And relax .....

We finally did it!
Contracts exchanged today so it's all go for next week without having to worry about how to sell an empty house from 450 miles away. We would have found a way but this is so much easier.

The deal is done.
Realised that my problem with the last couple of weeks is that I had absolutely no control over what was happening (or not happening) Didn't like that at all.

So to celebrate we have booked a couple of nights in Perelandra, a lochside B&B on Skye - which means that we will get at least one day's walking in as well as meeting up with Mary and hopefully progress the purchase of the plot and the design of the house.   

Just the packing to finish off, a few places to visit in Devon to say a fond and final farewell to and it's off to pastures new. 

A final note of caution - you have to let an awful lot of people / organisations know that you are moving. A standard email / letter goes a long way to making this less painful but you will have to phone some of them, often through a call centre and repeat the same old security stuff again and again. Tonight, all of that seems worth it.

Looking to sell your house and follow your dream ???

 Some advice based on our recent experience.

1: Never, ever, believe what you are told by a) the purchaser; b) your estate agent; c) solicitors acting for your buyer

2: Your house is not sold until the deposit is in the bank - even then you could be on dodgy ground

3: No matter how flexible you are as a seller - yes we will wait all summer until you are ready to move / yes we can be flexible as far as completion dates go / yes you can visit and measure up etc etc -  don't expect any payback (karma) it just doesn't happen.

4: Get used to waiting around for all of those important calls and waiting then waiting some more.

5: Never lose sight of exactly why you are doing this!  It is so easy to get lost in the brain maze of who is supposed to be doing what, when.

6: Very early on, make a list of who needs to know you are moving. At least this will give you something to do while you are waiting - see 4 above.

7: Be prepared to prove your identity so many times that you can answer all of the questions in your sleep. (I am sick and tired of proving who I am and that I have the right to live / work in the UK)

8: Remember that you are not your agent's / solicitor's only client. Therefore you will only receive priority attention if you nag them just a bit and chase them relentlessly to do the job you are paying them to do.



Otherwise, all is going well!!

The removals lorry and men are booked, we are dismantling the house around us, B&B booked for the night of 5th October, made arrangements to meet with the chap from the lettings agency to get the keys to our rented house, all non essential stuff either recycled, given to charity or binned, last hair appointment made ( new hairdresser one of the important issues to be resolved) and change of address messages drafted ready to be sent.

On a more positive note - we will be spending a couple of days on Skye to see and stomp around on the plot, meet with Mary at Dualchas and discuss what we could build. (The purchase of the croft and house site is proceeding at Skye pace with a couple of issues remaining outstanding) We also have a week in the Lakes to look forward to in mid-October then a final few days of rest and relaxation before I  enter the world of work once again.


It's been an interesting experience and, compared to some, a relatively easy process I suppose. However, I am so pleased that we won't be doing it again for some time.


Exchange finally expected tomorrow with completion due on 7th October - everything crossed.
Very therapeutic writing this.

House hunting, not as simple as it might seem!

