Sultry Sunday

Boy it's warm out there, must be hitting the mid to late 20s and it's really muggy. However, I'm sitting in an air-conned office typing a blog so I don't care. So far, since coming in at 11 O'clock, I've sorted out Sadie's email addresses and domain, eaten some lunch, taken a 'comfort' break, sent the odd email and taken no calls or spoken to anyone else at all. It is now about 12:36. So what else can I take up my time doing? Need to be productive so I'll listen to a bit of Five Live while I think about it.

The good news is I suppose that I'm still here (albeit on my own and I think that's the way it will continue), and that the company hasn't folded. Having been away for a couple of weeks I thought I might come back to find it shut, but no, as I said yesterday, we've actually sold some properties, so who knows? As per there aren't many people about on the street so it's rather unlikely that I'll be getting many (if any) visitors in today.

The bad news is that it gives me very little to type about in the blog. Little did I think when I started this blog that there would be so little happening that I wouldn't have anything to say but it is close approaching that point as I stare out of the grubby windows wondering where everybody is. Obviously we have hit holiday season with all the kids breaking up from school last week so that won't help. And apparently it dies a death at this time of the year anyway, although it's hard to see how it could get any quieter (on the day-to-day office front anyway). I still enjoy a bit of time on my own though. Gives me a chance to have a bit of time out from looking after the boy and think about other stuff. Also I know there will probably be something nice for dinner tonight and hopefully a bottle of wine. That's what going on in my head then. Nothing very noteworthy. I think the old noggin is still on holiday from last week. Need to get it into gear as I ahve a job interview Monday week so I need to gem up on what I'll probably be asked. Hmmmm that would be something to get on with today, eh?

So at the end of a five hour day I ahve exactly one person in through the door and no phone calls. I reckon that's a personal best! Still, got plenty of emails sent nand watched some rugby. Hometime now!

I'm back!

Petrol 116.9p/litre

Well I never, the petrol has gone down for the first time that I can remember. I know it's not going to beat the recession in the long term but it's a welcome bit of relief anyway. Morrisons are selling at 113.9/litre. Not sure sure how long that will last. Just wish some other prices could mimic that. I don't ever remember seeing anything go down in price once it's gone up so petrol is probably on it's own (damn, now I'll have to see if there are any other examples of price drops other than interest rates).

It's bloody hot today (27C), as it has been for the last week or so except today I'm not in short and flip flops but rather shirt and tie. Not really the attire for the weather. So I miss one weekend and come back to find that properties have been sold. Not, like, loads or anything but four. And that's four more than for the last couple of months at least. And we've sold Hall Park which didn't look like it was ever going to go. Sold for £627k. Nearly £100k under the original asking price at the beginning of the year. Bet they're well chuffed with that!

Just been to show the Hawoods round the retirement home that they're buying. She's very excited about it. Him not quite as much. Hopefully the sale of their house will proceed without too many hitches as this is about the third time they've 'sold' it! Thery just need to get out of their house because they can't manage the stairs. Shame really, they've been there for 48 years....

Sunny Sunday

So, we (Alba), may have tied up two properties today which would be good. Alba's in a state of nervous breakdown about it. You'd think it was because she'd sorted two properties out but in fact it's because of her emotional involvement with both sets of vendors (they are both in the same chain). One elderly couple have just accepted 20% below the asking price and in turn the vendor of the property they are buying has just drop her price by a further 5% just so they'll stay interested. The property business may be cut-throat but Alba endeavors to keep it as clean as possible which weighs heavy on her conscience. I can see her being ill over these things (as I believe she has been in the past).

With any luck another property may get sold next week although the vendor and buyer are playing cat and mouse about it at the moment which in this market isn't good as one of them is fairly sure to bottle it and it will probably be the vendor.

However, none of this is liable to have a massive impact on the state of the place as we need to carry on selling at this rate to get ourselves back on target (whatever that target is, I assume someone somewhere has one). So three houses sold after three months without a sniff is not exactly going to end the slump.

