From Old to New

From Old Home to New Home - Part 1

On Monday 29th April 2019 the day that we had long been waiting for finally arrived.
In January of the year previously we had looked at putting our Perth Drive house on the market, but in January of this year we finally plucked up the courage to take the plunge. Last year every time we looked we could not find a better house than the one we already had. This year we determined to break the spell.
 During December we began the process of 'down sizing'. Even if we did not move this would put us in a better place. As soon as Christmas was sufficiently behind us we made a sortie into the Chesterfield area. On a grey winter's day, on the way back to the motorway, we happened to pass through Inkersall. Spying an interesting footbridge over the road I pull up and we climbed the steps on to the walkway. The sign said that we were on the 'Transpennine Way'. Having walked along for a few minutes and spoken to a local dog walker, Irene made the comment that it would be lovely if we could buy a bungalow opposite the trail.
Next we put the house on the market. It went on sale on a Thursday afternoon. By evening we had five viewings booked. One for Friday evening. On Saturday morning while we waited to greet the other four couples an offer at the full asking price came through. So, we went through the motions. Before we could formally accept the first offer the second couple added five thousand to the price. We were up and running. Now we had to find a suitable bungalow and it had to be within a week (my condition). For five days we travelled up to Chesterfield and other places. We dithered over a few places but in the end we put an offer for the bungalow opposite the Transpennine Way.
Now came the weeks of waiting. During the waiting we decided to break the frustration by taking a holiday in Chester and north wales.
We had done our usual of booking of an Airbnb. Before setting off we had an apology from our host saying that she had overbooked so that the third night was not available. Speedily, I booked the third night to be in Prestatyn.

The first two nights were particularly cold as the house was lacking in heat. However, we enjoyed exploring Chester. On the first day we had a brief look at the wall, visited the cathedral and spent a damp hour watching the falconry display.
The second day was much drier and we explored more of the wall, visiting the original Chester cathedral, the Roman remains and finally walking along the river to re-enter by the town gate.

After a second cold night we moved on to Rhyl. The drive across the Welsh hills was by snow covered roads. Having anticipated poor weather we had booked into 'SeaQuarium'. Not many souls had ventured out into the freezing Welsh winds and so we had the experts to ourselves.

 Our B and B was on Beach Road. Having arrived early we parked at the car park on the street. The wind was a serious, icy gale. Bravely, I got out of the car to view and photograph the raging sea. The car quickly became sea salt white as we sat.

From our window we had an amazing view to the wind turbines which stretched out for miles. Our host told us that the turbines were manned during the night and we were able to see the lights of the base camp.

This room was marginally better. There was a radiator which would have given off more heat had it have been bled.
The drive out of Prestatyn was over a very scenic road. Our destination was Erdigg. Erdigg is a National Trust property. The unique story is that of a family who over generations were so interested in their servants that they made portraits of them and wrote poems about them.

The little interlude came to an end and life went on as normal. We continued to run Haven Eagles and had a second visit from a great character.

The waiting continued. Please can we have some more money (solicitors). We may not move until the summer (our buyers).
Now it was time for a spring visit to Calke Abbey. This could be the last we make. Who knows? We have a season of doing 'Last things'.

We found time to change the car. During the week of our house hunting our phone satnavs worked well until the end when they failed. I purchased a 'Tom Tom' satnav and then found the car came equipped with its own. Hence the photos to sell it on eBay.

Another good event was to have dinner with Isobel and Fiona's parents.

We carried on with our customary Wednesday walks. Bradgate Country Park may well be another last.

On the 28th March we certainly had a 'Last'. This time it was tea at Felley Priory with our Eagle friends.

Little knowing that we had less than a month at Perth Drive we thought that we would have our own tea at Felley Priory. This was not to be. Every road that we tried to get there was blocked off. It was then we remembered. The sign that we saw last week said that Felley Priory could not be opened due to road works.
Having come so far there was no way that I was going home without a walk, coffee and cake. I carried on  to Brierly Country Park. We started with coffee and cake, followed by the walk.

 The following Wednesday was our outing to Thornbridge Hall. It is a beautiful garden and we were able to use our two for one garden entry on the last day of the offer. The cafe is very tasteful and I enjoyed a lovely piece of cheesecake.

Our practise has been to visit the nearby village of Ashford in the Water. Sitting opposite the bridge never disappoints.

 The end was now very much in sight. On Thursday there was a fond and sad farewell to the 'Haven Eagles' group. We had decided that the 12th April would be our last sequence dance at the Community Centre. I had planned a goodbye dance. But so had the committee, who put on a super buffet and gifts to us.
Owing to the delay we were able to attend one important occasion. Arthur Fo, the husband of Irene's sister, Margaret was eighty.  It was a great celebration and a good opportunity to meet up with other members of the family. Before the event we walked around the lake with Tim, Isla and Izzie. We spotted a one legged man that turned out to be a mannequin.

There was splendid cake and Arthur enjoyed the time of meeting up with his family and friends

Irene enjoyed meeting up with her brother and his family.

Another outing followed. This time we went with our friends, Paul and Mary, to visit Lea Gardens.

That day I decided to take a last shot of Perth Drive to show the ornamental cherry blossom. I have a sentimental attachment to the tree, having carried it home from the garden centre.

On Good Friday we attended, for the last time, the Friday witness the town square.

Then there was time to photograph spring flowers in the garden.

 The next goodbye was to my friends at the 'Haven Camera Club'. I am glad that are continuing to meet and support one another.
In the middle of packing we had our usually family Easter. You can see how empty the once full shelves are.

During our finally week at Perth Drive we had the pleasure of a three-day stay of Selina and Julia who were looking at this area.
On the 28th of April was the greatest surprise. Although the date had been previously planned, and would have happened whatever our moving date, the Haven Church gave us a superb send off. The service centred around us and the buffet that followed was simply brilliant. We will also remember the many friends that we made there.
Finally, the 29th arrived with a punctual removal firm and no key to our new home. One of the good things that happened in the previous week was that I happened to call into the Chesterfield estate agent. This was good for two reasons. Firstly they had not thought to get the key from the owners and secondly I had a chance to time the drive from there to the bungalow.

Having watched the start of the loading I made my way to Chesterfield, parked and walked up to the estate agent. Of course I was too early and had to hang around the square by the 'Crooked Spire'. By 12 noon the key had not been released to me. But when it was I gave the agent a big hug and I was on my way. Part way to the bungalow my solicitor rang me to tell me that I could now collect the key. I arrived at the bungalow just a few minutes before the removal van. Irene came up sometime later with more stuff in a car driven by our Haven pastor, David Mansfield. We are so grateful to him for that.