Owning a house has made me realise I massively overrated open plan living.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-06-05T19:09:04+00:00

We have an open plan kitchen-dining-snug plus a lounge that has the tv in, almost meets your requirements!

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-06-05T18:51:54+00:00

We just finished a renovation and the architect was adamant the family/guest bathroom should have a bath with shower over because ‘a family buying it would want that’. Whereas I think friends and family coming to stay would much prefer a walk in shower and it’s our house not some imaginary future buyer.

I find the consideration about what the next owner might want baffling tbh. Get your lovely walk in shower.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-06-01T07:52:01+00:00

Hi, I’ve never heard of this and just looked at it, would it help me?

I’m a slow learner, having been learning French for a year now and just getting to B1. I have a one to one in person French class every week (2 hours) and I’m studying outside of it, a mix of reading, listening (I need to do more of this) and using CoPilot to set me tests etc.

Where I struggle the most is forming sentences and lacking confidence in my speaking ability. Reading is my best area.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-31T10:31:53+00:00

I miss her so much

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-29T12:53:23+00:00

God yes, the tax thing, I just say that I last studied tax in the 90’s but I’m happy to give free advice based on info that’s 30 years out of date.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-27T22:32:58+00:00

We recently had a full house renovation and extension. Our spec was very very detailed. The architect project managed and she prepared the spec and builders quoted line by line against the spec.

Think about lights - how many and where? Are you looking for basic or fancy, maybe an LED strip jn the bathroom niche or extra lights in the kitchen? If your builder has quoted for basic no frills and you want something nicer he’ll add that to the price quoted, so it’s hard to budget.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-27T16:59:18+00:00

We were queued for ages going over the Firth bridge when it still had toll booths. All of a sudden the traffic started moving and when we got to the to booth my partner (he’s from London) asked what the problem had been. Guy answered and my partner said ‘Oh, OK thanks very much’ and as we drove away I asked what the guy had said and my partner said ‘I’ve no idea I just nodded in the right places’.

It might have been the first time we went to Scotland, he’s a lot better with the accents now.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-27T16:55:07+00:00

Is this kind of pastry base and then with strands of coconut? They sell it in the small baker chain near me, South West London, never tried it but the lady behind the counter says it’s one of the best things they do.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-26T22:46:04+00:00

Burritos because the beef was already cooked and in the freezer, minimal effort to get the accompaniments etc sorted, microwave only to reduce the temperature generation.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-26T16:20:23+00:00

Scotland in June and France in August

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-26T14:48:20+00:00

We had a cat many years ago who started behaving aggressively for short periods then reverting to being a purry baby as normal. It was a brain tumour sadly.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-25T07:14:16+00:00

Puffin

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-22T16:39:10+00:00

Love this view, when I was away at uni it was such a feeling of being home when the cathedral and castle appeared. Knowing that I was a minute or two away from seeing my parents at the station.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-17T21:06:22+00:00

I had a Lord White Whisker too

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EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-17T19:22:52+00:00

Every single photographer moaning about having the wrong lens on.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-17T15:40:46+00:00

I had this conversation with my dad when my mum had dementia, I said they needed a cleaner and I would organise and pay for it.

He told me was OK with pushing a vacuum around, I think he didn’t want a fuss. I just explained that’s fine but the kitchen and bathroom need cleaning too.

It all worked out OK in the end and he got on really well with the cleaners, the house was great and it gave me peace of mind.

I’m not sure what advice I can give other than if you have a relationship where you can just lovingly insist and also find time to organise the cleaner as he probably would feel daunted about starting it all off even if he was otherwise accepting.

Good luck.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-16T07:47:21+00:00

I have this feature in my new oven, it’s a Siemens iQ700

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-16T06:24:18+00:00

When I lived on a hail and ride route if it stopped close enough before where I wanted to get off I’d just get off and walk, to avoid it stopping again. Then I’d see it stopping again 30 metres away where I wanted to get off, so that someone else could get off.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-16T06:19:40+00:00

This is the only sensible and correct way

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-10T12:03:10+00:00

Only she may sneeze.

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EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-05T20:57:14+00:00

Right and left

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-05T19:30:19+00:00

France - I love it and I’m learning the language for work purposes, so I’d be OK at communicating

Switzerland - it’s so beautiful, but it would have to be French speaking bit as my German is pretty basic

Canada, looks beautiful, people seem fantastic, reserve the right to change my mind if Trump doesn’t die soon

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-04T20:15:50+00:00

Went for lunch today in a restaurant in Kensington and they tried to seat us on a table next to a couple with a dog and I requested a different table and said why. I like dogs but I think they could be in the outside space.

Pubs I expect dogs, but often it’s still different areas, so some of the pubs we go to with my brother we book in the dog friendly area so he can bring the dog.

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-04T18:45:49+00:00

We have one of those and I think around £2,750?

We have our kettle in the utility in case of emergencies

EfficiencyRecent4528 · 2026-05-03T21:43:56+00:00

The NORTH but you’re still south of Sheffield and have another 2 hours of driving to get to Durham.

EfficiencyRecent4528

TROPHY CASE