The end is in sight. Well actually, a number of ends are in sight. This morning I had my second piece of maintenance laser surgery on my eyes. I am pleased to report that everything said in the comments to my previous post has, in the main, been confirmed. I now await a check-up to confirm that all has gone to the surgeon's plan, a confirmation that should come in six weeks' time or thereabouts. So the end of treatment is in sight, with [one hopes] the loss of a particularly annoying floater in my left eye.
We now have a beautiful, oak staircase to grace our hall, built as part of the ongoing restoration work on the house, after the fire in June of this year. The electrical work has been completed, well sort of. Some changes have not been carried out, because the artisan ran out of time. But these are minor matters which, strictly speaking, did not need to be part of his current contract. We now await the arrival of the painting and decorating team, with their coterie of carpenters, to replace damaged floors, and to spruce up the decor. Appropriate materials have been chosen. In the meantime I am carrying out what work I can complete in the intervening two weeks before the arrival of the latest batch of artisans. So the end of the restoration is in sight.
We had hoped to place the house on the market this year with [fingers crossed] the possibility of a quick sale and a move to pastures new, or at least newer. Unfortunately, as a result of the Brexit decision to the EU Referendum campaign, the pound has plummeted, and our much needed reserves for a newer house has similarly fallen. However, I hope that what falls down must also rise up - and in not too distant a future. So, although the forecast is not good at present, I do hope that opening stages of house purchase planning are coming to an end. We must wait and see.
It has been an eventful year. Not only have we been "enjoying" a peripatetic life style for a few months, and a revamping of my eyesight, but have also been adopted by a truly lovely dog. I refer of course to our much loved "Elfie." We continue to grow ever closer both in feelings and understanding. There is now doubt whatsoever who are her adopted carers. So the end of a very changeful year is coming to an end.
Of course, one usually waits to the actual end of a year before writing in this fashion. There may yet be more to come! On the other hand, a rest would be most welcome, and a girding-up-of-loins period in preparation for whatever fun lies ahead. So, through a still blurry right eye, and a "floaty" [grrrr] left eye, I wish you all a fond au revoir.
Nice to read you again, Tom, and to learn of the progress on eyes and house. Keep on keepin' on!
ReplyDeleteWill do, Bruce.
DeleteGlad to hear that eyes and home and dog are all progressing well after much turbulence. Best wishes on continuing improvements where needed. Take care, take it easy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marja-leena. Trouble is, taking it easy could become addictive. :)
DeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeletePleased to hear a number of ends are in sight.
There are of course other options for you to consider in the future such as renting in pastures newer, using the proceeds of the house sale( if you elect to sell ) invested to cover (or partially cover )the rental cost.
The rental option might be something worth pondering since it gives you both a break from house maintenance duties and allow some time for stg to recover lost ground.
I can understand the need psychologically to want to always want to own your home but I think the idea of getting a mid-term or even long term rent/ lease and investing the proceeds from a sale is worthy of consideration. You can still have all the benefits such as a garden etc. But importantly you don’t have the responsibility (freedom if you will ) for all the ongoing maintenance.
But I expect the GBT (British pound) might well stay low for longer. This is because ( notwithstanding some modest recent recoveries) as you would be aware Britain faces an ongoing EU divorce bill of about 300 Billion for shared payment liabilities.Such things as prior unpaid budget appropriations, pension liabilities and contractual spending commitments.
From your personal perspective once things settle down it might be worth getting some good advice. From my perspective I think an option worth considering would be to think about transferring a proportion any money or investments I gather you hold in the UK into US currency or securities in that currency. The reason is because I think the $US is likely to increase in value relative to the GBT and Euro given the likelihood of rate increase this year.
Best wishes
Hi Lindsay; Renting would be an option only as an interim arrangement. I grew up to believe that there is value in "bricks and mortar" and would shudder at a long term rental. Also, of course, I would consider renting as a steady drain on capital. That's fine for old[er] people like some friends of ours. but Lucy is far from old, bless her.
DeleteIn my experience (childhood and adult), getting a landlord to carry out necessary maintenance is the very devil of a job. And house maintenance does not need to be expensive if good materials and fittings are used. I am quite surprised how little our ongoing renovation costs. The restoration is another matter, but then artisan's labour costs must be considered.
I thank you for the information you offer. I do think it is important though, not to worry over much.
how good to hear you're doing well, and i'm glad that through all these adventures you had elfie to cheer you up! a little bit of time spent living out of a suitcase can be fun, but i'm also learning first hand how stressful it comes to be in short order. still, i'm glad you enjoyed your time and i'm sorry about the stresses brought on by a bunch of foolish people for whom the short term venting of various (and not necessarily unwarranted) frustrations beat out long term stability. forgive me for an overly simplistic view of a very complex situation, but i really didn't see it coming and when it did, it made me realise that an equally dangerous situation could well come to pass in our neighbour down south.
ReplyDeleteoy, i seem to have gone off on a political tangent when all i wanted was to extend my warmest good wishes to you, lucy, and elfie!
Hi Agnieszka; That's fine, tangential goings off - political or otherwise - are quite acceptable. Your good wishes we thank you for.
DeleteGreat news about your eye improvements, Tom, and also about the house renovation progress. How about some photos of that staircase? Hope prospects for house sale will get better but meanwhile, enjoy present blessings.
ReplyDeleteHullo Natalie; All I can do is to have faith in a right outcome and, as you say, enjoy present blessings. I understand that Lucy is preparing, or about to prepare, a blog post. It is not inconceivable that a picture of the staircase will appear therein.
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