Smugglers Night Rottingdean 2013

Another great Smugglers last night. Lots of food drink, dressing up and all the usual shenanigans. Great fun.

The Flat – Week Seven (sort of)

Ok, so technically it’s week nine or thereabouts but half term and a week away in Patsy put a halt to the DIY – and visits to Been & Queued – thankfully.

So, quick update. Fireplace in, bedside cabinet tops in – both fitted. Upgraded to BT Infinity and You View although getting BT Sport proved to be a bit more problematic. The visiting engineer couldn’t get it to work but an hour and a half on the phone to a very patient technician did the trick. The box was supplied with the wrong software – or something. Anyway, all is good now.

Our old Freesat box, is now largely redundant although still has some stuff left to watch on it. There is a communal dish on the roof and we did toy with going down that route but it would have meant having to accommodate two more cables running around the skirting board and as you can see from behind the media cabinet, there’s quite enough to be going on with…..

The wall heaters are all fitted and ready to go. We tried them out last night and they should be adequate although the amount of electricity they got through in a few hours was, well, interesting. I have to keep reminding myself that our gas bill will be virtually zero, given that it’s only the hob that uses it.

In progress is the loo. A cheap and cheerful cabinet is now on the wall and there is a new blind up at the window. A coat of paint on the walls, bog roll and towel holders to fit, then it’s done.

And that will be it. Nearly….

The Flat – Week Six

Yippee! Last day before half term. I haven’t got so excited about the end of school since, well, when I was at school. Anyway, the latest update:

The bed arrived this morning and we can’t wait to er, try it. Our other old thing is now in bits and at the dump. It served it’s purpose well as a spare but was hardly the last word in comfort.

Keen observers will notice the black headboard. I should point out that’s it’s fake leather. Real wasn’t an option. Sadly. All we are waiting for here now is the tops for the bedside units.

Last Friday we hired a van and picked up the sofas and in doing so emptying the storage unit and stopping the meter running on that particular expense. The rental company gave me a long wheel base as that’s all they had so we only had to make one trip. We were both dreading trying to get them up the stairs and around corners but it went as well as we could have hoped. The only scuff marks were on us, and yes the sofas are black leather – at least some parts anyway!

Just the fire and surround to come and that’s due tomorrow.

Various picture now adorn the walls, some new some old and our travel maps now have their place in the hall. Friends will know of the world map from ‘Border Control’ but facing it we now have a British Isles map, soon to show places visited in Patsy. To come is a European map ready for our big trip next year, all being well.

So, what’s left. Well the change in the weather this week has given us a reminder of the one thing the flat lacks – heating. The old dear downstairs helps out by having her flat like an oven all day bless her but that ain’t going to be enough. We’ve opted for panel heaters which I’ll order next week. Cheaper than having central heating installed – and tidier since any pipes would have to be surface mounted – although running costs remain to be seen. One thing we are sure of – the flat will be cheaper to heat than Border Control.

So no update next week as we’re back in Patsy up the A23 in Crystal Palace. Look out for blogs from there.

The Flat – Week Six

Yippee! Last day before half term. I haven’t got so excited about the end of school since, well, when I was at school. Anyway, the latest update:

The bed arrived this morning and we can’t wait to er, try it. Our other old thing is now in bits and at the dump. It served it’s purpose well as a spare but was hardly the last word in comfort.

Keen observers will notice the black headboard. I should point out that’s it’s fake leather. Real wasn’t an option. Sadly. All we are waiting for here now is the tops for the bedside units.

Last Friday we hired a van and picked up the sofas and in doing so emptying the storage unit and stopping the meter running on that particular expense. The rental company gave me a long wheel base as that’s all they had so we only had to make one trip. We were both dreading trying to get them up the stairs and around corners but it went as well as we could have hoped. The only scuff marks were on us, and yes the sofas are black leather – at least some parts anyway!

Just the fire and surround to come and that’s due tomorrow.

