Lists, lists and more lists...

Bob is not impressed

Well, Bob's harness and his travel pen have arrived. Bob isn't entirely enamoured of the new harness, but he seems happy enough to let me put it on and will stay in it for about quarter of an hour or so - which is hopefully all we'll need as he has his opportunities to stretch his legs at rest stops etc on the journey to and from France. He gives me that look, that he doesn't like it, but that he'll humour me if he must!

However, the travel deluxe bedroom suite seems to have gone down a storm!

Bob enjoying his luxury suite!

We set it up in the dining room last night, to see if he'd go and explore it on his own terms. He'd been outside all day, but when he finally came inside he made a beeline for it. Aidan and I sat with baited breath, waiting for him to come back out, having decided it wasn't for him - but nothing! When we finally dared to look, he was sat inside, looking out with a smug look on his face, as if he was saying "well, it's about time you got me a bedroom befitting my status!" He's barely been out of it since, which we hope bodes well for it giving him a sense of familiarity and comfort when we put it in the van and start driving.

Another arrival came yesterday, too. After a minor hiccup with sizing, my wedding ring arrived yesterday. It isn't expensive, but it is lovely - at least, I think it is! I don't like gold very much. My engagement ring, given to me over 11 years ago now, was on a platinum band, with tiny white and black diamonds. I wanted something that would go with it, but the platinum options would have cost us money we desperately need to get our bathroom plumbed in!

My wedding ring

So, that's all the fun stuff sorted. I've been getting a bit panicky now that's all done, to be honest as now all I'm left is the tough stuff! I need to start making lists of everything we need to do, all the information we need to find out about (that I haven't already) and what we need to take over with us on each trip.

I tried to contact Orange in France yesterday to try and start the process of getting a phone line set up at the house as soon as we can - their chat system is great for me, as I can use google translate for the bits I'm unsure of etc - but they can't take payment details etc through chat for security reasons. So, they gave me a number to call - which needs a landline number in France for you to get past the electronic filter.

Our house has no line at all, so no possibility of even putting in the current owners number - so I had to go back to the chat option. THey assured me they would get someone to call me, but have still not heard anything, so am worried that despite my stressing that they needed to add +44 to our number, that they are now calling someone in France, with the same number, who has no idea of what they are talking about!

So, a visit to the orange shop in Ussel will probably be in order when we get there to try and get that sorted. Both Aidan and I rely upon having a reliable internet connection to be able to work, so getting this set up is vitally important to us. we are also going to look into using our current 3/4g router setup there. we've learned through lockdown that having backup options is vital in case something happens with one or other network access option.

We will also need to get a bank account sorted and talk to someone about exactly what we need to do to apply for L’éco-prêt à taux zéro (éco-PTZ). We are hoping to be able to apply for this loan, which is designed to give people a low cost, no tax, option to make improvements to their property as regards heating, hot water, insulation, sanitation and even doors and windows. If we can get this loan, and possibly one of the EDF loans for any work remaining outside of the éco-PTZ then we can get pretty much everything done straight away. Obviously this would mean loan repayments, but given the no/low interest rates on these loans it would be like paying a mortgage, just over a shorter period.

On this first trip we need to take all the bits and pieces we've picked up for the bathroom. I've tried to get as much as I can from places like Freecycle and Ebay to keep the costs down. We have a gorgeous cast iron bath, which needs a bit of a sprucing, but will look amazing when done (I hope). I've also managed to pick up some gorgeous basins for the sink unit and a lovely loo which we pick up tomorrow. In total, the entire bathroom suite will have cost just £130. However, I've paid a bit more for some snazzy taps, which brings the total up to £370! I have a shed full of tiles we got off Freecycle, so all free - though we aren't sure of they will be for the bathroom or the downstairs loo/shower-room (current cost for that standing at just £140 for an incredible shower head!!) Not too bad, I think. Have still got to pay the plumber, but keeping these costs down like this will hopefully mean that that won't dig too deeply into the funds we'll have available.

We'll also need to take all the tools, workbench etc, so that we can set up a workshop in the attic if possible. I have a feeling we are going to be running off ridiculous amounts of extension leads for a while, but I'm hoping that as long as we only try and use one appliance at a time things should be ok!

Other than that, we'll need something to sleep on, something to sleep in and work clothes - and tape measures! We are going to have to measure every room carefully so we can draw up a plan of every room so we can work out what bits of our furniture can come with us and where we think they're going to go. We'll also need to look into whether or not we can create a secured space in the barn to store things. Because we have until March before our rental agreement here comes to an end, we do at least have time to move things over gradually so we can do the work in an empty house - which will make things so much easier. Then, when the time comes, we can just bring over the furniture for the completed room(s) as and when they are ready for them.

But there are other things we now need to consider - especially after this morning's news.

Aidan working

Since lockdown, Aidan has been working entirely from home. It has gone really well, and we have been hoping it might bode well when it came to our move that his work might consider keeping him on, working from home in France. well, this morning aidan booked the time we need off to go and take possession of the house and also broached the subject with his direct boss. but we never take anything for granted, and have been preparing for the possibility that there might be an issue with him continuing to do what he does now, from France.

I sat up in my bedroom, doing all my selfcare stuff, anxiously tapping on the fact that they might say no, and tried not to be too concerned if they weren't happy about it - after all we have a contigency plan if they don't agree - which is that AIdan would rent a bolthole here and just visit as often as possible until he retires or they make him redundant depending on what happens with the company in the upcoming years.

Aidan finally appeared at the top of the stairs just before 11am. He went straight into the bathroom, so I couldn't see the look on his face! (He really should know by now how anxious I get about stuff like this, and should have told me straight away!)

I waited patiently, tapping to try and stay calm. He emerged a few minutes later with the news that his boss, Mark, doesn't think there will be a problem with it (thought the powers that be higher up the food chain may be sniffy, we shall have to wait and see) and in fact wished us well with it all! Obviously, he may have to go into the office from time to time, which was why we chose a place within an hour and a half of the airport, and as we will be back often to see Mum (when we can actually get in to see her - her home is under lockdown again), this shouldn't be an issue.

So, a bit of a relief. If Aidan can continue to earn the amount he does here, once we are over there and have no rent to pay, it will make a huge difference to us. We will have the money to do up the house, and to pay for any loans we might need to take out to get the big ticket items done - and to still have a life outside of it! Just hoping that nobody above Mark in the company decides they have a problem with it now!