Its happened !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At last we have moved out of our house in Sheffield and into rented accommodation in Shetland. It was quite something , we are glad that we had arranged for the removal company to pack all our things, it took 4 men 1.5 days to get all our things into the containers which will be stored in Sheffield until we buy a house, which we hope will be soon.

                                                               

                                                                                            We are now on cloud 9

It was a sad occasion to say goodbye to all our family and friends but at least we managed to get them together for our leaving do, it actually turned out to be 6 separate leaving do's. Its not the last time we will see Sheffield as we will be back for visits when money allows.

                                                                                               Its fireworks at last

Now we have arrived it seems as though we are on an extended holiday. We are due to register with a doctors in Levenswick and also with a dentist in Lerwick although for national health treatment it is generally 5 years (YES 5 YEARS!!!!) to wait for a check up, so we are hoping that we have no problems. they will see you if you are in pain.

                                                                           A sign that we are going in the right direction

We are actively seeking to buy somewhere asap and have put the feelers out and have contacted the five estate agents in Shetland who will keep us informed when some come on sale in the areas we are looking at.

Coming to Shetland

It was interesting to see some new stats on Shetland regarding the comings and goings. The Scotland 2011 census showed that Shetland had a 4% increase in population with places like Arran, Bute and Islay showing decreases.  However the SIBC survey for the same period showed that 600 people came to Shetland to live but 700 left. Well you can now add another 2 incoming as we leave Sheffield very soon to start our new life in Shetland having just received confirmation that today contract have been exchanged

We have done a dummy run loading the car with all our belongings that we intend to use while we are in rented accommodation, it will never be enough and we will no doubt find that we need some of the things we that will be in storage. For me its all about getting my camera gear in the car , so I decided a while ago to send a large box with my clothes and a few other things via Royal Mail just before we moved from Sheffield so hopefully this will be available when we arrive in Shetland.

Diane will therefore have an extra case for all her things and we will pack as much as possible in the car, allowing room for our cat and a few of his things. We expect it will be very noisy as he don't like travelling in his cat box. Hope he doesn't find the journey to Aberdeen and then on the ferry for 12 hours too much.We suspect that after we arrive he will spend a lot of time a sleep recovering.

Not had any chance to watch the TV Shetland dramas but have recorded them to watch later. The first series was disappointing with only one person speaking Shetland, the other problem is that it is very unlike Shetland to have any murders so its painting a false picture. We will see whether these 6 episodes are any better this time. Not seen any comments so far from anyone in Shetland.

We are really looking forward to setting foot again on Shetland soil, this time for good. We hope some houses come up for sale very soon as we can move to our new permanent home and then we can arrange for all our things to be moved out of storage.

We sent off letter to various companies informing them to stop direct debit payments but the biggest problem we have had is with the Royal Mail post redirection.

You would think it would be simple, go on line enter all the detail and make the payment. Wrong, all ok until payment is made then doesn't accept, tried this 7 times with different cards but no luck. So we went to phase two, complete a form and register with the Post office, so collected a form, completed and went to the post office.Sorry but the signatures  go outside the box was the comment , even without looking at the rest of the form. I explained that Diane has got poor eyesight but that was none of there concern.

                                                                               You will need all the help you can get !

They did however agree that the signature box was very thin giving no leeway. Onto a second form and then a third until the signatures fell inside the box without over lapping. Back down to the PO but this time individual letters on the form did not coincide with the spaces on each line. Onto form 4 and we double checked everything and this time it was accepted- our 11th attempt. Who ever makes the forms has no thought for anyone who writes their signature large or who cannot see the very faint guide lines for individual letters. You will need to do this at least 5 days before you move.

Normal service

Finally got the car back last Tuesday after virtually 4 weeks off the road, hope that's an end to the problems, but will get the car serviced just before we leave Sheffield. The other car we borrowed was very poor on fuel and it was good to see our car doing 59 mpg on a run down to Boston.

We have recently returned the signed contract to our solicitors and sort of agreed a move date of the 18 April, but the buyers have come back wanting an earlier date as the will have to pay a months rent if the move happens after the 11 April, which is too soon for us. We will work this out hopefully.

