Christmassy

Yesterday was very Christmassy. I opened the first window on my advent calendar. I wrapped most of the presents (the rest I’m wrapping today) and I posted our cards, including to such exotic locales as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, France, Germany and Slough...

And it’s only 23 days to my birthday. I will be 35 on Christmas day! So it’s perhaps not surprising that I love December so much!

We heard back from the surveyor last night – a few small issues but otherwise the cottage is in very good order. Not surprising really, it was built in 1847 and it strikes me that the older the building the better quality, and more solid it is. Our mortgage company called to say they are also fairly confident about completing on time as well. So whoever is keeping their fingers crossed for us, thank you, its working! We’ve also now agreed what furniture we want to buy including the impressive dining room table and chairs – hand made locally in Cornwall I believe.

So now I have to crack on with my job application which, I was supposed to do last weekend. Now unless I do it today, I miss the deadline....no more excuses!

Birthdays and surveys!

The woman from Pickfords came round yesterday and I was impressed. She was friendly and had an air of calmness about her, which when you consider what a stress-head I am about moving, was very welcome. She seemed completely unfazed by our legions of houseplants, a large chicken run and a 200 year old grandfather clock. We haven’t received a quote yet, and I will get at least one more, but Pickfords have made a good impression so far.

The survey on the cottage took place yesterday and so we’re waiting to receive the report, which should be sent sometime next week. Ironically, our letting agent (for the flat we live in now) called me a couple of days ago to ask whether a surveyor could come round this morning. Our owners might be re-mortgaging or selling, but either way it seems to be a sign that this is a good time to move on.

I’m planning my partner’s birthday. Its February next year and it will be her 30th. I’m potentially planning 3 events: dinner with friends in Cornwall, ‘birthday/we’re leaving London!’ drinks in London and a weekend in Berlin. Although all this planning – as enjoyable as it is – might need to be put on hold because I have another job application to do by tomorrow and some errands to run. Boring but necessary!