Sloping gardens

Well, I didn't take any photos so that will have to wait until I'm in. However, it was a good visit.

I walked up into the village from the nearest big shopping area (my phone says I've done 16000 steps today, many of which were straight up a steep hill!) After my original viewing back in May, I saw the local heron standing on the weir in that shopping area - I took it as a good omen for the house when I was trying to decide whether or not to make an offer. Weirdly, having not seen the heron since, I then saw it in the river at the bottom of the valley as I was walking up today. So, definitely a good omen! I will try to post a picture of the heron later, but my phone isn't playing right now.

I went by my vendor's new build first and that looks finished from the outside. The show flats are open for viewings and there were a few people going in as I walked by. Hopefully it's just the last fixtures and fitting going in now.

Then down to the house with much trepidation!

It was actually great to be back. It's strange that so many things were different to the way I remembered (partly due to my reliance on the rather poor EA photos that I have looked at almost every day since May!), but the overall feel of the place was still really good and I do think I'll be happy there. There's been a recent incident with a forgotten boiled egg on the hob, so the whole place was a bit smelly, but that will fade.

My vendor is really lovely. As she's downsizing (from a four-bed house to a one-bed flat), she has offered me lots of furniture and other things. I've said yes to a few things (including her three-piece suite that will be really useful to tide me over until I have had the place rewired and replastered, a big ladder, an almost new lawnmower, lots of garden pots, and a rusty old spade and pick-axe) and she wouldn't take any money for them. We had a bit of a walk around the house together and it's all still there! The garden was quite a bit smaller than in my memory, but I was expecting that as I knew the photos were a bit misleading. I got to go inside the greenhouse and it looks in decent shape - just needs a good scrub and a vent or two fitting. I couldn't get in the shed today as the door has dropped, but I'm sure I can fix that easily enough. She has confirmed that there are no bulbs in the lawn, so I don't need to worry about putting cardboard down to get some beds going. The house definitely needs lots of work, but I think it will be really nice with a bit of time and effort.

Overall, I'm feeling the most optimistic I have since my offer was first accepted. Roll-on completion is all I can say!