Weak Two

 

Here we are at the end of the second week of the tri-training, and I cannot say I am any more confident! Been out running and swimming and cycling again this week and things are not currently getting much easier, but I suppose that is to be expected.

Went for a 9:30 swim on Tues, so started work at 6:30, got there and it was full of wrinklies again, luckily I kept to the edge and no one seemed bothered, quite a few of them seem to like to just stand in the pool chatting and then nip into the jaccuzzi on occasion  Only one shower working this week, so I waited whilst one bloke can out, then quickly ran in trying desperately not to glance at any white skin, I showered quickly, and it seemed like the guy from the shower was just waiting outside the cubicle, so I showered a little longer, still there, then longer again – in the end I just had to come out I couldn’t understand what he wanted, only to realise as I came out it was actually another codger shivering in his budgie smugglers waiting to get in the shower.

Couple of early runs this week, both normal three mile route passed Undy Football Club, both times dark, one time wet both times knackering. Seem to be running a 28 minute time for the three mile at the moment which is not great, but it is early in the training.

Had a 17 mile cycle again, bought a new seat this week, a charge something, not sure if its better than the stock seat, but it is red – and that matters. Really tiring again on the cycle, well at least the first few miles, I was stopping a truck overtaking in the first few miles so really had to work hard to gain 1`5 miles an hour up a hill, so was pooped from the start – but after five miles or so we get into a routine. Am currently looking at the possibility of getting new wheels, sometimes the interweb says it is the best thing you can do, other times it says you would be better off being fitter and getting new bar tape – who’d’ya trust these days, way too much information.

Bec’s birthday yesterday, so had a few extra beers, and the rugby was on – Wlaes lost to Ireland, so eat a load of crisps, also had a curry in the night, and we are off out to the Old Barn tonight so diet not brill, was 13:2 this morning, so amn actually getting fatter even with all this “training”.

Final session for the week, was not in the pool – as I am in Ipswich next week and may get some sessions in (and I couldn’t be arsed to get up and wet so early this morning) so did a “brick” session instead. This involved doing a cycle, then a run – sounds like a piece of cake – it wasn’t.

Only did a 7 mile cycle around Redwick, 22 mins (ish), which was hard going on the way thanks to the wind, but not too shabby on the way back. Got to the house and put my running shoes on and set off immediately. I had taken the precaution of wearing my TRISUIT today – once I managed to pour my big gut into it, so was ready for anything. Well, what I wasn’t ready for, was what they call in the tri trade “Jelly Legs” – I had read about it, but when it happens its a little odd – Its a bit like when your arm goes to sleep and you try to do something with it and it feels like it belongs to someone else, but with your legs, as you are trying to jog down your street, it full view, looking sozzled.

It took me a good half a mile before I felt anything like normal, I couldn’t breath and my legs were gone – but after that it got a little easier, although easier is a relative word. I also got sharp pains in the muscle in the front of my leg – hope that eases, or I might have to do some stretches in transition. 18 mins run so a 40 min session – it was quite tough.

 

Run: 2 x 3 miles: 27/28 minute pace

Swim: 2 x 35 mins – max 6 lengths in one go

Cycle: One 17 mile in sometime over an hour

Brick: 7 mile cycle, 2 mile run: 40 mins

Pints: 13 and counting ;o)

 

Biking today.

First day back on the bike so pumping tires and searching for gloves.

Set off about 8:30 and decided to cycle down to Nash. First 10 minutes was a piece of cake, but then it started to get a little bit more dificult. On the way out it almost seemed like i was cycling uphill, which isn’t the case, managed to get around and on the way back it did seem to get easier, so did 17 miles, which isn’t bad for the first attempt, but it took over an hour.

Got back and by legs were like jelly, really will have to practice cycle then run straight away. I have to say, and i know its only early, but i am feeling a little worried ;o)

Training this week:

Run, 3 times 3 miles – 28 minute runs
Cycle, 17 miles – 1 hr
Swim, 3 times (80mins)  max lengths in one go – 4

Pints – 10, Stella

Brockwier

Off to Brockwier today. We had been meaning to go here for ages, but mostly end up going to Tintern. A walk had been described in the times last weekend, so thought we may as well do it. Arrived into the brockwier inn car park around 11, expecting a 6 mile, 3hour walk and expected to be back in the inn for a late lunch.

Following the instructions from the paper we started well, opposite the inn, follow the road to orchard cottage, then up the restricted byway and up, up in the mud. Been walking uphill for about 20mins now, so I figured it was about time I passed a  snowball to Kate, it went down her back – she wasn’t delighted.
About now things went wrong, the write up said that we would get to a t junction, go left young man it said then follow the offas dyke trail. No darts, couldn’t find this track so wandered up the wet boggy track. We have never been able to find offas trail, ever, never – perhaps it doesn’t exist.

The trail turned into a stream so we decided to cross some fields and see if there was a road way. As we crossed the field we realised it was sort of like someone’s garden, but luckily no nasty farmer shouted. We hopped a hedge and found ourselves on a road a little lost, we decided to head back to brockwier, but bumped in to the farmer who looked at us with a little bit of disdain as we said we were lost and had no map. Anyway, he said we probably went wrong when we crossed his field!
He pointed us in the right direction and we headed off. Not to Offas but down the ramblers path to the river. So the walk wasn’t quite 6 miles and we got ourselves back the pub by about 12:30 after spending some time trying to hit a stationary wife with snowballs, and wading through more mud.

Back into the pub and a pint, cheesy chips a fish finger buttie for me and a tuna sarnie for Sian, great filling food, and 18 quid for the lot.

Might have to examine the route in more detail if we are to return.

Swimming is not fun.

So, went for the first swimming session today, with my new gym membership. It’s all icy still, but nipped down for an early lunch just before 10 – have not been looking forward to it much – but luckily when i got there it seemed as if there was no one there. So got scanned and got my towel and followed someone through the door…

Tried to juggle all my stuff around, what do i do first? Pick a locker, put my bag down, take my shoes off? Anyway, after much faffing I got into my shorts, got my gogs and ear plugs and jumped into the shower. Once I had finished I realise whilst walking back into the not completely empty changing room I still had my spectacles on. Like an idiot I had a shower with my glasses on – way too nervous..

So finally got in the pool, and a couple of wrinklies had materialized  but there was plenty of room. Gogs and ears in I started the stopwatch, took a deep breath and started my 1500m..

50 seconds and two lengths later I came to the surface spluttering and coughing – I was totally knackered. I cannot believe it was so bloody hard. I deliberately swam in a “proper” way head down, breathe out, turn breathe, cough, splutter, no oxygen, water up nose and could not believe how much out of breath I was…

So spent another 20mins going up and down slowly trying out this new swimming style. So after 25 mins I gave up and braved the changing rooms and the wet – dry dance of the cold bare swimmer.

Next swim Thursday, can barely wait.