Various picture now adorn the walls, some new some old and our travel maps now have their place in the hall. Friends will know of the world map from ‘Border Control’ but facing it we now have a British Isles map, soon to show places visited in Patsy. To come is a European map ready for our big trip next year, all being well.

So, what’s left. Well the change in the weather this week has given us a reminder of the one thing the flat lacks – heating. The old dear downstairs helps out by having her flat like an oven all day bless her but that ain’t going to be enough. We’ve opted for panel heaters which I’ll order next week. Cheaper than having central heating installed – and tidier since any pipes would have to be surface mounted – although running costs remain to be seen. One thing we are sure of – the flat will be cheaper to heat than Border Control.

So no update next week as we’re back in Patsy up the A23 in Crystal Palace. Look out for blogs from there.

The Flat – Week Five

We have carpet! We have chairs! We have a telly!

The carpet went down a day earlier than originally planned. The company rang us Tuesday asking if they could come in a day earlier. Slight panic and a stream of expletives followed but we decided to go ahead – and very good it looks too.

The fitters hadn’t even finished before we scuttled off to the storage unit to pick up our old but serviceable and VERY comfortable black leather (obviously!) recliners. It was so nice to sit in them again.

Another shopping expedition on Friday, this time for some more linen and curtains but otherwise a day off from DIY’ing.

Saturday was spent going backwards and forwards to the lock up for various bits and bobs including the telly, and the pine corner units which look great in the hallway.

The telly was retrieved from the storage unit on Sunday, mounted on the wall and switched on for the first time in over two months. All the speakers are up but only the surround sound is operational so far. I’d spent over two hours threading and feeding wires and cable on Sunday afternoon and had had enough. The centre speaker is currently atop a nest of tables in the absence of the fire and surround due next week.

The desk is in place in the office/dining room/2nd bedroom and the whole room is looking very nice indeed – much more traditional in style and a pleasant place to surf porn- sorry, catch up on paperwork…….

So, this week? At some point we will be picking up the sofas and emptying the storage unit. Some of the dining room still needs another coat of paint and we haven’t even started on the smallest room in the house and there’s still lots of bits and bobs to come from the lock up.

Not only that, but the end of next week is half term – which means Patsy  rides again. Our third visit to Crystal Palace will include a tour around the Houses of Parliament – and some long lie-ins hopefully!

The Flat – Week Four

Another week, another visit to B & Q – or two! Progress continues and there are last seems to be light at the end of the tunnel – although that’s probably a Been & Queued lorry coming the other way….

The last of the plastic skirting board went down today, and very smart it looks too. The rest of the carpet is due Friday, then we can start moving the rest of our stuff in.

Most of the new light fittings are now up – some traditional, some more modern. The ones in the hall have a bit of a delay on them – because they are low voltage via a transformer I guess – and take up to five seconds to come on on from cold once the switch is flicked. Pewter effect switches and sockets are replacing the white plastic ones where visible.

Decorating continues throughout. Nearly two thirds of the hall is done – brilliant white as was on there before, but having little natural light it’s been fun getting even coverage. A coat rack, a picture and a couple of mirrors now adorn the walls.

Most ceilings are done and the lounge walls are looking good in a lovely soft apple white.

A fireplace – coal effect electric - and surround has been ordered and is due in a couple of weeks.

The Flat – Week 3

We’re in! Yes, actually living here now, or more realistically, sleeping and working. There has been progress but it has been painfully slow at times, not helped by having to work for a living – it always gets in the way doesn’t it!

Anyway, the kitchen continues to be ‘finished’ – od little finicky jobs that seem to keep cropping up. Our bedroom is now complete – ish. Having been immersed in the detritus of flat pack furniture for a couple of days we now have a functional bedroom. It’s not finished – neither of us realised that the tops for the bedside draws have to be ordered separately – and they are not due until November. The bed is an old one from our bungalow – the new one is due in three weeks. There’s a couple of ottomans to come from storage but other than that we’re pretty much there.

The bathroom is usable too. A new blind for the window – rather laboriously swapped for the one in the kitchen because it was a fraction too long – and decorated throughout. I can report that the bath works after a communal dip last night.

