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In Devon
Hi Everyone.
We drove from Devon to Sussex on Monday, with the cats. They are not pleased because they loved it at my mum's in Sussex. For some reason her back garden is a cat Shangri-la. The old cat protested by getting out the front door here and trying to walk back to Sussex, but since she is 20 years old it wasn't difficult to catch her. Since then she has started to explore our garden and is giving it grudging approval. The younger cat had an encounter with next-door's geese yesterday and the shock has caused a mental breakdown. He is hiding in one of the suitcases and refuses to get out. He is just waiting for our next move. The tracking tool on Upakweship says that our container has already left Montreal and will be at Southampton before the end of the month. That's sooner than we expected. |
Re: In Devon
HaHa. That reminded me of when our old Hollycat had his first ever encounter with a chicken. He was ambling out of our front door when there, right in front of him, peering down at him, was a runaway red shaver from next door . Hollycat was completed and utterly stunned with disbelief. I mean, what kind of Conon Doyle Lost World country had we brought him to. He never did gain any fondness for hens after that unexpected encounter , not even our own, but did seem to come to terms with the notion of ducks existing. They were completely beneath his dignity.
Pics of your pusscats please. |
Re: In Devon
LOL cats are too funny.
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Re: In Devon
During the last week we've been dealing with a situation regarding our ex-tenants, which has been exasperating, but also quite amusing.
It's a long story, but basically our managing agent seems to have been remarkably careless with the vérité. The tenants were given the impression that they could stay in the house in the long term, even though I'd always made it clear that we were returning in July, and even instructed the agent to offer a lower rent for that reason. The tenants were a sociable couple who went round the village dispensing jars of lemon curd made with eggs from their chickens, telling everyone that they were there for ever. Then, in the spring when we were deciding what furniture to put in our container, I asked the agent to ask the tenants to measure up the space for a sofa, unwittingly forcing the agent to tell the tenants that we were returning. They covered themselves by saying that I was getting divorced and needed the house because I was leaving my husband. Oh what tangled webs we weave... The agents found another house for the tenants locally, but how honest they've been in that transaction I cannot tell. The agent failed to tell me that the tenants were moving out. They did not carry out an inspection and report and returned the deposit to the tenants without consulting me. The tenants moved out at the end of March, but I only discovered in May when I emailed the agents, telling them that we had decided to stay in Sussex for our first week in the UK, so we required vacant possession on the 7th July, not 30th June. When the agent did eventually own up, he blamed the 'mix-up' on the transfer of my file because of a maternity leave, which was utter bollocks and I told him so. The tenants had, in fact, carried out a number of 'improvements'. Not all of them are to our taste, but we are intending to redecorate anyway and a tub of polyfilla will make most of them disappear. But, the two largest alterations are the installation of a satellite dish and venting the cooker hood through an outside wall. The satellite dish is jolly useful since there is poor aerial reception on the Hartland peninsula and I'm not unhappy about the vent either. I've had a phone conversation with the agent in which I expressed my opinion on his professional integrity loudly and with feeling, and I've given our ex-tenants £100, since just installing a satellite dish would have cost at least £70. |
Re: In Devon
OH applied for his Canada Pension in February, since when he has not received an acknowledgement. He phoned Service Canada yesterday and was told it takes nine months to process an application, if you are resident abroad, so it will be the end of the year before he gets a payment. The person he spoke to didn't say whether the pension will be backdated.
Fortunately, the Canada Pension is not a large part of of his pension income, so the delay doesn't create any difficulty for us. |
Re: In Devon
Great updates, Editha--thank you.