I get the impression from Alba that she's half expecting the owner to come in this week and call it time on the business. I do hope not as I have quite enjoyed my foray into the world of estate agency. Quite apart from the fact that I really need the money!! Job hunting time again I fear.

The Alba blues

Petrol price - 119.9p/litre, crude oil $147/barrel. New record high.

Poor old Alba. It's really starting to get to her now. This whole housing lark is going down the pan and she feels it's only a matter of time before we end up out on the streets I think. Nice start to a Saturday morning!

I've started putting the petrol price at the top of the blog as I think it's a bit more of an indicator to the state of the economy than the weather forecast was(!). It's the price from the Texaco garage at Winkwell. Seems to rise by a penny a week as I pass it every week on my way in to work. The cheapest anywhere around at the moment is 115.9/litre and that's at Asda who can afford to keep it down I guess. Even so it's not exactly cheap. Diesel stands at around 133.9/litre.

Wow, a busy couple of hours there and I've had no lunch (it's 1440). I'm certainly not used to that. Four viewings with a bit of listening to the cricket in between. Not much to write home about for the first three. Distinctly underwhelmed, mainly at the price. I did mention that you are allowed to make an offer on the house but they still weren't interested. People are still waiting and waiting for the market to bottom out. I think I'll be out of a job before that happens! I wonder what happens if all the estate agents go to the wall. I'm sure there'd be plenty of 'how many estate agents does it take to .....' jokes about! But how would you sell your house? Why do I care? I'm becoming too emotionally involved in all this. Lunchtime.

Alba's gone out to sell a house, no really! I can feel it in my waters. Third viewing, third! Still can't make his mind up. What's left to look at? It's an old people's bungalow for Gods sake! It's horrible and needs serious TLC. I'm obviously feeling a bit ranty today and I've no idea why. Must be the weather which continues to be a bit crap for the time of year frankly. I hope it sorts itself out as I'm camping next week and need a bit of sunshine to facilitate happy camping. So no blog entry next weekend coz I'm not here. Woo Hoo!!

So, even though I know nothing about markets, prices, bears, bulls etc. I do know that the U.S. markets are in a fearful state and chief of state is the housing market, which having been on the rise for decades in now falling flat on its' arse. The main culprits as of yesterday being Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. I can't be bothered to go through it here but this link makes for some interesting reading and as the song says 'it's only just begun'. God I'm turning into some sort of soothsayer. FT.com are also doing some interesting in-depth articles on UK house prices. Bet the media love it, there's just too much bad news not to have a good news day!

Men's final day

Weather - 18C and very wet

What a minging day. I bet the Frenchies are glad they've got a market on today. There's absolutely nobody about.
Me? Well I'm on my own in the office. Not for the first and I'm sure not for the last either. Think this could be the start of the cost cutting exercises although it's difficult to know what costs they'll cut apart from this. It running at bare-bones anyway. We'll see.....

So 1:30pm and two phone calls so far. One of them David just checking that I'm not dying of boredom, which surprisingly I'm not. Actually, what with writing Doreen a letter and giving over some time to the Shunt website, I've had quite a productive morning. Now listening to F1 from Silverstone (for the penultimate time. Donnington in two years time). Not sure whether the men's final will get underway at Wimbledon on time. The weather's not exactly set fair!

It's still teeming down out there. There are some very disgruntled looking stall holders smoking their Gouloises and chatting to each other under the cover of the stalls. Can't be much fun for a day trip can it? Looks like one of them has a leak in the roof as the umbrellas are suddenly going up despite the apparent shelter. I am at least in a nice warm, dry office with F1 on and headphones in.

2:24pm and the players are on court at Wimbledon. Well, it wouldn't be Wimbledon without a rain delay and there haven't been many this year so I guess they were due one. Federer v Nadal, yet again. At least they are both enjoyable players to watch unlike the Williams sisters who contested the women's final yesterday. Not that I have anything against them per se, but I just don't enjoy their brand of tennis.