After a straightforward and trouble free journey to Scotland on Friday morning, we were early for our first viewing so I was able to visit the council and prove my ID and sign some documents before we headed into the countryside to start the business of deciding where we would be living for the next two years.
As an aside, probably not the way I would choose to spend my birthday, we were up at 06.15!,  but needs must.
So today we viewed four properties, two of which we wrote off pretty quickly, one of which we liked very much and the remaining one would have done for us but there was a dodgy approach lane!
We had booked into a B&B close to Stirling - this turned out to be part of a small estate complete with animals, huge grounds and situated down a very long drive so nice and quiet. A large bedroom and separate bathroom both of which were comfortable and well kitted out. West Plean House is part of "Stay on a Farm" B&Bs and we would choose one of these again based on our experience here.
Gary suggested a supermarket cafe for dinner (I think he was having a laugh) but we ended up eating in Cabes, a lovely shack with excellent food in Stirling.
Slept reasonably well but both brains on overdrive with details of houses. Decided we both liked the first property we saw - a steading in Saline.
Breakfast on Saturday morning could be described as Farmhouse and was really good. Many of our previous B&Bs could learn from this one. Quality food, no limit on juice, coffee, toast etc and a good choice of cooked breakfast if required.
Four more houses to view today - again one written off quite quickly, one no show and two possibilities. Much thinking to do. Both of us agreed that the first and last properties we had viewed were our favourites. Which one to go for?
After much discussion it was the steading from Friday. Decision made.
After another fine breakfast on Sunday morning, the long drive home was waiting for us.
As it turned out, not a bad day to travel. Made it home in under 7 hours including stops. A cloudburst at Bristol slowing us up on the last leg.
Monday morning and most of the day was spent on the phone to various agencies, landlords etc; the steading was ours if we could fill in ten pages worth of forms, prove our IDs, prove I would be working etc etc. Many hours later the forms were sent by email, the deposit was sent by bank transfer and we could cross that one off the list. Oh and at the same time the washing was on so Gary spent his birthday unpacking, washing, drying and generally having fun.
Another decision made - birthdays celebrations would be deferred this year to a date not too far in the future when we could actually take time out to enjoy ourselves.
(as if we haven't been doing just that all summer)
So to bed thinking that at least we had sorted out our accommodation, just the exchange of contracts (due on Tuesday) and the removals firm to confirm.


If only ..... a call this morning from the letting agents to confirm all info received as needed but and it's a big BUT - the property owner had just received an offer from a purchaser who wants to buy the steading. *!$** and many other phrases were uttered when I could manage to speak that is. Oh dear and we had happily told all other property owners and agencies that we were sorted. And then there was the matter of money exchanging hands. 
Several quick phone calls later (and a bit of sweet talking from Gary) and we had agreed that we did want to rent our second choice of property. At least it was still available. Liz, the owner was happy to proceed with us as tenants. A very efficient lady called Kate sorted out the details and we filled out all of the forms again. Money to be transferred tomorrow - let's hope the other agency return the cash as quickly as they took it.

So, a quick re-group and we end the day once again looking forward to living in Clackmannanshire. This time within 1.5 miles of my place of work so I can be truly "green" and walk or cycle to work. Must check out the shower facilities first though!

Mentally exhausted, brains stuffed full of stuff whizzing around, signing off for now.
Hopefully no more drama for the next couple of weeks - at least we have booked the Wotton boys to pack for us as well as to move all of our stuff. 

The Lakes - side Blog 9.9.11 - 16.9.11

As promised, the Lakes Blog - not quite as many photos as there might have been due to the rain and the tail end of Hurricane Katia. 
And before you wonder if I stayed up all night blogging to get this published - not a chance - I was scribing each day on a word document then copied and pasted.

Diary of a week in the Lake District

Friday / Saturday 9 and 10 September

Arrived in a break between the heavy showers to “check in” to our accommodation for the next week. House very nice but we have had to bring our own towels and pay for the power / gas / logs we use. Previously been spoilt by all inclusive holiday lets.

Hint to holiday property owners – just add £50 to the rental cost; we would never know and you would more than cover your costs and we would all be happy with no fiddling around reading meters and feeling just a little resentful. Also no internet access at the house could be viewed as a good thing by some but we like to have the option to connect. There are plenty of wifi spots in Grasmere if we need them and the phone picks up an intermittent signal so we can access emails and the web on that.

So this week is a week to relax before heading to Scotland to find somewhere to live close to Alloa.

Had a very nice first evening meal testing most of the equipment in the kitchen here – all satisfactory.

A relatively early night and a long and comfortable sleep. The house is down a quiet lane with no street lights, the sound of silence and complete darkness outside. Something most of us just don’t experience any more.

