Kerching!

My rural life continued for a few days more. I received one more - live - mouse from the cat, and one night the wind scared the dog so much that he slept in my room (the big softie).

I ran out of milk one day. I understood that there was a sweet little shop in Devauden, 8 minutes away. I put the name into my sat nav and merrily started driving along the lanes. 20 minutes later, I came into a village that I recognised. Turns out I’d put the wrong name into the satnav (I'd put Dingestowe - well, it began with D so was almost right!). I was very near home, so I collected my post, picked up some milk in Marks and Spencer, then returned to the tranquil idyll.

I was rather sorry to leave in the end. It was funny though because as I arrived at the gate with my packed car, something caught my eye - it was the cat! She had climbed into the car when I was packing I presume. I wondered why the car alarm had gone off at one point. Now I know why!

Last week, Olly spent a day volunteering at a rescue centre with his work colleagues. There was a beautiful black cat there, looking for a home, called Janet (my Mum’s name). Very tempting to rehome her, but obviously we’re not quite in the position to take on a pet at the moment, due to the impending move.

It’s looking like I’ll be able to move into the house I’m buying, directly from leaving the marital home. The chain for the sale has been slower than expected, and the chain for the purchase much quicker, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I started looking for sofas, and found a gorgeous one, but I’ve been persuaded not to order it until I’m in. I was just thinking of putting furniture more of less where the current owners have theirs, but of course, we may decide to move things around, and could perhaps have a corner sofa, so, although I’m usually very urgent, I’m taking a breath - at least regarding sofas - and waiting until I’m in.

Oh, and I’m sick of broadband! I had asked Talk Talk to cease the line 23/9 when I was due to move out the house. However, I cancelled the cease when I realised the move was going to be delayed. But they still ceased the line! 1.30 hours on the online chat with at least 4 members of staff, and they couldn’t get me back online unless I took out a new contract. No way. They agreed to refund me 2 months bills (kerching!). So PlusNet - who I’d already decided to use for the rental house (which I no longer need), and the house I’m buying - managed to get me online 3 days later. BUT a week later, they ceased the line. An agent had pushed me to give them a date when I’d be moving and I’d said 25/10. Unfortunately he put the wrong cease date in!

This week, I had a TV delivered - with no screws - and a jumper that had a massive needle jutting out of it which pricked me. I got £20 from Amazon for the hassle re the TV (kerching!), and a £54 jumper free (kerching!) because of the needle - oh and Next have arranged for the needle to be collected by special courier on Monday; they want to work out how it got in the jumper and where!!

I’m packing once more now, because on Wednesday I go on a cruise! A couple of months ago, I’d been talking with my friends Dawn and Tony about solo holidays. Tony said cruises are good for singles. I told him quite strongly that I wouldn’t like a cruise, and he quite rightly said that I couldn’t say that when I’ve never tried one. So, the 3 of us leave Southampton on Wednesday. We’ll stop at Cherbourg (we’ll visit a chateau or an art gallery), and then Zeebrugge (booked on a Bruges excursion) which will be nice. I watched a video about the ship and it lasted 30 minutes because it’s so big! I can’t really imagine it. The thought of over 6000 passengers puts me right off, but hopefully it won’t be too bad. Lots of restaurants and bars, a cinema, a theatre, spa, pools, casino, robotic bar, and much more. I’ll have lots to tell you in the next post! Actually the ship was in the news this week, because a lady fell into the sea and died. Very sad, but do you think you hated the ship and had to get off?