Ransom – Despite stating that our new home was on a narrow street, and also a one-way street, the removers turned up with an enormous lorry that couldn’t get even close to our new home. Calls were made, and I was informed the removal men would have to go back to base at Pickfords, and rent a smaller lorry for the delivery, making 2 journeys. This was going to cost me an extra £220! I had no choice but to pay, or they would keep all our ‘stuff.’ Man, I was cross. Ultimately, the move took place, the 2 guys were great and very efficient. I wrote a strongly worded complaint to Pickfords, and they’ve refunded half the extra money back. Not totally happy, but half is better than nothing.

Read instructions – We popped out and bought a washing machine at Currys. We arranged for them to plumb it in, at a cost, and told them, we live on a narrow street, so send a smaller lorry. They delivered it very swiftly, in a large lorry! They blocked the street, delivered the machine, but because they couldn’t park their huge lorry, they didn’t plumb it in. I have to wait until Friday! Not happy, I sent them a complaint and gave them a zero out of 10 for customer satisfaction. I’ve suggested they reimburse me the plumbing fee for the inconvenience.

OMG – The Daddy of them all: 3 weeks before the move, I alerted John Lewis (Plusnet) and asked that our service be transferred to new house. I was assured the phone and broadband would be working on move in day, or else a day or 2 after that. Thursday, no phone. Friday, no phone. Sunday, I popped to my son’s campus and filled in an online Help which is supposed to be answered within 24 hours. 3 days later, no response! We phoned them on my mobile; it hadn’t been done and would take at least 10 more working days to complete. No excuses, no apology. I told them to forget it! They threatened me with costs for cancelling and I lost it. I wasn’t rude, nor did I shout, but I gave them a piece of my mind and reminded them they had broken the terms of our contract, not me. Back to the library, and we’ve arranged for a new provider. We already have a phone number, though the service won’t be up and running until early July. Thank goodness for the local library, and my son’s campus IT suites!

Teething problems – We’ve had a boiler man out twice, a locksmith twice, and now someone is coming today to see to the shower which is either scalding hot, or cold. Niggling little issues that I feel the agent should have sorted before we moved in, but they’re being very helpful so far.

Plus points - We’re within walking distance of a large park with loads of trees, a smaller wooded walk, and at the end of our street is a large green with over a dozen trees, space to play ball, and a children’s play area too. We’re easy walking distance of the ‘large market town’ and it’s a real novelty being so close to so many shops. I love it! Once the house is a little tidier, and we have internet, I’ll post some photos.

Catch up soon on your blogs.