Snowy Magor

 

Didn’t go anywhere this weekend as we had a load of snow, so we made the most of sitting in the warm. But, on Sunday, we decided to take a walk down Magor Marsh to trample through the snow. And get a beer! ;o)

 

Set off around 11:00, as we had someone come and pick up a table we have sold before that – the day was grey, slightly chilly and some dusting of snow. Set off around the corner and walked down to the tracks, there wasn’t too much snow about, and we mostly stomped into the puddles breaking the slight amount of ice. We got to the first field and it was slightly muddy under the snow and ice, me and Kate didn’t care as we had the wellies on, but Sian had to take things more carefully.

We had a bit of a snowball fight, and somehow Kate landed in the snow, we saw some very grey swans but we had a mission in mind so set off for the pub. Not sure why we didn’t have any lunch, but had a beer or four. Service was crap. It does blow a little hot and cold there to be honest.

The back for the footie and another four pack. Not sure how good an impression we are making to the children, case in point was Tom, who nipped out for a little bit on Sat night then sent his monther an email at midnight which read “I may be home late. I accidently got very drunk.” Well done!

 

 

So it begins – again

 

First week back into “training” this week. Went out on Sunday, Tues and Thurs – just taking the old short course of just 2.5 miles taking around 23 mins, which is not too fast. But at least it means I am back out on the road, in the early chill and getting back to business.

Took some time to arrange a membership of living well this week also, after some mucking around I finally agreed on a price of £180 for the minimum of six months. They wanted me to sign up for a year, but they were not about to turn down the cash!. Managed to get a 9 pound a month discount thanks to the boys being employed in the Hilton Hampton, so £30 a month peak time user.

My problem is when to go when it will be quiet, looks like Tues and Thurs are best days, so need to reschedule meetings in work to make sure I can get down at the right times. I went there just after two, and there were a load of wrinklies in the pool and multiple people using the gym. One of them, who was particularly ripped took a casual glance at me, probably feeling sorry for me. But then he did the same later on, made me a little self conscious – although I think he might be one of our postmen, so he may be thinking where have I seen him before – otherwise I shall be careful…

Gog’s came yesterday and seem pretty good, although my eyes are so bulbous they touch the inside of the glass, which isn’t great. But we’ll give them a go and see. Final piece of the puzzle is the ear plugs which have taken a while to get here, hopefully will be able to get down there next Tues.

So to start:

13st 2lbs

I shall Tri

I said I was going to do a Triathlon this year. A baby one, which they do in Pembrokeshire. Well – I am not. Instead I am doing a real, full fat one, at Broad Haven beach, June 29th.

http://www.pembrokeshire-tri.org.uk/pct.htm

I am scared. I cannot swim and I will have to do 1.5 Kilometers, and my knees hurt.

So its 1500m swim, in the sea – 43K cycle around lumpy Broad Haven and a final 10K run. Gosh.

Crickhowell

Saw Crickhowell mentioned in the Times yesterday, and although we have driven passed it many times we have never stopped – to be honest I didn’t think there was much there…

There wasn’t.

Only just over half an hour away, we are really spoilt for nice towns to visit, and we arrived on a crisp Sunday morning with a temperature hovering around zero. Took the most roundabout route to the car park, and had to pay, even on a Sunday;. Arrived at 10:30, which was about 3 months too early to be honest. Had a little walk down one of the streets, and as it was so chilly and nothing was open we nipped into No. 18 for an overpriced coffee, hot chocolate and a tea. With hindsight I should have had some brekkie. Drinks were fine, chair was wobbly and the place was doing a decent  (fair) trade.

 

Once warmed we walked round the outskirts of the town down to the bridge and had a quick game of pooh sticks, but for some reason none of our sticks seemed to appear on the other side – perhaps it was a magic bridge? Once sated, we walked up around the other side of the town and into the center, when we arrived we realised that the center, and side streets and shopping arcade are all just all one little street. With four shops on, and a bank with no cashpoint.

After about 40 seconds of browsing the high street, we walked over to the castle. Which is were we found a cashpoint – woop. The castle was a pile of bricks, but there was a mound just next to it, which we scaled. Then on the other side we spied a park, so Kate took off down the side of the mound, I stayed on the path – my knees groan just looking at a drop higher than a curb these days. We had a play on the round-a-bout, the see-saw and some climbing stuff, then it was time to head back to the Tourist Information Depot. They had a gallery there, with paintings from local artists – selling from £70 to £900 and they were shit. (mostly). Some had a little charm about them, but they mostly looked like a baby had painted them – art is stupid.

Once our inner artist had been cheered, off we went – home.

Probably better when the four shops are open, and you can take some time to have a pint. Its nice, quite pretty and has some nice walks around, but today, early and in the cold – not so good. Perhaps we’ll try again.

Hay-on-Wye

 

Its the New Year, another year – so started early with the visits this year – first up Hay-on-Wye.

Have been meaning to go to Hay for ages now, and have never got around to it before. Its only about 50 miles from us, but the roads are not great, but anyway it took around and hour and a quarter to get up there with some idiots on the roads.

Not a great day, and it did look like rain at one point, but it held off, and although a little cold it was pretty okay all day. As you get into Hay there is obvious parking, and after coughing up a couple of quid for four hours we headed up to the first shop. This was a crystal and candle shop Kate loved it, I didn’t, the Candle Cave just stank.

Across the road and the first mention of a book shop. Down a little alley and into Hay proper. Hay itself is not very big, a few roads and a little center which holds the Thursday market, you can walk around the lot in an hour, but what it does have is quite a few book shops. We went in some.

First stop though was a cuppa in the Cafe. We got ourselves a table and I went to the counter to queue – they were slow, then after ages I released I was queuing at the wrong end of the counter. So after getting myself more in tune with the vibe I got us some stuff. After stuff we headed out into the town for a look around. We spend quite a lot of it either in “Antique” shops or book shops. Although Antique shops is really just a grand title for bric-a-brac crap store. One book shop was so big it even had a toilet – I felt abliged to buy a book or two just because it was so big, even though they didn’t stock anything I wanted.

Almost lunch time, so we had a look round for the right place to eat, and picked the wrong one. We went to Oscars which was okay, but really just okay, Panini was okay, it should have had nice crisps and some red onion with the tuna, and the jacket potato had garlic butter which was odd.

We noticed that Hay has a downer on Kindles, one sign even suggested that Hay should “ban them” – fools.

The bookshops tended to have an underlying arrogance to them, especially the ‘keepers – but when you think about it, they need to get off their high and mighty steps and realise that actually they are perpetuating a system and commercial activity which goes out of its way to prevent authors from getting money for the books they have written. The second hand book market only lines the pockets of the booksellers themselves.

 

Give me a kindle any day – second hand book sellers – boo.

 

Hay is quite nice though, would be good to stay over and sample the pubs, we were going to – but they obviously have a specific tariff because even the day before, at the beginning of January the tariff was generally £135 a night for the three of us, even tough I am pretty sure they would not have filled the rooms at such a last minute. Anyway, we went there and back and were back in the local pub at 3:15 – tidy darts.