Saturday morning woke to heavy rain but the MWIS forecast this easing to leave drier periods with heavy rain showers. Had planned several options from the door of the cottage depending on the reality when we were ready to leave. A late start but the rain had stopped.

Decided to try a route via Alcock Tarn that would give us a turnback option if the weather came in again. Set off past Dove Cottage (plenty of tourists crowding in and we counted two coaches in the parking area) and up the hill to a point where most of the other walkers carried on with the “Coffin Route” to Rydal. Our route was steeply uphill through woods then onto open hillside. Here the first heavy shower hit us so waterproofs on and carry on upwards. Periods of no rain and sudden views interspersed with the promised heavy showers continued until we reached the tarn in the middle of one of the showers. Watched as a large group of very wet walkers tried (and failed) to find some shelter behind a stone wall for their lunch break. 

At this height (approx. 380 metres) the promised buffeting from the wind also made itself known.

Decision made, we could just about see the ridge that we could have aimed for but it would only be wetter, windier and colder up there so we took the route back down to Grasmere. We did manage to find a suitable bench (of the leg swinging type) and a break in the weather for our lunch but the rain was back with a vengeance by the time coffee was poured. Passed several people sheltering in ferns and under trees as we made our way back to the village.

As we were eating lunch we were passed by a small group wearing t-shirts, jeans and carrying golf umbrellas – can’t quite imagine where they thought they were going when they set out.

I also had to pick a small leech, presumably seeking a meal, off my trousers and the forest had a good number of flying ants to contend with.

Back to the cottage where we started the drying off process and thought about a quick trip into Grasmere (walking) but more heavy rain deterred us.

The forecast for tomorrow is more of the same with the winds increasing and a storm for Monday. Looks like low level walking for at least a couple of days. Perhaps some shopping….. and lunches out??

Sunday / Monday 11 & 12 September

Sunday dawned wet and windy so a decision was made to wait out the morning, have a long read and a drawn out breakfast and see how the weather was. Answer – still wet and windy. A quick trip to Ambleside where Gary found and bought his new coat (all research done before we travelled) No let up in the weather so a short walk from the door was decided on and we headed up through the village towards the Easedale Road. Two options – Easedale Tarn or the “Lion and the Lamb” AKA Helm Crag.

We reached the point where the two routes diverged. Neither of us could see any pleasure in climbing over 1,000 ft in driving rain so we headed down the track to Easedale. The path had deteriorated into a small river in places, especially where the new path had been laid. Undeterred we carried on and could hear the roar of Sour Milk Gill from a distance. We had now been out for just over an hour – I was soaked and Gary had given the new coat a good testing. If he had zipped up the pockets we think it would have passed!

Took a quick look at the waterfall then turned it round and headed for home.

The amount of water raging down the hill and into the river was immense; fields, paths all flooded.

We made our way back to the house where it was a marathon drying session for clothes and people. This ritual was to become a bit of a feature of this trip.

Almost as we arrived back at the house, Jacqueline called to say that they (her and Ian) were parked up in the layby at Grasmere so we issued directions and they arrived to spend a couple of nights.

We went out for a very nice meal at the Swan Inn – after making short shrift of the bottle of champagne they had brought with them for a toast to the future. We walked out between showers but got caught in more heavy rain as we reached the pub and on the way back.

Monday brought the delights of the tail end of Hurricane Katia – thanks for the storm force winds -although it did remain dry for much of the day. However only a fool would have ventured higher than 20 ft up a hill so we visited the Bowder Stone in Borrowdale, dodging the large branches blown off trees then drove over to Ullswater where we took a look at Aira Force which was indeed travelling down the hill at some force. No sun to add rainbows but the amount of water, spray and the noise was stunning. Managed a couple of photos including one of Ian and Jacqueline at the top bridge.

Aira Force

Bowder Stone in windy conditions

After a nice afternoon tea at the café it was home for dinner and a cosy night in. A large branch had fallen and blocked the A595 close to Ambleside but the lone policeman was directing traffic around it just fine.

