(Last) weekend at the coast

We won't be spending as much time at the coast as we used to. The past weekend we undertook the last task to free the flat of all our personal stuff. Our cousin William and his mate came to pick up all the gear that was heading to the container park. A blessing, having two strong men to fetch and carry!

The week before, Christine's work colleague Stijn came with his small van to load all the boxes of household stuff and some small items of furniture (like two outdoor relax seats, a small cupboard made by our father, and a table that can be folded). By now we have given everything a place in our house here in Dendermonde.

Having help on Saturday morning, it left the afternoon free to do as we pleased. We enjoyed a great lunch at a bistro and made a nice walk along the beach and the promenade afterwards. Later, we met William and his wife Fabienne, plus their granddaughter Nora, to enjoy waffles and pancakes. 

It was a nice weekend - the last one in Heist, at least this year. Probably we'll spend a couple of days per year at the coast in the future. There are enough places you can rent for a weekend or midweek, even with hotel service. 

Another productive weekend

The past long weekend was used to finish our work in the flat at the coast. Now all the stuff is divided in two parts: the things that go to the container park (last weekend of November) and those (boxed) which need to be taken home (next Sunday).

My sister's co-worker offered to help us moving these boxes. He has a pickup truck which is roomy enough to stow all the different boxes and packs of clothing. We also need to take along two relax chairs which we used to sun into. 

The only problem is where to put all the stuff once it arrives in Dendermonde. The objective is that everything will get a place, but before that we need to make some major changes in the downstairs of the house. The interior will be completely changed. These things need time. Nowadays, it has become difficult to obtain certain materials. For instance, for high-end isolating glass in windows you need to wait at least 6 months. The other renovations have to wait until the new doors and windows have been placed. Then will probably come isolation of the outer walls, then a renovation of the bathroom. Later on, it will depend on the pricing what can also be done. Sun panels would be great, and a new floor in the living room. We'll see what will be possible!

Nearly completed

Apart from the weekend in Antwerp (which was, btw, as always wonderful, with a great concert as special treat) we spent the rest of the autumn break at the coast. Our main goal was to empty the flat of the stuff that needs to be removed for the new owner.

We worked hard. All the clothing was sorted out - one heap for taking along to Dendermonde, the other for throwing away. We filled quite a few sacks for the clothing containers. Some household items were taken to the recycle shop which is not far away from where our flat is situated. People there are thankful for nearly unused stuff, like saws, drilling machine, new bedlinen, etc. What needs to come to Dendermonde was put in boxes: some clothes, towels, our dvd collection and our bunch of cd's. Plus all the little items we bring along from our trips abroad.

We did not work all the time, though. We took time to go and have a Brussels waffle with whipped cream in a tearoom  once and on Friday night we went dining at @Sea.

Next weekend we go again to to the last things. Then we'll have to load all the boxes and transport them to our house here. At the end of the month our cousin William is going to help us bringing bigger objects to the container park. We have booked a B&B for that weekend.

We'll be glad when all is done! 

In the meantime I'm waiting for the estimate for putting in new windows and doors in the house. We have already ordered work in the kitchen. Next will be an estimate for isolation of walls and roof and then for renovation of the bathroom. We'd like to make our nearly century-old house ready for the new times. Nowadays new built houses and blocks of flat need to have an energy label A (there is a grade from A: totally in order  to F: not isolated). Our house fetches E in the best case. With what we intend we'd like to go to at least C. More won't be possible in an house that old.