Non Electricity Day

So another Christmas comes close, which means its time for the regulation Non Electricity Day, still not sure why we don’t call it No Electricity Day but anyway.. So the purpose of the day is to have a day with hardly any electrical powered devices and exists with gas and candles. We have done it for a number of years now and is a bit of a Christmas event, even though most of the children now have other things to do…

So it begins in the morning, with no TV, no kettle – use the gas and light with a match. Luckily I can use my watch as it is clockwork and no battery. We use the heating, even though strictly speaking it uses electric, and we keep the fridge on (but remove the light) and turn the oven and microwave off so we have no electric light in the house at all.

We mostly drive somewhere for a walk, which is a bit cheating again, but this year we decided to keep more in the spirit of things we would walk to the next village. We only had Kate and Becs with us, as the boys were revising, Sian gave them dispensation to use a calculator. We set off around 11:00 to walk the three miles or so out to Redwick, and had a beer in the Rose. They were only doing Sunday Lunch, so we ordered one each and sheltered in the pub. It poured.

Luckily after food (the beef was good i thought) it had stopped the torrential rain and we went down to the sea wall to walk back. It was quite muddy on the way down, and unfortunately it was right next to the farmers slurry pit and he didn’t care where he spread his sh1t. Anyway, soon on the sea wall and a fine view of the Severn Estuary.. For some reason running along the edge of the sea wall made me run like an “old man”, oh dear it might just be me now.

It rained a lot and we got wet, but we were soon home. Then it was time for Pictureka, then frustration whilst I had a doze like an “old man”, then a couple of games of Uno. It was dark now and the candles were lit and all was good. But before we knew it, it was time to go down the village for one before ordering a take out. The joys of non electricity day.

Nosh, noshed and then I had a little sit down, Ant went out and I think I must have fallen asleep again.. Kate wasn’t feeling too good and was sick, so she slept on the floor for a while. Then at about 9:00 I had to go to bed, and that was that for non-electricity day. I actaully am an old man by the looks of things…

Six Bells

 

So the folks were up this week, so we looked at a little bit of the culture and industry of Wales which doesn’t really exist much any more – mining.

First up though was a fantastic Christmas Fair, well when I say fantastic I mean small, it was run by the scout group Kate is part of, it consisted of five or six tables with some second hand toys, second hand cakes, a tombola  and a hoopla game and a great smell of bacon. We bought some stuff for a quid, won a couple of drinks and were out of there – perhaps we were too early, perhaps it was just rubbish.

Off to Abertillery then to see the Six Bells Guardian. This was a memorial commissioned a few years back to commemorate some real grafters at the Six Bells colliery at Abertillery. It is a massive steel statute made up of “slices” of steel in the shape of a miner. From a distance it looks almost transparent, up close it is solid, and quite remarkable. The definition of the miner is amazing, its pretty large, one finger is the size of your arm, and it stands proud over looking the valley. It was a chilly, frosty morning and it was magnificent.

Just across from the car park is Ty Ebbw Fach, which is a little tea house and small museum which served a selection of hot and cold food and coffee and stuff – really nicely made out, all good.

After this we headed over the hills Blaenavon and “BIG PIT”. Big Pit is a museum which is a mine. 300ft pit which you tour around, for the princely sum of no pounds – now that’s value. Even the parking was on £2. We ambled though and within 5 mins we were being kitted out with our helmet and light, then told we could no bring any contraband into the pit – this is mobile phones, lighters, smoking materials, watches anything like that – even though they are not in production they still have to adhere to the rules on mines. Into the tight lift and down we went.

Rob was our guide and a very pleasant bloke he was too, the tour just really walks around in the mine and he regales us with information and stories – some a little fabricated I figure. But it was great. I had my comedy moment when he pretended to electrocute me – I made a comedy howl, and my wife got it, but it would appear I was too good an actor and the rest of the team thought I was a gaylord.

Once out of the pit we continued over the hills and down into Abergavenny. We had a look around and some nosh in the Hen and Chickens again (Taverners Chicken this time) and bumped into Paul who was down for a Christmas sleep over. Back to the car then headed home.

Really good day, a couple of fabulous things to see, and all for no money – now that’s incredible.

 

Final West Wales Properties exchange

 

..I hope.

So they now on the one hand take no liability, nor answer my questions and offer a £2000 settlement. On the other they suggest we should go to court. Really disappointing, after the last conversation with Neil Evans the MD I was thinking that perhaps they were all above board. Not now.

They are, of course in the right, I signed the ridiculous sole sellers contract and never shall I again, but they should have tried harder to get a good solution. To only leave a message with Bovis and not have the courtesy to call me back is inexcusable. But that’s business.

 

So West Wales Properties, you will never have any business from me or my family again, and I will ensure that everyone who asks will get an truthful account of your business practices. You are not a nice business, and people will be told…..

 

House Demo

 

Ohh its getting all exciting – had our “house demo” today, where they show you somethings in the house. Took and hour and a half and they go through a lot of stuff, nothing really amazing, but a couple of interesting things which I have probably already forgotten  Both places look good, they are doing a final clean, but in the most part it looks okay, a couple of things noticed on first pass, which will get sorted, but only a couple of days and we’ll get the keys…

In other news the building cert came and sent to Solicitor, she also needed to get confirmation from Sian that she was happy for the money from the mortgage goes into my private special account and not the joint one ;o) Looks like there is nothing outstanding, and Bovis have confirmed they will pick up the West Wales Properties cost.

As far as West Wales goes, Neil replied today, although I left a message previously – so I just put all the facts down, again, and asked for the final charge. Hopefully that will be that.

 

Sian is back to Pembs to pick up the rest of the furniture on Friday, then we just need to drop the keys off and that’s that. Just waiting for the carpets now.

 

 

 

Abergavenny

 

Bit of a miserable day today, but we decided to head up to Abergavenny for a few hours to get out of the house. We are very lucky in that we have lots of decent places within half an hour drive to visit, from cities to towns to just walks in the forest.

On the way up it completely poured down, which didn’t bode well, but when we got there it was okay, no rain at least… So we walked up the main street until we got to the Angel Hotel, I needed to book afternoon tea for us on the 8th Dec, so took the oppertunity to book it in person. The only time they had was 4:45 on the Saturday, which was quite surprising. She also looked at me a little odd when I said i wanted a table for 5 but only three would have the tea..

Had a little stroll through the town, but it was 12:30 and I wanted some nosh – I had checked out a place on the net that did beef and dripping sandwiches, so delicately directed Kate and Sian in the direction of the Hen and Chickens. Its one of those places where when you first walk in you think, Uh ho – this is not were I want to be, how can I leave. But in the end we were very pleased with it. They had plenty of food to choose from (they also did Sunday Dinner), we had soup, chicken burger and faggots for me. They could have done with a bit more gravy, which I am sure they would have brought if i had asked, but they were very nice. They have a jazz band every other Sunday, we were on the other weekend unfortunately but a good place – I would return. There was a bloke in there, who was with a girl when we arrived – after half hour or so, the girl had left and he stayed with his pint. The bar maid came over in due course and said “where is she”, he replied “gone”, “shopping?” she asked, “no for good” he said.. Made me chuckle a little inside…

After grub we continued around the town, and then into the market and then that was it. Would quite like to come over for a good drink one day, it could be a nice place for that.

