Rule Britania

Got in contact with Britania and asked them to deliver our furniture on the 9th Feb. They said they would be in touch. Yes but I want to know if that date is suitable. I want to know if the furniture will arrive. I want to know if I need to take a day off work. I have sent them a couple of emails but they have not answered either of them, so I had to give them a call. I am a bit paranoid that things will get lost or not turn up on time.

The folks that are selling the flat want to sell us their big wardrobe for 200€ ahte estate agent says offer 150e for it. Here we are sitting back and waiting impatiently to move in. There they are being harried to leave their home. Apparently if they do not move out on the date specified in the contract then they will be fined 300€ a week until they do. That does not sound like a lot of money... wouldn't get you a decent room in a hotel for a week... and how would you even collect the money.

The weather is good or bad depending on what you are doing. It is great for walking and enjoying the clean bright fresh air. Maija went for a walk last night and crossed a bridge from Lautasarri onto a small discrete island with a few enormous houses on it. She saw a lampshade in the window of one of these big houses and thought it looked familiar to the one were were getting for free with the house as part of the chattels. She was happy that she would have the same lamp as a rich person would have in their house. Is this a question of worth? I am happy if it gives light when you switch it on. We have different expectations for things.

I talked to Eija yesterday and we got around to the topic of neighbours from hell, and what do you do if you end up living next to somebody that you absolutely hate. When you go on a house buying search your eye looks out for neatness and tidiness in the surroundings. Are the outside rubbish bins full or empty. You look at corridors and walls for signs of graffitti. You look at light switches and door knobs for signs of grim and grubbiness. The sauna has to be clean, the washing up area has not to be littered with abandoned clothes. There has to be silence in the rooms of your appartment. No leaks on the floor from radiators, or dishwashing machines, Clean worksurfaces with no crumbs from toast or dried up blobs of strawberry jam. No strange smells of cabbage, mold or socks. I could be describing a morgue, a place of the dead. Life is messy and chaotic. The more things are sliping through you fingers like fine sand the more you want to grab hold of them firmly and take control.

I wonder if our furniture will arrive on the 9th. I will have to write Britannia once again to get confirmation about the dates