And you have let slip that you are on the Hartland Peninsula. Oh Lord. One of my favourite places in the world. Once had a big family holiday (about 18 years ago, yikes! ) there, staying at an ancient fortified farmhouse called Blegberry farm. The story about your ex-tenants--or, even worse, your slimy, slippery agents--is appalling. I hope you manage to make that agent's name mud in the community. Cannot believe the Canada pension story. That is so long to wait. Good thing indeed that you're not relying on it to live! You have said quite a bit about practical things...are you ready to talk about how it feels? Or maybe the practical things are taking up all the space, I know how that happens at moving times and transitions. When we moved to France three years ago I went ahead of my DH who was winding up things work-wise in the US and getting the cat's travel papers etc. So I was the one buying furniture and stuff for the flat and setting up (with help from relocation agency thank goodness) utilities and wifi and etc etc--and then after two weeks of this I suddenly lifted my head and looked around at the place I was living in and said, "oh my gosh this is so beautiful! I am so lucky to be here." So I know how the practicalities of just settling in can take up the forefront..... anyway, keep us posted with your news, it's great reading! |
Re: In Devon
Editha,
OMG that rental agent is absolutely awful! You however are wonderful, so lovely of you to give them the cash, so nice to know there are good people in the world :) I love your attitude and the way you don't sweat the (not so) small stuff! V. annoying about the pension, good job you weren't relying on it too much and good info for others to know. Loving the updates. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by NiHao
(Post 11337344)
Editha,
OMG that rental agent is absolutely awful! You however are wonderful, so lovely of you to give them the cash, so nice to know there are good people in the world :) I love your attitude and the way you don't sweat the (not so) small stuff! V. annoying about the pension, good job you weren't relying on it too much and good info for others to know. Loving the updates. Did you get your car in sussex? Jealous! :frown: I love Fiat 500s! :) |
Re: In Devon
How do I feel?
Tired and feeling my age, to be frank. I could do with fewer surprises and a period of calm. Today we discovered a bat colony in our loft, which runs a close second to the washing machine which caught fire on Wednesday as the most exciting event of the last week. I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of this area and I'm very pleased we moved here. I'm enjoying being able to go for a walk without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. I will possibly strangle OH if he keeps saying that although he loves the area, he worries about being 'isolated'. Edmonton Alberta was isolated. Edmo is 500 miles away from the nearest place you might actually want to be (i.e. Vancouver). The Hartland Peninsula is only isolated in the sense that Waitrose don't deliver. Admittedly OH has got a ninety minute drive to the nearest Uni, but it isn't as if, by the time he gets there, his fellow academics will have given him up for dead. It's lovely to be able to get the stuff for our new home from familiar shops which sell things I actually want to buy. I didn't know I could get emotional about B&Q, Halfords and Laura Ashley. Yes Gozi, we got the Fiat. It is a small flightless car, with a slightly unnerving lack of power on hills, but its manoeuvrability makes it ideal for narrow country lanes. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11337510)
Yes Gozi, we got the Fiat. It is a small flightless car, with a slightly unnerving lack of power on hills, but its manoeuvrability makes it ideal for narrow country lanes.
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Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11337510)
How do I feel?
Tired and feeling my age, to be frank. I could do with fewer surprises and a period of calm. Today we discovered a bat colony in our loft, which runs a close second to the washing machine which caught fire on Wednesday as the most exciting event of the last week. I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of this area and I'm very pleased we moved here. I'm enjoying being able to go for a walk without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. I will possibly strangle OH if he keeps saying that although he loves the area, he worries about being 'isolated'. Edmonton Alberta was isolated. Edmo is 500 miles away from the nearest place you might actually want to be (i.e. Vancouver). The Hartland Peninsula is only isolated in the sense that Waitrose don't deliver. Admittedly OH has got a ninety minute drive to the nearest Uni, but it isn't as if, by the time he gets there, his fellow academics will have given him up for dead. It's lovely to be able to get the stuff for our new home from familiar shops which sell things I actually want to buy. I didn't know I could get emotional about B&Q, Halfords and Laura Ashley. Yes Gozi, we got the Fiat. It is a small flightless car, with a slightly unnerving lack of power on hills, but its manoeuvrability makes it ideal for narrow country lanes. I had to laugh at the "isolation" discussion...Edmonton, along with so many other places in that enormous Canada, sounds to me the epitome of "isolated..." I too have become emotional in shops.... |
Re: In Devon
Ah Hartland, I know it well. I've spent many a night at the youth hostel in Elmscott, where a friend of mine was warden for a few years back in the 1980s. Then some time in the 1970s, I camped at Brownsham Farm for a couple of weeks with a group, we were doing some heavy duty trail construction on the coast path, from Mouth Mill (if I remember correctly) and a mile or two west from there.