 

Carpet – Right?

 

Carpet measurer came today – he likes his job. Very professional. Slightly odd. But he knows his carpets and his measurements, and how to make off cuts from no where and add them into the built in cupboards. We are in safe hands?

Had a look at the kitchens for the first time today, and the tiles in the bathrooms – looks really good. Flat is far better, the house is fine, but the bedroom is teeny-tiny. All really coming together.

Price of carpet has expanded by 3 hundred quids now the full measure has taken place, but we know what we want from there and its still 1200 cheaper than Bovis quoted – so can’t be bad?

 

Christmas in Cardiff (already)

What a splendid day. Light and crisp and even – frosty and clean this morning so dragged my fat gut out of bed and got on the road for a five mile jog it was lovely.

Waited for Tesco to deliver – they said 11 – 12, by 12:30 they still had not turned up, so the boys were home now so off we went. (The delivery driver quit half way through his shift) Half hour into Cardiff, and we could tell it was busy as we drove down Newport Road, as we got into Cardiff the signs said three of the car parks were full! Parked in Knox road which was the car park I used to use when I very first started to work in Cardiff a scary 14 years ago. Bit chilly.

Walked down the central drag and came to Santa’s Grotto and lots and lots of people. Then down the Hayes where I happened to spot a large German sausage seller, then some beer, then some pig roast – things were looking up. After sampling some cheese and having a look into all the little Christmas sheds we headed back to the sausage man – yummy. Big thick and delish – Kate had a Greggs and a quite nice eclair.

Full of German goodness we braved Hamleys which has now opened in Cardiff – same as any other toy shop but with a 20% Hamleys mark up. It was packed. Off to the Lego shop to spend Kate’s voucher then over to Marks for a “coffee”. This is new for us, never go for “coffee” – so I had a tea. Odd.

More walking in the cold, then back in the car.

Got home expected the smell of cooking pork, but the Tesco man had not delivered it – he said it was not available and there was no alternative – no alternative to a pork loin, in a massive Tesco’s! So we had to phone a curry. Stuffed. Bed.

 

 

Carpet and Insurance

 

Got the house insurance, £132 which seemed okay – rubbish guy on the phone. I phoned him back when his quote specifically stated “No accidental damage”, and he insisted that it did. No energy to argue so took it anyway.

 

Initial quote from Carpet Right was £2300 for both – seems okay? Bovis wanted £3700 so should be okay. Called into a carpet place in Caldicot and he finally rang back to say what a dope I was for measuring the houses!! After two days that was all he had to say, not an approx quote, just that I was stupid ;o) well…

Also finally arranged a joint account – aren’t I all grown up, never had one before. So joint houses and joint account – nearly all sorted.

Have we made it yet?

 

Contract exchanged – sorted, all done yesterday, with a confirmed Completion for the 30th November. Finally.

I need to get the buildings insurance sorted now – first quote was £140 which seems pretty good to me.

Next is the carpets, Bovis charge £1700 per house – hope that Carpet Right is cheaper – need to agree whether we do full vinyl (with a wood effect) or do the normal carpet route.

Need to hire a van for Becs so that we can pick up some beds and the table from H/West, running out of weeks now, so might have to do this next week.

Need to speak with the rental dudes to make sure the house is marketed as soon as possible – ideally to get someone in for Jan 1st – which is looking difficult at the moment…

In other news, insured the car for the boys – £988 this time, and Tom will have his test in a couple of weeks. Nearly Christmas ;o)

 

Nearly Exchange Time

Went over to see the flat and the house to measure up today. Flat looks great, had a look at a different one with the kitchen already in – looks pretty good. We also went to see the house for the first time – its tiny!!!

Although it is not finished, it doesn’t look very big, but I suppose with just two of you cwtching down in there it would be fine. Bedrooms are not large, but the bathroom is bigger than the last Hilton bathroom we had.

Also spoke to the Solicitor, Bovis are ready to exchange, but only if the electrics are signed off. Whch they are not yet. So looks like they will push back the exchange due to this – they don’t seem too bothered about the actual building cert – just the electrical sign off. Can’t get in touch with Jase at the moment unfortunately y.

So we have the measurements ready to look at the carpets, and we may well be able to get the keys on the 30th November! Coolio.

 

 

Rumbles on

Bovis cannot categorically state that they tried to negotiate with WWP!.

This was quite fundamental, so I have to wait until Friday now to see if they want to provide some evidence as to what was said. If they don’t then I can just drop it and forget about it.

Still waiting for word from Jase – solicitor is on my back now because the certificate is not in – hopefully it gets resolved soon. This may well impact the exchange times now.

Who is the liar

So, got a call from Neil at West Wales today. Which was great. But, he is adamant that his staff did not refuse Bovis the opportunity to continue to sell the house. That is a shock, because the whole case of mine was initiated by the fact that WWP told Bovis where to go, it appears that WWP definitely did not say this – so someone is lying here.

Anyway – if what Neil says is true then that’s that. I just cannot believe Bovis made it up though. Also I made it very plain in my mails to Alison at WWP and it was not mentioned once, just that Bovis might pay it. I cannot believe this is just a mis-understanding.

 

In other news I have found that I don’t have a Final Certificate, so Jase has to come back and sign it off, then I need to take that back to the Building Control people. This is a blocker now on the exchange – so hope it will go well.

 

Hereford

 

Day before my Birthday, so we wanted to escape somewhere for the day to get out of the house before the rains. Almost went to Avesbury, but instead headed for Hereford. Not sure I have ever been there before, certainly driven through it, and would be surprised if I had not – but I can’t remember if I did. Anyway, its about an hour up the road – so we were there about mid day.

 

Looked on Google Maps for the best parking place on the approach, so no problem with getting somewhere to park, then we walked over the bridge and into the town. Just over the bridge was a place called Left Bank, it had fantastic terraces overlooking the river – three tiers and looked really nice. Until you got close up and realised it was now an empty shell – probably was something once, but was in such a fantastic position it seemed strange nothing had been done to it. Followed some folks down a back street and came out at the cathedral.

There was noise and white tents and lots of people, we were shaghighed as we entered the court-yard and was told that we had stumbled upon the Hereford Food Festival – and yes, Mary Berry was going to be there. Lots of tents and stalls, mostly selling cheese or some type of fruit drink. You could see the stalls with free samples as they were packed, the ones without were left alone by the greedy throng. Too many people really for my liking, but it was bustly and a little like a Christmas market. We had a nose around and tasted some very nice cheeses, but with all this food around we needed lunch!