Two more houses near us have come onto the market while one more is still up for sale, this one for nearly a year, so we know what they are going through. We have been making a list of people to notify about our move, such as the council, gas board, bank etc so we can make sure we are not paying more than necessary for services on the Sheffield house.

One thing that will be different is that in Shetland there will be no gas, so either electric or oil will have to do, both of which are costly. We are looking into the new Air heating system and two companies offer this in Shetland. Also we will make sure that it has adequate insulation otherwise we will be throwing away good money.

We have checked out the ferry costs and just need to make sure that we pick a day where gales aren't disrupting the crossing. It will take us around 6.5 hours to get up from Sheffield to Aberdeen and will need a few stops for the cat.

With the move date in mind we have arranged our leaving party so we will have a full house if everyone turns up, this will be a mixture of family and friends. We have just got onto Skype and it will be good to see our family and friends as well as hear them. First though we need a house with an internet connection as the rented one does't have this facility.

Our rented bungalow is waiting for us and we are very grateful for the people that are renting this to us that they have been so patient as we first told them we might be moving at the beginning of March. Its a relief that we have this sorted out as there is very few places to rent and this is down to our friends in Shetland for helping with this.

                                                                                                A Shetland sheep

Update:
Not a good day at the match with the Owls loosing 1-4 to Watford, only one match left that we can get to as we now have a move date of the 15 April so everything is now moving fast.

We March on !!

A mixed week for news with the car still off the road with water entering the BSI unit and causing problems . The garage has ordered a part and it should finally be ready on Monday. This has meant that I have had to insure the loan car yet again.

The house is still on the move and we are just waiting for the results of the Searches which should be back next Friday. Then a date might be on the cards. We have just let the removal firm know so at least they will be on the ball. Also just phoned the people in Shetland that we are renting a bungalow from as originally we all thought we might be moving at the beginning of March. Good job we haven't as the ferry service from Aberdeen has again been affected by storms, and a couple of ferries setting off early at mid day rather than the normal evening time. Don't know what we would do if this happens as it would take us about 6 hours to get to Aberdeen from Sheffield.

Our cat is now practicing his meows (loud) for when we have to put him in the carrying basket to transport him up with us to the ferry. Previously every time he has been in the basket he has gone to the vets (so no happy memories)

Had sort of a leaving do at church today with Samantha bring two cakes to share. I went round taking a few photos and we said good bye to our vicar who wont be at church for the next three weeks. No doubt we will have another leaving do next week.

Later this week I will be giving three talks on Shetland, just to get us in the right mood. The first in Derby to a disabled Group then we move on the same day to give a talk to the Boston RSPB group, this is followed the next day with a talk in Nottingham, so a fair few miles.

                                                                                    Clumliewick Shetland

Yesterday was a good day for Sheffield Wednesday with a superb 4-1 win over Birmingham City. Great atmosphere and a good display from all the players. As i have had a season ticket since 1967 it will hard not seeing them in action. May be just the QPR game on Tuesday before we move, so let hope they win.

Computer problems

Since my last post the car has still been off the road waiting for the new BSI unit to be coded in. It appears that Citroen don't let independent garages know when they are updating codes, so they have to apply and then update their own computer before they can work on our car. Hope to get it back later this week as its costing a fortune to insure the hire car , and the fuel consumption is rubbish at only 18 mpg

The solicitors are still sending letters back and forth so things are still moving forward according to the estate agents. The searches are just being conducted and this will take about 10 day so its looking more like the end of the month before we move, which is just what we want.

Over the past few days we have been saying good bye to two groups of friends that we only see occasionally, a number want to keep in touch which is great. We hope to have some sort of a leaving party for our family and close friends but are undecided when to hold this.

Spring is in full flow down in Sheffield with many flowers out and many birds singing. Its good to get some sunshine at last as the wind drops. I have managed to get out into Derbyshire a few times running photography sessions, the adult education classes are just about to come to ahead next week. I have enquired about doing courses in Shetland and will think about this for later in the year, the pay is only 1/2 that I receive in Sheffield but i really enjoy doing the courses. I will be looking to combine these with other work

I still have a number of talks to do starting again next week with a talk on Shetland to a disabled group in Derby, followed the same evening with a talk in Boston to the RSPB group , on you guessed it Shetland again. The following day in Nottingham giving a talk on flight to the Oddfellows group.

