Monday

Yesterday was a quiet anti-climax.  We spent most of the day walking, except for a short time in our room in the afternoon. In the evening we went to a pub and had bread and cheese and cider.

Today, after enquiring about buses, we went to see our house.  The ride took about an hour through typical Essex countryside.  We arrived at the house about 11 o’clock to find it invaded by painters.  As soon as the man painting the stairs saw us he said, ‘I thought you were on honeymoon!’  When Alan told him that we are he laughed and asked what are you doing here then?

The painting was almost finished and they said the floor tiles for the ground floor would be laid the next day.  I think it was then it occurred to me that I didn’t have a home.

Tuesday 7^th

This afternoon we left the Guest House and went to stay with Vic and Vera, as had been arranged on Saturday.  Our money was very tight and we had planned on moving into the house straight away.  The extended snowy weather earlier in the year had delayed building.

Vic took us to see the house again in the evening and we were disappointed to see the floor tiles hadn’t been laid as promised. 

Wednesday 8^th

We went to the house again this afternoon and, joy of joys, were handed the keys.  The tiles had been put down this morning and it was finished!!  We were delighted and Alan just couldn’t stop laughing.

Alan phoned the solicitor to tell him we had the keys and to fix up any final arrangements.  We could move in as soon as we had something to move!

After more phoning we arranged the furniture delivery.  The bed was coming from the Harrison Gibson store in Ilford and would come on Friday.  Alan asked if they would bring down a few boxes from Parsloes Avenue where most of our wedding presents were being held.  It was up to the driver but after a while the message came back that said the driver was happy to do that.

The table and chairs, ordered from Times Furnishing would be delivered on Saturday. The Electricity Board told us that we needed to get in touch with the local office but Friday would be ok for connection.  The Gas Board scheduled us for delivery and fitting of the gas cooker on Friday.  Friday was going to be a busy day.

That evening it appeared the honeymoon had ended.  Football was on TV.  Alan and Vic stayed up to watch it and Vera and I went to our beds.

Thursday 9^th

This morning we went to the shops in Leigh to get some of the things we needed before we moved into ‘Alamore’ – our name for the house.

We came home on the bus absolutely loaded.  The conductor even said jokingly, he should charge us luggage for it all.  We had bought 2 pillows, 3 lampshades as well as the basic foods, tea, sugar etc., which we will need when we move in.  We had also been to the local electricity place where the man had said they couldn’t switch on the electricity on Friday, until Alan told him the main office had said it was ok.  Then they were extremely helpful.

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