2020 - an enigma. A very strange year to put behind us ? A year with huge highlights to make it special. 2020 started normally enough, and that was that. The first couple of months were fine and dandy. Then came March ... The COVID-19 Lockdown was surreal, restrictions annoying but bearable and understandable. Oddly, as we made a very early decision that I should move in with Jenny and Layla for the duration, we found generally okay - frustrating as we were unable to do what we normally would as freely as we had in past, but okay. As I seemed to be the designated shopper and having to pop back to Merstham to feed the cat every couple of days, I felt as though I had the best of it. I was able to see somewhere a little different a few times a week, as well as the exercise walks in the woods and scooter rides locally as a family. <more here> My workplace at Woodhatch was closing, but I had managed to find a new job at a Swisspost run site in Guildford. My job changed, and I went straight to "Furlough" on April 1. As many people before me, I felt short changed as I just sort of left the office and didn’t go back the next day. It was a strange time in an empty office. The “ new normal “ horizon became unclear and uncertain - personally I felt that any upturn after the lockdown might take a couple of years. Come the middle of May, I had a call from my new manager to say that the client in Guildford had reviewed their requirements and didn’t need me any more. I got in touch with my manager at Canon and asked if the job roles at the new Canon site near Heathrow had been filled or if there were any openings I could fill. There were, and I rejoined the Canon fold on June 1, working with my old supervisor as a double act once again. This has carried on since. All change on the personal front too - Jenny and I married on August 1 at a COVID restricted ceremony - a room which would previously have taken 40 or so, down to just 6 guests. It was a great day. <more here> Next was a short break in Staffordshire <more here> and a week in Yorkshire <more here> In November - after a frustrating year trying, preparing and waiting, we finally moved into our new house in Reigate. This was a long and drawn out process - I first had the estate agent calling at my house of 15 years in Merstham in November 2018 to see what would be needed to make the house saleable. We had a few offers, mainly unrealistic. People came to look, but none seemed particularly interested. When an realistic offer came in on the house in Merstham, the buyer’s finance fell through which snookered any possibility of our completing on a house in Reigate that we had made an offer on. In late January / early February another firm offer was made. We found another nicer house in Reigate and had our offer accepted. Then of course, the lockdown stopped the property market completely until June or July. After a couple of financial wrangles, (eased somewhat by the Chancellor's announcement to temporarily change the rules on Stamp Duty thresholds) and then a seemingly endless time trying to agree and confirm Contract Exchange and Completion dates with the top end of the 4 house chain, we finally made it. We got the keys to our new little house on 18 November and moved in on 21 November. The clearance and moving process was extended as we helped Jenn's Mum move a couple of weeks after we moved out. Jenny and I moved 3 houses in 6 weeks. First out of Merstham, next out of Jenny's Mum's and lastly moving Jenny's Mum to a down-sized property. Exhausting but ultimately worth the wait. Now we start the unboxing and clearing up on our new place. It is great to have our own space at last. More restrictions led to a quiet Christmas... So, my Friends this year hasn't been all doom and gloom.
It has been different and changed our outlook just a little. We need to be happy with and cherish what we have. We need to look after those nearest and dearest to us. We need to be kind. Here's to a better 2021. Happy New Year
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