PORTISHEAD, BRISTOL
The bridges and main street are decorated with flowers. Sue and Cathy under hanging baskets.
More boats this year moored at the marina in front of Sues' unit.
Boat, second from right, is owned by a near neighbour of Sue. She bought it for fun and calls it her "Gin Palace"! She is 83 years old and having trouble finding a company to insure it not that she plans to drive it herself. The river Severn which the Marina opens out to is notoriously difficult to navigate with its 12m (40 ft) tides and if the engine fails you could be in deep trouble hence the reticence presumably.
On the upper deck. No gin visible at this stage!
Her daughter is currently living on the boat with family while the sale of their house and the purchase of a new property is being transacted.
The British system of buying and selling property is horrendous. There can be a string of buyers waiting in a chain to exchange contracts which are usually conducted at a certain time on a certain day. It's Ok for the seller to some extent as they can change their mind right up to the last minute without cost penalty meanwhile everyone else is hanging there chewing their nails!
In NSW, Australia we pay a deposit of, say, $1000.00 which is good for 10 days (I think) while you have chance to "cool off". You then put down a deposit of 10% (the size is negotiable but substantial). This gives you 6 weeks to check the place out (At buyers expense - in France it is at sellers expense, not so good). If you choose to pull out after this time, without good reason, you lose your deposit. The seller meanwhile is locked in and must go through with the sale if required.
Shops under Sues' apartment block. Co-Op Grocery, Costas Coffee shop, Fish and chip shop, pub and new eatery, soon to open.
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