The last of the laminate flooring  - in the second bedroom/dining room was ripped up today. That’s almost the last of the real messy stuff thankfully. The making good of the area in the hall where the cupboard was continues and is looking good.

It’s nice to have the broadband back although to be honest I’ve hardly used the PC – there’s always been something to do. The phone line was run through to the lounge today for when we get everything set up properly.

Have been picking up more stuff from the lock up – kitchen gear and most of our clothes are now here, so I’ve got a lot more black to chose from and my trusty leather trench coat will be ready for action on our next trip in Patsy in just over three weeks.

Talking of Patsy, the old girl is now safely in storage, about half an hour a way. We emptied her out last Saturday. It seemed odd to leave her, but she will be safe and secure – and at the price they’re charging she should be.

So, this week. Wednesday the rest of the skirting board goes down, but we’ve got to wait nearly two weeks for the rest of the carpet. This means that the big stuff that’s in storage will have to stay there  a little longer – and the meter is running there too.

Still, it will all be worth it in the end!

The Flat – Week Two

As promised, another update on our flat and what we’re doing to it:

Monday, and with a fair amount of brute force but much more ignorance, the cupboard in the hall yielded to the club hammer and my temper. Decorating continued in the main bedroom.

Tuesday and Window Workshop were in fitting new mechanisms to the windows, whilst Iain the plumber got cracking on the kitchen. We watched and made the occasional cuppa.

Wednesday. Whilst the plumber finished off we went to Been & Queued with a very long shopping list. Our neighbour and friend Jackie came with us armed with her discount card.  Finally got storage sorted out for Patsy. What with B & Q and the plumber it was an expensive day, and given my aversion to parting with money – unless it’s for essentials like beer and clothes of course – quite a painful one too!

Thursday and the box section thingy in the lounge yielded to my persuasions with the club hammer. Another trip to the dump in what is now a very filthy Jessie. Used some of the wood battens to put some shelves up in the meter cupboard and in doing so dislodged one of the fuse carriers causing  a short circuit and an extremely loud bang and the main fuse to go. No harm done thankfully but frightening at the time.

Friday. More of those little jobs that seem to take for ever. The bedroom furniture arrived in the afternoon.

Saturday. Kitchen finished and blinds back up in the main bedroom too. Discover immersion heater element needs replacing. Something else to add to the never ending shopping list.

Sunday. Curtain rail and curtains up in main bedroom and filled in some of the holes in the concrete floor and started filling the gaps left by the removal of the hall cupboard. Afternoon off – to do this!

The Flat – Week One

Hmm, what’s this got to do with travel then then? Well, not a lot although, as it happens there is a sort of link. Many will know that we have recently downsized, selling our bungalow - ‘Border Control' - and buying a flat – name yet to be decided. The whole idea is to release cash to fund a year long trip in to Europe in our ‘van as well as having a place that’s easier to lock up and leave and not worry about gardening etc.

There’s things to do in the flat, and as its a while for our next outing in Patsy – 5 weeks & 5 days at the time of typing – not that I’m counting – I thought I’d chronicle our progress in weekly-ish photo updates. So to start things off, photos of the day we got the keys:

As you can see, laminate flooring everywhere. It’s got to come up – we don’t like it but it’s also against the terms of the lease.

Brilliant white everywhere. That’s going to be softened down a bit and the kitchen needs a decent sink and some units moving around.

So, at the end of the first week, what does it look like:

Units moved in kitchen – the plumber is due this week to do the rest. The second bedroom is the workshop and store room. The laminate floor and pine skirting board has been removed from the hall and the main bedroom which is being decorated.

This week – all being well -  the cupboard in the hall is coming out to open it up as well as the box section thingy in the lounge. More decoration and removal of the rest of the laminate floor. Windows are having new catches and mechanisms fitted and wardrobes and units for the main bedroom are coming Friday – flat packed. Grrr!

We have got another ten days on site here in Brighton. By then the kitchen and main bedroom should be complete so at least we can move in.

Check back for another progress report soon!