Catching up... again...
May. 29th, 2014 08:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
londonronnieSo, what's been happening over the past month or so? Ummm, well...
Our plans for moving took a step nearer fruition when we had a couple of estate agents around to value the house. They both said that they thought the house would sell pretty quickly as this area is so popular. It's traditionally been a student area as it's so near to the city's two universities and the college, and most of the larger houses like ours have been split to provide multiple occupation. It's something that we didn't really want to happen to our house, although obviously if we received a good offer we'd have to let our heads rule our hearts, but apparently this isn't happening so much now. There has been so much student accommodation built in recent years that more families are now occupying the larger houses, and both estate agents thought that ours would be snapped up. We've also got the advantage of having so many of the original Victorian features remaining in the house - fireplaces, decorative plasterwork etc - which make the house attractive to buyers.
So, we explained that we wouldn't actually be putting the house on the market for a few months yet as we've got a few little jobs to do first, just cosmetic things really to tart the place up a bit, and we thought maybe we'd be ready around September/October time. Over the next few weeks we set to with our jobs and started getting rid of more gear via charity shops, Ebay, Amazon etc, as well as having the odd day out to have a bit of a recce in places where we thought we might like to move to (somewhere in North Northumberland's looking favourite...).
But then our plans hit a bit of a bump when our daughter G was advised that she needed to have a fairly major stomach operation which would leave her incapacitated for a couple of months. Obviously our son-in-law wouldn't be able to take that much time off work to look after her so it was clear that we would need to be within close proximity to help her out. The operation (if, in fact, she does decide to go ahead with it - she's still thinking it over at the moment) will probably take place in early October, so that means that we've needed to rethink our timetable as far as moving house goes. We've now decided to postpone it until Spring next year, which at least gives us plenty of time for all the jobs and for getting rid of more gear.
Been doing a bit of gadding about recently too - I went with my two daughters to see War Horse at the Sunderland Empire earlier this month. Wow, it was fantastic, the puppetry was incredible. Amazingly after about five minutes the fact that the horses were puppets was completely forgotten, even though you could see the puppeteers quite plainly. It was a very moving story and beautifully acted. I loved it.
And then, a week later, I was off to Milton Keynes for WINK! It was a brilliant weekend with loads of laughs, and it was great to see old friends and meet new ones! The icing on the cake was the visit of our special guest, the lovely Mr Colin Wells (aka Sam Curtis of The New Professionals). What a sweetie he is, a really lovely bloke, and we had a whale of a time with him. He was with us for well over two hours, answering questions, talking about all sorts of things to do with acting, New Pros, the charity he supports (The Lily Foundation), and just generally chatting. He then posed for photos and signed autographs for as long as we wanted him to before we reluctantly allowed him to leave. I have to admit that although I'd watched New Pros I was a bit ambivalent about it, but after meeting Colin I'm a convert! And here's one of the reasons why -
Tuesday was a tough day, Lew's 68th birthday and the six month anniversary of his passing. We had many lovely messages sent to us at the LC Fansite and a wonderful response from Lew's wife Michelle and the boys. It's not the first time that Michelle has taken time out to send her thanks to Lew's fans at what must be such a difficult time for her. Lew definitely picked a good one there.
Off on my holidays on Saturday! We're spending a couple of days just outside Worcester (hoping to explore the Malvern Hills a little bit!), then we're off to Somerset for four days and finishing up with four days in London. Can't wait! Pics to follow!
Our plans for moving took a step nearer fruition when we had a couple of estate agents around to value the house. They both said that they thought the house would sell pretty quickly as this area is so popular. It's traditionally been a student area as it's so near to the city's two universities and the college, and most of the larger houses like ours have been split to provide multiple occupation. It's something that we didn't really want to happen to our house, although obviously if we received a good offer we'd have to let our heads rule our hearts, but apparently this isn't happening so much now. There has been so much student accommodation built in recent years that more families are now occupying the larger houses, and both estate agents thought that ours would be snapped up. We've also got the advantage of having so many of the original Victorian features remaining in the house - fireplaces, decorative plasterwork etc - which make the house attractive to buyers.
So, we explained that we wouldn't actually be putting the house on the market for a few months yet as we've got a few little jobs to do first, just cosmetic things really to tart the place up a bit, and we thought maybe we'd be ready around September/October time. Over the next few weeks we set to with our jobs and started getting rid of more gear via charity shops, Ebay, Amazon etc, as well as having the odd day out to have a bit of a recce in places where we thought we might like to move to (somewhere in North Northumberland's looking favourite...).