 

We took a walk into the town itself and came across an array of food stalls, selling lots of hot, tasty, nice smelling stuff. But it was parky out, so we had a look, then a warm in The Entertainer, then looked for a pub. None to be seen. This must be the first place I have ever been that didn’t seem to have any pubs around. We found one, which was closed (or at least looked closed) and lots of shops, but nothing else – we must have been looking in the wrong places as there are always pubs in towns like these – but they weer well hidden. So we ended up in Pizza Express. We nearly had a buffet of English/Chinese and Indian, but Sian scoped the place and we decided against it. Pizza Express was good.

Then we had another stroll around the tents, and the Cathedral itself, then Kate bought a rubbish cake from a stall and we made our way back to the car, with 10 mins to spare on our three hour ticket. That was Hereford. Seems nice, not enough pubs to keep my attention though.

 

 

Almost there

So had another eight things to sign this week, also had to get a witness, which Paul kindly did for us.

 

They also wanted another copy of the planning consent and the final sign off, something I have never received  so I phoned Pembs Council and will wait and see what they do next. Also found the tiles we wanted were not available any more, so we changed then to a fatter tile.

All looking good for a late November, early Dec hand over… Good Stuff.

 

Neil Replies

 

So the “Managing Director” replied to my complain about West Wales Properties. Nothing much doing, as expected. Although there were a couple of interesting points.

He seems to have suggested we are still under contract until 20th November – and did not specify what the current situation is.

Decides that the contract is not ambiguious and unfair – as expected I guess

States that “I am not sure who you spoke to but as far as the company is concerned” – so although this was supposed to be an investigation into my issues the company does not actually know who spoke to me – what a pathetic cop out.

He also states that they tried to contact Bovis implying that Bovis did not speak with them, and specifically Alison Richards, which may be a blatant lie (maybe, we’ll wait and see if Bovis have any evidence)- she basically told Bovis where to shove their proposal.

He also implied that he would be happy to go to court on this – I would love to, but its just not worth the effort, and I would hate to think I am in any way lining the pockets of any parasitic layer.

He does say that we might be able to come to an arrangement re costs – I phoned he “had stepped out” and he has yet to reply.

 

 

Round the East(ish) of Landan

Big deal today was the Houses of Parliament. So after a pretty good breakie we were off on the tubes to Charring Cross again to see it in day light. From Trafalgar Sq we walked up the Mall to Horse Guards then out to Whitehall and past Number 10. There were many police about because the Unions were moaning again about the fact that the world is suffering a shortage of money, but they don’t want to help they just want more money and no cuts to anything. Like we live in a magical world that because they think it makes it so – idiots.

Had a meeting with our guide to keep, so we headed over to the Big House. Stopped on the way for a tinkle, until we found it cost 50p. 50 sodding pee for a tinkle. Crazy, I’d prefer to wet myself than pay that. Anyway we survived the wee scare, and trundled through the ridiculous security screening to get into the House. All these security personal are tossers. Whether in the airports or at screenings like this. They all have the same holier than thou attitude, brisk and borderline rude. Hateful little people, who know no one dare say anything in these situations cos they’ll “do you” ;o)

Into the hall and time for a free wee, then into line for the tour. Tour takes about an hour – and takes you around the Lords area, which is dripping in gold and fabric, then through to the Commons area which isn’t. It does all have the pomp and ceremony around it – which I think I think is okay – but the Commons area is completely different in appearance. I thought the most interesting bit was seeing the marks Black Rod made on the door and the area where the dudes go to be in the “Yes” camp or the “No” camp. When they have to vote like this a bell is rung across the Whitehall area and they have 8 minutes to get into the right room for the vote to stand. Its like a grown up and slightly posher “Runaround”, but without Mike Read. Tour was good, interesting and not too long. I snuck a sit down in the House of Commons, even though we weren’t supposed to – ain’t I naughty.

After this the tour began, because of the imbeciles “protesting” it took longer than it should have to get the tube, and we headed out to Aldgate East. From this tube we walked east to a little road, which looked very dodgy indeed. But it soon turned into a slightly less dodgy road called brick lane – very famous for the Chinese and Indian “restaurants”  all along the street. Also, not quite so famously for the street art, or graffiti as us New York hipsters call it. Too much choice for lunch, so we picked a street vendor and had a nice bit of chicken and noodles on a little bench. After food we had a quick look at the banksie car in perspex. And a little look at an exhibition by some bloke called Shepard Fairey, no, I didn’t know who he was either – apparently her did a picture of Obama.

Onward to the top of Brick Lane and across to the North West to a place called Arnold Circus – which my dad wanted to see. Back then to Spitalfields Market – which has been all revamped, so we had a beer at a traditional London pub called Los Iguanas. Back to Aldgate tube, then next stop – Monument – which I didn’t realise was called Monument because there is a Monument there. And I also didn’t realise it was a Monument to the Great Fire of London which started in a little road called Pudding Lane, which is just there!> We paid 3 quid each for the pleasure of walking up 311 steps – it was quite tiring, and the top made me feel dizzy!. Once done, off to Bank to have a quick look at the Bank of England.

 

If we had arrived earlier we were going to have a looksee at the Bank of England museum, but some might same fortunately we were too late, and after a quick look around we took the tube a couple of stops to St Pauls. Once here we walked past my head office and to a little place called Postman’s Park – which is really worth a visit if you are in the area. Not much here but a very pleasant place. After this we headed off for a pint. First place we went was just about to serve us, but told us Kate had to be out at 5:00, as it was 4:55 we declined a pint and walked elsewhere. Next stop was Madison Roof Top bar, which was high up, high up in a lift with glass sides. That’s scary ;o) What was more scary were the prices. Luckily not my round, but two wines a three quarter pint of   heineken and two soft drinks was a wopping £25. He nearly bought a bottle, but after she pulled the cork out he inquired on the price – £36 she said – just stick some in two glasses then he said.

After that expense we went a stop down the line and got to the Citte of York, quite an old pub, with secluded dark wood alcoves – again policy is no children after 5:00, but we snuck Kate into an alcove and the rest of us sat at the bar and had adult conversation. Sam Smiths pub, so cheaper prices a good £10 cheaper. Couple of pints here, then it was time to walk around the corner to Red Lion street and Isolabella’s for nosh. Another top table 50% off grub offer, so we all ordered with blatant disregarding for prices and had a pretty good meal. Got a great table again and left full and happy if a little tired. Great thing about the place was the slowness, which could annoy you, but we were in no rush so it was great to have a big pause between the starters and mains…

 

Back on the tube again, and 20 mins later we were home to bed. I was knackered and slept almost immediately, not everyone did. Sunday morning saw a couple of swimming off in the pool, a big massive breakfast and back on a packed train at 12:37 – the London visit for Autumn was over.

 

Putting on the Ritz

Long weekend, and time for our London visit.

 

Ma and Pa arrived up on the Thurs around 5:30, just time to show them the buildings around the corner in the last of the light. Then we had mash and a couple of sausages, bought from the sausage company in Bristol – so we had quite a variety – from lamb to Buffalo and back to good old Gloucester old spot. Early to bed supposidly ready for the trip tomorrow.

