12th February 2007

Anticipating the move!!!!

We are scheduled to take over the house on the 1st March.
Pam had arranged a quote from a local kitchen fitter who was able to do the woodwork side, but wouldn't touch the electrics or plumbing!!! He came on Friday to look at the job. I was surprised to see that he was at least ten years older than me...probably twenty (and I'm retired ). He was complaining of the stiffness of his joints as he mounted the stairs....but seemed to be quite confident about the job in hand.
Why do we have these pre-conceived notions about people....he has loads of experience doesn't he??? he must have must'nt he??and we've been told about ageism haven't we??? Providing I don't have to carry him up the stairs he will be fine!!!! It means that I will have to lift the units from the garage up to the ground floor myself .....Ok.....I'm no spring chicken but I can manage that and I'll have to do some plumbing at the end of his weeks work....but we'll go with him. The other guys I had asked to quote have still to come back to me!!!!

But the tilers have been here all week......they are quick and very accurate!!!!! See for yourself in the piccys.
We have the standard white small mosaic tiles everywhere in the bathrooms. For those of you who have spent some time in Germany you will recognise the style. Only in the cloakroom so we have something a little different.

Another lady stopped me today, a total stranger, as I left the house after sorting out the security fencing which had blown down in the wind.
'I was brought up in this road 'she said....'and I was just visiting an old friend'
'Its just fabulous' she exclaimed.......'where can I buy one'????
We discussed the merits of the Huf Haus for some time and she vowed to return and seek my advice on building something similar elsewhere in East Sussex......'I've just GOT to have something modern' she said, 'I've had it with traditional!!!!!' 'I just LOVE it'

I tried to set up the house insurance ready for when we take over.....this might be a problem!!!!
My previous insurance company stopped dead in their tracks when, in answer to a question about the construction.......'well, its concrete in the basement and timber frame and glass above' I explained. I remember saying....'but it does have a tiled roof'...trying desperately to distinguish my house from a very large greeenhouse!!!
There was a pause for a bit, then she asked if I could be put on hold while she spoke to the underwriter.
'Oh No we can't do anything like that' she said and cut me off quick, eager to get somebody else who she might be able to flog something to!!!
Zurich Insurance (personal services) would be able to quote, but I hesitated as they would also advise on 'wealth mangement'.....After this build exercise I do not have much wealth left......I'm trying some other agencies who were mentioned in the Huf Owners Club website.
The weather has been crap lately which means that Andy and Baz and Graham haven't returned to do the earthyworks....I'm hoping that things change soon otherwise we'll be stepping over piles of mud with our sofas when we move in.
And I still have to work out how to push the telephone cable under the house (albeit in a duct) to come out the other side.....I've tried twice so far and I'm reluctant to admit this to my wife who will no doubt come up with some blindingly obvious method that I haven't thought of yet.....help!!! Any ideas ....quick????