Blogs

Those of you who have met my elder son might like to have a look at his Blog where he pokes gentle fun at his father who has joined this activity of the human (?) race. See it here .

Shame he didn't point out it was me who introduced him to all things IT and that I have been on the Net for about 10 years now. I could go back even further and bore you about ARPA ........

Weather

Obviously this is a strange part of the Country (but you all knew that already?). At 0630 this morning there was heavy mist with visibility around 100 metres and two cars that went by had their fog lights on.

So what you might say, but remember this is the height of English summer.

It's now 1000 and you'll be pleased to know that the weather has improved and it is now sunny. Looks like a day for outside painting and sorting the broken windows on the garden shed. Now then, where's the suncream ?? .....

The House

In general terms the house is what we expected, but considering the number of photos and measurements we took during one visit then that's not surprising. But it's the classic "peeling an onion" situation - there's more underneath and until you peel back a layer you don't know what to expect. In this case of course it's looking under carpets, vinyl floors, inside cupboards etc., the things it's difficult to do when you view a house.

Some of the finishing in the original build - kitchen units, utility room, conservatory - makes me want to scream. I don't do screaming (maybe I should?) so I just swear very loudly. But overall there is nothing that desperately needs to be done although I have just laid a floor in the conservatory (it had bare concrete) and am about to fit skirtings (there weren't any) and paint plaster walls (they were still bare after 8 years). The fact that the heating/water boiler stopped working a few days ago and that one of the loos just developed a leak means a little more unexpected grief.

The garden will require a lot of work in the long term for I guess two main reasons. Firstly there are loads of plants and some of them are really nice, but they need to be cut back and generally sorted out as they have taken over. The other project will be deciding what to do with the slope round the back - the garden rises 6 - 8 feet and the path will be treacherous in the wet.

Oh, I should mention the conservatory (again). The previous owner used it as a dog kennel and the door into the house is very, very, badly scratched. Hate to think what I've just covered up with the new floor?? It still smells of dog although thankfully that is slowly going - the one time in my life that I am looking forward to the smell of fresh paint.

Did I mention the conservatory? Must be getting old. If ever you have one built, make sure that there are vents/windows near the apex - the only way to let the flies out. May be the first time since childhood that I buy some flypaper.

Having just been out for a brisk walk I realise that the dog smell is still here in the house. Beginning to think we should have had the carpets cleaned before we moved in.

Title of this Blog

(Note: original title was "A Refugee in Somerset")

Apart from the obvious reason - I'm the refugee - there are other things going on here:

The Railway is used amongst other things as a vehicle (pardon the pun) to teach local schoolchildren about history in a way they (hopefully) will remember. Apparently part of the teaching about World War II includes dressing up as evacuees (complete with suitcases) and riding the train, just as children did in real life all those years ago. I'm glad I was born after the War.

There were American troops billeted here before the D-Day landings - I'm told they were the other side of the Railway from our house. One day they all upped and went on the train to wherever they were sailing from for the Normandy landings.

Shopping and Pubs

Now where we came from there are major Supermarkets within a couple of miles, a 7/11 about 600 yards away and the Local across the road from the 7/11 - very civilised. Here it is very different.

The nearest shop is 1.5 miles and although one could walk there, it is too far to carry much back. Also it is small and very restricted in what it offers, although as it is a Community Shop then we should use it for simple things.

There is a Co-op, a butchers, bakers and fruit and veg shop at Williton which is 6 miles away. Most of the day-to-day shopping will get done here and there are two Banks with cash machines. The Doctor is also here and, almost forgot, there is a Threshers ! For more complicated shopping there is a Tesco just this side of Taunton centre and a Sainsburys the other side near to the M5 - Tesco about 10 miles, Sainsburys 12 miles and both acceptable. There is also a Sainsburys at Bridgwater but that trip deserves its own posting at some stage.

Nearest pub is at Triscombe and is about 35 minutes walk - slightly shorter on the way back as it is mostly downhill. I did it the other day (early morning so pub was closed) and road is quite narrow in places - only had to step into the nettles twice to avoid the traffic. Note: do not wear shorts. We have been to the Carew Arms at Crowcombe on our first night here (by car) and the food was very good although the local pubs do not appear to do "bar food" which is a shame. The Exmouth beer is acceptable but not worth a 35 minute walk.

So hence the reason for a large fridge and a good freezer to allow for few visits to the shops. No doubt I will work it out in time. We are also thinking of a chest freezer in case the winters are bad - you would not want to go out on these roads if it was icy !

The Early Days

The problem with moving is not the packing but the unpacking. Days are spent emptying boxes and not knowing where to put the contents, which is not helped by the lack of sensible wardrobe space - previous owner left a lot of hanging rails but they are open to the world. Another job on the list - buy and install fitted bedroom furniture. Perhaps if I don't open a box for a year then I can simply throw it away?

On the subject of throwing things away I made my first visit to the local Refuse Dump or Recycling Depot as it is more correctly termed in this part of the world. I was made to feel like a 7 year old child by the workman who explained in clear and very precise terms how I was to separate the various items of waste and place them in the appropriate container. This explains why they have a notice saying that last month 84% of the items left there were recycled - perhaps Spelthorne Council should take note. Makes a nonsense of the tip at Charlton (used in my previous existence).

And "Hooray!", because after only a few days we have delivery of the new fridge (forgotten what it was like without one), freezer, washing machine and dishwasher and I have fitted them all and they work !!

Well, here we are

3 weeks ago we moved to West Somerset in a Hamlet next to the West Somerset Railway. The move was from a village called Laleham which is about 5 miles from London's Heathrow Airport, so the change in place and lifestyle is expected to be "interesting".

Thought I'd set up this Blog to record the early days and my view of this strange new world. Should have done this on day one, but there's all sorts of more important things to do (or so I'm told).

So, gotta go and prepare to lay a floor in the Conservatory, but after that .....