Back to basics

I had a bit of a shock a few weeks ago. It appears the building regulations dictating there should be a damp proof layer on top of a concrete raft (which underpins the house) didn't come into being for a couple of years after my house was completed. 

You can imagine my joy at this.

Next door had their's done. It cost close on £6000 but the difference it'll make to humidity levels and warmth..... Well, it goes without saying. 

Cost as well! 

With the levels of dampness, wintertime tended to be miserable with heaters flat out and top temperatures of 12°C during the coldest months of the year.

I turned to look at my room thermometer; we've reached 16°C but the humidity is still 76%, way above guidelines for safe living.

Yesterday morning my bedroom was 12°C but the humidity was up to 92%.

Gawd it was cold!!

So, what's next

Yep, once more, it's clearance of furniture, leaving me with a chair, fold up table and a bed.

Thank goodness I'm going away!

Thank goodness I still have a kitchen and bathroom I can use but........

I'm so glad I'll be away whilst this place becomes a floor-no-go area.

Well, would ya believe it?

On one of those rare days, at the moment, when the heavens didn't open and we didn't have rain, I came to the conclusion I needed to get out. Stuck in the house for several days had made me stir crazy, I needed a walk. 

The woods now resemble a mud bath for hippos, so they were out. I had bills to pay so taking the car through the flooded lanes, I went into Aylesford, dumped it off and walked into town.

It's a pleasant wander and dry by comparison!

Having completed various bank runs I decided to wander towards Fremlin Walk, a posh part of the shopping centre in town. I fancied a peruse at the Manga section in the bookshop so window shopped as I went.

Super dry caught my eye;

It was the jacket which caught my eye not the skirt or t-shirt. 

Looking like the old camel coats of the 70s, I laughed and remembered how those skins reeked after rain. How we wore them everywhere and the pungent odour of camel dung permiated the air. Long skirts, low tops, bangles and platform shoes/boots, with added patchouli oil.

At least these days the tastes are less smelly.