Alvechurch update

Freddie cat helping with paperwork

Reading the last blog I’m wondering how come I haven’t finished the porch yet? I suppose it hasn’t had my full attention, the last day and a half have been spent scraping paint off a wall in the bathroom, the only one not to be boarded, that Paul mentioned as a throw away comment as he left on Friday, unsure whether PVA and plaster might pull the paint off.... thought I’d finished with that sort of tedious malarkey! The front door has been fitted and looks fab, so I didn’t want to get in his way, Paul was up and down stairs, in and out the front door mixing plaster, so I didn’t want to get in his way.... Brian has been playing endlessly with radiators, fitting, exchanging, attempting to improve old ones before giving up and ordering new ones..... It’s just as well the lovely Tim, the plumbers merchant virtually drives past the house on his way home so deliveries haven’t been a problem. The gas man comes on Wednesday to turn on the gas and commission the boiler, so they all have to be fitted, leak free by then!

And watching TV

The lights are up in the lounge and it’s been tidied up so just the carpet, same for the bedrooms though they are full of bathroom furniture and tiles and tools. Colin did think he might be bringing someone round this weekend, though there was no sign yesterday. I hope they have a little vision and can see the work that has gone in and appreciate new kitchen, bathroom, carpets.... keep everything crossed!

We were there yesterday, as Paul wasn’t, so B could fit the radiator in the bathroom. We were also fortunate that James, Brian’s daughter Fiona’s partner, an electrician, could pop over to run the electrics for the bathroom. We really appreciate their time, they were out on Friday night, had guests round for dinner last night, and today are hosting ‘Christmas’ for all the family which we are really looking forward to, and still managed to fit us in!

Very comfy Freddie cat

It’s been a lovely week, Alex and Rob came over last Sunday afternoon which was great and meant Freddie got loads of fuss, Al loves cats, but Rob doesn’t, so, like me, she grabs her cat fixes with both hands. We had dinner on Sunday with H&I, who we then went out with on Thursday too. The local pub was hosting a theatre company for three nights so we saw a really interesting, funny, well performed play while enjoying a couple of pints. Great evening. Ted has had his habitation check, which is effectively his MOT for the house bits of the van, so gas, fridge, water, electrics etc. It’s not a legal requirement, but is a good plan to keep everything in good working order.

It was dusk and foxy came to see us. He's been across his track that you can see worn into the grass and now he's just sitting on the lawn watching us watching him from the bedroom window at about 10:00pm

Here's a close-up of him

Friday was my ‘works’ Balti, which just happened to be at our favourite, Diwans, where we can walk to from here. Of the 13 people present, (2 never worked in the department (Brian and Aklaq’s wife)) only 2 actually still work in the department with another 2 working elsewhere in the BBC! Still it’s lovely to see everyone and catch up, though sadly Sarah, who organised everything, rang in sick so missed out!

New windows and posh new door on the house!

Yesterday Manu and Crystal had a BBQ planned in advance, for Manu’s birthday, somehow they managed to book the weather too. The only day so far this year suitable for sitting out in the evening! We thought we were going to miss out as the original start time was 14.00 which we just weren’t going to make, but what sweeties, they dropped it all back so we would be able to make it! Lots of yummy food with homemade spicy marinades.... we were very happy! Feeling slightly jaded today we have a few hours, before heading over to Fi and James for roast turkey and all the trimmings. It’s all go!