And the rain gets heavier, if that were possible! Scattering the few brave enough to actually be out in this maelstrom. A veritable river is flowing through the middle of Berkhamsted High Street. The cars have their outboard motors on now (sounds like they might need them at Silverstone too!). Isn't funny how people lose the ability to look where they're going when the rain comes down? Several near-misses on the road already.

2:42pm Lewis Hamilton takes the chequered flag in the home Grand Prix. Sounds like they're quite happy about that in the stands!

Stone me, the sun's out. And so are the people! Where did they all come from. Must've all been hiding in Costa Coffee or something.........

Blimey

Weather - 20C Sunny spells and showers Well, I never. We've sold a house at long last! Nice little two bed cottage in Bovingdon. Apparently the first since David's been on board which has been about three months. That should have cheered him up really but in a week when he's lost his grandfather and had his dog put down I don't think it really helped much. Poor bloke, just gone for a walk to clear his head (and spy on the opposition probably). Think I'd be down the pub with a stiff drink. Loads of traffic today, struggled to park my car in the usual place. What a cheek! I've actually had to walk for more than 30 secs to get to the office. Really unreasonable. Another chaps just been in to drop the price on his house. From £460k to £449,950. Not a big drop but then again it's not the first. Seemed very reasonable about it. He can see that the whole market is doing the same so wherever he buys next will have also been dropped in price. He sees it but it's amazing how many don't. They seem to think it's just their house that is the problem and that everyone else is selling at the original price. WELL THEY AREN'T! There are massive price reductions going on every week when I get in. It's a wonder any of them are staying at the original asking price. However, it's noticeable that those which are aren't getting a sniff of interest. No viewings, nothing. There's a lot of worried people out there, and not just about houses either. You name it and they're worried. Houses, fuel, food, jobs. Another protest by the truckers last week down the A40 in central London. It seems to be happening so regularly that it barely makes the news these days. And they're not just protesting in the UK but worldwide. Interesting times......

Anna's back

Poor old Anna. Her back's killing her and she's been standing up all day. She is a martyr to the cause. God knows why! Fair enough she needed to be the first hour and a half as I was out viewing but really didn't need to be here until 1530. I've just seen her off when she could have left an hour or two ago but the problem is she's too conscientious. She's even written down her leaving time in case anyone calls and she's not here! Bless.

It did, in fact, turn into quite a busy day yesterday and I ended up staying half and hour late, which is extremely unusual, to put it mildly. People very eager to put their houses on the market. And I've no idea why, presumably they fancy making a loss on their property. But I'm no expert so there must be good reasons that I don't understand.

Have really got to sort out my Fantasy team for the Euro 08 final this evening. It would seem likely that Ballack isn't going to be playing which will put spanners in various works. My money's on Fabregas to run the show and Spain to come out winners. Which probably means Germany will do it if my past predictions are anything to go by! Been invited to a BBQ by Jon to watch the match which is mighty tempting although D is still tired from our socialising last night and I wonder if another night out will put him further out of sorts. T is out at rehearsals all evening so I might just settle down with a beer and watch it on my own. We'll see......

Well, nearly time to log off and go home. That day fairly flew by and I've not really done anything. I must say I'm very impressed with my boredom threshold these days. Quite liked the apartment up at Brownlow Farm (more than the weird chap I showed round at any rate), surprised it hasn't sold yet. Having said that, I shouldn't be surprised at anything in this market. It'll be a wonder if we sell anything before the end of July. And then we have our quiet period. God help us all. I wonder how long I'll have a job for? Watch this space.....

Viewing but not selling

Weather - 18C sunny intervals

Well, plenty of viewings this afternoon but nobody's interested in buying. Having said that someone's just cancelled one! Gives David a chance to tell me more about his amazing Market Garden business idea that he'll be doing when he gets the sack from this place! Jolly good. Apparently he specialised in pig husbandry when he was at agricultural college. you learn something new every day. And some of it I didn't want to learn, believe me!

