Hannah Moves into her New Flat Edition

Monday 25 Feb to Saturday 03 Mar

The moving day.  Certainly one to remember.  It all started when the letting agent arrived late.  The girls signed and initialled all the relevant documents.  So we follow the lady to read the electric meter, she opens the cupboard to be confronted with several meters and admitted she didn't know which one was for the flat. Trying to be helpful I suggested that it might be the one that was clearly marked 2nd Floor Flat.  But she was not convinced and took a photo so she could check it out back at the office????
Then we went to find and have a look at the garage.  The letting agent thought it was number 2B but the key wouldn't fit - but she said she would check it out back at the office.
We started ferrying Hannah's stuff to the flat.  The letting agent phoned back saying the garage was definitely number 2B and the key was new and so just needed a bit of jiggling.  So we went to have a jiggle to discover that the key didn't fit the lock at all - but it did fit the lock to garage number 2A.  For some reason the letting agent didn't want to come back and read the meter!
So I went back to work and Mum stayed with the girls to help out and offer motherly advice.
After work myself and Nev returned to the flat to put Hannah's new bed together and ferry a few of the heavier bits like the TV.  We returned to find that Mum and the girls had discovered that there was no water in the taps and so they had called the water board and because it was out of hours they couldn't get hold of the letting agents but had managed to contact the Landlord.  The man from the waterboard said there was no problem with the supply to the house so there must be a stop cock turned off somewhere.  But he did deliver a load of bottled water to keep the girls going.  The Landlord found the stop cock (after much searching) in the flat below.  He turned it on and lo there was water.  After congrats all round we all went to have a look around the flat below Han's.   When we got back Nev discovered that Han's kitchen was flooded!
So back down stairs, turn off the stop cock, mop up the flood.  The water was pouring out of the pipe that would feed the washing machine, the tap on it did not work.  Luckily we discovered another isolating valve further back along the pipe work and so we stopped that.  Back downstairs to turn the stop cock back on.  The second valve was holding and so at last the girls had water to the flat but not to the kitchen cold tap.  The Landlord said he would arrange for a plumber to call the next day to rectify the fault.  (he was true to his word a plumber did arrive the very next day and fix it).
Myself and Nev then set about putting together Hannah's new bed, which went smoothly (thankfully).  Then it was back to our house to collect the TV and Fred the Ted.
Han treated us all to a MacDonald's for supper and Mum and me got home about 10:30.  Certainly was a day to remember.
On Tuesday we popped in again to deliver a couple of items of furniture from the flat above the shop that no one wanted, but would come in handy for Han and Chan until they find something else.
Popped in again on Thursday evening to put together a flat packed chest of drawers that Han had delivered to Wyatts Field.  They delivered at 7.30am!!  Good old Argos!!  Didn't manage to get it all done so am having to go to the flat again, probably on Saturday.
Back to the flat on Saturday to finish off the chest of drawers.  Meant to get a few phots of the place but I forgot,  but I expect Han will put some on FB eventually, if she hasn't already.
So, the girls are settling into the flat and Mum and me are trying to get used to it being just us in the house alone.  It seems a little strange.  Han is moving back in next week to house sit and look after Rhubarb whilst we are in Fuerteventura.
Guess what the next edition is going to be called?

The Selfish Edition

Sunday 17 Feb

A nice bright sunny day for a change, still a little chilly but it was nice to see the sun.  Changed the other headlight bulb in the car.  It wasn't quite the nightmare I was expecting but still not as easy as it should have been.

Monday 18 Feb

I forgot to tell you that because of a Council cock-up we have been able to park all day in town for nothing. The Council spent something like £3 million to move the grass from outside the museum and behind what was the Winchester Arms to what was a perfectly good and income generating car park on the other side of the road that leads into the Castle Hotel.  Apparently the idea was to make an "open space".  But because of some legal shenanigans they cannot prevent cars parking in this new "open space"!  The County Gazette have got hold of the story and instead of berating the Council for an ill conceived project (that very few people wanted) they have dubbed us that park there as "Selfish".  They took photos over several days and guess who's car is in them all?!  This free car park saves us £46.80 a week in car parking charges that we were paying to park at the Brewhouse.  Even the traffic wardens laugh when they pass by!

Tuesday 19 Feb

Guess where we parked again today - selfish or what!

Wednesday 20 Feb

Frosty again this morning.  

Heard on the news that the Brewhouse Theatre is closing this evening after the last performance.
Looks like they have run out of funds.  The recession is really starting to bite now, Comet the
electrical retailer has gone broke, Blockbuster the video/DVD sale and hire has closed down, Game has gone, HMV will be closing what will be next?

Thursday 21 Feb

Mum went out with the ladies this evening.  They went for a bite to eat and a natter in the Cosy Club, leaving me and Han to cope by ourselves, which we did, just!

Friday 22 Feb

Another of those get up, go to work, come home, have tea, watch tv and go to bed sort of days!

Saturday 23 Feb

Went over to see grandad today. Got there about 12:30 to find the old feller in bed.  The sister said he had decided not to get up and so didn't.  But he did cheer up when he saw I had bought along a bottle of wine and another of whiskey.  

