After alot of hard work our house is nearly ready (the bits that aren't can be covered up until they are) Even though it's not completely done I feel an overwhelming compulsion to put it up for sale straight away. I convince Rich and on 6th March it's on the market. We've obviously chosen a good time because by that evening we've 3 viewings booked for later that week. We've decided, in the hope it will make the process less stressful, to let the estate agent conduct the viewings. The following day however, a couple want to view that evening and there's no one available so we do it. Our first viewing, they like it and put an offer in the following day. We put an offer in for Ali Shornets which can't be formally accepted until we have the money. We have to have 2 solicitors, one for our sale and a Scottish one (conversant with crofting law) for our purchase. It's then a waiting game. We complete on the sale of our house on 18th May and move in with Joe (youngest son) until our purchase of Ali Shornets is finalised. We put our furniture into storage in the hope it won't be long.
June 2017
Finally after much wrangling we complete on Ali Shornets on the 5th June. In the meantime Rich went on a boat course. On the 12th June we depart for our first trip to Scotland, the car is full and I decide to leave Tabby (the cat) with Joe until our second trip. Hopefully this way she'll be less traumatised. Rob (friend with big van) follows with first lot of stuff. It's mainly boxes as we can't fit the furniture in on this run as we are stopping at Glasgow on the way to pick up a boat which we are hoping we can squeeze into the van. Already quite stressed, the days lasting a long time and there's still alot to do, we arrive at the marine supply store in Glasgow. Having given very little thought to boat travel in my life (living in the midlands it's not a priority!) I'm quite shocked when I see the boat. It's the sort of boat you climb into, not step onto, that's quite worrying! We were told that between the 2 of us we'd be able to manhandle it, it took 4 of us to lift it into the van. It fitted, just!
About 5 hours later we arrive at the jetty, we now have to get the boat in the water, fix the engine to it and start ferrying our worldly goods across the loch. We were very grateful at this point to have Rob with us, once the boat was in the water and engine attached and started, Rich set off on his maiden voyage. Total admiration for Rich, a weekend boating course fully supervised and he's setting sail alone on the sea. Rather him than me! I don't even know how I'm going to manage to get in it!
We pack the boat with as many boxes as we think is safe then with some help I climb aboard and off we go. Over the other side of the loch we disembark (something I'm going to have to practice!)
Rich and Rob decide to head straight back to pick up another load while I'm left to walk to our new property, it's about a mile away. I can't actually remember where it is but the track only goes one way so I follow it. I'm exhausted and struggling at this point. I worry about Rich and Rob, what if they capsize and drown and I'm left here by myself (actually I'm worrying about me, not Rich and Rob!) But all is well, I find our new home and thankfully the outside toilet is working. Don't know why I call it the outside toilet, it's the only toilet.
Rich on his maiden voyage
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