Sufficed to say it is still dead as a dead thing round here. A few phone calls, mainly from one nervous homeowner, and absolutely no one through the door except a cheesed off deliver man for the fish restaurant next door!

Just viewed at Delahay Rise. The couple are undoubtedly very keen but are currently offering £410K (it's on at £499K), and unsurprisingly the owners aren't going for it. Got to say though if it carries on in this vein they're not going to get a much better offer and will find they'll have to drop the price more to generate decent any interest. Harsh but true.

Apparently during the week Pauline took down the house details in the window to rearrange the display and someone from Claire Lloyd asked if we were shutting down! Blimey, it's a cut throat business for sure.

Judging by David's demeanor, he's feeling the pressure of not selling. I mean, I just sit here at the weekends typing a blog. He gets a whole week of nothing. Aand it's not as though he can do a massive amount about it either. Most of it has to come to him (which it isn't). We have more properties on the books now than at anytime during the last year (47), and absolutely none of them selling. We are getting more people in asking for rentals than ever before. It's probably going to be the big money earner in the current climate.

I'm sitting watching someone in a bright green Hi-vi across the street collecting for charity. I bet she's not doing a roaring trade either. I should think people are being very stingy with their charitable donations at the moment. ah well, off to the next/last viewing. Hopefully David will be back soon or I'll have to lock up which makes it look like we're not open for business. Am I starting to sound like I care? Hmmmm, maybe......

Oooops. Just swore blind to David that I'd put the keys from my last viewing back in the key cupboard.... when in fact they were in my car. Sorry!

Short

Weather Sunny 20C

Just a short entry today as there is absolutely bugger all going on. Two phone calls, both for the wrong agent. But it is a gorgeous day, just the thing for sitting in an office doing nothing. Although that's not strictly true as I've a website to be getting on with. Saying that, these computers are so decrepit that anything I do is taking an age so I might just give up and do it at home. Anna's making tea for us both, again. Surprised there's any left after Des and I went at it yesterday. Got quite a buzz form all the caffeine I consumed. Little bit shaky.
I would say I'm bored but I'm not really which is kind of strange but I guess as long as I have web access everything's OK!

Drizzle , drizzle, moan, moan

Weather 16C and drizzle, drizzle

Boy, Alba's on one today! I think the world's coming to an end if she's anything to do with it. The housing market has officially died (according to Alba) and we're all going to hell in a handcart! Nothing being sold, by anyone. Although she's telling the other estate agents that she has been. All the other agents are snooping about wanting to know what's going on with the competition so everything we'll hear over the coming months will I'm sure, be hearsay, gossip, Chinese whispers, call it what you will! Could be interesting.......

As for today, there are four viewings in all, of which I am doing two.

As for what else we can do, well we are discussing what the world's tallest building currently is. Well we think it's the Burj Dubai, although it's not complete, it's taller than the one in Taipei. And another thing, we're going to be out of tea by the end of the day with the rate Des and I are going through it!

The local kids are playing a repertoire of eighties classics right outside Aitchesons. It sounds terrible from here! Now that someone's opened the door it sounds even worse! God, what are they playing? Sounds like a jamboree, jolly hockey sticks! 'Baggy Trousers' now...... that's the second time in half an hour. I hope they don't keep it up all day. Oh God, I think they're on tape-loop. It's 'Waterloo' again. And they've turned up the volume. And they're crap. And now that I've got back from my viewings they've gone. Hurrah! And that's lunch.

Unbelievabley quiet, no calls, nobody in. Blimey, I've never known, in all my four months weekend work in the industry.