Yeah, too chilly and windy for the mosquitoes, I'm thinking! |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11337510)
Yes Gozi, we got the Fiat. It is a small flightless car, with a slightly unnerving lack of power on hills, but its manoeuvrability makes it ideal for narrow country lanes.
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Re: In Devon
Thanks for keeping us up to date, Editha.
Here's hoping the bats are gone. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by between two worlds
(Post 11337558)
I had to laugh at the "isolation" discussion...Edmonton, along with so many other places in that enormous Canada, sounds to me the epitome of "isolated..."
I long for walking distance shops, I long for a transportation system that is well established, I long for the UK. ;) Blessings! |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by pondhopper2014
(Post 11343314)
Ahh... some of the hidden ugly truths about Canada are surfacing. Yes, isolation is high up there in the negatives of Canada. I live in a small town (500 residents), an hour and a bit out of both Montreal and Ottawa... just enough to be "too far" for regular trips with the family, and no busses, with the nearest "towns of any significance" too far to walk/bike with children... so we are dependent on our vehicles, go through a TON of gas (petrol... which btw, is not overly cheap here either at 1.35 a litre more often than not, but a necessity)...
I long for walking distance shops, I long for a transportation system that is well established, I long for the UK. ;) Blessings! |
Re: In Devon
No thread about moving back would be complete without a few gripes, so here are mine:-
Call Centres: I don't mind BT deciding to use a call centre in India, but I do wish they'd chosen one staffed by people who speak English. I've had two conversations with people whom I could not understand and who seemed to have a very limited English vocabulary. On the other hand Scottish Power's call centre does appear to be in Scotland (unless it is like the Dell call centre which used to have Indians speaking in Oirish accents). But, that was really the only difference, since the staff seem to be unable to cope with anything but the most simple queries and seem nervous of straying outside their script. I got asked four times, by four different operatives, whether I paid monthly or by standing order, when I'd already explained that I was making a query about an account which has had no payments set up on it at all. One of the operatives asked me the same question twice, apparently not knowing what to do if he got an unexpected answer. BT and Scottish Power both have websites which attempt to control their customers communications with them by prescribing the questions they can ask. I did manage to resolve my problems with BT, but I'm going to have to resort to snail mail to communicate with Scottish Power, and who knows whether they answer letters? I also used to get frustrated by Canadian call-centres, but that was generally because the voice recognition software couldn't understand my accent; when I eventually got to speak to an actual person my query usually got answered. The chances of getting any useful information from a British call-centre seem 50:50 at best. An awful lot of people employed by British companies give the impression that the only satisfaction they get from their work is when they manage to screw up someone else's day. |
Re: In Devon
Our container arrives tomorrow. OH is giving a paper at an academic conference (a commitment he cunningly made eighteen months ago), so I have to deal with the tsunami of books on my own.
We have succeeded in decorating the living room and dining room already and had some carpentry jobs done, but we have a plumber and an electrician booked for next week, so I'll have to make sure there are corridors through the boxes of books so they can work. I bought a new bike yesterday. I cycled for 30 years, but gave it up 17 years ago. It is true that you never forget how to ride, but yesterday I proved that you can sure get rusty! On my first run I toppled over and fell into a hedge. Fortunately it was one without nettles. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11353487)
Our container arrives tomorrow. OH is giving a paper at an academic conference (a commitment he cunningly made eighteen months ago), so I have to deal with the tsunami of books on my own.
We have succeeded in decorating the living room and dining room already and had some carpentry jobs done, but we have a plumber and an electrician booked for next week, so I'll have to make sure there are corridors through the boxes of books so they can work. I bought a new bike yesterday. I cycled for 30 years, but gave it up 17 years ago. It is true that you never forget how to ride, but yesterday I proved that you can sure get rusty! On my first run I toppled over and fell into a hedge. Fortunately it was one without nettles. Ha yes good thing there were no nettles! You are brave, good luck with the bike. |
Re: In Devon
Thanks for your good wishes 'between two worlds'.
