Merry Christmas Everybody

Not long to go now until the big day.

- We want to wish everybody a
Very Happy Christmas
-particularly those in foreign countries Germany, Australia and Canada. You haven't been forgotten.

We move into our new house in January so here is the address if anybody wants it:

8 Ings Close
Barlby
Selby
North Yorkshire
YO8 5XS
Tele: which was wrong on the addresses sent out to some of you is-01757 707 306

New Job

Great News-I have a job - I went for interview today at Barlby Community Primary School and was offered the position of year 3/4 class teacher and will start January. I'm very pleased as the new Head at the school and all the staff seem very friendly and look a great team to work with. I can't wait now to get stuck in and find my feet. This is the last piece of the jigsaw in place and it means that Denise and me can now look forward to Christmas and the New Year together with a new job and a new home.

Making a start

Well things continue to go well up here although the driving backwards and forwards each week-end to Southampton is hard going-but I'm hoping it won't have to be for too much longer(couple of jobs in the pipe-line hopefully!!). Denise has joined two mother and baby/toddler groups on a Tuesday/Thursday morning which means she is beginning to make some friends up here as she meets other mums each week. Elizabth goes to a pre-school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons so she to is beginning to make friends -best one being Leah.Eren has also made a 'little friend' called Chelsea at her new sixth form college in York (claim to fame her gran is Vera Duckworth in Corri). Things seem to still be progressing with the house buying, surveys are being carried out. We have also found a church to join, St James in Selby, which seems very simular to St Andrews in Dibden Purlieu.

Our offer has been accepted.

Well at long last we've found our house and had our offer accepted. Its in a lovely position in the village of Barlby just down the road from a new all through primary school. We managed to take six thousand off the asking price and halve our mortgage.We are very pleased with ourselves. Don't worry though that blue carpet in the living room is going before we move in -trust me!!! Its got a nice back garden with french and patio doors leading onto it, good sized bedrooms . In the words of the estate agent-

'Situated in this small modern residential cul-de-sac is this larger than average double fronted three bedroom semi-detached house which has many features including a large rear garden facing south and west making this ideal for the family. Further features include en-suite shower to bedroom one, sealed unit double glazing, gas fired central heating, good size lounge, separate dining room and ground floor cloakroom with w.c. Early inspection is highly recommended not to miss out on this opportunity. '

We didn't miss out and just hope all now goes through smoothly.

A Day at the Seaside

Took time out for a well earned rest and some relaxation by going to Hornsea the other day and soaked up some lovely warm sunshine on the beach. We enjoyed some fantastic haddock and chips on the front and Elizabeth had a lovely paddle in a childrens paddle pool. (Went through my ancestral village of Seaton on the way and saw the farm labourers cottages they lived in). It was a lovely day and it was good to just chill out for a bit. We have been busy looking for houses and hope to put in an offer on one on Tuesday.

YORK HERE WE ARE!!!

Well we are here at last, the Robinsons have arrived back in North Yorkshire after an absence of 150 years. It was stressful to say the least but we managed to move in with few hitches apart from the internet and BT who gave me grief for 5 days. The house is lovely and has loads of space -a few pictures for you to have a little look. Its a town house (3 stories) nice back garden for Elizabeth to run around in. Lovely kitchen and wooden floors throughout, bath room on every floor including onsuit for us ,which I could get very used to. Went out on Saturday to have a good look around Selby which is lovely and reminds us constantly of Romsey.Bought a lovely cake in the bakers called 'Fat Scamp' 2 for a £ which was delicious.Went to the park and sat in the sunshine watching bowls and Elizabeth played in the park, brass band playing in the bandstand. Already set to work finding a house to buy and hope to view 4 tomorrow. Went to York Monday afternoon and had a lovely walk around and felt like a true native(so not a tourist !!!!).

Getting ready to move

Well we are packing like mad at the moment ready to move house on Thursday 9th August. It's hard work with two little ones who constantly want to help you pack-well Elizabeth anyway. Looking forward to getting up there now and de-stressing.I think a large bottle of wine in the garden will be in order.