 

Friday morning, and with school and work booked off we set off to Bristol Parkway just after the morning rush-hour. Surprisingly easy to park at the station we were all ready for the train at 10:30. As we knew we were going I had booked tickets for 4 adults and a child, for 80 squids all in – bobby bargain. By 12:00 we pulled into Paddington.

I took everyone to where I thought the Underground for the City line was, but things had changed slightly at the station, so I figured we would be better off going down the side of the station and back onto the District line to Edgeware road where the hotel was. By the time we had popped up into the London grime it had started to rain. A quick dash across the road and into the Hilton Metropole.

What a place. Its massive, and I hated it as soon as we arrived. After a while queuing I was told we couldn’t check in, and had to drop the baggage off in the “West Wing”. After a bit of a faff, as some of us had to get changed into our finery (I had my tie on all day) we dropped the bags off and headed out into the rain for a drink.

A few yards past the Underground was a decent looking pub called The Chapel, so we called in for a beverage. Once slightly watered we walked round the corner to a “famous” place called the Windsor. It was jam packed with English memorabilia so a real London boozer, but also a Thai restaurant – that does fish and chips. Odd. Couple of pints, and a plate of fish and chips for the little one – cheaper than a round in the last place. This one had name plates on the bar next to peoples seat so the pissheads knew where to sit I suppose?

Anyway – by this time we were ready for the main event, so a couple of tube stations later we emerged once again into the rain opposite the Ritz.

Firstly we didn’t know which way to get in, and the entrance and foyer area is not much to write home about, and someone opened some double doors and there we were, next to Palm court ready for our tea. Walking along the corridor a little way and you find the tea area to your left and the cloaks to the right. Its nice, but not *that* nice. So we hung about for 10 mins, and then walked up to the bloke with the penguin suit and the iPad and were shown to the table. Great table on the edge, so that everyone apart from me had a great view of the whole room. Took some time, to be served initially but once it started it was pretty well done.

17 Types of tea on show, and it’s impossible to guess what might be nice. The table went for English Tea, I pushed the boat out with one with Red in the title. Then came the tea tray things, with some little cakes on the top, then an empty plate and then sandwiches at the bottom. The are finger sandwiches, about three to a normal slice of bread, with Salmon, chicken, ham, cheese, cucuber and egg – along with others types of “sauces” and breads. The best for me was the cheese (and onion bread) and the chicken ones – although I ate a number of ham ones. If you need any more, you just shout, although they do come around and top them up anyway.

After a while, they took the middle plates away, only to return slightly later with a half dozen warm scones  – they were fabulous. Massive dollop  of clotted cream, and jam if you like it. I loved them. Not really something I eat much – but I managed two – they were good. Then I had a tiny cake on the top, which was chocolate and more chocolate and was lovely. They came round with another two big cakes and more tea but by this point I was surprisingly stuffed. We stopped for about and hour and a qrt, we were full and enjoyed it – £42 a head, you wouldn’t want to do that every day, or week, or even year for that matter – but taking it all into account it was okay as a once off experience. Kate was £21, so here cucumber sandwich and small cake were about 11 pounds each!!! ;o)

 

Still raining, so we headed back to check in. Hateful. We queued, and attempted to track down our luggage, then we got to the counter only to be told the room bill would be an *extra* £160. So that made it over £900 for two rooms for two nights. I couldn’t bloody believe it. £226 a night per room. We were looking at around £760, as this was what we were quoted when we booked, because we were using the fantastic Tesco Voucher scheme – but we had no regress when told it was more again. We just stared dumbstruck and muttered to ourselves like any self respecting Brit would do. We got the keys and off we were to rooms 708 and 710. They were not big, and neither were the bathrooms. But, we didn’t have a second bed in the room – for Kate. We were specifically told that out of all the hotels in London we had to book this one as the rooms were big enough (and more expensive) to cater for another bed – seems to be complete and utter bollocks.  So, kindly Sian went and had a chat, then half hour later we were on the 17th floor, with another bed, but an even smaller bathroom.

Out later and straight onto the Strand to pitch up at Smollensky’s for half price nosh thanks to top table. The drinks took ages, then all the food came at the same time, starters and mains. No one was hugely hungry, but I managed a full rack of BBQ ribs, couple of Stella’s and then the night train back to the Hotel.

Didn’t sleep great – was so stuffed and still felt a bit sick after the scones!

 

Cardiff Half

 

Yes, another one.

After a fair bit of preparations, perhaps not undertaking in the right way, we were ready for the Cardiff Half today. Sian has put her name down a while back, so I thought that after the Llanelli one earlier this year, I would try for a sub 2 hr run. Sian basically went from not running at all, to being in a position where she was sure of making all 13 miles in the last couple of months. Unfortunately she had been quite poorly over the last week, with a heavy cold. So bad in fact that she even kept me awake at night with the wheezing and coughing. So she wasn’t feeling at all great in the morning – neither had she managed any practice runs for a week..

Race was due to start at 9:00, and roads were closing at 8:00, so we had to make sure we arrived early doors – so we set off at 7:15 (ish) with at least one of the party still half asleep. All the family was coming down, Becs separately – she was dropped off by her boyfriend in the end as the trains didn’t run early enough, but had to get back to play computer games.

So we arrived a little too early, and I didn’t have a jacket and it was chilly out. After at least two wee’s, we set off to the start with about half hour to go. We were in the “White” pen, for the slowest runners, and there were loads of people around – they had advertised 18,000 runners, but I think only around 14,000 actually ran in the end. As the bodies amassed, it got slightly warmer and then we were off. Due to the umber of people it took us 5 mins to get to the start line, then I was away.

With so many people it is impossible to get into a rhythm early on, bumping and jostling was the order of the day, everyone on each others toes – even after the first few miles it was still chocka blocka. I made great time over the first 3 miles or so, too fast perhaps, but after mile marker 3 I had caught the sub 2hr pace setter, but needed another wee-wee. Luckily for us boys that simply seemed to involve stopping on the side of the road – but already I had lost a minute. Two miles later and I had caught him again – just going over the barrage, where there was quite a spectacular fall over the speed bumps!!

Got to the Red Dragon center at 53 mins, I think 6 and a bit miles, so time was good – my possie was no where to be seen however. I scanned and scanned the sides of the roads but no support at all (I found out later they had arrived at 8 miles and only just stayed long enough to see Sian – I guess I had long since passed before they got there?) The run from about 8 miles was hard, once at Roath there was an uphill for a mile, then a slight down hill for a mile, so at about 12 miles here was a pretty steep hill which really took it out of you. Just before 13 there was another hill, and by this time I was completely wacked. I think that if you have not run something like this, you cannot have felt the complete exhaustion you have at the last bit of the run. As I had tried to keep a faster average than I had ever done, there was no let off for the whole 2 hrs. I was pooped.