Just before OH left this morning, I got an email from Eurogroup (i.e. Upakweship) saying they have to cancel the delivery for Friday. The container has been cleared by customs, but the shipping line refuses to release it because of a problem 'at the point of origin'. Baffled, I rang them and was told that it is a problem with the bill of lading. I don't know what that means and the person I spoke to couldn't explain, but it sounds to me as if Upakweship haven't paid the shipping line. They are trying to sort out the problem. Now, earliest delivery now will be Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Wednesday would suit me fine, since OH will be back by then. On the other hand we may have to postpone the house rewiring. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11347151)
No thread about moving back would be complete without a few gripes, so here are mine:-
Call Centres: I don't mind BT deciding to use a call centre in India, but I do wish they'd chosen one staffed by people who speak English. I've had two conversations with people whom I could not understand and who seemed to have a very limited English vocabulary. On the other hand Scottish Power's call centre does appear to be in Scotland (unless it is like the Dell call centre which used to have Indians speaking in Oirish accents). But, that was really the only difference, since the staff seem to be unable to cope with anything but the most simple queries and seem nervous of straying outside their script. I got asked four times, by four different operatives, whether I paid monthly or by standing order, when I'd already explained that I was making a query about an account which has had no payments set up on it at all. One of the operatives asked me the same question twice, apparently not knowing what to do if he got an unexpected answer. BT and Scottish Power both have websites which attempt to control their customers communications with them by prescribing the questions they can ask. I did manage to resolve my problems with BT, but I'm going to have to resort to snail mail to communicate with Scottish Power, and who knows whether they answer letters? I also used to get frustrated by Canadian call-centres, but that was generally because the voice recognition software couldn't understand my accent; when I eventually got to speak to an actual person my query usually got answered. The chances of getting any useful information from a British call-centre seem 50:50 at best. An awful lot of people employed by British companies give the impression that the only satisfaction they get from their work is when they manage to screw up someone else's day. We are still trying to work out who to go to for our comms bundle. BT on the sales side say we cannot set up internet (for their 'roaming' WIFI which is free to subscribers) until we have a street address - which isn't until late September and we arrive this Saturday. In the interim, we'll have to use Skype and Skype WIFI and the free WIFI connections which in our initial area are in Exeter and Exmouth. Then there are pubs/cafes. We will be in Devon for a couple of weeks from this Monday. Will pick choices from the uSwitch site and we are considering Virgin Media as well as BT. I must say that the customer service stuff is a worry. Being in constant touch with estate agents for the last four months for sales (I'm selling) and rentals is NOT a good experience in so many different ways. What we are taking to the UK is going with us in suitcases and we are now out of our home here, which is rented, so that we have time to just settle down and make sure we have addressed EVERYTHING before the flight on Friday night. We are using monthly storage near Gatwick (Edenbridge) to hold stuff that we simply can't trundle around on trains in the interim before we occupy our actual HOME expected to be in Dorset. However, I am still leaving the door ajar in case we ultimately decide that the Exeter, east of the Exe area, will work better, though that seems really rather unlikely now.:ohmy: |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Pistolpete2
(Post 11353719)
We are still trying to work out who to go to for our comms bundle. BT on the sales side say we cannot set up internet (for their 'roaming' WIFI which is free to subscribers) until we have a street address - which isn't until late September and we arrive this Saturday. In the interim, we'll have to use Skype and Skype WIFI and the free WIFI connections which in our initial area are in Exeter and Exmouth. Then there are pubs/cafes. We will be in Devon for a couple of weeks from this Monday. Will pick choices from the uSwitch site and we are considering Virgin Media as well as BT. https://www.btwifi.co.uk/ If you find that the pub/cafe provision isn't up to scratch ie too slow or too patchy, you could always opt for the BT WiFi for a short time. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by rebs
(Post 11353727)
You can pay as you go on the BT WiFi -
https://www.btwifi.co.uk/ If you find that the pub/cafe provision isn't up to scratch ie too slow or too patchy, you could always opt for the BT WiFi for a short time. |
Re: In Devon
I do like the BT internet service. The 'hub' they use is an elegant bit of kit, very easy to set up. And I've made ample use of the free roaming wifi that comes with it, since I had it installed at my mum's house a couple of years ago. When we moved here, it took a few days for BT to connect, but in the meantime we had internet access from our neighbour's BT hub.
