Tuesday 13 October 2020

Getting to know the area

Well I thought moving house was exhausting but it seems settling in isn't exactly restful either.

I can't believe we've been here 3 weeks already but of course the arrival of two new grandsons rather threw any ideas of routine out of the window.

We still have boxes to unpack and jobs to do but we're making progress all the time.  Just slowly!  We're learning how to work things, where to put things, where to find things etc etc.

And then we realise that actually some things work better when stored elsewhere and we have to learn all over again where they are.  

It's been very wet since we arrived but we did take advantage of a couple of dry spells to get out and explore.  We're on the edge of Epping Forest and a five minute walk or so from woodland and Highams Park and Lake.








The last pic was taken on Sunday, the others were taken last Tuesday.

We're looking forward to exploring more of the forest.

We've also managed to get our wifi working throughout the house - Nick's den as we refer to it is in the top part of the extension to the house and had poor reception due to the 9 inch thick wall but we've sorted that now.  We've also got reception out here:


This studio will be my hideaway when I want some peace and quiet lol.  The former owners used it as a home office.  I've got my bureau out there plus my sewing machine and I will have an exercise bike out there when we pick it up from my daughter.  She has bought herself an all singing and dancing exercise machine so no longer needs her more basic bike.  We also need to get an ordinary shed for our garden stuff - things like the lawnmower, tools, etc which for now are sitting in the studio. 

But of course all these things take time.  Just notifying everyone that we've moved is taking up a lot of my time.  Especially at the moment with many call centre/admin staff working from home.

Yes of course some of these things can be done on line and are easier than others.  It doesn't help when the main Government department (HMRC) have your date of birth incorrect on their records.  I spent ages online trying to set up a "Gateway" account to update our address only to be told repeatedly they did not recognise me.  When I eventually got through to a human being on the phone he spotted the problem but wouldn't actually tell me.  But my telling me I need to send in a certified copy of my birth certificate it became obvious what the problem was.

Just another little chore to add to the to do list.  Fortunately my best friend's daughter is a solicitor so she will be able to do the certifying for me.

We've also managed a trip to Nottingham at the end of last week to meet Grandson Miles and just in time.  Nottingham are now under tighter lock down restrictions due to Covid and we would be breaking the rules now by visiting them.  So glad we went!



 

12 comments:

  1. I am so jealous of your little hideaway. I'd be out there all the time. Congrats on all your newest grandbaby - what a cutie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Miles is adorable! I'm so glad you got to see him before the rules changed. We heard here that England was having another round of C-19. So sorry! I'm sure our turn will come here too but we are enjoying some freedom right now. It sure looks like your new location has some great hiking/walking places near by! Thanks for keeping us posted!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Terri. Yes we just need the rain to stop!

      Delete
  3. Miles looks adorable. Lucky that you managed the trip before the inevitable lockdown happens in Nottingham. You have chosen a lovely part of outer London/Essex to live. My visits to the Central line stations give me a small insight into the Epping forest area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marie. We're looking forward to doing more exploring but the kids are keeping us busy lol.

      Delete
  4. Oh, that hideaway! What a sweet space for you!! Not as sweet as baby Miles, of course, but a blessing of another sort.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks yes I'm sure I'll be putting it to good use.

      Delete
  5. Your hideaway is like my studio. You will love it! Nice looking house. Congrats on the new grandkids. 2020 is going to be a memorable year for you on a lot of levels!

    Janet’s Smiles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Janet. Yes lots of good things to remember but lots we'd like to forget lol

      Delete
  6. I love your little studio! Such a perfect spot for a sewing room, you can work on projects and leave it all as you want to to pick up the next time. Miles is just perfect in every way:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Karen. Just have to find time for the projects now lol

    ReplyDelete

I love receiving comments and will do my best to acknowledge them, either by replying here or dropping in on your blog.

Thanks for stopping by.