billing; I only had a quick chance to catch up with but apparently the sales woman was crap and they both hated the site.  What a shame and the time-scale that I’d allotted went to pot, which meant they arrived at the hospital early and the unit was running late. The boys had a quick pint in Stoke Goldington on the way home but what a shame, on one of the hottest days of the year, that they were stuck in the Luke Radiotherapy Unit.

Jim very kindly picked up both Phil & Steve from our house; the original plan was to go the Indian in Stony but this wasn’t good for Phil because spice doesn’t work for him with his bowel at the moment.   He didn’t expect anyone to change plans for him alone but the boys did and they ended up going to The Crown in Stony.  I think when Phil finally finishes treatment he needs to treat all of the ‘Wednesday’ night crew to a meal of their fancy.

Initially I was pleased to hear the pitter patter of rain on Thursday morning but I regretted this by mid-morning because it really turned into a dreadful, miserable day.   Unfortunately this was the day that we allocated to clearing the attic.   Our attic is boarded out and it was boiling up there but thankfully there wasn’t nearly as much junk as we thought.  I seem to remember that we had a good clear out when we rented the house out.  Phil climbed up and handed the boxes down and I guess we ended up with about 10 boxes to keep and a car load to take to the tip and a few boxes of mostly books for the charity shops.

We then went over to the CF to put the boxes in the loft.  It’s a massive space and as it not being used and we are not doing the loft conversion, we have decided to store as much as we can to save paying out for storage when we move.  We will probably still need a storage unit for the big stuff unless we rent a place, which is probably what we will end up doing.  It was hot and heavy work getting the stuff up in the loft because the ladder blocks the space and the hatch space isn’t massive but we got there in the end.  Phil then took himself off to Fenny Stratford to take his camera in for repair and I got on with glossing the 2 new doors that Phil had hung.  I hate glossing and I especially hate painting doors. I didn’t have half the stuff I needed and my new paint brush was unyielding.   Phil came back at midday to pick me up, I hadn’t finished but I’d had enough so I cleaned up and we went home.

There was just enough time for a sandwich and a shower then we back in the car and driving to Northampton for an appointment with Andy on the sales team at Billing Aquadrone.  It was pissing it down with rain and after Phil & Steve’s disappointing visit to the park on Wednesday, I was very tempted to cancel.  But I wanted to see for myself, if only to cross caravan living off my options of where to live.  We got the full sales presentation from Andy and a tour of the whole park in his jeep.  Having ascertained that we were cheap skates, he showed us a second hand caravan for £15k and a slightly newer van for £24k.

I don’t think park living is for me, certainly not at Billing.  I didn’t like the site, I thought it was cramped with small pitches and was VERY kid orientated.  I have lived in little houses and that’s not an issue but I like to have a nice space around me and I don’t like the face that it’s not easy to change it.  Plus the site fees are really expensive.  We are going to look at Overtone and revisit Cosgrove again before finally ruling out park living but it’s not looking positive. 

We had to cut Andy short as we only had 10 minutes to get to the hospital for Phil’s zapping.  We were about 5 minutes late but that didn’t matter the unit was running an hour late because one of the machines was out of service.  The unit has been late all week and there is likely to be delays next week as well.  Thank god, we only have 4 more visits, big celebrations when Phil finally finishes me thinks.

I had quite forgotten I had nothing in the fridge for tea so Phil said he would treat me to a meal at The Lamb in Stoke Goldington.  Once inside, the pub isn’t the most salubrious of places but boy was the food good.  I had the steak and ale pie with new potatoes and vegetables and Phil had chicken with chorizo and cheese and chips.  The vegetables were fresh, the chips were homemade and my pie was probably the best steak and ale pie I have ever tasted.  It’s not cheap as chips but sometime you pay for what you get and we will definitely be going back sometime in the future.

I’m running late this morning but not because I’ve been idle.  Phil got up and left for his appointment at NG at 8am.  After the delays yesterday, he decided to change it, which was a good decision because he was first in.  I didn’t go with but instead went to drop the boxes outside the charity shop whilst it was quiet and I then went to dump the rubbish at the tip.  Luckily for me, there was a nice young man who helped me unload which saved my back. 

After posting this blog entry, we’re going to get some stuff down from the eaves in the garage.  We’re getting ready for our house move, figuring that if we can clear all the outbuildings then the internal stuff is going to be easy.  So far, so good; the attic is clear, the paint shed is done and that only leaves the Wendy House and the tools.  Well, I’m guessing the eaves in the garage is going to take 2 or 3 trips from home to the CF but the garage itself is pretty empty.  I am looking forward to giving it a good clean and a scrub and I’m thinking I might give it a quick paint where the stuff has scuffed the walls.  We’ll see, right now and I must post and get going.  Photo's to follow

A good weekend

On Saturday morning we packed our bags, put them in the car and went over to stay at the CF for the weekend.  We drove to the flat and unpacked and then went to Ikea for breakfast and to buy a mirror for the bathroom.  The breakfast was disappointing but we did manage to find a mirror.  Phil fitted this up and did a few other little jobs and then we drove over to the Tawny Owl for a late lunch. 

The Tawny Owl was having a Caribbean Fun Day to raise funds to buy equipment for the local school and by the time we arrived, the party was in full swing.  It’s a shame there weren’t a few more of us because there was live music and the sun was shining.  Unfortunately Phil wasn’t in the mood to party and plus he was driving, so we ate our meals and went straight back to the flat.  Before leaving home, I was in the garage moving some chairs around (as-you-do) when I felt my back go.  It’s been niggling me for months, ever since I fell on the ice and whatever I’ve done, its decided to show its rear ugly head.  It’s my own fault really, I should have got some treatment much earlier, rather than ignore it and hope that it would go away on its own.  I was really suffering on Saturday afternoon but Phil wanted to go for a walk around Caldecotte Lake.   I wasn’t sure if my back would hold out but actually the movement eased the pain a tinsy bit. 

