Reasons To Be Cheerful covered our year starting September 2020

Join us as we continue to work on the major renovation project and cope with what life throws at us during the Covid Pandemic. We’ve bought our first home together, it’s in need of renovation, it’s way too big, it needs a lot of work and it’s probably a money pit but it’s finally ours and we love it. It’s in a small seaside town on the beautiful south Devon coast. We’re part way through the lengthy process which is even lengthier now we are in Coronavirus lockdown!!

• Hey Big Spenders! October 1, 2020 - Shopping on a grand scale and getting away for a break on a boat. September started with an interview for Cheryl.  No, not a job, but to become a co-opted Town Councillor.  It’s a long story but in essence she … Continue reading →
• The New Normal November 1, 2020 - We gave up ‘normal’ life to go travelling back in October 2008.  We’re usually on a plane by now heading off for fun and adventure far away from the prospect of a chilly British winter.  While we were away last … Continue reading →
• Happy Birthday December 1, 2020 - Life in lockdown 2, steady progress on the renovation, more deliveries & Neil burns his piles in the garden. Like most people we weren’t happy about the prospect of another lockdown, but, if that’s what it takes to control this … Continue reading →
• Lonely This Christmas January 1, 2021 - A very quiet Christmas and New Year thanks to that pesky Covid……Bah Humbug! December began with the return of The Destroyer, but this time the action was in the garden. Mark brought his chainsaw and he and Neil got to … Continue reading →
• We’re not the pheasant pluckers… February 1, 2021 - Dodging Covid, dodgy dealings and a damp patch.  It’s been a strange start to 2021. Like most people we weren’t sad to wave goodbye to 2020.  Resigned to our fate in Lockdown 3 we decided to focus on work in … Continue reading →
• Stairway to Heaven March 1, 2021 - We’ve gone stair crazy! We couldn’t put it off any longer so it was time to tackle the big one.  The problem was we didn’t have a specialist ladder for the stairs but we had a cunning plan. Most of … Continue reading →
• The long and winding roadmap March 31, 2021 - It’s definitely a good news month. We’re jabbed up, bathrooms & cloakroom complete, hall stairs and landing nearly there, the last room is underway, the garden really starts to come alive and we had the first taste of freedom. Woo … Continue reading →
• It’s The Final Countdown….. May 28, 2021 - We made the most of the new freedoms at the start of the month to start socialising with the neighbours. The road map out of lockdown allowed us to meet with 6 others outdoors so first call was across to … Continue reading →
• Rock the Boat July 1, 2021 - FFFing good! – Freakish weather, First strawberry and Family Fun. After possibly one of the wettest Mays in years the sun finally made an appearance at the end of the month just in time for Alex & Freddy to spend … Continue reading →
• Paint it Green July 31, 2021 - Our social calendar is getting back to something like normal.  Don and Pat hosted a lunchtime get together where we met new neighbours from just up the road, Harriet and Steve.  We arrived at 12.30, had a drink followed by … Continue reading →
• Hi Ho Silver Lining September 3, 2021 - Sunday August 1st brought us our first batch of summer guests, all 10 of them!   Neil’s sister June, her daughters Tracy and Anna, plus their children Ol, Fred and Heidi.  An old friend of Tracy’s, Emily, also arrived with Mae, … Continue reading →
• The Show Must Go On October 2, 2021 - On the return journey from Newcastle we took the scenic route across The Peak District to Leanne’s house.  It was a beautiful drive.  We hadn’t seen her for some time so it was good to  catch up.  She was working … Continue reading →