We've just returned from a couple of days in the very west of Wales, Pembroke, staying in a holiday cottage in the pretty village of St Florence (http://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/content.asp?id=2321).  

The part of Pembroke where we stayed is the bit between Carmarthen and Milford Haven on this map.  Not far from Devon as the crow flies but a very long 220 miles by road.

On a lovely sunny day we visited one of the top ten beaches in Wales, Barafundle Bay.  (See: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/20-best-beaches-wales-2013-2573728)


The weather was warm, although a little breezy, which was good weather for walking along the cliffs. We parked at Stackpole, (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole/) and walked towards the coast, then along the cliff top and down to the sands.

According to the National Trust Website:

Beautiful stretch of coastline with sandy beaches, wooded valleys and lily ponds

Stackpole is both a listed designed landscape and an internationally important nature reserve. Footpaths radiate from the site of Stackpole Court, a grand mansion demolished before the National Trust owned this area. Exotic plantings in Lodge Park give way to mixed woodland further upstream.

The famous Bosherston Lakes were created 200 years ago to provide a backdrop to Stackpole Court. They have evolved into a wildlife habitat famous for its otters, water birds and dragonflies.

unusual entrance to a beach!

Cliffs, sand dunes and tiny coves alternate along eight miles of coastline. Barafundle is a jewel of a beach set between limestone cliffs and backed by dunes and woods. This secluded bay can only be reached by a cliff path walk from Stackpole Quay, with steep steps at either end. Stackpole Quay itself is a tiny harbour used by local fishermen and small pleasure boats.

Broadhaven South, at the foot of the Bosherston Lakes, is another safe family bathing beach while Freshwater West, a few miles west of the main estate, is Wales's premier surfing beach. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole/)

The next day was a little showery so we went into Tenby and had a look around 

C4 'Grand Designs' transformation of the lifeboat station at Tenby  (www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/episode-guide‎)

computer is on a go-slow to this will be continued and completed - very soon ...

Getting older ...

This morning I went downstairs to ask one of our lodgers something.  She was in the kitchen in her dressing-gown, and said she'd just woken up 'and please don't judge me'.  I said that at my age we don't judge people by their appearances but by what they are as people.  

But then thought, 'Is that entirely true, so long as someone is clean and tidy?' but is that because think less of ourselves (in both senses) less as we grow older?

But I think that in today's 'youth culture' it is important that we still value ourselves as we grow older.  And, the ageing process doesn't necessarily have to be be grim, it's up to us to quite an extent.

It's very important to look after ourselves as, to put it bluntly, the moment we start letting ourselves go is the moment when we become old.  


And here are some style secrets of fashion for older people. 

1. Find your style: knowing yourself is very important, so build up your clothes over the years.
2. Look chic but not crazy: try to keep a certain amount of elegance, even if every piece tells a story.
3. Think colour: wear lots of colour, you don't want to blend into the background.  Older people often feel they're finished so they fade away.
4. Avoid anything too fussy: as you get older you need to avoid frills and fluff, simplicity and straight lines are key.
5. By not slavishly following trends, you stay ahead of the curve.
6. Comfy shoes are a must: the oldest part of my body is my feet.
7. As are scarves - although belts should be avoided.  A scarf hides a stringy neck and if you go hot and cold (for instance with hot flushes) a scarf can be ready to double up as a shawl. But after a certain age belts can become uncomfortable around the ribs.
8. Adopt inspiring role models:  for inspiration as well as ideas.
9. Find your inspiration in unusually sources:  from art for instance, for from someone such as Ari Seth Cohen (http://advancedstyle.blogspot.co.uk/)
10. Don't just stick to the high street:  what about catalogues, it's a good way to buy clothes and they're often very reasonably priced.
11. Learn some simple dress-making skills: buy a size larger and take clothes in to suit you.
12. Keep on learning:  change your make-up regularly, learn different techniques.
13. Don't let grooming slip:  Facial massage gets the muscles going. Have your hair done regularly. Remember to apply make-up; a little in the day and more in the evening (but please not too much, and apply it accurately!), and always remove before bedtime.
14. Embrace change:  Keep on going,keep curious - and it's vital to always have a purpose.
15. View young people as inspiring, not alien.
16. Stay in shape:  There's no point buying fabulous clothes if you haven't got a fabulous body.  Keep the spine supple.  One idea is to do floor exercises as you're less likely to hurt yourself.  Yoga, Pilates or similar are gentle and help to keep us in shape.
17. Watch your diet - but enjoy the odd vodka:  When we're young we can eat what we like but that's just not possible after 'a certain age' (mine was 27!).  So a small treat occasionally is definitely earned.
18. Avoid cosmetic surgery:  It's better to grow old gracefully - or disgracefully, as may be the case.
19. Take risks:  don't worry about shocking people, it's important to be bold.
20. Love life: there's no second chance.
21. Turn heads: it's still fun to dress up.
22. Don't think about your age: You have to pit yourself against the ageing process, the moment you give it an inch, life or illness will take a mile.
23. Avoid beige!