                                                                                                           Shelduck

mixed news

More bad news on the car front as the garage phoned to say the BSI unit (controls all the electrics) is completely knackered and that i will need a new one, so the cost has now gone up. Mind you its better that this is replaced now rather than when we move to Shetland. Hopefully the car should be ready Friday, a good job because the car I have borrowed is rubbish on fuel, only 19 mpg a Renault Scenic

With the move we have now received a number of detailed questions from our solicitor which have to be answered before the next stage can begin. Our problem is that they are asking for certificates for the boiler that was installed 12 years ago and the FENSA certificates for all the replacement double glazing, neither of which we can find.

A reply back from the solicitors indicate that this can all be covered by issuing an indemnity insurance certificate. Relief as it would be a problem.

Good news came the way of my certificate for the recent PTTL's  , distance learning course I have just passed, this is a level 4 qualification award in preparing to teach in lifelong learning sector (Adult education). I am already delivering four photography courses in Sheffield.

Looks like spring might have arrived with all the birds singing and displaying, the sun has at last come out after a very long period of wet weather, Saying this may be bad news as winter can come back with a bit.

We are just licking our lips with the anticipation of moving to Shetland next month

looking forward

The weather stills seems to be a problem in Shetland with the worse gales since 1993, making it very difficult to travel by ferry. These South easterly gales are a bit unusual, but it seems the Outer Hebrides are getting even worse winds as it circles around the isles. In Sheffield the wind does not really affect us alot, but occasionally we do get flooded. You have to feel sorry for those people in Somerset, cut off for weeks and little hope of something happening to lift the gloom. Several years ago I was cut off near Meadowhall when the river rose and broke its banks, I had to stop at work until the small hours. During its height the water was flowing up to 6 feet down the road, destroying cars etc, it was unbelievable really, Diane was sat at home unaffected as we live high up on a hill , watching the flooding on the TV. Several day later after the clean up it was hard to imagine that it had happened, our minds cut it out, and the same will happen in Shetland as the winds will drop back to normal, the birds start singing and the flowers slowly begin to grow. We might even be able to witness this.

This week has carried on from last week which proved expensive. No let up with the weather with 90 mph winds hitting Sheffield on Wednesday which caused roof damage to our house. The ridge tiles blown off, two landed on the garden next to the car while a third stuck in the gutter directly over the doorway. Our friend came out to sort out the dangerous one but could not actually repair the damage until yesterday.A roof was blown off one care home near us so we cannot complain.

More cost though as things still went wrong and added to this the car went on the blink, it looks like the BSI unit controlling all the electrics has gone. I took it into the local citeron garage on Wednesday and he ran a full check which seem to clear the faults - constantly running wipers, lights and warnings about brakes, seat belts, anti pollution filter and other things. No problem bringing it home then i looked out of the window to find the wipers going as well as the light being on, this is without the key being in the ignition.I disconnected the battery rather than having a flat.

                                                                                            Rain and more rain

Contacting the garage once more they put me onto an electrical specialist who said straight away that it has become a problem with all French cars. They said they could have the unit repaired and then reprogram the radio etc but it would be out of action a week. They may have a car I can borrow sometime next week . More expense that we could do without.Last night this all changed, I was out doing some portraits when the car started to make a odd sound, so I stopped it and took the key out only to find the engine was still running and there was a burning smell. I quickly disconnected the battery and it stopped. I then had to wait over an hour for a recovery truck which took me down to Aughton to the electrical specialist who waited for me. I then managed to get a lift home from Ron, who was good enough to come out in the wind and rain. It would have taken me about 2 hours by bus and would have to change buses three times.Looks like the car will be off the road for about a week.

                                                                                Could have done with some hot food

Back to the move well that's been on and off all week with no one being able to contact the buyers and their solicitors have only just been in contact today after being chased for three days by the estate agents. Fingers crossed and all that.