Back to normal

Weather - sunny spells 18C

So after the hectic day that was Saturday (only slightly tongue-in-cheek too I might add), it appears it's back to the old routine today. Two viewings and then nothing else to report at the moment (although it is only 1300). It's a funny old game as someone once said (but not about estate agents). The farmer's market is on today which normally pulls in a few punters but not so today. I rather fancy they're all in Tesco trying to save a few quid or at least they were all in there when I was in there, it's mobbed. I can't really attribute it to there shiny new electrical/clothing department they've just opened.

So that's about the longest that anyone's stayed in the shop to chat. Must have been here about half an hour talking about the area, houses etc. Coming over from Holland and can't believe the prices (in Berko, well I never). Anyway, nice people and I think I pulled the grandmother as she I asked if I was in during the week and was quite disappointed that I wasn't. Nevermind!

Bless, just had an extremely elderly couple in looking at the flat in the High Street (£175k). I think he's lost the plot slightly and her wig was a bit wonky. Anyway seemed nice enough so Des has taken them for a look round. Living in a wardened place in St Albans at the moment. Bit of a young property for them I think but you never know these days, might be a couple of ravers!

England are looking good in the first one-dayer against NZ with KP scoring a century although NZ have started their innings pretty quickly. Hopefully that means there'll be a wicket soon.
Half an hour til we leave so not much more to say unless Des gets taken prisoner by the old couple he's showing around. You never know these days!

It's Saturday again

Weather - 17C Sunny

Word has it that Claire Lloyd may be closing. Been around for about five years apparently. We'll wait and see what happens there.

Bit difficult to update today as the boss-man is in and sits behind me which doesn't make for easy typing. Just viewed a house on Bridgewater Road. Not much feel from the viewing as they've been advised to sell before they offer so are being very guarded about what they say and do. I think this is about typical of the attitude at the moment which is making houses very difficult to shift.

Rose and Crown next, just for a second viewing. This chap's already had an offer accepted on the place at £360,000. Bargain. It was originally on at £450k then taken down to £410k so £360k is a bit of a result. I can see other properties going the same way.

Then to Bridens Camp for last viewing of the day. Tiny little place and quite quaint right by the local pub and cricket ground. Tiny second bedroom but downstairs is very nice, large living room and kitchen diner. On at £220k, pretty reasonable price considering it'll never make that. Could dip under £200k when/if (ever the optimist!) someone makes an offer.

Definitely feels busier today. Had a fair few people in the front door and on the phone plus extra viewings made on the day (four extra). With all that going on it's making it difficult to keep the blog up.

What happens if it gets really busy?

Just heard Nikki's been made redundant from her job in Leighton Buzzard. The agent laid off a load of employees. She'd only been there a month after leaving this place. Two kids to look after so she'll be wanting to find something soon as!

Sunny day

Weather - Sunny 23C

Wow, beautiful day, it is summer after all. The apartment at The Rex complex was indeed very nice. Alba couldn't work out how to get in, bless. It's an electronic key which you place up against the receiver and automatically opens the door. No keyhole at all, very confusing. Just as well I was there she said. All done out in Art Deco style. Two en-suite bedrooms and three toilets which was a surprise. That's almost as many as there are rooms. Nice and secluded as it's set back from the street and has a nice balcony for sipping cocktails on. And it's right next to The Gatsby (a swanky cocktail bar and restaurant), and the Rex cinema. I'll buy one (if I can raise a mortgage for a bit more then the there bed, four storey town house I'm living in at the moment)! I think it's about the classiest property we've got on and we only got it because Charles Bailey closed.

Des has gone to view the Sheilings which is a nice bungalow that has been on for months. I have lost interest and enthusiasm in showing it as no-one seems very interested and just nit-pick with every viewing. Probably better that Des shows it I think!

Euro 2008 started yesterday so my wife shall be a footy widow for a few weeks. The only interest I can really generate is by playing fantasy football against Jon. He's winning at the moment but there have only been two matches played so early doors yet. England are just about to tie up the series against the Kiwis (yes, I'm listening online again). Sounds like England could/should win by an innings. New Zealand have been a bit rubbish to be honest but hey ho! You can only play what's in front of you. There goes the last wicket. An innings and nine runs. 2-0 in the series. A spanking.