(from Fabulous Fashionistas, C4, September 17 at 4pm)

As Bette Davis said: 'getting old is not for sissies'.  

Here are some ideas for the philosophy of getting older.

http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Happy,-Healthy-and-Spiritually-Fulfilled-Old-Age

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/health--wellbeing/

http://www.aviva.co.uk/health-insurance/home-of-health/fitter-at-50/

TO BE FINISHED

The tissue boxes are out across Britain as thousands of children embark on university life, in most cases moving away from the family home and all its comforts and frustrations for the first time.

This may be traumatic for both parents and children, but getting a firm handle on the logistical challenges involved in selecting and moving into a student property can ease the suffering.  

 

Here are 20 practical tips if you're swapping the cosy family nest for the groves of Academe.

1. Finding private accommodation: many students find private accommodation cheaper than university halls of residence.  But it is still a good idea to go through the university accommodation website if it has one.  Then you will have support should you have a gripe against the landlord - websites unconnected with the university are unlikely to offer that.
2. Dealing with landlords: individual private landlords can be more accessible than agencies when there are renting problems. Agencies often charge fees to register; private landlords often don't =.  When you're looking around a place that you're thinking of renting, try and talk to the outgoing tenants and get the low-down on how they have been treated - how quickly did the landlord respond to requests to get things fixed or replaced?  Did they have home and mobile numbers for the landlord?  These are absolutely essential.  It is no good talking to a voicemail on a Friday night when you have a blocked lavatory.
3. Take time to inspect the house: look at the condition of the place.  This is not a matter of aesthetics - though no one wants to live in a dump - but an indicator of the landlord's attitude: if the house looks unloved so will you be.
4. Make sure bills are fair - and paid: All inclusive  accommodation may seem to be the easiest option, but they offten works out as the costliest.   Many landlords will estimate bills in thei favour, so students can ofrn end up paying £5 or so extea a week each to coer utilities that they didn't use.  You will have to learn housekeeping at some point, and university is not a bad place to start.  Paying your own bills  may also spur your environmental responsibility, as it is an excellent inducement to turn off the lights when you go out.
5. Inventories:  insist on an inventory from the landlord before moving in to see what's provided, and to verify the existing condition of the accommodation.  This has benefits for both sides: there are many unscrupulous landlords who will claim that damage has been done by tenants when really it was pre-existing.  Parents should ensure their children are forensic when signing the inventory and take photos of anything dodgy or dirty.  Try the mattress out - if it has springs coming through it, insist that it is changed.  Ensure that any facilities that aren't working, or unsatisfactory conditions such as damp, are signed off by the landlord with a promise to be fixed within two weeks.
6. Contracts: make sure your parents are guarantors of the contract  they will have the right to negotiate any queries that arise over the tenancy. 
7. Negotiate the rent in advance: Some landlords will be content to offer a discount in return for a year's money paid upfront - which will also do wonders for the peace of mind of both student and parents.  
8. Take meter readings the day you move in - you don't want to pay for someone else's use
9. Tenancy agreements:  Be aware that if you sign a joint tenancy agreement, you might be liable for any default in payment if a housemate drops out.  Get details from all other tenants - and their parents if possible - at the beginning of term, so that you are able t track anyone down should you need to get in touch.
10. Be nice to your landlord:  A good tenant develops and maintains a good relationship with the landlord.  Pay rent by standing order at the beginning of each term, and if there's a problem give the landlord advance warning - most landlords have a heart.  But don't abuse any goodwill:  turning the house into a tip will upset your landlord, who will be justified in retaining a portion of the deposit.
11. Draw up a cleaning rota at the beginning of the tenancy to save a lot of arguments.  At the end of the tenancy - after exams - no-one will feel like getting down to the cleaning up.
12. Travel:  Many universities make students clear their rooms each holiday.  Travelling back and forth can be a real pain.  Check if there are other students who come from your area  try to arrange lift sharing.
13. Get a car:  Maybe it's time your parents forked out on a car?  Point out the days of travelling saved, the peace of mind from knowing that offspring will not be cowering on night buses etc.  
14. Don't take too much stuff:  There is never enough room to store everything and you'll end up bringing half of it home - whether or not you have your own car in which to do so. 
15. Storage:  By the same token, buy storage bags to hand on the back of doors, and boxes to go under the bed - they will be used, and they don't cost much.  
16. Learn some good basic recipes (see below): Your funds will soon disappear if spent on takeaways and diet of pizza is no defence against the cold viruses doing the university rounds throughout the winter.
17. The fridge: take plastic boxes labelled with your name to keep food in a shared fridge.  It won't stop people 'borrowing' stuff but it will at least give them pause for thought.
18. Utensils: While establishing what belongs to whom in the fridge, try to work out who has what cooking utensils.  A household needs only one wok, even if you all have to take turns washing it up.
19. Take flip-flops to wear in the communal shower - other students are very generous with their verrucae or other food nasties.  
20. Check your insurance to see if your possessions are covered while you are at uni.  Forking out for a new laptop halfway through term is not a welcome expense.

