Had an enjoyable cycle ride in the New Forest with Nicci and John Duffield. Considering the weather over the last couple of days has been fairly we were lucky that the rain held off. Fortunately mudguards kept the worst of the mud off me but Nicci and John on their mountain bikes got reasonably covered. [thumb:842:c]
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Just before we ended our cycle we came across an old fire place.
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This was built by the Portuguese Army during the First World War when they in the area cutting timber and is all that remains of their presence. Till today I never knew that there had been Portuguese soldiers in England during the First World War so it is something new that I have learnt.
I’ve had quite a strange day hunting for somewhere to live in Essex. In total I’ve seen four places. Strangely I’m more drawn to the first property that I saw which is a 1970’s semi detached two bedroom house. Walking into it with the estate agent the couple who own it were busily repainting it.
The second property, a recently well refurbished bungalow currently empty, had the complete feel that it was a blank canvas that I could stamp my own mark on if I wished to. Two sheds mind you though.
Looking round the third property, which is lived in at the moment by two Spanish Girls, I had the feeling that I was intruding on their lives catching a brief snatch of who they are and the life they live. However I am very unlikely to be ever able to compare the impression that I have created in my head with the head what who the two girls who live there actually are.
It’s Tuesday and it’s raining and I’ve got to drive to Essex to find somewhere to live again. Auspicous isn’t it. I’ve got some viewings arranged so it shouldn’t be in vain.
Had a sad feeling going to what could be my last Romsey Sub-Aqua Club Annual Dinner. I’ve got the last part of my BSAC Sports Diver training signed off. All I need to do now is track down Andy Hodge to sign it off as diving officer.
I also narrowly missed out on our Sports Diver of the year getting mentioned for being club secretary for two years and that I am now leaving them all.
Well I’ve had my gas appliances serviced and obtained a landlord’s gas safety certificate as all part of the preparation of my move to Essex. Seems very strange sorting things out to leave Southampton after having been here to long. One thing I have to say renting out your own home is expensive to do with all the checks required prior to actually let it out. I can see why some people only expect to make money on the capital appreciation as I am expecting it’s going to be the best part of £700 to sort things out before I can actually get any tenants in.
It’s been another day of of house hunting by web browser with now joy. With nothing to see I’ve not felt the urge to brave the rain and leap in my car and drive up to Essex and back. Instead I’ve been to the gym, set up a PmWiki for Andy Wells and myself to develop our fantastic board game on.
Here it goes, my first posting now that I’ve got this Blog up and running. With a new job and a move to Essex looming I should have plenty to write about as I explore somewhere I don’t know at all.