Tuesday 13^th

Although not as windy, the forecast was for winds gusting to 50mph so low level walking once again. Ian and Jacqueline headed for home and we headed for the coffin route to Rydal. This is a relatively low level route from Grasmere to Rydal, We then picked up the Loughrigg terrace path back to Grasmere. There were many people out walking this route and others around the two lakes. More umbrellas in evidence – several blown inside out.  We visited the cave at Rydal which was completely flooded although the stepping stones were just about useable. Headed on back to Grasmere dodging the showers as we went. A very nice circular walk but not too challenging.

Having managed to download the mountain weather forecast on my mobile, we decided to go for the Crinkle Crags circuit tomorrow as the showers would be brief and there could even be some sunshine.

Wednesday 14 September

After hearing the heavy rain in the night we looked out of the window in trepidation this morning but the clouds were clearing and the wind had dropped. So it was up and off to the Langdale valley. The Crinkle Crags is a challenging round with very steep ascent and descents and a high point of over 2,700 ft. We have, in the past, badly misjudged the route across the tops and ended up in the wrong valley leaving us to re-ascend to the top to go back down again. Only if the weather looks good then and the clouds are high giving us good visibility. Famous last words.

On arrival at the Old Dungeon Hotel car park we decided to wait for the heavy shower to pass before setting out. Gave helpful directions to a couple of Americans walking the Cumbria Way and looking for the path to Stake Pass. The start of this walk is along an interminable farm road before reaching the valley floor and the start of the uphill bit. Crossed the river on a footbridge – I have only ever seen this river as a trickle with easy route across over boulders scattered in the river bed. Not today – it was like a Himalayan river with snow melt, rushing down to flood the valley and fields. So we started the uphill heave which was not as bad as I remembered it. Perhaps all of those hills around Sidmouth were paying dividends? Rain blew across the valley but we were in brilliant sunshine – result? A vivid rainbow then a second fainter rainbow. A brief photo opportunity then. 

Sunshine and showers and rainbows

We were following a watercourse, the outlet from a high tarn. As we progressed upwards, this became very lively indeed. A thought struck me – at some point we would have to cross this raging torrent. Later.

Just as we crested the ridge the rain returned with a vengeance but we were already committed so carried on.  

The outlet from the tarn did have stepping stones, about 12” under water plus the water was rushing down the hill. Back downstream where we bravely jumped across from bank to bank. A little soggy under foot but not too bad.

The second part of the climb; not too steep but relentlessly upwards all the same. By this time we were leap frogging with three other groups of walkers. Decided to stop while it was relatively dry and eat lunch number one. Enjoyed in the dry with a view – one of the last we would have!

Carried on upwards until we reached the first Crinkle – a scramble required to make the top then over and down into a gully from where we could see the obstacle known as the “bad step” This is a huge rock face that must be climbed to reach the second top. It had now started to rain again and the wind was howling around the rocks. Luckily we happened to know how to find the bypass path which although steep does not threaten to send you back to the valley very quickly. Off we went and reached the second top.

Hatches were being battened at this point as the rain turned into a downpour – too late for the waterproof trousers so we relied on our lightweight trousers to dry out quickly when the sun returned. Such optimism, no sight of the sun and no let up in the rain until we were back on the farm road at the bottom of the hill.

The last three tops (there are five Crinkles) passed in a blur of rock, cloud cover, water, boggy bits, steep drops and a couple of slips (me). Eventually we reached the three tarns and turned right to head back down. Amazingly, we met several people heading UP the hill in these conditions.

By now we had wet legs (both) wet feet (me) and water was wicking up my sleeves. Decided we could wait until we reached the car for food and drink, thankful for number one lunch giving us the energy boost needed.

So eventually back to the car, six hours after we had left it. Our leap frogging friends also made it back around the same time as us. Coffee and food in the car in clean dry clothes that were waiting for us.