On the house front not much to report other than to say slow would be an understatement. No calls and no-one in for the first hour and a quarter. I'll keep you posted hour-by-hour so you don't miss any excitement. I say hour-by-hour but month-by-month might be more appropriate at the moment!

Think it's BBQ time tonight, I'll have to pop across to Tesco (if I have time), few cold beers, glass of wine that sort of things. Very nice too, especially when you don't have to work on a Monday morning. Tomorrow promises to be at least as nice a stoday so I'll get my walking shoes on and take the boy out somewhere to stretch his legs.

Doom and gloom

Weather - sunny intervals 15C (it's supposed to be summer?)

Well, Alba's not the cheeriest I've ever seen her. In fact she's downright depressed about the whole housing situation. And, I must say, it doesn't look great. Not a house sold for months although waiting for two exchanges at the moment which are taking an age. Charles Bailey in Berko closed down Monday last and Cole Flatt in Tring closed down during the week. A picture of things to come maybe. I think I need to start looking for another part-time job that doesn't involve the housing market! Just been delivering leaflets with Des because it's soooo quiet there's nothing else to do at the moment except type this blog up.

Anyway it gives me time to be regaled about Des' exploits at Batchwood picking up two women and taking them back to his house. Lovely! He's now off doing a viewing at a house that belongs to his ex-girlfriend. What does this guy get up to? I don't think there's a woman in Berko he's not had 'something' to do with.

Ah, the Hare Krishnas have just turned up outside and are proceeding to make an absolute earsplitting racket with their drums. Not very tuneful or soulful but it's making people stop and stare which I guess is the idea. Maybe we should get them to play in the shop window as there are precious few people stopping and staring in this direction. One chap's just been in asking what the cheapest property we have on is. I tell him a one bedroom flat at 175K then 250K and up. He says that's too expensive. What was he expecting? Maybe he should try Luton. There are two bedroom flats going there for 130K. What a lovely place Luton really is.

Sam from Claire Lloyd has just popped here head in and chewed the fat with Alba about the current situation. They sound as bad as us. Nothing moving and no interest coming from anywhere. I have to say, however, in my brief career I've never known anything different.
Going to see a penthouse flat in the Rex apartments later. Supposed to be very nice. Just come on at £335,000. Was £400,000 with the previous estate agent. Blimey, what a come down.

Just had a mad few moments two different people and a phone call within literally minutes of each other. Nearly couldn't handle the excitement. The phone call being;
'Hi, have they viewed my house yet'?
'Which house would that be?'
'Er, my one.'
'Which house is that?'
'Ellesmere Road of course.'
'Of course............'
We only picked the best customers here!

Hangover Sunday

Weather - 17C and overcast

So, with three hours sleep and a burgeoning hangover I'm fit to show people round some houses. Still at least I'm not looking after the boy today, I don't envy the wife that one, especially with the size of her hangover.

Busier than expected today with three viewings (hold the front page!). Lots of calls and people in the door though. The door, yes. The door that you are barely able to open as it is so sticky. I have trouble and I know it's bad. Talk about turning customers away. Got a viewing at an ex-council house which has been on the market for months and months and has little or no interest. They've finally dropped their price, although I can't see it making much odds. It's not a very nice estate and the chap opposite has what appears to be a used car business set up in his front garden(!).

Des is in today, first time I've seen him in a while due to the nature of his business i.e. flying around the world every week. He is in and out like a yo-yo at the moment which I think is driving Alba mad although he doesn't think so. I'm staying out of it. I'm just going to work every weekend until someone says stop!

