Author: peterb51

5th December 2017

Well they turned up, the guys from Interior Harmony were right on time. I sensed that they were shocked at the sight before them. Little did I know just how shocked I would be when they left. The job hinges around some structural work that needs to be done before the kitchen and bathroom can be started. There were “building regs” here and “building refs” there, and quite frankly I was soon pissed off with “buildings regs”. Halfway through I realised that this was getting out of control, there seemed a reason to change and rebuild everything, if I was not careful I would end up spending a fortune. Whilst they were getting their breath ready to embark on the rest of the things to change, I asked them for a “finger in the air” estimate. After a lot of bush circling, he blurted out “could be up to 70k”

“Shit I could have the house rebuilt for that”.

Anyway that will not happen, so now I have to re-think the project differently.

4th December 2017

Today was car cleaning day, and as there are no Polish people here I had to do it myself. That is not a slur on the Polish, it’s just I usually go to them and they do a great job in under fifteen minutes. Fortunately it was a pleasant day, not cold, and ideal for the task.

The lanes here are muddy with potholes and puddles, and after a couple of trips the car was disgusting. I borrowed a mop and bucket, and off I went. The memories came flooding back when car cleaning was a way of life, expecting my children to do it was a complete waste of time, unless it had a screen and went “beep!” they couldn’t relate to it. Ironically cars have far more computer power than their little Sinclair ZX spectrums.

The washing was so therapeutic I even cleaned my sister’s car, as we are both out tomorrow, I’ll be cleaning them again on Wednesday.

3rd December 2017

It is still taking a while to acclimatise to the slow country pace that I’m not used too. I have been taking long walks to think about the work that lies ahead, and I want to get to it as soon as possible. There are huge logistical problems of getting materials to the place, so in my mind I am trying to work out ways that can be achieved. The last time I had to do major work to the place I was much younger and stronger, but what the heck, anything is possible.

I had a look round Illminster a small town that featured in the English civil war, and judging by some of the residents, most of the survivors still live here. I stopped off for a coffee, but the guy was so busy entering a large breakfast order, I got bored and walked out.

I know if I had stayed I would have ended up with afternoon tea.

2nd December 2017

I made the first real trip back to the cottage to start sorting the shed out. Most things were stacked and heaped without much finesse, so this was an attempt to get some order.

Everything went well until I needed a particular size of Allen key. I had the right size, but it was a combined set, and it wouldn’t fit in the space.

That was a drag as I couldn’t find my other set, so that stopped that activity.

However, I did cut the grass and clean the log burner.

I then dropped in on my son, Ryan, and his wonderful family for a belated birthday treat. Louise made me a Black Forest gateau, which means I won’t need to eat for a week.

1st December 2017

Proving that I was not indispensable, Kelli sent me pictures of her latest pieces. One was a corner hutch and the other was a dresser, I really miss not being there to help,

but I have a few thing to sort out here first.

In the evening the was an open evening at Barrington Court for the people of the village. There was mulled cider and a mince pie. The cider is produced from apples grown in the court’s orchard, and with a full cup, you certainly knew you had a drink.

Staggering around the different rooms, each tastefully decorated, I was followed around by a band of jolly minstrels led by a lady armed with a boars head, the music was wonderful, but the tusks of the boar were really sharp.

30th November 2017

I drove into Exeter, the first time I have ever been to the city. I was advised to use the park and ride, so off I went.

The journey took me on the M5 with the car park just off the exit ramp.

Trying to find a space was the first objective, the spaces seemed so narrow, but eventually found one. Then I joined a procession of grey haired people being lured to a red bus, like the march of the living dead. Being more agile than the rest I overtook them to secured my place in the front seat on the top deck. Choosing the seat behind the stairs was bad as the foot space was restricted, or I have large feet.

Fifteen minutes later I was in the centre trying to remember how to find the bus stop for the return journey. With that logged into my brain, I set off on my expedition.

The march of the zombies continued, as the ones from the bus merged with those already there, milling around, getting in my way.

I spent many hours walking around, including John Lewis.

I was amazed by the cost of a mattress these days, one would save a lot of money if you didn’t need to sleep.

It was a pleasant day, and I was able to start my Christmas shopping.

29th November 2017

Today was Aviva day, the day when a wonderfully written letter, and the original certified bank statement was sent off to this useless company.

But first, the printing problem.

My sister has a Wifi printer, but both my iPhone or iPad cannot see it, so I had to end up emailing it, and printing it out from her tablet. Of course there were mistakes and other changes that I was rushing to get done, and to catch the post. Eventually, everything was sealed up and shoved in the post box.

