We are in!

Friday the 11th of April was the big day.  I set off at 9:00 with a fully loaded estate car to be around to take possession of the keys when the sale was completed.  As I drove past the Estate Agents in Bideford looking for a parking spot there was a call on my mobile from the agents to say that the money had gone through and I could collect the keys -  perfect timing!

It was a good feeling to open up The Granary as the owner for the first time.  The previous owners had a done a great job cleaning up and I was able to unload the car so that I could then relax with a cup of tea. Milk and teabags were on hand however the kettle was in Hil's car, still two and half hours away up the M5.

Made do with a glass of squash and then rang the furniture shop to tell them the beds could be delivered.  Disappointed to hear that they had been let down by the supplier and one bed had not arrived, however, knowing that this might be a problem they had already loaded another bed onto the van as a temporary measure.  With a sofa bed  already on its way from another supplier I thanked them but explained that it was not a problem.

Hil and Josh, (younger son) and kettle arrived later in the afternoon and the priority then was a cup of tea.  Having sorted out sleeping arrangements we then retreated next door to The Bell for a well-earned drink and meal -  with Hil repeatedly telling me that this should not become too regular an occurence!

Saturday was spent shopping for household items and food and then dismantling an old metal shed that was in the very small garden area -  this made room to park a second vehicle. We also managed a walk on the beach at Instow.

Hil and Josh returned to the Midlands on Sunday leaving me to pay a few visits to B&Q and to get on with some of the minor jobs which you always find when moving into a new house.  

On Monday a local handyman arrived to begin to erect a picket fence around the garden area so that Badger the collie would be safe next time we come down. I continued with my tasks for most of the day so that the cottage became increasingly more hospitable.

Several neighbours have already been round to introduce themselves, Parkham is certainly a very friendly village and I also called in our local friends to borrow tools and get advice on local suppliers.

I returned to the Midlands on Wednesday to catch up on emails etc.  Hopefully by the next time we  visit we will have landline and broadband as Parkham seems to be cut off from mobile communication with the rest of the world.

Today's the day.

Today  is the day that we complete on The Granary.  Car is packed with essential items and hopefully I will arrive to collect keys around lunchtime.
Some furniture is being delivered later on so that we will have something to sleep on tonight.
Badger, the dog is staying behind with our daughter looking after the house and Hil is driving down later with Josh to help get things organised.
Will report more fully after the event when have a wifi connection....which may be some time!

We have momentum!

Things have moved at quite a pace since my last blog.  Contract was all signed last Tuesday and then we had a quick visit to Devon.  We stayed in one of our good friends Bob and Pauline's cottages at Northway http://www.northwayholidaycottages.co.uk/ -  which we recommend.  On Wednesday we visited our cottage to be and asked all the stupid questions like -  how do you turn on the central heating system and when is the rubbish collected?  The current owners appeared to have packed up most of their things already so hopefully there will be no problems with us moving in on Friday afternoon.
Thursday was spent looking for furniture.  We were recommended to visit the village of Bradworthy where to our surprise there are two furniture stores.  We found a sofa bed that we really liked and that will be delivered on Friday.
On the way back we called for a cup of tea with good friend Kevin who lives close to our new cottage.  It is really useful having friends in the area who can advise on getting all the little jobs done that you need when moving into a new place.
Thursday afternoon was spent touring the shops of Bideford area and by the end of the day we had bought 2 double beds, again to be delivered on Friday afternoon.   Shopping at these local stores is so much more pleasurable than dealing with the large chains on the out of town retail parks.
We were exhausted by the evening and too tired even to call in at our new local - The Bell at Parkham.  By Friday afternoon we were back in the Midlands with plans for internet shopping over the weekend.

Things are so close now I think it is 'safe' to put up a photo of The Granary, where we hope to spend much time over the coming years.  P.S. You can see the thatch of the Bell in the background.