(from an article in the Saturday Telegraph on 14 September 2013 by Charmian Evans)

thestudentroom.co.uk is a forum run by students for students offering useful tips and information.

recipes: 

http://www.foe.co.uk/living/articles/40_handy_stale_bread_tips_39603.html?gclid=CKOsnqDbzLkCFcaWtAod3FUAcA

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8708890/Student-recipes-six-delicious-yet-affordable-meal-ideas.html

http://studentrecipes.com/

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/student

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/finances/top-ten-easiest-meals-for-students-or-anyone-else-for-that-matter-to-cook-6939170.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/finances/top-ten-easiest-meals-for-students-or-anyone-else-for-that-matter-to-cook-6939170.html

http://www.thestu.co.uk/

http://www.studentcooking.tv/recipes

http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/article/essential-student-survival-recipes.html

Diary of the saga of a house seller - and buyer.  Part XI - September 2013





1 September: Firstly this month here are a couple of tips for house moving from the a pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/krystalbranom/move/






Instead of wrapping your dinner plates in newspaper - layer them between polystyrene plates, useful for picnics afterwards.




This pic speaks for itself.  Apparently, it saves packing all your clothes and then unpacking them later and hanging them up:

Another couple of useful sites:

http://thejoyfulorganizer.com/2012/05/15/get-moving-2/

http://pinterest.com/pin/261138478366588175/

8 September:  We have just returned from our annual holiday on the narrow boat - this year a leisurely week on the peaceful Kennet and Avon Canal, near Bath.  

Whilst we were away the phone reception was dire so we nearly missed some people who were requesting a second viewing of the house.  Subsequent to the viewing they made us an offer which we were pleased to accept.  