Feet tired this evening and a few muscle grumbles but tomorrow is forecast to be the best day of the week so we are heading for Hellvelyn from Thirlmere. There might even be some photos but I’ll wait to see it with my own eyes rather than believe the forecast.

Thursday 15 September

Raining again as we turned in for the night but this morning it was another world – blue skies, a slight breath of wind and brilliant sunshine – and a little cool.

Early breakfast and we were packed and off. Drove to the layby where you DON’T have to pay £6.50 to park for the day, found a space – there were plenty to choose from that early – and set off. We had decided to add some miles by heading east before going up. We know that this side of Helvellyn was very very steep so were mentally prepared for the challenge to come. Unfortunately the path we had seen on the map and plotted on the GPS, despite being a large line on the map didn’t exist in reality so we walked rather further than planned and headed up and up and up Sticks Pass.

Looking back down the path with Skiddaw in the background

This eventually took us up to the meeting point of many paths on the broad ridge approaching the Helvellyn range. Helvellyn could be seen in the distance looking high and brooding. There was a magnificent view of Striding Edge complete with ant like figures walking the ridge.

Striding Edge in the distance with Swirral Edge closer to the camera. Both quite challenging and both with queues of people today.

After climbing Helvellyn Little Man (a misnomer as this was far steeper than anything else so far) we continued along the relatively flat edge of  Helvellyn itself and to the trig point. Many other people had decided to climb the mountain today so it was a bit like a convention on the summit.

Swirral Edge from our summit lunch spot. The coloured dots are people climbing up.

We had lunch with our feet dangling over the steep drop to Red Tarn, enjoyed the sun and then took the direct route back to the car. The knees were feeling it by the time we hit the bottom of the path.

All in all, a glorious end to our week in the Lakes.
Oh and when we read the meters we owed a grand total of £12.66 for the week.  Not bad for all of that drying out. £50 on the rental would have had it covered easily.

Packed and ready for an early start tomorrow as we head north to find somewhere to live.  

Playing the waiting game .....

Waiting


1: For the moment when we actually exchange contracts on the house in Devon - everything is in order with our paperwork signed and at the solicitors; the buyers paperwork is in the post; cash transfer being arranged. (Completion is already agreed as 14th October)


2: To head to the Lakes for some walking, good food and drink and hopefully some good weather - well we can hope on the last one. (Pics and blog to follow) 

3: To find out where we are actually going to live when we move to Scotland. Short list is now running at 7 or 8 houses with viewings arranged over the 16th / 17th September. 

4: To hear that the sale of the croft and house site to be finalised. Our Scottish solicitor is chasing the very slow formal written response from the vendor.

5: To go back to Skye and meet up with Mary so that we can start the design process. So far all that we have is an option for drains - a very good start but we do need more!  Planning to do that during w/c 10 October - after we have moved house and before we head to the lakes for a second week with Jacqueline and Ian and before I start my new job. Simples!


In the meantime we enjoyed my niece Charlotte's wedding to Richard last Friday. A day of blue skies, a beautiful bride, friends and family, good food all in a lovely setting at the China Fleet Club in Saltash. Marie played the perfect mother of the bride and John gave a wonderful speech.
We all looked fantastic and scrubbed up well.

Charlotte & Richard 2.9.11

Proud mother and daughter

Have spent the last couple of weeks throwing out the rubbish from every conceivable corner of the house; packing up the stuff we don't use every day; dismantling shelves etc and enjoying the odd walking day.  Good walks from Beer to Branscombe including the 99 steps and also a Sidmouth circuit where we tested our vastly improved lungs by going steeply up through the woods then doing Soldiers Hill on the same walk. 

So, things are looking good at the moment - what a difference a year makes! 
It was this time last year that the rumblings about project cancellation and redundancies started.
I could never have imagined how things would work out - every cloud and all that.


Look out for some gorgeous photos and the walking diaries from the Lakes next week - weather permitting.