Hi JM
Thank you for considered reply ( not that I would expect any less from an accountant!).
I was waiting for the extension to be built. My neighbour seems to be doing all the ground work - very slowly! I think they’re at the stage where a builder is needed, ie building walls! However, the weather has been against them, it’s either been frosty or raining!
Certainly the coffee situation is not so good down there! We have lots of farm shops, each with a cafe, I can’t think of one reasonably close to the area down there!
Hadn’t thought about other transport. Here there is CATS, coastal accessible transport, which takes people to daycare, shopping etc. They are very reasonable. They used to take OH to daycare, and I still know some of the drivers. They will also do a hospital run if necessary.
When I went for coffee with friends earlier this week, they laughed at me cos I had a piece of sponge as well. That’s why they’re all skinnygalees, and I’m not! On the other hand we were there for a long time and I didn’t eat until early evening!
The actual moving would be horrific. I’d rather not think about it. I’d have to do what we did coming here, movers who pack everything first. Very good they were too, but it’s not a cheap option. When we came here, it was three weeks after my knee replacement! By the end of day 2 I was sitting on the back of the pick up saying, kitchen...yellow room....container...! And I couldn’t walk around the old house and grounds to check everything had gone that was meant to go. OH had to go back two days later to get bits. Half the extending ladder and my big transect were two things I seem to remember! I’m sure the boys would help, though.
Stepdau is in Chelmsford, stepson in Leicester. 1 1/2 and 3 hrs on a good day. C is expensive! OH lived there when I first knew him. His work relocated, that’s why we came up here. East Midlands is fine, but I have lived in that area for 10 years in my 20s. Stepsons wife thought it would be great if I came back! I have a cousin, best friend and stepson there, so it wouldn’t be so bad. No coast though!
Music, there is Hall for Cornwall, but disabled parking not so good as here. I’m always surprised how far people come to attend our concerts. London? Good grief!
We had builders In (like a bad rash!) when we moved in. We were looking at more expensive places, but couldn’t find anything suitable. So dropped a price bracket and got builders in! So it’s not too bad, and it was fine for OH as dementia progressed. I would get some work done, like wet room instead of shower, new loo, and a few bits and pieces done. After 12 years, it needs painting outside as well. If I get wheel chair bound, I’ll have to use front door, though. The garden is far too big. 0.4 acre, but lots less than the acre at the old place! I do have a cleaner and a gardener. We have been slowly sorting the garden to make it easier, no veg or flowers for picking anymore, for instance. If I stay, I’ll have a couple of small raised beds put in, I can cope with those atm!
Understand what you say about retirement flats. Not sure I like the idea....yet!
I won’t be averse to taxis! It’s getting that way, especially for winter evening concerts/meals.
I’m going to use the trip next month as fact finding and chatting to cousin and his wife about the idea.
I do appreciate what you say about the traffic. Around here, people complain about the summer traffic ( it is a holiday area) but it’s not a patch on Cornwall. I can remember cousins wife telling me she once spent 2 hours getting into a supermarket, and another time spending 3 hrs getting out of same supermarket! That’s Newquay for you! They don’t do technology at all, so online shopping is completely unknown to them, though I guess the sons or dils could do it for them!
Well, I’ve rambled even more. I have made lists, btw!
But thank you very much for writing it all down, it’s cleared my mind.
Oh, I have been keeping an eye on rightmove, but haven’t found anything suitable either here or there!