We can't use their TV service because the only way of getting TV here is by using a satellite dish. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by rebs
(Post 11353727)
You can pay as you go on the BT WiFi -
https://www.btwifi.co.uk/ If you find that the pub/cafe provision isn't up to scratch ie too slow or too patchy, you could always opt for the BT WiFi for a short time. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11353783)
I do like the BT internet service. The 'hub' they use is an elegant bit of kit, very easy to set up. And I've made ample use of the free roaming wifi that comes with it, since I had it installed at my mum's house a couple of years ago. When we moved here, it took a few days for BT to connect, but in the meantime we had internet access from our neighbour's BT hub.
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Re: In Devon
Two months now since we returned, so I thought I'd give you all an update:
As far as the practical/financial side of things goes, we are spending significantly more money on petrol and food than I expected. This is mainly because of living in one of England's more remote spots: Renovating our house has meant long trips to DIY stores and the recycling centre, while there isn't an Aldi or Lidl anywhere near us for bargains. I think our bills will come down as we get more used to living in the locality. I've already discovered a local butcher who is cheaper than the supermarkets and delivers to our village and we will be using the car less often once we finish the work on the house. What has been quite wonderful for a Londoner like me, used to paying the plumber more than I earned as a lawyer, is the availability of skilled, reasonably priced, workmen. We've employed an electrician, plumber, carpenter and roofer in the last two months and been very satisfied with all the work that has been done. Because we've been so busy with the house, we haven't had much time to get involved in community activities, but we did attend a few concerts in the music festival and last week we went to one of the open air theatre performances at our local stately home. Taking part in cultural events in this locality requires higher than average British stoicism. The concerts were held at our local church which has the most uncomfortable pews in Christendom and it poured with rain all through the theatre performance but we enjoyed ourselves anyway. OH has been made very welcome at the uni and he is as happy as a pig in shit. I'm pleased for him, but my heart sank when he told me that they've given him a book allowance. Do they have to feed his addiction? He already has the methadone drip of review copies, but a book allowance is like a heroin wrap. I'm already going to be spending much of the next few months putting up shelves for the 200 boxes of books we brought with us. Thank God for IKEA. There have been several discussions on this forum about the difficulty in getting washing dry in the UK's humid climate. I'm anti tumble-drier on eco and expense grounds, plus we gave away the drier which came with the house because we needed the space for a freezer. But, being a coastal area, the washing on the line often remains a bit damp, even on a sunny day. We've solved the problem by buying an electric airer from Lakeland. Our cats have settled in very well, although our neutered Tom is still having territorial disputes. We've had one complaint from our neighbour about the noise. Being Canadian, and despite having spent 30 years of his life previously in the UK, OH did not recognise it as a complaint, because our neighbour knocked on the door and said she was enquiring about whether our cat was ill. He thought it was a genuine enquiry about the animal's health. It's been a wonderful summer here, though autumn has come early. We went swimming in the sea and we have done some walking, as well as spending time clearing the garden. I'm very happy. |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11387748)
Two months now since we returned, so I thought I'd give you all an update:
