Week 33 of our new life

Monday, hair day for me today, getting ready to come back for a couple of days to meet Miss Madison, and to get together with the rest of the family.  Got down to discussions with the builder today regarding costs etc, he hit us with a very large bill for extras!!! inevitably we hit back with our large bill of all the extra costs we have had to incur whilst waiting on this job being finished.  Not very good so we have decided to call it quits which leaves us now with a large snagging list both inside and out.  A very big learning curve for us and we now have a lot more jobs to do, not to worry we are going to take our time and do the rest bit by bit.  Shame really that things had to come to this but it was headed that way just by the way the job has gone on.  We have asked the builder to make sure the outside lights and gate lights are working correctly and that the boiler is working correctly before he leaves the site, also he will need to buy us a large tub of paint so that we can finish the exterior painting.  There is not much that we cannot handle, but Douglas will need to learn to use a few tools on the way!!!  Went to the workshop to check on our doors, they finally all match so hopefully we can get them fitted this week.  Got the furniture set out on the terrace and thats about all we managed today due to stop/starting with all the costs for the builder.  By the end of the day only one gate light is working!!! says it all really.

One end of Terrace

to the Other

Tuesday, builder arrived to work on the lights and by the end of the day got two working and the gate light still not working, just typical, we will now need to get that sorted as by 3.00pm he was off.  Not to worry think both him and us are glad that it has finally come to an end.  Celia came to look at the boiler and that is now sorted and working properly. thank goodness it has been a long time getting to that stage, we have a lot of things on the list to do now but will take it bit by bit.  Builder has said that he will sort it for the electrician to come tomorrow morning to sort the light, but we have no expectations.  Scrubbed the last floor inside the house today, so that makes 10 floors scrubbed tile by tile, 5 hours to do this one as it was the living room it was the biggest room to do.  Have the pool side and BBQ area to do but will wait to do them.  My right arm will never be the same again athough it nust be good for Bingo wings!!  Douglas was sorting out furniture and ornaments, then I made Tomato and Basil Soup and Chicken with Butternut squash so a very busy day.  Time for a wee drink I think!!

Terrace with blinds down

Wind and Rainproof

Terrace No 2

Furniture required!!

Wednesday surprise surprise the electrician did not turn up, so a no work day today.  Went to pick up Jim and Jan and took them to Caldos de Monchique, had a lovely walk around, then went for lunch and then decided to go to the highest viewing point in The Algarve at Monchique.  Did not make it to the top due to the mist being very thick and not being able to see anything, so it was about turn and try to find the way home.  We did eventually, and we all had a good day, Jim is so full of banter it made a refreshing change from cleaning and worrying about the house.  Next week it is their anniversary so we are going to go to Olhao Island if the weather is good and finally get to the Suckling pig Restaurant.  Will look forward to it.  I have an early start in the morning as I am flying back to Scotland to see the newest addition to the family and also catch up with the rest of the children and grandchildren, Douglas has a busy day as the doors are finally arriving and also the fly screens are getting fitted.

Thursday, back in Scotland today so had an early start, arrived at lunch time to be met by Lesa and Miss Madison our newest granddaughter.  Had an afternoon of retail therapy plus coffee and then got dropped off at Richards to collect my car.  Brief catch up with Richard and April as he was off to work and then onwards to Katies where I will be spending the next couple of nights with her and the girls.  Spaghetti Bolognese for tea which was yummy and a quiet night.  Plans for tomorrow to have Miss Madison for the day so that Lesa can get her nails done and I can have time with Madison, A hectic day but looking forward to tomorrow and Douglas survived at home as he had the 5 O Clock club and didnt really notice that I was gone. New doors fitted and fly screens fitted.

Miss Madison

Friday, how does that saying go the best laid plans... up early, Katie and I walked the girls to school with the promise of meeting them with Madison at 3.00pm.  Then it was off to get a new tyre for the car and then to pick up Madison for the day.  Got to the garage actually needed 2 new tyres and when they took the first tyre off the track rod was broken, damn wouldnt be going anywhere for a couple of hours, it could be sorted but would take until lunchtime.  After a frantic phone call to Lesa had to change all the plans so couldnt get Madison until after lunch.  Katie and I walked into the town centre and Lesa took Madison with her to get her nails done.  Got a few things sorted in the town, then headed back for the car, another issue with another tyre that had two nails in it, so ended up with 3 new tyres a new track rod and a very much lighter purse. Finally managed to pick up Madison and got to the school on time to pick up the girls.  A different sort of day than originally planned.

Carly & Miss Madison

Saturday, up early as the girls were getting hair cuts at 08.00, then it was off to the town to get shopping.  Meeting some of the family for lunch and will have all 8 granddaughters together for the first time.  Richard and Lynne could not manage lunch as they were working, but had a great time with the rest of the family lovely to catch up with all their news and to know they are all doing well. The granddaughters had a great time together in the play area and the afternoon went in a flash, they are all growing so quickly, great to see, and Miss Madison our newest addition had a great fuss made of her.  Had hoped to catch up with Richard after lunch but did not get back until 5.15 and he was heading off to night shift so didnt manage, never mind will catch up soon.  Quiet night as up really early in the morning to fly home, a very quick couple of days and very tiring but could to catch up with the family, just sorry I could not spread myself around any more to catch up with friends and other family.  Never mind visitors welcome to us any time.

8 Lovely Granddaughters

Half of the Family

Pudding Time

Proud Mum and  Dad

Becky & Miss Madison

Sunday, up in the middle of the night early flight and home, Douglas waiting for me and the sun was shining, good to be back.  Full of the cold and feel a bit rubbish so a lazy day to recover.  Good to see the doors and fly screens were fitted while I was away and they are looking good so another couple of jobs done.  Been a good week, great to pop over to Scotland and see the family, and great to come back home.  Will now be able to get stuck into more cleaning, oh the joys.

Master Bedroom Wardrob

Internal Doors

Double Bedroom Wardrobes

Internal Doors