Beedubya

Hang about!!! You were only on 2 before!!

Wait until TT hears about this increase in your fag intake LOL!!

Beedubya

Got a BEAUTIFUL bunch of long stem red roses today at Marks and Sparks!!

They had a special on 15 for the price of 12 for 6 quid but one head had fallen off a bunch this morning when they came in fresh, so they couldn't sell them as 15 (Trade Descriptions Act ), so I got 14 long stem red roses for 3 quid.

Gotta love this country for a bargain.

cheers

I noticed that too. So is that 5 actually 6???

Englishmum

Too late for you now as you already have your sofa, but in my UK edition of "Good Housekeeping" magazine, they have classified adverts in the back for furniture and furnishings, new kitchen fittings etc.

Here are some for sofas (all British manufacturers too) and some of them will mail a catalogue or send free fabric samples (swatches):

http://www.odeonfurniture.co.uk

http://www.kirkdale.co.uk

http://www.oakridgedirect.co.uk

http://www.divani.co.uk



http://www.sofa.com (more pricey/upscale)

sallysimmons

We have decided on a move date!

We're going at the end of April 2013, so that's about 18 months from now. Better get my skates on!!

WOOT!!!

jasper123

I know Barb, but Im really trying soooo hard, but it aint easy,I was smoking a pack a day of 20 cigs for over 40 years, Im on roll ups, the regular cigs are way too expensive over here

jasper123

judes isn't that called a swiss knife? a good quality one where it has multi blades?

jasper123

Well sometimes that 5 is not only not actually 6 but sometimes it is 4 but when its 6 it never becomes 7 ------ well it did once or twice but that was around Christmas time and I had only been home for about 3 weeks and I was a little nervous still, and I had a few strong shots of scotch in me

jasper123

Sally thats absolutely fantastic, its been a long road for you and hubby, have you bought your ticket yet? ----- thats the clincher there, once you have done that and fully paid for it you know for sure its really going to happen,
Now dont dilly dally cause that 18 months may feel like a long way off but its not at all, it goes by so fast,

Englishmum

I'm as pleased as punch for you!

Why don't you sail home on the QM2 - with the cats of course! Don't forget you can take as much luggage as you want as long as you can fit it into your cabin aka 'State room'

cheers

I have no room to talk. Just ask me how high my sugar count is for my diabetes.

Englishmum

Rodney - yes, a Leatherman is similar to a Swiss Army knife. They come in various combinations (they're often sold in Costco in the US).

I remember posting more than a decade ago on a Singapore messageboard when we were living there about needing suggestions for a gift for my spouse, and someone recommended a Leatherman. I bought one and my husband was delighted with it. If he's travelling and knows he will be checking in luggage to go in the hold of a plane he usually takes his Leatherman with him as they're so useful.

He has a couple of them now and so does our son.

http://www.leatherman.com/

You can buy them online in the UK from Amazon (they come in various styles and prices):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...fix=leatherman

DDL

They're certainly expensive for the quality they are - which is pants.

I have found the quality (and look!) of high street furniture over here to be horrible. That's why 99% of our furniture is old furniture from auction. Different strokes though, I'm sure. Obviously, the majority of the British public like this stuff.

But I have to keep reminding myself that this is an island - certain resources are scarce and expensive. There just isn't the room here for huge manufacturing plants and warehouses to store it all.

When we purchased our [brand new] bed, it took 4-5 weeks for delivery because it had to be made, they don't just keep super-king size mattresses in stock. And I understand this. It's just another little annoyance of life in the UK.

Mind you, I'm not saying you can't buy a cheap sofa over here - because you can. But you get what you pay for.

DDL

Expensive sofas (and clothing) aside, it's still a great place to live.

Today we explored a bit of Guildford (pictures here http://on.fb.me/oz7hWi) and then went on for Afternoon Tea on the 5th floor of House of Fraser with stunning views and delicious scones, sandwiches and tea (pictures here http://on.fb.me/qh1GDo). (I think if you click on each individual picture you can read the captions.)

Tomorrow we're off to the Royal County of Berkshire Show. Weather forecast isn't looking the greatest, but we're going to give it a go anyway - raincoats, brolly, and wellies at the ready. Main thing I'm looking forward to seeing is the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas. ( I had originally typed 'Burkas' - not surprised as there are so many of those around.....)

sallysimmons

I agree that there's a lot of cheap crap in the high street in the UK, but I think that's a function of working people caring about design and wanting trendy things on a budget. If you go to US budget furniture stores, the products are hideous. Most self-respecting working people in the UK wouldn't be seen dead with a sofa from Bob's Furniture.

I bought my sofas and chairs from Domain and waited 10 weeks for them. I thought that was the norm for nice stuff.

Thanks Rodney and Englishmum - I'm really excited!

I've decided against the Queen Mary as an option simply because of the cats. While it may make me feel better not to put them in the hold, I think that 7 days of stress would be much harder on them than 10 hours or so. I am absolutely dreading shipping them but it has to be done.

Rodney, we haven't yet bought tickets but if you knew my husband, you'd know this is now set in stone. Once he makes a plan, he's almost militaristic in sticking to it!

We're making our plan for the move tomorrow - we'll map out everything that has to be done and assign dates, and then we'll work our way through it. First thing - clear out the remaining books that we don't want to take with us.