Got to the final straight, and you would think you could speed up a little, but not this time, I knew I’d make it and I couldn’t make by legs go faster, I was hurting, and my face showed that – my gut swayed, my face grimaced, and I didn’t care – I’d made it, 1:55 – sorted.

Sian came over the line a short while after, but due to her state before the race, she didn’t feel too good, but once she’d had a kitkat and some drink she started to feel better, in between the coughing fits. No problem leaving Cardiff afterwards, and it was great to get home and chill out.

We had promised ourselves a Pizza after the run, so ordered early – Pizza, chips, onion rings, kebab lovely. Unfortunately after about an hour and half it hadn’t been delivered – so we phoned and was told there was a problem so it would be another 45 mins. So we cancelled – damn. Then we had to decide what to have – so Curry was decided – got the phone, just about to call and there was a knock on the door – it was the pizza fest.

So, we got to stuff our faces with Pizza anyway – nice.

 

Caerphilly

To Caerphilly today.

Had to stop off at Tesco first so Kate could print out her photo’s for her Scout photography badge – interesting set up where you just stick your USB stick in and print them out then and there. Our’s came out with a bit too much green on them, probably cheaper than doing them at home, at 30p each.

 

Caerphilly is only a few miles away, and I had never been there, so a quick drive North brought us to the town. The Morrisons has a massive carpark, so we parked there and had a stroll around the town. It was okay, but nothing special – two parts to it really, and we ventured through both, but it was lunch time so we looked for somewhere to have some nosh – we picked – Wimpy. Yes its still open.

 

Plenty of space in there, so we sat in the diner chairs which have not changed for 30 years – very very efficient staff, we were asked if we were ready three times before we’d picked up the menu. After what for the staff seemed like ages, we were finally ready – I asked for a chicken toastie – she told me it would take “too long”! She said he’d have to cook the chicken, then mix it with the sauce, then add the cheese, then make the toastie – pretty much what I would expect – but she really did’t want me to have it – so I had a bacon cheese burger. Sian asked for a Tuna toastie, but they had no tuna, so she settled for a cheese and onion one. I had chips and onion rings cos I is greedy…

Foods came in seconds, and it was okay – tasty in fact, and I was stuffed at the end.

After lunch was the main event – cookies from Greggs, then we had a look round the castle. Very impressive – the only thing we didn’t get to have a proper look at was the Great Hall, because there was a wedding going on, although we spied then from an upstairs window. It’s a very impressive castle, and has been refurbed to an extend over the last 100 years. Lots of rooms and heights to see.

Not a bad place Caerphilly, but its done now, and we won’t rush back I don’t think.

 

 

 

Nearly There

Got the second offer through the post finally today. So that is pretty much it. We have agreed on the tiles and the kitchen bits and bobs. Bovis quote around 1500 per house to carpet – we’ll have to get a quote soon.

Noticed that our house appears to be off the West Wales Property site now, and Rightmove. Although it is with Rightmove under FBM! and at £189,950. Second letter to Neil Evans this time has been sent, although our Pembrokeshire connection gave some advice it was too late… I think RK Lucas are supposed to take pictures today. Not sure what state all the rooms are in.

 

I don’t think there is much more to do now, other than to wait for the exchange date. Kind of exciting now the (hopefully) hard work is completed.

 

The Village

Out and about in Bristol today. Went down in the morning to do a little bit of shopping returns in Cabot Circus. Its really quite a good place to go now, with the new “mall” thing, and easy parking – and the bays were big enough for the car. M32 can bit a pain, but we sailed straight in around 11:00. and spend an hour or so mooching around the place.

Once returned, we made our way to Clifton, a “village” on the top of Bristol – its a village in the London sense of the word – as it is plainly not actually a village, but it likes to dress itself up as one. The last time I was here was probably about 20 years ago, when I can for a breakfast in a famous place, which I cannot remember much of. Biggest pain in Clifton is parking.

We circled three times before deciding to cross the suspension bridge and park on the street on the other side. After a bit of faff, we secured a parking space and walked back over the bridge. 50p for cars, but free for walkers, it really is quite impressive, its high, its suspended and it now has a security fence to stop all the jumpers. It was too high for me, I am pretty sure I couldn’t do a bungee anymore. Over we went and into Clifton proper – even though we had parked on the other side it only took 5 mins to get across, then into the village itself to find a pub and some food.

We were going to go to the terrace bar at the White Lion, but could see it was packed – so we decided to go there later. Onward and into the village, passed old Georgian houses which looked a lot like Bath. Found what looked like a nice pub, which it might have been, but no for us, so after a quick coke and moldy Smirnoff we let Kate take us to a sandwich shop. I had a “doorstep” sausage sanger. It was massive, good job my gob is too. Nice and full we wondered around a little more, and Sian took us past her old digs and told us stories of yesterworld.

Once full of Clifton (want to go to the chippy next time), we ambled back down to the White Liuon which has a large terrace area with a great view of the bridge and the gorge. It was packed. It was sunny mind. The service was shite, and we queued for a fair while for our expensive drinks and just managed to get a table and steal a few chairs. It was hot, it was sunny and we had alcohol – fab. We assembled some Lego figures and before we knew it we had to leave. Another walk over the heights – not so bad this time, and home.

Got back and the sun was still out, so nipped to the local for a couple in the last of the autumn sun.

 

Nice day – like Clifton (and Bristol).

WWP Complaint Back

So, unsurprisingly West Wales did not agree with my thoughts in the formal complaint.

 

They just sent back a pretty standard letter stating that I had signed the terms and conditions so tough. So now I have to scribe another letter to Neil, the “Managing Director” to see what happens then. Nothing I expect. Then I will have to do exactly the same thing to the Ombudsman.

You see, honesty is not the best policy. If I had just not mentioned Bovis when cancelling the contract none of this ball-ache would have happened, makes you wonder.

 

 

RK

So RK Lucas phoned this time. Told them the current situation and the woman “had only been there 2 weeks” so didn’t know what to do. The Surveyor called the next day to discuss and just left a slightly shirty message. I tried him and he was supposed to call back – he didn’t.

Still waiting for confirmation we are out of contract with WWP, received another “update” today, so emailed to ask the explicit question around whether I am in contract or not. No reply as yet.

Also waiting for the second mortgage confirmation, agent says its with a different underwriter and should be here soon.

 

Not holding my breath.

Back to the Shire

Back home to Pembs this weekend, Sian and Kate were off on Friday, so we left around 14:30, and got back in quick time. Spent the evening with my folks and gobbled down a nice Chinese and a couple of beers.

Saturday was “clean the attic” day, my goodness there was a lot of stuff up there – it filled a room. Afterwards I had arranged to meet up with Mr Bradley and we spent a good few hours and a good few pints talking nonsense outside of the Trader in town. Managed to stumble home, then some cod in the Rising Sun (Cod tastes of nothing at all..) a couple of Amstel’s and then it was time for bed – I was knackered some snoring before Kate.

