The Countdown has started

Lulu is just 4 days away from being reunited with us. We are both anxious that she has a good flight. We will be getting the house ready over the next few days.

I spent hours last night reading about fracking, looking at satellite images of the area and checking on google maps exactly where we will be in relation to the exploration fields.

I feel a little more relaxed now. We are protected Northwards by a nature reserve and Southwards (?) by a designated Ancient Woodland. We have the railway and Itchen Navigation to the East and a low density housing buffer and the motorway to the West. We would not be insulated from possible earth tremors but I think the aquifers are safe and the immediate vicinity is not vulnerable. Famous last words. So we move forward and wait for the building survey to be done on Thursday. I was in two minds whether to have one done but decided to play safe and pay the money. The solicitors sent me a pack of searches they have done. I don’t recall ever having had these in the past but it is probably 15 years+ since I bought property in Britain. I find prices here scary. One has just gone on the market around the corner from our target house for £1.75m. They have an extra garage but marginally less land. I hope our vendors don’t decide to ask for more. I am already 50% above budget before Mrs. Ha starts the refurb.

The next goals are 1) sign the tenancy agreement for a 6m let and 2) exchange contracts. Once both of those are done we can breathe out for a while. Assuming our royal visitor arrives safely. I suspect she has quietly enjoyed her stay at Dogotel and we have found the move easier without her to worry about each day. Nonetheless this is not an exercise I want to repeat in a hurry.

One of the joys of being in Britain in February is watching the Six Nations rugby championship. I say ‘well done England’ through gritted teeth and thank Ireland and France for an enjoyable if bruising game of rugby, edged by the Irish. Rugby is slowly being ‘cleaned up’. Scrums are not what they were and although the old style were prone to being reset several times they were more exciting. The advent of the upright tackle is to be deplored and that will have to go next. Far too dangerous. If we are not careful it will end up like American Football with body armour and padding, topped off by motorbike helmets. And then we shall call it “cricket”. Except England can’t play cricket any more either. Tonked by the Aussies again yesterday. Thank goodness for being Welsh – unless of course we lose to Scotland tomorrow. Then I shall have a face full of prime haggis and have to go into mourning for 12 months.  It is a tough life.

Oh and happy Valentine’s Day.