This begged the question of do we still buy the tiny bungalow (now in brown typeface on here, to save confusion)?  We decided it was still a good idea for two reasons:

1. The house sale could still fall through.  Perhaps it's time we adopted the Scottish system whereby once a price is agreed upon, the deal goes ahead, no waiting until contracts are exchanged before really knowing that anything's actually happening.
2. It will put us in a good position for purchasing our new property.  We'll have nothing to sell and the cash sitting waiting in the bank account.

A tiny bungalow in 1922: a bit smaller than the one we're buying - but not much!

So, after several telephone calls and emails, we eventually heard from our solicitor (after a couple of sleepless nights) that everything is now in place so we can exchange on the bungalow this week and possibly even complete!

9 September:  Today's 'funny'.  I saw a possibly suitable house on the internet but no room sizes were given, so emailed the agent and here's her reply: 
'Thank you for your enquiry regarding the property at ---.  Unfortunately room measurements are not available although the property is unique and all rooms are of a good size.  If you would like any further questions answered or if you would like to arrange a viewing please do hesitate to contact me.'  
So I still don't know!   ... as my father used to say 'what a way to run a railway'!

10 September:  Still had not heard from our agent re sale of this house, this evening I emailed him and apparently the paperwork is in the post.  We're very glad to hear that as we wondered if everything had gone pear-shaped again!

11 September: Regarding bungalow completion this week there appear to be two problems:

1   Our solicitor has been told that the mortgage company is still not happy with the legal paperwork, especially regarding the planning permission/building regs (http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/) for the tiny side extension.  Considering this was built in 1988 I shouldn't have thought that planning permission was an issue.   This isn't something which has been mentioned before is it perhaps a red herring.

2  The mortgage company say that the solicitor hasn't asked for the money - and that it's too short notice to release the money in time anyway.

Do we believe this?  And why the stalling?!

12 September:  Telephone call received from our solicitor today to say that completion unlikely to take place tomorrow. Rather a nuisance as plans have been made. So have now unmade them, although all the furniture which is to go on the van and has been carried, some of it down two flights of stairs, is to stay in the front hall.   Completion is now likely to be in about a week's time.  Fingers crossed.

18 September: Email received from the vendor of the bungalow to say that there were big problems because their solicitor couldn't get hold of our solicitor.  Found out eventually that it was because their solicitor  had got into a muddle was ringing the wrong number. One problem solved.

Nothing to do with house move but made me laugh!

20 September:  Everything is being held up as we haven't sent proof of having taken out house insurance. So emailed a copy to our solicitor

23 September:  Rang the mortgage company to see what's what.  And apparently everything is being held up, not because we hadn't produced proof of house insurance, but because we hadn't noted on the insurance that the building society had an interest in the property. Subtle difference.
So rang the insurance company and they faxed a copy of revised insurance to the mortgage company.  When that had been received they reassured me that the funds will be released tomorrow so we can achieve completion.

24 September:  We are now the proud owners of a tiny bungalow!

25 September:  Survey and valuation of our house took place yesterday.  The person who carried it out was very nice - and not just because he said there were no big problems with the house, just some wear and tear which was to be expected.

26 September: Hired a long-wheelbase Transit van and, with the help of several kind friends, moved masses of furniture and boxes up to the little bungalow. After a couple of days of unpacking and sorting it's now a nice little 'pied a terre', complete with washing machine, cooker and fridge. 

27 September:  We tried to join the local library but no luck as we don't have any sort of up-to-date utility bill to prove residence.  However, the librarian allowed us to take out temporary membership, which means we can borrow up to four (free) books at a time but no chance to go on the internet.  The one thing it would be so useful to do as we aren't yet connected.

30 September: Returned home, with lots of empty boxes ready to fill again, and contacted the utility companies.  Gas and electricity were straightforward, but water was problematical as we needed to have given them a meter reading - but we didn't even know there was a meter!  So have asked daughter to look for us.   She eventually found one between two properties - which may or may not be ours! - but couldn't read it as the cover was ill-fitting, resulting in soil and dirty getting in and scratching the cover.  As she was unable to read it we will need to contact the water company again.  Moral of this tale:  ask if you have a water meter before moving in, and its location.

To be continued ...