But then our plans hit a bit of a bump when our daughter G was advised that she needed to have a fairly major stomach operation which would leave her incapacitated for a couple of months. Obviously our son-in-law wouldn't be able to take that much time off work to look after her so it was clear that we would need to be within close proximity to help her out. The operation (if, in fact, she does decide to go ahead with it - she's still thinking it over at the moment) will probably take place in early October, so that means that we've needed to rethink our timetable as far as moving house goes. We've now decided to postpone it until Spring next year, which at least gives us plenty of time for all the jobs and for getting rid of more gear.
Been doing a bit of gadding about recently too - I went with my two daughters to see War Horse at the Sunderland Empire earlier this month. Wow, it was fantastic, the puppetry was incredible. Amazingly after about five minutes the fact that the horses were puppets was completely forgotten, even though you could see the puppeteers quite plainly. It was a very moving story and beautifully acted. I loved it.
And then, a week later, I was off to Milton Keynes for WINK! It was a brilliant weekend with loads of laughs, and it was great to see old friends and meet new ones! The icing on the cake was the visit of our special guest, the lovely Mr Colin Wells (aka Sam Curtis of The New Professionals). What a sweetie he is, a really lovely bloke, and we had a whale of a time with him. He was with us for well over two hours, answering questions, talking about all sorts of things to do with acting, New Pros, the charity he supports (The Lily Foundation), and just generally chatting. He then posed for photos and signed autographs for as long as we wanted him to before we reluctantly allowed him to leave. I have to admit that although I'd watched New Pros I was a bit ambivalent about it, but after meeting Colin I'm a convert! And here's one of the reasons why -
Tuesday was a tough day, Lew's 68th birthday and the six month anniversary of his passing. We had many lovely messages sent to us at the LC Fansite and a wonderful response from Lew's wife Michelle and the boys. It's not the first time that Michelle has taken time out to send her thanks to Lew's fans at what must be such a difficult time for her. Lew definitely picked a good one there.
Off on my holidays on Saturday! We're spending a couple of days just outside Worcester (hoping to explore the Malvern Hills a little bit!), then we're off to Somerset for four days and finishing up with four days in London. Can't wait! Pics to follow!
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no subject
Date: 2014-05-29 08:53 pm (UTC)Ah, Sunderland Empire, amazing place. I would love to see War Horse; it's on my ever-expanding Things To See list.
Holidays! Yay! Enjoy them! Enjoy, and return refreshed!
no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 07:50 pm (UTC)Do go to see War Horse if you get the chance, I'm sure you'll love it. Must admit it does rankle to see something like that at the Empire though, we always get the National Theatre tours at the Theatre Royal! I can only assume that the size of the stage at the Empire swung it *g*
All set for the hols now, thanks - and I meant to say, sorry that we won't be able to fit in a get-together this time! We're only actually in Somerset for three whole days, one of which is going to be spent visiting family in Devon, so I'm afraid we've been scuppered by lack of time. Let me know next time you're in the frozen north though!
no subject
Date: 2014-05-29 08:59 pm (UTC)War Horse and WinK sound great fun! And moving house... I hope all goes well! I shall look forward to the pics of your holidays as well - I love other people's holidays *g*
no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 07:51 pm (UTC)There will be plenty of holiday pics, don't worry! *g*
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Date: 2014-05-30 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 07:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 05:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 07:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 09:19 am (UTC)Sorry to hear about G's possible operation :-( Good wishes to her if she does decide to go ahead with it.
Have a lovely holiday.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 07:56 pm (UTC)Thanks for the good wishes for G, hopefully things will turn out well.
All set for the hols now - you really started something when you sent me that Exmoor video to copy, didn't you? Our tenth year of holidaying down there now... *g*
no subject
Date: 2014-05-31 12:20 pm (UTC)I am instead a devotee of Kirsty & Phil (Location, Location, Location).
I really do hope so.
Oh, good. Of course I remember that - golly, I did indeed, did I not? Where have those ten years gone?
no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 09:42 am (UTC)It sounds like you're well set up to make a good sale. Hope it all goes well when the time comes. ..You've obviously done it the right way, with lots of preparation and research.
I hope things go well for your daughter, which ever path she chooses. She's lucky to have a supportive family ready to help out.
Oh I remember ML Mead mentioning War Horse. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Glad to see you had a lovely time at WINK (and made a new friend). :D
Happy holidays!
no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 07:58 pm (UTC)Thanks for the good wishes. Holidays here we come!!
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Date: 2014-05-30 12:09 pm (UTC)And I hope everything works out well for your daughter's op and your decision to move at a later date.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-30 08:00 pm (UTC)Thanks for the good wishes!!
no subject
Date: 2014-05-31 01:40 pm (UTC)Sounds like you'll have no problems selling your house when the time comes, and doesn't it feel great to have a good clear out of stuff!
Enjoy your hols!
no subject
Date: 2014-06-02 11:17 am (UTC)