Update

The latest is that one of the lodgers turned really weird, we had a falling out and he's gone. Thankfully he did so in breach of contract so, I got to keep the security deposit.

Hey, Neil, don't read any of this, we won't have much left to talk about if you do!

I have given myself until April to find another. After that it seriously dents my plans for this year (and next). Where I am now is in rebuild mode. I am thinking positive and trying to turn this in my favour. 

More money has been invested in the empty room to bring it in line with the existing room which means, I can charge the same as that. In actual fact, it's far better than the other room so I should be asking more but, I'd rather not do that.

When it is all done I shall post some pictures here. For now I can share the link to the listing which will get updates later this week.

The Advert

It's actually nothing like this!

Of course, if I don't get another lodger I will have a lovely spare bedroom!

What changes?

My plan for 2025 was to do three holidays outside the UK. It is very ambitious but, with two lodgers I could do it, with one, not so much. Maybe I still can but, it would mean other plans I have been really looking forward to not happening. 

But, what remains safe?

Well, in June we are off to Port Aventura in Spain for an all inclusive mad yet restful 10 nights.

In September, it'll be another trip to The Philippines to spend some quality time with family.

Disneyland Paris - I am still hopeful of this in late November with Dennis, Josh & Danny. I have to be imaginative on just how I am going to be able to afford it though.

My dreams of photographing the stars will be for sure on hold. I cannot justify £500+ on this one item. It would be fun, educational and useful but, not something I can do this year without that second lodger

It may seem a little early to be thinking about Christmas already but, with the other plans I have prioritised, Christmas just is not going to need the money spent on it that much.

As thinks look unlikely to resolve with a huge part of my family, it is going to be very much a non event anyway

Yes, the shed. It used to look like this, it doesn't now! Now it is just a mess, much of it in pieces all over the garden. I would need around £1500-2000 to fix it and, again, without a second lodger I cannot do it which is a shame as it gets used rather a lot for all sort of storage. But, not a lot I can do about it so, likely 2025 is the last year of having it.

Car

For the last few weeks my almost new car has again developed a very loud and annoying vibration sound. Last time I was told that I caused it by driving through a puddle, seriously? A car meant for the UK is not designed to drive through a puddle? We are not talking flood water at 70mph here! They best not tell me it's happened again as I really cannot drive a car trying to avoid every small puddle down roads, especially at night.

All that stuff but, what of plans I have managed this year already which I set out to do?

Friends, I pledged to make the effort to spend quality times with friends. One has already stayed here for a couple of nights, I am joining another for a short break of just cutting off in Suffolk for a few nights and (I hope), the year will continue along those lines.

What about the Vlogs?

Well, yes, about that. I think I mentioned that this was going to get active in April? Well, guess what has changed which has buggered up that particular plan? Indeed, losing a lodger!

I am gaining back some control over my health but, I didn't just write that just in case I jinxed it!

Sadly, the doctor isn't playing ball so something I suspect it wrong I cannot persuade them to test me for.