More phone calls, this really must stop, I'm just not used to the pressure. Someone actually asking me about the areas around Berkhamsted. Do I look like an estate agent? Er, well, yes, I suppose I do.
Couple of viewings with a young couple and it's nearly time to go home. They didn't like the ex-council house either, but only because it needs so much work. Yes, not only is it ex-council but it also needs a lot of TLC (like 30Ks worth). Not worth the 280K that it's on for I think (and neither does anyone else apparently). Sleep is most definitely on the menu!

Here is a BBC property blog on the current state of affairs which is quite interesting.

A sunny Saturday

Weather - Sunny intervals 17C

After the dismal performance of the weather last Bank Holiday, today is relatively beautiful.
Nationwide have reported that house prices have dropped 4.6% in the last year with May seeing a drop of 2.4%...... which is nice!

Still as quiet as ever with four viewings today. However, there are also two valuations being carried out today and I believe a few properties coming on next week. Currently we have 43 properties on the market. David wants to raise that to sixty. Now all we have to do is sell the bloody things! Just had a chap register with us with the longest name I've ever seen. Reckon he's probably Sri Lankan or something. You'd be a winner at scrabble with it, that's all I know.

Town's definitely busier than last Monday (which isn't saying much), but there's nobody coming through the doors. David's gone to lunch and Anna's out on a viewing. She's left forty minutes early because she hasn't seen the house before. Forty minutes? She'll be round it in five! Anyway, that's the way Anna does it. She's making me coffee now so can't be too harsh on her.
I'm off to do a viewing in a few minutes, apparently a second viewing with the woman having put in offers on about another four properties so I'm under orders not to take any offers as she's a little bit flaky. Lost her husband a while ago and very insecure apparently.

Asked David about doing leaflet drops and he's all for it so that'll be a bit of extra during the week, if he remembers. Think I'll email him mid-week to remind him.

Oh well, off to the final viewing of the day and then back home for some RnR. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!
It's the end of May. June tomorrow, I wonder what this month will bring.

As is the way with these things, it's so quiet that I almost forget to do my time sheet and mileage for the week! Still raining but now I'm going to lock up having just taken a phone call. Typically the phone hasn't rung since lunchtime and as soon as I go upstairs to the loo someone phones!
Watching Bank Holiday drunkards wander/stagger past after an afternoon down the pub. Sounds like a good idea! Folder goes back in the cupboard, doors are locked, ansaphone on and alarm set. Let's go!

Wet Bank Holiday in Berko

Weather - 10C and very wet and windy

Sitting in the office, alone but for the sound of the wind whistling around the old building and the company of Aggers on TMS. Had a few visits and phone calls but mainly listening to TMS online through my headphones. Strauss has just been caught after completing his century. But now Pietersen should finish the job against the Kiwis. Sounds bloody windy up in Old Trafford! Pretty windy here as I watch the DD sign flying almost horizontally in the wind. The rain hasn't let up all day and anyone who has come in has looked thoroughly disheveled and fed up! I, on the other hand, am quite warm and dry. Oh dear, Pietersen's run himself out! The wife has just got home from Poole. It's taken her an age in the weather and what with the Bank Holiday traffic I don't think it's been an enjoyable drive somehow. Looking forward to seeing the baby boy, three days seems a long time without him.

Not a lot to see through the grubby windows apart from the odd bedraggled shopper dragging the family along the road. There aren't a lot of shops open apart from the main chain stores and they certainly aren't doing a brisk business. I think Laura Ashely is winning in the footfall stakes and God knows what people are venturing in there for! Perhaps they're offering free tea and coffee. Speaking of which I think that's what I'm going to do right now, after I've locked the front door. Obviously this will spark the rush of people clamouring to put their houses on the market. Well, maybe not. I think there have been a grand total of four couples in today and about the same amount of phone calls. One of which was Anna to see how I was doing. Bless her! It's like having a mum at work (or in this case on the other end of the phone), she does worry a bit.

It's days like this that leave you wondering what the future has in store for this branch although I don't suppose there's that much excitement in any of the estate agents in Berko today.