Great update, Editha!! As far as the practical/financial side of things goes, we are spending significantly more money on petrol and food than I expected. This is mainly because of living in one of England's more remote spots: Renovating our house has meant long trips to DIY stores and the recycling centre, while there isn't an Aldi or Lidl anywhere near us for bargains. I think our bills will come down as we get more used to living in the locality. I've already discovered a local butcher who is cheaper than the supermarkets and delivers to our village and we will be using the car less often once we finish the work on the house. What has been quite wonderful for a Londoner like me, used to paying the plumber more than I earned as a lawyer, is the availability of skilled, reasonably priced, workmen. We've employed an electrician, plumber, carpenter and roofer in the last two months and been very satisfied with all the work that has been done. Excellent that you're finding cheaper options...but yes, living somewhere remote does make things harder... Because we've been so busy with the house, we haven't had much time to get involved in community activities, but we did attend a few concerts in the music festival and last week we went to one of the open air theatre performances at our local stately home. Taking part in cultural events in this locality requires higher than average British stoicism. The concerts were held at our local church which has the most uncomfortable pews in Christendom and it poured with rain all through the theatre performance but we enjoyed ourselves anyway. This made me laugh! But I think there's a need for stoicism in many corners of Britain! OH has been made very welcome at the uni and he is as happy as a pig in shit. I'm pleased for him, but my heart sank when he told me that they've given him a book allowance. Do they have to feed his addiction? He already has the methadone drip of review copies, but a book allowance is like a heroin wrap. I'm already going to be spending much of the next few months putting up shelves for the 200 boxes of books we brought with us. Thank God for IKEA. I am so impressed by/jealous of/ this book allowance!!! How lucky...I have a similar addiction. My husband has periodic nightmares about the weight of my books bringing our house--whichever one we are in-crashing down. Once I get my library moved from USA to here in uk, these nightmares will recommence... There have been several discussions on this forum about the difficulty in getting washing dry in the UK's humid climate. I'm anti tumble-drier on eco and expense grounds, plus we gave away the drier which came with the house because we needed the space for a freezer. But, being a coastal area, the washing on the line often remains a bit damp, even on a sunny day. We've solved the problem by buying an electric airer from Lakeland. I saw this airer in Lakeland and thought it looked a great wheeze. Our cats have settled in very well, although our neutered Tom is still having territorial disputes. We've had one complaint from our neighbour about the noise. Being Canadian, and despite having spent 30 years of his life previously in the UK, OH did not recognise it as a complaint, because our neighbour knocked on the door and said she was enquiring about whether our cat was ill. He thought it was a genuine enquiry about the animal's health. !!!!!! So funny..... It's been a wonderful summer here, though autumn has come early. We went swimming in the sea and we have done some walking, as well as spending time clearing the garden. I'm very happy. |
Re: In Devon
Chiropody. I was tempted to add this to the What Makes Britain Great thread.
Chiropody. Not podiatry. I had a mobile chiropodist call today and she did my corny feet, which are much worse due to eight years of Canadian podiatry. My feet are glad they came home. |
Re: In Devon
Lovey to read your update Editha.
I am trying to follow how well you settle back into a UK life . It is interesting to read your experiences. |
Re: In Devon
Touch wood, I have found the call centres to be quite nice and helpful. I actually find the Indian accents easier to understand than some of the regional British ones.
Glad things are going well for you, Editha. |
Re: In Devon
Maybe I've been unlucky, or possibly my experience is more general as this Downfall parody suggests:
I also complained about Scottish Power. So to be fair, I should report that a fortnight ago I rang them again and unexpectedly found myself talking to an intelligent life form. Five hours later, around half of which I'd spent on hold, the problem I'd rung them about several weeks earlier had been sorted. That I count this as a good experience is testament to how well I'm adapting to the British way of life. |
Re: In Devon
Another update, for no reason except that I'm down in the dumps and need distracting.