Next morning saw us run around the Haven Road a couple of times, Sian did an extra 3 mile loop – then we showered and said our goodbyes in the different places as we went off to the Christening, which was the real reason for the visit. The church was in Rubuxton, which doesn’t seem to exist in Google Maps, so we kind of knew where we were going, and got there with a few mins to spare.

We sat at the “back”, then realized that the font and the action was also happening in the back, so we had the best seats in the house – probably should have moved for the parents, but it was too late then!. Christening is a little silly, grown people talking about imaginary friends – odd. Anyway some people like it, so I’m all for it for them.

Afterwards we had a convoy back to Crundale for some tea and crisps. Had a quick beer, and some sandwiches and sausages and a quick catch up with some of the old crew – and everyone had a better half – we must be getting old. We had to get back to Magor so didn’t stay too long, and enjoyed a drive home in the pouring rain.

Now What?

 

So all been quiet for a while, then yesterday FBM phone up about wanting to come round and get details for the H/West house so that they can stick it up for sale for Bovis. Obviously this is in breach of Sole Seller contract I would assume, but they knew nothing about it. They are going to back down, with my contract supposedly lapsing on the 4th October, 28 days after I sent confirmation I wanted to stop the contract (6th Sept).

In other news, we had to fill in a load of questions about the H/West house for the solicitor, and send a number of documents away. Then I phoned them this morning to pay for the searches, and I find out 4 hrs later that Cahoot had stopped the payment, and my bloody card because it “looked suspicious”. They security guy phoned me, and asked for all my security details – well that’s a bit silly I told him. And so I had to phone back… Stupid system.

In better news, the mortgage approval should be through in the next couple of days – which is one thing less to worry about.

Also, Radek said he forget he was coming and will be here on Friday now.

Cheeky Agents

 

Ant’s 19th today – so we have a huge Chinese – fab.

Not heard much for a while, so latest update was that Bovis has told us the houses will be available on the 30th November now, which is a surprise – if we can get a proper confirmation we could get people in before Christmas. But we’ll see. The other bits appear to be going okay – the contracts are supposed to be with the solicitor, and should be at the previous prices – but we’ll see.

The Principality are doing their valuations on this Friday, so we’ll see what they come up with – if I hear or not?

Finally those cheeky monkeys at West Wales phoned up tonight to ask if we are okay with a viewing from someone very interested on Saturday. So I brought her up to speed with the formal complaint and she said she would go and talk to some people!!!.. What a company.

Complaint was signed for on Sat 15th, so as of today they have had the proposed three days to respond – we’ll see if I get a letter today.

 

Monmouth

After a longish run this morning, we thought we should get out and see something today. So we went to Monmouth.

 

Took the new car and it was a pleasure to drive down there, bit of a problem parking as it is still bigger than a parking bay – but being Sunday we managed. Monmouth is a great little town, really just one long street of shops and pubs and restaurants. We have a stroll and a look in the toy shop, and luckily it stayed warm, even though the rain was close.

Has a quick pint in the Gate House which was nice, might venture back another time. Also saw that Fred MacAuly was on in the Savoy, which we may possibly go to see?

Picked up a chicken from Waitrose and off we went – home.

 

Quite like Monmouth.

New car and other stuff besides

Today was the train trip, the trip to Blackpool to pick up the car and then onward to Sheffield for work. Left bright and early, at around 6:40, caught the train from severn tunnel then onward to Birmingham. Change trains to Preston where I spent an ideal half hour discussing politics and the state of UK education with a chap on his way to Wolves.

Swap train at Preston for the final leg to Blackpool, horrible journey with a freaky dude sat behind me talking to himself – the further North on this trip the weirder the people got. So found my self at the end of the line at Blackpool South, and a car park, and no station, and no Mr BMW with my car. A few phone calls later and I was safely in the Blackpool dealership with a drink and my book.

Shortly later “Dave” came with my car, quick show and tell on the control and one swipe of the card and I was an owner of a 530i. Lovely. Now for a 100 mile trip over to Sheffield, taking in some motorway and the Snake Pass.

 

House update, Bovis now want to change the “cost price” of the houses, so no change to the overall cost to change, just for what they state they want the houses to appear to cost. Just a paper exercise you might think, but no, if they put the one up from 121000, to 129000 then that means we are liable for Stamp Duty – £1300. So I was not happy, and made them aware of that.

Also found that my bank statements didn’t have my name on, so might be rejected, and we forgot to send off one of the declarations.

In other news we checked the leak and the wet wall – it appears the overflow from the toilet is not coming out of the overflow pipe, but somewhere else – we don’t know where, but it might explain the wet wall problem we have. Also my computer power fan sounded like it was shot this morning – so ordered a new one, now the fan sounds fine…

Never Ending

 

So today had to get onto the secure webmail that L&C wanted to use, which is a right faff. Then had to attempt to print out 3 months of pay slips and three months of bank statements.

Phoned solicitor to pay the £250 she said she didn’t actually want it yet.

Printed off all the gubbins from Principality to sign and send back.

Spoke to some bloke about buildings insurance – 189 quid, seems quite reasonable.

And finally tried to phone BMW about the free 7 day insurance on the car I’ll pick up on Monday and they were too busy for me…

Looking Good?

 

Bovis got in touch today to say that they will sort out the estate agent for us. Hope that goes through fine and dandy, does mean one less thing to think about. Need to provide a load of other info to them also today.

Bovis just got back – instead of negotiating, the swines at West Wales Properties have told them to stick it, and they will take me to court over the fees. Nice. So I have had to ask them for their formal complaints procedure.

In other news I tried to give the solicitors £250 quid and they told me i had to call back tomorrow when the woman dealing with me was in.. Oh well.

Also Mr BMW phones to say the car is just getting to Cockermouth tonight, so he will give me an ETA as to when i can pick it up – hopefully Monday so I can collect it on the way to Sheffield.

Sole Selling Rights

 

So – lesson for today. Be very careful with the estate agent bas$%^ds.

We arranged the part ex completely separatly from West Wales Properties. Now comes to the time where (on Bovis advice) we tell West Wales Properties that we no longer need them – the swines say we have to pay four grand commission anyway. Even though they did nothing to obtain the sale. I was cross. But in the contract they have a sole selling clause which states that they get the commission if anything heppens whilst they are marketing it. Bovis were (hopefully not any more) going to sell through these agents also – so that would mean that West Wales Properties would get double the commission for effectively selling the house once!!! What a world we live in.

End of the day its my expensive mistake, and I should not have listened to the Bovis woman, and just taken the property off the market.

So remember, if its Sole Selling Rights you are signing, even you cannot then sell the property. If you want to negotiate with a part ex – take the property off the market first.

Still cross mind.

 

We agreed on the cheap but expensive up front fees mortgage, and started the process today. Answered the 140 questions (twice as it is in joint names) and it looks like everything will sail on through now. Took another £99 “booking fee”, one for each house as well. Money money money.

 

Final job for today is to respond to the solicitor. £1800 notes, passports and two utilities bills plus a couple more sign your lives away and thats them sorted….

Tired.