under another sun

So a gentle start to the day, Lorraine working from home today and me with no work. We had a 'business meeting' this morning and we chased the Estate Agents and the Solicitors over cups of tea in the kitchen.  No reply from the award winning Estate Agents, and we chivvied the award winning Solicitors. At the end of the day the Estate Agent got back with the promising news that our buyer's mortgage was approved and they were in a position to move. Yesterday Lorraine spoke with the Estate Agent in Seaford, saying we wanted to move sooner rather than later. After the call, however, it occurred to me that we may have to pay a deposit when we exchange contracts -- and we might need a short term bridging loan. Cross with myself that we hadn't clarified this earlier.    Otherwise a lazy day. Lorraine not feeling full of pep, so had an easy day. I went to the gym, and did a workout while listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes's story The Man With The Twisted Lip . I...

I found it hard to concentrate... Several Estate Agents calls adding to a general background twitchiness which wasn't conducive to my own writing, or completing my accounts. Seems there is one strong lead from the weekend for our own house, and the interested party will visit again on Wednesday. I told them to go live with the property from tomorrow, and have another open day this Saturday. Other conversations I had about Seaford properties and so on. Lorraine and I having conversations about patience and steadiness. Mercury is retrograde too, which certain astrologers slows and confuses negotiations.  Spoke to the vet. Calliope's thyroid level seems to be right now, thanks to the stuff they gave me to squirt down her throat. All being well now she won't need to be seen for three months. A chat with a cheerful Anton. And a walk late this afternoon around my usual places. Home and cooked, after sitting outside in the sunshine for a few moments. Spoke to Mum this evening, exp...

Many small tasks today, and none of them paying. Up early and sent a speculative MS off to a magazine, then podcast business, getting our new episode uploaded and publicised on social meeja with my interview with J.O. Morgan .  Got Sam out of bed to go to a meeting in town. Syringed thyroid medication down Calliope's throat. Conversations with Estate agents during the day. Now well over a dozen viewings scheduled for our house for our open day on Saturday. Also chasing ones in Seaford, including about the complicated house we love. Worrying about tax a bit when Keith reminded me that as I have reverted to being self employed, I will effectively be double taxed in for the first year. As my first year was good, it means I am going to have to find a lots of money.  No problem if I keep earning, but slightly alarming now I have gone very quiet very quiet.  I have saved money but the idea of handing it all over is a bit galling after slogging so hard. Keith and I  getting...

A good deal better today, and was up and about tidying and getting things ready. In the morning three ladies from the house sales team came, and mooched appraisingly about the house, *sounding* very positive through their masks. But then that is their job innit. Then three ladies from Dusty dolls came around and tidied the place up for the first time in ages followed by a bloke who came around to do the EPC check.  All this excitement was a bit tiring. Fish and chips in the evening, which were delicious. 

Monday... So lots of clearing up prior to having David an estate agent round. He had details of every property that has sold in our area this year. He confirmed what we had thought: that it is very much a seller's market. Apparently there is a diaspora from London, and a recent Sunday Times article saying the Fiveways area (where we live) is one of the best for families in the country (there are four good schools within walking distance) means that houses like ours are going like hot cakes. So selling may well be easy, but that means buying could be correspondingly difficult.  Lorraine and I have both dealt with estate agents in this town lots over the years, and David seemed to be fairly on the ball and we liked him. He gave us a valuation and a suggested guide price. Felt like a big step, but a good one. 

At last a bit of time to work on The Nightwork, which I am supposed to deliver shortly. Rhona has been delayed in coming back with comments which is making me slightly anxious. But otherwise a great day. At lunchtime off to the gym for a trundle for the first time in quite a while. It felt good to be back among the unsmiling narcissists. Good news from Beth, her show had received a review in the Brighton Argus , which I thought was both fair-minded and encouraging. Excellent that they got a review at all. Lorraine working from home this afternoon, while I attended to the massive accumulation of correspondence and other stuff I have. Heard too from Nev, a former art director, who is back in the UK seeking gainful employment. Then a lightning tidy up before an estate agent arrived, for we are going to put the house on the market again. This estate agent, James, proved to be one I didn't instantly want to punch in the head. Lorraine asking him searching questions, while I eyed h...

Up early feeling curiously determined. I had a dream that I had at last been given a brief for a long delayed job, and felt relieved that at last I could get on with it.  Lorraine, up even earlier, bringing me the Godsend of a cup of tea in bed before I sprang into action. Worked on the book for an hour or so, then into the outside world in the beautiful weather to the Twitten where I met a series of three estate agents to let them pitch to me and discuss the value of the property. All rather good salesmen too. One fell down the stairs and was rather shaken, but apart from this quite pleased to have got the ball rolling. All somewhat time consuming. From there, off to the gym, for another workout. I am feeling determined to get in shape. Something about this hot weather just makes me want to drink lager, however and I managed not to. Instead I was pleased to sweat off some of the inordinate amount of food and booze I'd had at the weekend. Thence to Starbucks where I did some wo...

Spent the morning tidying up the newly-decluttered house like a fascist for several hours, then to the gym for a mild mannered workout feeling no ill-effects afterwards. In the afternoon visited by an estate agent who I quite liked who came to size up the Old Church Hall. A novel experience: liking an estate agent. Lorraine and I are embarking on a new phase where we rationalise property, with the idea of selling both our homes and living mortgage-free in a place that we have chosen together in Brighton or somewhere slightly further afield if it ticks our boxes. In the evening off to meet Dawn in town and we went to see the movie Love is all you need . An intelligent grown up Danish romcom starring Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm and set largely in Italy. Highly enjoyable and lovely performances. Mind you, I am a sucker for a good romcom. From here we ducked into The Basketmakers for a post movie chat. Irish Tom there and greeting us, particularly Lorraine, warmly. Good fun befo...