I had planned to spend this week in London and Sussex, but I had to cancel because of my broken foot. I have a personal tradition of visiting Fortnum and Mason's and admiring the lights in Oxford Street and Regent Street before Christmas, but I'm going to miss it this year. It is deeply ironical. I injure easily because I have hypermobile joints, so I spent 8 winters in Alberta worried about slipping on the ice, only to trip over a stool and break a metatarsal within four months of returning home. OH, on the other hand, suffered badly from the mosquitoes in Alberta, but has now discovered that not only do we have mosquitoes in North Devon, but they are still biting in late November. Apart from that though, we have no regrets! This is going to be a quieter Christmas than we are used to. We usually hold a party, but we haven't got to know many local people yet, so it will just be a sherry and mince-pies do for the few neighbours we have met. My temporary disability meant that we also missed out on tickets to various events in the village which were sold out before we became aware they were on sale. We did enjoy Halloween. I asked my neighbour if local kids went trick or treating. She said they just went to friends' houses by prior arrangement, so I said we'd be willing for her kids to call and any of their friends. We had fun choosing the sweets; there is a really good sweet shop in Bideford that had all the Halloween candy, and OH carved a pumpkin. On the night we had thirteen kids call, all at once, supervised by their parents! Pretty good for such a small hamlet as ours. This is an exceptionally mild winter so far, but despite that we are getting through the wood and oil we bought at a terrifying rate. Our fuel bill is going to be much higher than I budgeted for. On the other hand, as I expected, our food bills are coming down as I discover the best places to shop. |
Re: In Devon
The foot business is really annoying as it hampers so much doesn't it. It was my ankle when I fell over my own flip flop . Was quite hard and tiring trying to get around. Very frustrating.
Sounds like you did have a fun Halloween. I miss Northern Hemisphere Christmas. I love that it gets dark early and winter so there is cosy cheer within a home. Yours may be a quieter Christmas than you are used to but it still is Christmas and one to cherish in your new home . I have bought a very expensive turkey this year and so will do all the trimmings with that. Thing is it is summer with light evenings until 8pm so the mood is never the same , to me anyway. Hope you feel a little more cheery soon. Think of me in the heat of the summer roasting a turkey, when you are all cosy with your pies and sherry. :santa: |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11484915)
Another update, for no reason except that I'm down in the dumps and need distracting.
I had planned to spend this week in London and Sussex, but I had to cancel because of my broken foot. I have a personal tradition of visiting Fortnum and Mason's and admiring the lights in Oxford Street and Regent Street before Christmas, but I'm going to miss it this year. It is deeply ironical. I injure easily because I have hypermobile joints, so I spent 8 winters in Alberta worried about slipping on the ice, only to trip over a stool and break a metatarsal within four months of returning home. OH, on the other hand, suffered badly from the mosquitoes in Alberta, but has now discovered that not only do we have mosquitoes in North Devon, but they are still biting in late November. Apart from that though, we have no regrets! This is going to be a quieter Christmas than we are used to. We usually hold a party, but we haven't got to know many local people yet, so it will just be a sherry and mince-pies do for the few neighbours we have met. My temporary disability meant that we also missed out on tickets to various events in the village which were sold out before we became aware they were on sale. We did enjoy Halloween. I asked my neighbour if local kids went trick or treating. She said they just went to friends' houses by prior arrangement, so I said we'd be willing for her kids to call and any of their friends. We had fun choosing the sweets; there is a really good sweet shop in Bideford that had all the Halloween candy, and OH carved a pumpkin. On the night we had thirteen kids call, all at once, supervised by their parents! Pretty good for such a small hamlet as ours. This is an exceptionally mild winter so far, but despite that we are getting through the wood and oil we bought at a terrifying rate. Our fuel bill is going to be much higher than I budgeted for. On the other hand, as I expected, our food bills are coming down as I discover the best places to shop. There was dreadful gloomy fog this morning in Gloucestershire but now the sun is breaking through... Yes, so ironic that after all those years in icy Alberta, you break a foot in the comfort of your own home in Devon! And a shame about the mosquitos.... Pity you will miss the London Christmas visit too. On the other hand, even to have met (and liked, one hopes!) enough neighbours to want to invite them round for sherry and mince pie is a Good Thing..... we too hope to have some neighbours and friends round for pre-Christmas drinks or something... |
Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11485955)
Well, it's a good thing places don't live up to their names. My parents used to live close to Pratt's Bottom.
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Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by between two worlds
(Post 11485957)
!!!
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Re: In Devon
Originally Posted by Editha
(Post 11485971)
Sorry! I got threads muddled up. This was a contribution to the place-names discussion.
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