Kelli had been busy procuring more furniture to re-fill the empty space at Lakeshore.

An interesting thing happened to the cabinet we sold on Sunday to the lady who made a dog kennel out of it, well it appeared on another selling list for the inflated price of $200! Not sure if the price includes the dog?

28th November 2017

Today was the beginning of next stage of my new life, the UK part, and I had a number of things to do.

Firstly I had to find another interior company to refurbish my cottage in Bradford on Avon. I have a lot of things I want doing to it, and I had been let down by another company in Melksham, who I was hoping to start planning the job whilst I was away. I chose to meet with Interior Harmony in Chelsea Road in Bath, I had used them before, so I hoped they would be interested in taking the project on.

The journey to Bath took a couple of hours, due to traffic jams and roadworks. Ah traffic jams, I did miss them. I also missed speed cameras, which I believe I drove through whilst exceeding the speed limit……… now awaiting a brown envelope, welcome back Pete.

The meeting went well, and we agreed to meet at the house next Tuesday.

Next on the list was a visit to the bank to get an original account statement that I could send to Avia to get my other pension. They have rejected two other applications, because they claimed they were not original documents.

“Well lady, I have your name, so sort it out, or I will visit you personally”.

I was shocked to find the NatWest had moved, and changed beyond recognition. Gone were the solid structures of oak and granite, of smiling faces behind glass, and the feeling that your money was safely stored in a cardboard box next to the Manager’s gentleman’s parts.

Instead, it’s all purple and maple, with greeters and standing tables, manned by people who don’t really like it, but are not allowed to say. They don’t need too, it’s in their eyes.

So, in possession of my bank statement, original, signed by a assistant manager in his own blood, I set about my next task, a birthday present for my youngest grandson.

Disaster! the Eric Snook toy shop has gone!!! One of the last places from my childhood erased, I couldn’t believe it. I know it was never the same place after it moved, it was part of the fabric to the city, a toy shop now gone. It made me sad, another place men could go to lose themselves for a short time.

Panic set in, where do I go now? I went to Hawkins Bazaar, a place full of shit and worthless tat, and ended up at the toy department of Debenhams, a place lacking in any sort of soul, but I had to find something.

I finally got a digger, it makes all kinds of noises, just like the real thing, should drive the parents crazy.

Ethan seemed pretty pleased with it, and he didn’t break it.

27th November 2017

Landed at Heathrow at eleven thirty, and my bag was one of the first on the carousel. This as a great relief as there was such a short time between me landing from Grand Rapids and transferring to the London flight, all credit to American Airlines. At least I won’t need to smack the baggage girl at GR who promised me that the bag would be transferred okay.

I was due to be collected by my son Damian, who, as normal was a little delayed. I expected to be reunited with my car, which he looked after , (and used) whilst I was away. Instead I had to babysit my Grandson for a couple of hours. I then had to drive to my sister’s house in Barrington, ( one and a half hours away) so I was pretty wrecked at the end of the day.

Kelli did send me a picture of the furniture piece that we had sold yesterday. Sure enough it became a dog kennel.

As I lay in bed, reflecting on the last three months, and thinking of the work I have ahead of me, I already started to miss the craziness, the work, the fabulous food, and Kelli, and wishing I was still there.

26th November 2017

So the time has come to pack all my crap into my case and head back to the UK.

I rushed around this morning planing timber for a shelf to fit a returned piece that I had farted about with for a few weeks. It became more relevant when a piece we had just finished sold today before it was taken to Lakeshore. It is great when this happens, although the lady intended to use it as a kennel for her dog. She described how she was going to cut the centre of the doors away to make access. I could see Kelli cringe, but with money in her hand they can do whatever they want.

I said my goodbyes to the dogs, they will have to bite somebody else for a while. On the way, we stopped off at Kelli’s family for hugs all round, then off to the airport.

Gerald Ford terminal has been remodelled, and looks slick and modern.

These twelve weeks have been amazing, my adjustment to retirement has felt seamless, and natural. Getting back to the UK will be a big change, and the most daunting, but equally as challenging.

As I sat at the gate I calculated we must have used sixty toilet rolls, heard “Nights in white satin” one hundred and forty times, “Forever Autumn” ninety six times, (live version) and forty five times (album version). I gave Kelli a hard time on this, but she knows I am joking.

She cooked some amazing food, and I can’t wait for more.

I felt sad at leaving because this was the longest time I have spent in the US, but I’m going back.