Awake and up all night

Sounds like it may be worth an enquiry 'for a friend.'  Do properties which could meet your requirements come to your notice very often? If so, it will give you more options and fewer disappointments.

I no longer look dapper. Hair is tending towards a Basil Johnson look and I have not worn a tie since retiring in 2008. Even at work, my suits were always well out of fashion. One boss commented that I looked like Isambard Brunel, although that was somewhat deliberate at a Christmas 'do.' I did not have to search long for old style clothing. All but one of my old suits have gone. Their waistbands must have shrunk by at least 3 inches. I could not wear them any more. The suit I bought for my daughter's wedding in 2013 is getting very tight as well. I may have worn a tie for that occasion but can't remember.  xxx

Go for the casual look Ray - a Jacquard sweater slung lazily across your shoulders and a classic cravat in paisley.

The ladies will be dropping like flies xxx

PS I've learned to live with disappointment on so many levels Ray. I can handle the odd desired abode slipping through xxx

Yes, ankles work fine. I can drive a manual car without any difficulty. One exercise I did until recently was bouncing up and down on my ankle joints for three minutes a day. When I have bought and hung new curtains in the front room I'll probably restart exercising. I find it difficult to do so in other rooms. I need a sofa behind me so that if my balance is lost I can fall back relatively safely. Balance itself is ok, it's just the inability to move my feet far enough, quickly enough to catch it. It is the main  reason I use two sticks when walking although I do now put considerable weight on them as well rather than simply steadying myself. Curtains give me the required privacy, otherwise neighbours would call help and a yellow van would rush round to take me away ha ha. xxx

Ooh I love a plan!

I was just wondering about about holding the new place for a fee rather than living in it if the the house sale doesn't need to happen first.

Having said that... Parkinson's pal bought his bungalow before selling his house and that was ... a tale for another time

You are much more of a sorter outer.

No experience of auction sales. I know we looked at it when mastiff pal's ex decided she had to sell the house she and the kids were still living in after all.

In her situation where sale price had to maximized and costs minimized, the auction was going to cost thousands!

Ooh this is exciting!

Cheers

Well an outing with transport laid on is always nice

Gadget I mentioned can be used sat down.

Cheers

I thought you knew we'd already clocked your paisley cravat?

Some light cannot a bushel be hidden under!

Cheers

Shimmer, I sold my last house at auction so already know the score. As we had that one and OH's we gradually moved furniture etc from one to the other and then I got mine straight on the list. It was quick and quite painless so that's the plan this time. We could afford to rent and wait for a sale at the same time but I'll need to get the timing as close as possible.

Our house does need repairs but the kitchen, bathroom, combi boiler, CH, rewiring and plastering are only all 13 years old so fairly recent. Prospective landlords are usually on the lookout for those types of houses and ours is freehold with no mortgage so no upper chain to get in the way.

If only I'd been in this frame of mind a couple of months ago, but I was too busy whining about the stifling hot weather  xxx

I am going to go upstairs now. My eyes keep watering. Can't be hay fever, surely? Maybe being deprived of the afternoon nap option has caught up with me. Goodnight ladies, until next time .  xxx

Err whining and trying to survive in the stifling hot weather!!

Fabarooni! I know you will have also considered 'savings' thresholds for any benefit and other entitlements.

Some folk see renting as throwing money away but with a good landlord repairs to the fabric are covered, gas safety inspections etc

Only trouble is no security of tenure if landlord decides to end tenancy, sell up etc.

You will probably have a yurt in reserve and have picked out a spot in Miggy park  

Cheers