I’d already walked the whole way around Caldecotte Lake and knew how long it took but Phil found a shortcut by the road and in the end, we only walked around half the lake.  And what a beautiful walk it was and I was glad I’d made the effort.   When we got back to the flat I read for a bit on the patio in my shorts and Phil watched some telly upstairs.  He was suffering again and wanted to stay near the loo.  With no Sky or BT Vision we were a bit limited for TV but we managed to find an old film.  A nice, quiet, easy Saturday night for the Krause’s.

After working so hard, it was lovely to be able to take it easy and chill out for a change and Sunday was just the same.  We had breakfast and afterwards we went to the gym for a Jacuzzi and then just before midday, Sue walked over from her flat and Phil went to pick up Steve & Jan.  We’d invited them over for lunch at the Windmill pub on Caldecotte Lake but first the boys wanted to watch the Hungary Grand Prix.   We cracked open a bottle of bubbly and whilst the boys watched the race, we girls sat on the patio, sunning ourselves.  How lucky we were with the weather and the hours soon passed.  Phil made 2 jugs of Sangria and whilst it went down well at the time, I’d quite forgotten how lethal his sangria was.  Not surprising really when he puts in gin, vodka, cider, oodles of red wine oh and brandy.  It was gone 3pm by the time we walked to the pub, not that I minded, I was rocking and rolling.  Harriet turned up at the pub to get my front door key as she’d locked herself out.  We had our meals then went back to the flat. A few more drinks, then time for everyone to head home. 

A very nice day indeed and just what the doctor ordered, especially for Phil.  It’s good to have the old Phil back albeit for a day and nice to see a smile back on his face for once. I slept like a log and amazingly so did Phil, he slept all the way through which was surprising seeing how much he ate and drunk.  We enjoyed our mini-break away and are both really pleased with the way the flat has turned out.   Yes, it would have been good to change the bathroom, replace the carpets and maybe done the loft conversion but it’s very good as it is and has a really good feel to the place which I think is probably due to the amount of light coming in.  I think Harriet will be very happy living there, having her own private space away from the mad ‘rents’.

The only downside to a mini party was a massive hangover for the both of us.  Work hard, play hard is my motto and we’ve certainly done our fair share of both over the years.  We were both a little reluctant to move anywhere on Monday morning but shortly after 8, I cleared and cleaned the flat and Phil fitted the internal door in the bedroom.  We packed up the car including the rubbish and the empties and were back in the Cul-de-sac well before midday.  Which was just as well, because Monday is rubbish day and I had a lot of stuff to get rid of.  As soon as we got home, Phil took himself to bed and I cooked chicken chilli-men dishes to put in the fridge. 

Phil was scheduled to meet the agent at Cranfield to carry out the final inspection but at half one they called half an hour beforehand to cancel.  This was fine by Phil, he took himself straight back to bed but I dug out the key and decided to drive over to Cranfield to see the flat for myself.  Mad Betty/Emily was there to greet me and I couldn’t shake her off, she was with me in our flat for nearly an hour.    The condition of the flat wasn’t as bad as she had, in numerous telephone calls over the last few months, led me to believe.  There was more than a fair amount of wear and tear and the flat in my eyes was terribly dirty but I should be able to bring it round with a good thorough clean and touch up of paint hopefully rather than a complete redecoration.

Jim volunteered to go with Phil for his zapping yesterday which was most welcome because after getting back from Cranfield, I was done in and just wanted to jump in the shower and get my gimmy jammies on, which was just what I did.  An early night was had by all.   Today we are meeting the agent at Cranfield for the rescheduled final check-out appointment.  Trouble is, I am not sure whether to go with or let Phil him go by himself.  Adrian, mad Betts husband has the day off from work on Tuesday and I although I feel much better than yesterday, I am not sure I can cope with Bett, Adrian and their kid as well. I really need to go and get paints and tools and dust sheets from the CF; and also Rachel is coming round at 1.15pm to cut my hair and I need to get an urgent appointment to see a chiropractor.  My back is really painful, it went again when I was putting stuff in the car to bring home and even though on Sunday I thought it was getting a little better. It’s not; if anything, it’s getting worse.  The good thing is where I found a lump near my armpit, I was going to phone the doc but when I got in the shower, I noticed in the mirror that I have a massive bruise where my lump is.  Obviously I have bumped into something although I don’t recall doing so.

Not sure of plans for the rest of the week.  Steve B maybe up for going to the hospital with Phil tomorrow and I wanted them to pop into take a look at static homes at Billing before zapping.  I need to email Steve to confirm that this is okay.  Whilst I am excited about having sold, I need to find somewhere to live and soon. We have viewings booked to look at bungalows for Phil’s mum and dad on Wednesday morning and if Steve is a okay for NG then I will take myself tomorrow afternoon to sort out the Cranfield flat.  It’s got to be done and the sooner the better.

After today Phil will have just 6 zapping’s left; I can’t wait for it all to be over and I am certain, neither can he.   It will be nice to get our lives back again without 2 hours+ going to and fro from Northampton every day, not to mention the pain and discomfort that the treatment causes Phil. I know it’s not over yet, but nearly, and the boy has done well to do the work in the flat and work quite tirelessly (albeit grumpily) whilst going through treatment especially when you consider that one of the side effects is tiredness. 

So all in all a good weekend with bubbles, sangria, fine wines, not to mention, great friends and sunshine.   Life is good and I must not complain, I feel that I’m doing a lot of that these days, a girl with a glass that thinks hers is half empty rather than half full.  And that’s certainly not the case.  Think positive Clairabella; think positive and good things are sure to happen.