I got home in time to watch England thrash the French 23-13 in the Six Nations.  England's grand slam hopes remain alive

Valentine's Day Edition

Sunday 10 Feb.

The washing machine broke on Saturday.  Went and collected the new one on Sunday and was installing it when you rang.  It was good to have a chat with you, but I think both Mum and myself forgot to ask if you had managed to get your tooth sorted out.

Monday 11 Feb.

Got a touch of the gout back in my left big toe.

Tuesday 12 Feb

Pancake Day.  Pancakes for tea!

Wednesday 13 Feb.

Spring must be nearly here, the cherry tree at the front of the house has started to blossom.

Thursday 14 Feb

Valentines Day!  Mum and me exchanged cards.  Hannah was working late and Matt had an early start so they didn't see each other on the most romantic day of the year.  Hope everything is ok with them both.

Friday 15 Feb

Nightmare day at work.  My computer wouldn't start properly, had to call our friendly geek.  Thankfully he managed to talk me through a process over the phone that got things up and running again, but the time that it took put me back a couple of hours and so spent the rest of the day trying to catch up.

Saturday 16 Feb

It was Nev's turn for a Saturday off and so it was just me and Sabrina in the shop.  A very good day takings wise.

In the evening we went to Nev and Honours for (what has become) the traditional Valentines meal.  The food as always was fabulous and it gave Hon the chance to use her heart shaped stuff, plates, decorations and the like.  We came away from the table utterly stuffed but it was sooooooo nice.  Apart from us, Andrew and Wendy and Andy and Deb (Brown) were there too.
Sorry no phots this week.

The Man Flu Edition

The Peruvian team in National dress

I've been feeling pretty unwell this week.  Reckon it is a serious case of Man Flu.  Andrew has had the same so we reckon we picked up a lurgy at the Beer Pong night.  So instead of writing a few lines each day, I've decided to summarise the week in one go
I guess the big news of the week is that Hannah went for a job interview on Friday.   I'm led to believe it is a full time position but on the down side it is in Wellington. She is desperate to get away from the Card Factory.  However I do see where she is coming from, even with the bus fares, it being a full time job she is still going to be better off financially.  The hourly rate is better too but (and there always is a but) they will want her to do night shifts. The best news is that they contacted her on Saturday to let her know she got the job! Not sure when she is due to start, she has to do CRB checks and hand in her notice to the Card Factory etc.  But I suspect she would be more than happy to start tomorrow!

I have checked the Abbey Beer twice now.  In other words I have drunk two bottles - wow it blows yer socks off!   So my concerns about it being flat are unfounded!

The winners

On Tuesday we went to see Hannah's new flat.  It is in Park Street, above Rhona Gilmore's, opposite the law courts.  Happily surprised, it is really quite sizeable, I really like it.  Both Hannah and Shan have a double bedroom each, then there is a large lounge, kitchen and bathroom and enough room in the hallway to have a party!!!!  On Monday we went over to Hankridge to get her a new bed and mattress from Benson Beds which is due to be delivered on moving in day (Monday 25 Feb).

Reuben says Hi

The Peruvian Team in action

Did I mention that Mum and Me are off to Fuerteventura for a week in the sun?  Thought it was about time we had a holiday.  Both Nev and myself are confident enough with the business now to allow the other to take some time off.  We fly off on the morning of Wednesday March 06 from Bristol Airport.  Andrew is going to drive us to save us paying for parking.  We are staying for a week in the Suite Hotel Atlantis in Corralejo.  I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to the break and the chance to recharge the batteries.  Mum was going through the "Brown Family Archive" and discovered that we last went to Fuerteventura in 1997!  Can you believe that was 16 years ago!  We stayed at the Castillo Playa Apartments then, and you and Han spent more time in the pool than there were hours in the day! Happy Times.  This was our first holiday after Disney.  I bet you can't remember the name of the restaurant we went to a couple of times, the one where the ice cream desserts were so big you and Han had to share one and still didn't finish it!  It was called the El Mahay.  I've tried to find it on the web but it looks like it may have closed down.  Such a shame, the food was fab and they made such a fuss of you and Han.

Andrew trying to talk it in!

Sorry about the phots but I thought you would like to see the Peruvian Beer Pong Team in all their glory!

The Beer Pong Edition

Sunday 27 Jan

Chill out day.  Ate some food, drank some wine, watched some telly.

Monday 28 Jan.

Han got news that she and Shan have passed all the checks and have got the flat.  They are planning to move  in around 25 Feb.  I guess that will give them a little time to get stuff together etc.

Tuesday 29 Jan

Won £10.00 with an on-line scratch card!
Went to the Winch this evening with Mum, Han and Matt, for a bite to eat and a couple of beers.  Made a nice change from sitting in front of the telly.  It was "Burger and a Beer" night, so I had beef stroganoff and Mum had fish and chips!

Wednesday 30 Jan

Ummmmmmm.

Thursday 31 Jan

Bought a couple of cases of Cusquena in preparation for Josh's Birthday Beer Pong evening on Saturday.  Myself and Andrew are forming the Peruvian team.  Full update on Sunday if I've recovered by then!

