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The ponderous British legal system is truly amazing; in this day and age of Internet technology, with high-speed email, how is it that we don't own the flat yet?
We sold 103 Gore Rd in August, so we had the cash in our hand, we made an offer on a flat, which was accepted, the flat is vacant possession and our vendor, who is not buying on, is very keen to sell. So what could possibly hold anything up?
"A Solicitor is there to create problems; which he then charges you a small fortune to solve".
When someone said this to us, we thought it was very funny - which it was, back in September 2002 - Here we are, 2 days before Christmas and still homeless, it doesn't seem quite so humorous any more.
"Our flat" is one of 16 in a block, there is a very active 'Residents Association'. In 1998, they decided to have the whole block double-glazed; they got together, organised quotations and having all agreed, went ahead with it - Are we OK so far? Oh NO! - you see, they omitted to ask for permission - Under the terms of the ground lease, double-glazing constitutes a 'major alteration' and they should have had permission from the owners of the "ground upon which the block is built" in this case - the Landlord. All we are asking for is a letter saying that they don't mind the place being double-glazed, any reasonable person would say "no, that's fine" but, of course it is never that simple - in Law!
We can't really complain, our solicitor was very clever to
'ferret out' and discover that this permission was never
obtained. This is after all what we pay him for. It is just
so frustrating, there being no other good reason why we
shouldn't have completed the purchase and moved in weeks, if
not months ago!
Nothing will move over the next few weeks, due to holidays
and (they will claim) 'postal difficulties', so it is looking
increasingly as if we will not be in residence before early
February, which is becoming far too late to fit into our
plans.
We had hoped to have been re-decorating and furnishing the flat ready for letting it out, before we leave for Europe - If not that, then at least we were looking forward to having a place of our own again; if only for a few weeks, to sit down, relax and collect our thoughts. Now we won't have enough time for any of this, it'll be another round of panic, Just when we didn't need it, Just when we should be concentrating on the new boat, working out our inventories and planning the first few months of cruising.
The only real 'saving grace' in this is that if we do go ahead with the flat purchase, then we will have so much to do in the next few weeks/months that we won't have time to think about that magical day when we actually do "Hand in our Notice" and finally quit our jobs......
To be truthful, we are not actually homeless
of course:-
Urszula's Auntie Lottie is putting us up. We, along with Simba are currently living in Upton Court Slough, which is working out remarkably well. Colin can walk to the station from here and Ula has only a few minutes drive to work. Simba is much taken with Auntie, who feeds him too often, and Uncle who walks him frequently in the park opposite, he hardly bothers to acknowledge us when we arrive back from work!
We are spreading ourselves about as much as possible this Christmas, seeing and staying with friends relatives etc generally keeping out of Aunties way, as she has her own large family to entertain:-
Some people are truly remarkable aren't they? Auntie & Uncle; who are in their late 60's, look after an incredibly fit and healthy Mother, who is well into her 90's but suffers from severe Alzheimer's disorder. It is just like looking after a small baby again, as she needs constant attention, feeding, cleaning, washing and so on. This is not quite what most people would expect to be doing, ten years after retiring. Mother can never be left on her own for more than a few moments. We have nothing but admiration for those whose life is destined to be a 'carer'
And then they get lumbered
with us.......?
Actually no, we don't think we are having any problems with the purchase. "Freedom" has been back to Drimmelen to have the prop-shaft repairs done; as recommended by our surveyor, and a few other items he suggested would be sensible to have fixed, altered and repaired at the same time.
The yard have got her back and have 'winterised' the boat for us, covering up the leaky windows (we hope, as this repair work cannot be done until the spring, they tell us) mind you we are pretty expert at window repairs ourselves!
The point of this entry on the Web Site:-
We have just received an email to say that the boatyard at Sleeuvijk burned down last week - Fortunately "Freedom" was several hundred meters away from the fire - But we are beginning to wonder if someone isn't trying to tell us something here? No flat and almost no boat, since we have yet to finalise the insurance arrangements, Phew!
Is there some 'greater destiny' involvement here, that we are presently unaware of?
(Will all those readers who believe in
telekinesis, please raise
my right hand)