Well, we offered to pay the full rent, presuming that everything would be accepted, 2 days later the landlord came back requesting another 2,000 pounds as a bond to protect against the dog scratching the floor! We were already paying a 2,000 pound bond, so told him that it wasn’t going to happen. I would be constantly worrying about the dog walking on the floor, and fully expect him to examine the floor with a magnifying glass when we leave, keeping the bond if there was a tiny scratch! Don’t need that stress, even if it is the nicest house ever.

We have engaged the services of a re-location agent, she was recommended to us by Chris and Jayne, and already she has got us appointments. She explained that as agents, the estate agents give them first refusal on new properties that are coming up, so they can get their clients in early. So that’s why all the properties were being taken even before their open days! We already have one shortlisted, couple more to see early next week, fingers crossed. She is providing this service as a friend and only charging a couple of hundred dollars for her services, and only if she finds us a house.

Ellie has been invited to the cinemas by her group of new friends to celebrate end of exams tomorrow. They also invited her to sleepover, but she’s reluctant, think it’s a bit soon for her,  and she wants to see Xena on her first night home also.

The weather has been absolutely lovely again for the past few days, clear blue skies. Lots of people sitting at the pavement cafes in their shades, hard to believe its winter, though it was a little foggy first thing this morning and Steve woke up shivering in the night. The rental doesn’t have duvets (dunnas), just sheets and blankets, cant wait to get the goose down duvet back! Lots of special offers on electric blankets, and those snuggie things, that look like floor length fleece blankets with arms in so you can walk around in them! Might just have to get one of those….. They are even selling electrically heated dog beds, now that is OTT!

Was watching the ‘water police’ at work the other day. They enforce the water restrictions that are in force. He was carrying a footstool and a trowel and was peeping over peoples fences to see how green their lawns were, and therefore whether they are watering them illegally. He was also digging the earth around the plants to see how moist the soil was, if they are very wet, then you have been over watering them! They have full rights of access and can issue huge fines. Cant even wash your car at home, only at designated car wash’s! Though the water levels are at their highest for 2 years, so this may be lifted soon. Trust me to have bought a black car that shows all the dirt!