Friday 1 Feb

Won £2.00 with an on-line scratch card.  It cost £2 so I really only got my money back!
Opened a bottle of the Abbey Beer which I bottled about a month ago.  I was expecting it to be flat but to my surprise it was just right.  Another couple of weeks maturing and it should be ready for drinking.

Saturday 2 Feb

BEER PONG NIGHT!  Went round to Nev's at about 7.30 pm.  Cracking night.  The Shite Shirts went down a treat (they are now known as the native dress of Peru).  Some how, after losing three out of four games myself and Andrew made it to the semi final?!  Not sure how that worked out.  In the end I think we came third but it didn't really matter - it was just really good fun. Ended up drinking far too much and got home around 4am!
Josh's team won (and rightly so - it was his Birthday Do after all), the picture shows the winning team sporting their "Champions T-Shirts" printed by Imprints!

Sunday 3 Feb

Recovery Day!  Oh dear I didn't feel too good.

But on a happier note I booked me and Mum on a holiday to Fuerteventura in March.  I figured we hadn't been on holiday for far too long.  Just a week in the sun, I'm really looking forward to it.

The Second Snow of 2013

Sunday 21 Jan

Bit of a lazy day really.  Nearly signed up for BT Broadband infinity. (its their really super-fast broadband service) but for some reason they said we would have to change our tel number?  Not sure we want to go through all the hassle of doing that.  I might give them a call tomorrow to see if this is really the case.

Monday 22 Jan

Looks like Han and her mate Shan have found a flat they would like.  Its in Park Street, by Rhona Gilmore, which is almost opposite the County Court.  Hope that gives you an idea of where it is. We've just got to wait for all the credit checks and legal stuff to be done.

Tuesday 23 Jan

A quiet day in the shop.  Serious dump of snow this afternoon and evening.  This should mean that the country will descend into utter chaos as far as transportation is concerned.

Wednesday 24 Jan

Snowed again for most of the morning but it had all stopped by lunch time.  Hannah built a snowman in the garden but sadly, not long after it was built the head fell off.

Thursday 25 Jan

Hey! I've just bought some Cusquena Peruvian beer.  Its really not bad.  Have you tried it?

Friday 26 Jan

I think I'm getting another gout attack.  My left big toe is getting really quite sore.  

Some serious rain this evening has washed away almost all of the snow.  There is just a little mound where Han's snowman stood.

Saturday 27 Jan

Definitely a gout attack, sore toe again today.  I think I'll blame it on the Cusquena, although I only had one!

.......or was it 2!

Han is at Matt's this evening.  Fish and chips for tea - thought it may make a nice change, haven't had them for some time.

Sunny morning but more heavy rain this evening.

Comeytrowe lane is flooded again.  Think Andrew is getting a little worried, that sharp corner where you turn into New Rd was also flooded.

The First Snow of 2013 Edition

Sunday 13 Jan.

Hooray - Mum managed a full night in bed.  The first time since Christmas!

Bottled the Gran Cru (home-made Belgian beer) and put the Christmas decorations back in the loft for another year.

Han said she has found a flat she would like to  have a look at.  Its one of those new ones at the bottom of Compass Hill.  She said she thought it was about time she had her own place as she would be 25 this year.

Monday 14 Jan.

Han checked with the agents but the flat had already been snapped up, so she's back to looking again.
Spent quite a lot of time phoning customers that owe us money, some debts going back to June last year.  Most of them know they owe us and give some pretty pathetic excuses why they haven't paid.

Tuesday 15 Jan.

Nothing out of the ordinary to report today.  Hannah is staying over at Collumpton with Matt tonight.  Forgot to tell you, I got Nev and Andrew a Shite shirt each so we should look out of this world on the next curry night!  Phots to follow!

Wednesday 16 Jan.

Mum went down the Winch with the ladies this evening, leaving Hannah and me to fend for ourselves.  Han fancied pizza but I didn't and knocked myself up a pork stir fry.

Thursday 17 Jan.

Ummmmmmmm!  Something must have happened today but for the life of me I can't remember it!

Friday 18 Jan.

Woke up to snow this morning.  To be honest we were expecting it.  The media have been trying to do their normal thing of creating panic by talking of blizzards and of over exaggerating the situation.
The news this evening was full of doom and gloom - traffic disruption on the roads and railways and flights cancelled!  Its just a bit of snow for Christ's sake!
Having said that we closed the shop at 4pm to day because it was so slow.  First time we have ever done that!
Good to hear you on the phone this evening.  Sorry to hear about your toothache - you must get it sorted out though.

Saturday 19 Jan

What little snow we did have stayed overnight as the temperature stayed below zero but we didn't get any more.  It seems that Wales and the area near to Gloucester got the worst (or best) of it!

Good day in the shop with the traditional bacon and egg roll in the morning from Pain et Vin.

Han has decided to share a flat with a work mate to make it more affordable.  I think it is a good idea as long as they don't fall out with each other within the first  week.  So we are now looking for a two bed flat in Taunton.