Section 38

I though this was some sort of Thatcherite anti-gay nonsense from the eighties but no, it’s apparently an agreement between house builders and the local authority that the roads will be brought up to an approved state before the LA adopts them. Fairly standard and not a problem you might think, but a bit of a hold-up when the buyer’s solicitor’s searches show the existence of one but no-one at the district council can find it, or even agree whether or not it exists. Just one more nightmare to add to the list (think yourselves lucky that I’ve spared you details of the Section 104, the property transfer forms, the NHBC guarantees …) that means we won’t be able to exchange contracts before we move on Friday. I’ve heard nothing to suggest that the sale won’t go ahead so don’t want to lose the rented place and deprive the girls of their trial week at the new school, but I’ve got my fingers firmly crossed. It means that the break from here won’t be as neat as we’d like but we’ll be able to leave some of the ‘putting things right’ jobs until later. No, that’s trying to look on the bright side. It is a risk and the nightmare scenario will be paying rent and a mortgage for six months and then having to move back here, tails between our legs, with less money, no boat and disappointed (and confused) children. Sod fingers, what else can I cross?