[Guy]

Well hi folks - its certainly been a while since i was last in the land of " accidental smallholder"
Great to see so many familiar names and so many new patrons. So what have we been up to?? well , as Frankie Howard would have put it woe , woe and thrice woe!! initially the old computer went kaput , leaving us webless for a few months while we saved up for a new one- then the flood came!!!! an absolute tempest , you may have read about it . anyway , all the flood water came off the fields behind us , drains got blocked and whooosh! straight through the old house - alas is was at 2 am so didn't realise until after it was too late to do anything about it - our bedroom is (was) downstairs so as i got out to put the electrics back on after the storm i put me feet into ice cold water brrrrr well the upshot was it wiped out the entire downstairs(apart from kitchen which is higher) so after 6/7 weeks of fans and dehumidifiers drying the place and builders stripping it out we were left with a shell of a place - no floor / doors/door frames/ plaster on walls / furniture etc,etc. thankfully the rebuild started this week with a new floor going in on Thursday
the garden etc was another story entirely - we lost everything luckily the piggies had already gone , but everything was ruined , lost all the crops , raised beds were washed out completely(meaning all the topsoil) , fencing gone , patio imploded into itself (obviously well made!!!) all the gravel on driveway washed away and polytunnel flooded out losing all crops , washing out the raised bed in there , all seeds , breaking door etc etc.
it was all a bit traumatic , and I'm ashamed to say we haven't had the heart to put it right ........until now , so with a cheery grin, refurbished tools and a box of nurofen for my back its all guns blazing from tomorrow.
oh yes and just to finish us off , about 10 weeks ago the farmer behind us approached us to ask if we wanted to buy an acre of land adjoining our garden!!! "of course" we cried. we agreed the price , organised fencing contractors to be ready and begged , borrowed (not stole though) the money - only for him to come back yesterday to say he had changed his mind!! talk about kick someone when they're down) . but its great to be back. 

[HappyHippy]

Hi Guy,

I think I must've joined up while you've been incommunicado so just wanted to say hi.
I really feel for you, what a horrendous time of it you must've had. I thought we'd had it bad when our road washed away in floods and we were stranded at home for 2 days but that's nothing compared to what you've had to deal with !
I wish you all the very best of luck and hope the weather (and your back) hold up for you.
Keep us posted !

Karen 

[rustyme]

Hello Guy ,
             great to see you back !!! So SOOOOO sorry to hear about all your problems !! I would normally say when it rains it pours ... but you may kick me up the rear end  if I do , so suffice to say you have had more than your fair share of misfortune ,and I am so glad you are getting back into the groove. So many would have walked away , well done mate ....It will soon be better weather and everything will feel so much better when it is warmer , drier and things start growing . Got to feed the dogs now , but look forward to hearing how things are going with the clearup and repair , I really hope you get sorted very soon mate , when all else fails , dig your heels and start again ....which is exactly what you are doing ... All the very best of luck and I will keep everything crossed for a good year for you mate .......
  
cheers

Russ  

[Micki]

Hope 2009 is better for you. Good luck with all the work you need to do. Keep us all posted on how things progress.

[Rosemary]

All the best for 2009! Sounds like you've had a horrible time - glad you're feeling positive and moving forward.

[doganjo]

How dreadful for you!  I'm sure if you join us on the Members Map, someone close by you will be happy to come and help with renovations or even just to listen in person to any rants you might want to let off steam with.

Good luck, you have had quite enough bad!
Annie

[Hilbillie]

Really sorry to hear about all your bad luck, hope thats the end of it and you have a much better 2009.  Good Luck!

[juliag]

Very happy to send you any excess seeds if you need them to help get you growing again. I am sure everyone else on here would be happy to do the same......... let me know if you want or need anything. x

[Guy]

many thanks for all the kind words and thoughts , very appreciated ,

well , what a day - i at least managed to get into the greenhouse!!!! emptied 5 old pots of compost into a raised bed and then the builders arrived (please do not take offence if you are 1) a builder/decorator / tradesperson 2) related to the same) what a complete waste of 1) space , 2) time , 3) my time!!!!!.
so after the plumbers decided they could not fit my new shower without incurring an additional £650 bill!! , i had a mad dash into Exeter to exchange the shower for another - only to discover on return they had turned all the water off so the floorer's ( who had arrived after i had left) could not do their job??!!
the building managers then turned up with the plasterers just to walk around the place looking at the walls , tutting and shaking their heads and generally get in the way on arrival with said shower they announced they would not  be doing it today anyway and left until the electrician was on site! the new bathroom was then placed in  my kitchen , along with a fire surround ....... and who was that strange little man whose job seemed to be walking across my kitchen with the sole purpose of leaving lots of dusty footmarks on it?? ah well , at least we've moved forward today - the kitchen is now a mess as well hussar!!

[Rosemary]

People make TV shows out of this stuff you know.

[Guy]

Tell me about it!!!! i recall seeing a programme like it once - called " some mothers do ave em" 

[rustyme]

another one springs to mind ....The Plank .....sounds almost the same ....lol.
      The bit I hate that they all seem to do , is the Tut and shaking of head, then the sucking of air through their teeth followed by many more tuts along with the rubbing of unshaven chins.....then they proceed to tell you they need some tool they haven't got ?? Thats when I lose the plot ....best if I don't say what happens from then on .....I can only use the *** so many times....You have my sympathies Guy .....

cheers

Russ

[juliag]

At least you are starting to see the funny side of it, I have a caravan you can borrow if it helps?? lol 

[Guy]

thanks julia , we are already living in one on the drive though - but i could splice the two together and create a "super caravan"!! trouble is we wouldnt want to move back into the house again
you are right about the stubbly chin scratching Russ - v . annoying

[FiFi]

Cor blimey   

Hi Guy, Sorry I'm one of those infrequent-posting newbies.  I must say, you're taking all this very well - good on ya!

I think I'd have been up on a murder charge by now were I in your shoes.

Remember - However cold the Winter, there's always Springtime ahead 

Sincerely hope things improve for you from here on in